House

It is amazing how well episodes of House (formerly called "House M.D.") hold up.   I might watch a couple of reruns per week, and despite being able to remember many details of the stories, they still captivate me.

I refused to watch this show at first because I thought that it would be some silly medical drama.   (I didn’t watch American Idol the first year either.)   Maybe parts of are a silly medical drama, but it does it with great intelligence and suspense.   The characters are interesting too, and the central character, House, is a likable jerk who pretends he doesn’t care but really does.   Most of would like to be as brilliant, witty and brutally honest as he is.

Hugh Laurie (who also played the adoptive father of "Stuart Little") plays House for comic effect but never so much so that it takes away the seriousness.   He walks a fine line but never crosses it.   It really is great acting.
The name "House" is a play on "Homes" which is a play on "Holmes."   They deliberately made House a medical version of Sherlock Holmes, including his opiate addiction.   His only friend "Wilson" is a version of "Dr. Watson."

John Coffey


P.S.  Here is something I wrote way back when ...

Having just watched the first twelve episodes of Season 1 on DVD, I can say that I am pleased as punch. No need for individual reviews here. All the episodes are excellent. 

Who would have thought that Hugh Laurie, who played Stuart Little's adoptive father, could play the curmedgeon, Dr. House?

The pilot looks to me like it was made on the cheap, but it is still excellent. The end of the pilot tries to give us a sentimental moment, but I think the producers were just hedging their bet, trying to appeal to a broad audience.