With all my usual TV shows on hiatus for the summer, I have been checking out reruns of shows I didn’t see during the regular season. One of the better ones is on Fox, surprisingly enough, and it’s called House. At first, I had no need to watch it, because after enduring the mediocrity that was NBC’s Medical Investigation (which has mercifully been cancelled), I was done with medical shows. The truth is, House is actually quite similar in concept to Medical Investigation, but its style couldn’t be more different. By far the biggest reason to watch the show is Hugh Laurie, who plays the title character, Dr. Greg House. An infectious disease specialist by trade, Dr. House only shows interest in patients who are suffering from rare and/or unknown afflictions. He has three younger doctors working under him (Omar Epps, Jennifer Morrison and Jesse Spencer) to do all his grunt work, but their interactions on screen are far less interesting than an interaction between Dr. House and anybody else. Robert Sean Leonard plays an oncologist who is just about the only friend Dr. House has. What makes the House character interesting is that he’s very anti-social (he interacts with patients and other doctors as little as possible), and he’s so blunt and sarcastic that I often find myself having to rewind and watch a scene again just to make sure he said what I think he did. He’s constantly butting heads with a hospital administrator, played by Lisa Edelstein, who seems to have a full time job trying to make sure the hospital doesn’t go completely out of business because of all the public relations disasters caused by Dr. House.
As you watch the show, keep in mind that Hugh Laurie is British. I like to think I’m pretty good at spotting fake accents, but so far his American accent has been right on the mark. House is what a good TV show should be — very interesting and entertaining. It’s on Fox Tuesday nights at 9/8c. The season is officially over, but there are reruns showing all summer. The new season will start Sept. 13.
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8 Comments
I came to the “Battlestar Galactica” table after the season was over as well and started to watch the entire season in repeats via Tivo.
I’m now officially hooked.
Vic
I have been checking out Battlestar Galactica as well. There are a few things I don’t like about the show, which you have already pointed out in your previous reviews. Overall, though, it’s a well-written show, and it keeps me interested. I really miss the original Cylons, though. Trying to figure out who’s human and who’s Cylon in the new show makes my head hurt.
Brian
We love this show.
We don’t miss this show.
It IS refreshing.
BUT (here she comes, old doom and gloom) I just said to my husband after the last episode… “I wonder how long they are going to be able to make this format work?”
The stories are quite formulaic… is that a word? I LIKE the formula, don’t get me wrong.
But I suppose like all series, you finally milk your formula dry. And if you are smart, you stop before you stoop to jumping the shark.
But we are enjoying the ride till then….
Interesting. I don’t know if you’re familiar with the show Brian, but Hugh Laurie was one of the characters in the Blackadder series, starring Rowan Atkinson. It’s interesting to see him playing such a completely different role. I’ll have to check this House thing out.
Thomas,
Never saw the show, but I have certainly heard of it, and I have seen pictures of Hugh Laurie from those days. He looks completely different now. He’s kind of like the British equivalent of Billy Crudup — it’s difficult to recognize him from role to role because he disappears into every character.
Brian
I saw one episode when it was shown quite late one night (I’m based in the UK btw) and yes, I loved it.
It appealed to me since I’m also health worker specializing in infectious diseases and House’s demeanor is very typical of some doctors we have here. I dont own a tv, but it looks like when the DVD for House comes out, I will have to get it. Isnt he up for an Emmy or something?
He is indeed; his nomination is well-deserved, IMHO. You can read all about it here.
Brian
What a shame Laurie didnt win, maybe next year?