I had never watched House until sometime in November last year. Well, that’s not quite true. I remember watching one, once, and wondering what the fuck was going on, but I hadn’t watched it, if you know what I mean.
That changed when we ran out of Battlestar Galactica. I can’t remember what the selection process was, but we wanted a series to replace it with and we chose House MD. And I got so hooked, that when one of our sons asked me what I wanted for Christmas I said ‘the next season of House would be good!’
And lo! He got me not one, but two more seasons of House, and I fell upon them like a woman starved of a decent TV soap to watch. Strictly speaking it’s not a soap, as such, but it’s close. And it’s good.
For those who don’t know, the central character, Greg House, is an extremely damaged individual. He’s a brilliant doctor (apparently), but so abrasive, and so cavalier in both manners and dress, that it’s a wonder he’s still employed. And he has but one friend, who he treats like shit.
In fact, he spreads dissent and unhappiness wherever he goes, except for the few patients he most brilliantly diagnoses and treats when everyone else is getting it way wrong (and also possibly the prostitute community who benefit financially from his continued existence). He provides enough in the way of diagnostic near misses and patient complaints to keep the hospital lawyers on Valium, and is himself a slave to Vicodin, a powerful opiate painkiller which he uses to get through the day. Oh yeah, and he needs this because of a medical mistake made by the very hospital he works in.
What else?
1 – He never seems to bother to shave or brush his hair. He is a tousled individual with stubble which hovers just the wrong side of ‘designer’.
2 – He wears jeans, trainers and grungy tee shirts to work, and refuses to wear the obligatory white coat.
3 – He says – and does – just exactly what he wants to, no matter who it offends.
4 – He lies through his teeth.
5 – He experiments on his patients – and himself – if he thinks it might be a good thing. And that’s ‘a good thing for House’ by the way, not necessarily ‘a good thing for the patient’.
6 – He is manipulative and deceitful.
7 – Like most other addicts he is self-centred and self-serving.
And women all over the world love him. Nay, they drool over him.
Why is this?
OH and I had that very discussion today, and here is what I told him:
Firstly, House recognises no authority – wouldn’t everyone love to be an anarchist? Now, disengage your moral and ethical override, and ditch your common sense, and answer that again.
Secondly, House has a razor sharp intellect, and even sharper wit, both of which are always sexy.
And House is a Cave Man. Now, ever since the women’s liberation movement, there has been a tiny voice deep inside most women which is fighting to be heard. It’s the voice of the biological imperative which says we need a mate who is strong and powerful, and able to protect us and our children, and bring home the bacon – and hold the soft squidgy stuff. We might not really want to go back to those days when the Little Woman sat at home and did as she was told, but in evolutionary terms it was two seconds ago and we felt safe like that. That imperative is still strong in us, and probably also explains why the ‘vampire warrior’ genre is so popular just now.
House isn’t a vampire (one of the few character flaws he doesn’t have, by the way), but he fits the bill if you’re looking for the total opposite of the New Man, aka Warm and Friendly Guy with a Feminine Side. All of which, along with his tall, lean figure, piercing blue eyes and wry grin, contributes to the ‘sexy’ label.
OH looked thoughtful at the end of our discussion. And then he said:
‘He’s sexy?’
Me: Yes. He is sexy.
OH: House?
Me: Yes, House.
OH: Not Hugh Laurie?
Me: No. It’s House.
OH: Oh. Well, thank goodness for that!
Me: Why? Why not Hugh Laurie? What’s wrong with Hugh Laurie?
OH (Giggling like a schoolboy): But he’s the Prince Regent*! I’d have a real problem with that. I mean, how could you find the Prince Regent sexy?
*Sigh*
Apart from, you know, the fame and fortune and adulation and so on, I could feel quite sorry for Hugh Laurie at this point, and I feel I should set the record straight.
Not only is he not the Prince Regent, but he isn’t actually Greg House, either!
*Surely everyone must have seen his wonderful ‘Prince Regent’, but if you are one of the few who have not, go here, and prepare to be amazed and entertained.
Oh, thát Prince Regent, hehehehe. Very funny!
We used to watch House, until they started re-running episodes on one day and broadcasting new episodes the other. We totally lost the plot then. But we had great fun in guessing which weird disease his patients had. You know, when they go over every possibility, a number of diseases always get a mention (I can’t remember which ones now of course), but we always tried to beat them in being the first to mention them. Ah, the simple life we lead
Did you know (probably not) that his only friend in the series, the actor Robert Sean Leonard, is married to the woman who rides the stallion who is the father of my horse Naloma? And that stallion (Sandstone’s Laurin) only spent a short time in the Netherlands and has very few children over here.
So… I am almost related to Robert Sean Leonard, which of course makes me a very close friend of Greg House/Hugh Laurie. Maybe I can introduce you one day. LOL
Ooooh now you’ve hit on one of MY obsessions!!!!
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I had no idea (being one of the few I guess) Huge Laurie played a role in Black Adder. I watched that show several times as well as ‘House’ and never even made the connection.
Was a very funny clip you directed us to, thanks!
love the show what was yesterday’s answer..sandy
sandy´s last blog ..Heads or Tails – Pack
Oh yes, I have blogged before on how I would never want to be House’s patient. For many reasons.
But I do loves Greg. Er, and the Aussie doc too. *sigh *
I’d better get back to work; enough daydreaming!
BTW we got daughter seasons 3 and 4 of House for Christmas too!
Maureen´s last blog ..The One Thing
I love House because he is Hugh Laurie – every so often, he will have a Prince Regent (or one of his many other characters) moment. I find it fascinating that he ended up with such a role. I don’t know if you noticed, but on one episode, you catch a glimpse of House’s PVR and one of the programs saved on it is Blackadder!
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I’m a fan, too, but my Fred is OBSESSED with House. Seriously, if anyone mentions doctors, walking canes, Vicodin, diagnoses, or the word “house” in his presence, one will be sorry, for one will then be entertained for an hour or more with Fred’s views on the character, his wit and brilliance, and his favorite episodes.
And, Jay, not to worry. In answer to your comment on my latest post, you absolutely DID NOT offend me with this post. Most drug addicts ARE self centered and self serving; it’s the nature of the disease. It’s part of what drew Cameron to House for all those years – she saw beyond the selfish, egotistical brashness and looked at a wounded soul.
Speaking of which, who do you like better – Cameron or 13? Cameron for me; I’m sorry she’s gone.
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The first time I watched House, I said to myself, “hey! it’s the prince from Black Adder!” It took me a long time to get used to him without the posh accent.
Tuli´s last blog ..Hey, It’s The Guy From Bones! No, Not Him…The OTHER Guy.
Not a fan. I know! I’m a troglodite but I’m with OH, I just keep waiting for him to say something foppish and for Rowan Atkinson to waltz into the shot. He sounds all wrong with an American Accent. Glad you enjoy it though . . .
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Brilliant! Yes I remember him as the Prince Regent and wasn’t he in 101 Dalmations too, as one of Cruella’s idiot henchmen?
Carolina – OOoh, we do that, too! ‘It’s paraneoplastic syndrome!’ ‘No it isn’t, it’s a tumour on the pituitary!’ ‘I think it’s lupus!’ Hahahaha!
And your horse has a connection with Dr Wilson? And therefore you do too! That’s great!! Tell me, if you whisper in your horse’s ear, and ‘Doc Wilson’ listens to his horse’s ear, can you communicate?
I quite like Dr. Wilson, though I want to slap him sometimes. :p
Kate – You, too, huh? LOL!
Sistertex – That’s because he’s actually a very good actor! If I’d seen House first, I doubt I’d have made the connection either. Same if I’d watched it a very long time ago. I just wouldn’t have dredged it up.
Sandy – Yesterday’s answer is now up, at the end of yesterday’s post!
Maureen – You have a fondness for Chase? I see … Note to self: Blond Aussie docs welcome over at ‘I’d Rather Be Blogging’ … :LOL
Funny how you got your daughter two series of House too! I’ve nearly finished mine.
DBM – I didn’t notice the PVR, but I have noticed the odd, very fleeting, Prince Regent moment. LOL! I guess it’s unavoidable, unless you’re as brilliant as Johnny Depp.
EthelMaePotter – Thank goodness for that! Thank you.
Funny that Fred is such a fan, although I don’t know why I say that since OH likes it too! As to Cameron and 13 – we haven’t got to that bit yet. Still finishing up series 3!
Tuli – I think it was long enough between me watching Blackadder and House not to get too confused, but I can see how it might happen!
LOL!
Baino – Nah, not a troglodite! There are perfectly good actors who I can’t stand, like Kenneth Branagh, and Willem Dafoe. If you don’t enjoy watching them, why bother? I quite like Laurie’s American accent, but it’s all subjective.
SJ Anne – Was he? I didn’t see that movie, unless you mean the 1960s version, and that was too long ago to remember!
haha! I love your sense of humor. This House dude sounds like most of the men I’ve dated. Haven’t watched the show, but have noticed the disheveled appearance and the snarky comments spewing forth. Gave it a miss.
Speaking of snarky comments, there’s this financial reporter making snarky comments about women who watch cage-fighting or mixed martial arts (more refined way to say it). He insinuated that men wouldn’t want to date us…what?! So, I put out a call for photos to demonstrate the truth. Nearly 200 pictures arrived. I chose 50 and made a video slideshow to demonstrate our collective “hotness”. We’re just a group of girls who like to watch fights. I don’t like it when people say mean things about people…especially if they’re bloody-well talking about me.
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I must confess, I do not watch television. But I have heard many people say they love the show!
Kala´s last blog ..Often overlooked.
I absolutely LOVE this show. House is an AWESOME character and Hugh Laurie is a wonderful actor!
meleah rebeccah´s last blog ..Unjustifiable Fears And My Wild Imagination
Great Post Jay, I love the series and Hugh Laurie carries the role off so well I couldn’t imagine anyone else taking it on!
It took us a while to get used to seeing him as House with an American accent having been used to seeing him in Blackadder and in his ‘Fry and Laurie’ comedian days.
Also how many people recognised Dr Chase all grown up from his days in the Aussie soap Neighbours?
I have half watched one episode at some time, but I don’t like Hugh Laurie in that character and his voice/accent is annoying.
Lupus! That was my favourite one.
Watched an episode last night to honour your blog :-p
I will whisper in Naloma’s ear that you like Dr. House. Who knows. It might work.
Perhaps you like this story about Sandstone’s Laurin, it’s heartwarming and I get a lump in my throat every time I read it, but then again, I’m sort or related to him
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Apr-22-Fri-2005/sports/26350474.html
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Cheryl – You should give it a try, it’s very sharp and often laugh-out-loud funny!
Kala – I rarely watch TV either, but if I hear about a show long enough and it sounds good, I’ll buy the series to watch.
Meleah – Thank you! Another fan, huh?
Taffy’s Mum – Thanks!
Chase was in Neighbours? Wow, I never knew. Mind you, I never watched that show, so I suppose I couldn’t be expected to recognise him. LOL!
Jennyta – Each to her own, and I know you’re not alone. I love it though!
Carolina – Lupus is very popular, but it never does turn out to be that, does it? And why do they always end up drilling holes in people’s heads? LOL!
It’s nice of you to offer to whisper in Naloma’s ear, but I’d rather she got in touch with Johnny.
Off to read the story!
Huge. Huge. HUGE fan!
meleah rebeccah´s last blog ..National DeLurking 2010!
I’ve wanted to watch house for a long time and now i really must. Trouble is i’m also into Grey’s Anatomy – and had season something or other for Christmas – and I really don’t watch much tv, especially not hospital things because Husband doesn’t like them. I wonder if he’d like House though. What do you think?
liz´s last blog ..I’m a proper granny
Haha. I LOVE this little article on so many levels. I’ve been a fan of House since it first hit the UK tv screens. It’s funny your OH thinks of Hugh as the Prince Regent. I still think of him as Bertie Wooster! Hugh Laurie was excellent in all the Black Adder roles he took; I particularly liked him as Lieutenant George in Black Adder Goes Forth – the 4th and final series they made with such a heart-wrenchingly poignant ending. But as House he hits all the buttons (maybe he shouldn’t but he does.)
Liz – I dunno … OH quite likes hospital dramas so long as they’re reasonably well done and not just soaps. He always looks away at the gory bits, and he doesn’t understand biology very well, but apparently he gets something out of them. Casualty didn’t go down well, but I didn’t like that much either. ER was acceptable. We haven’t watch Grey’s Anatomy, so I can’t really judge, but all I can say is give it a try. House is sharp and well written and not too soapy, so he might quite like it!
Jeni – Oh yes, Bertie Wooster! He was good at that too, wasn’t he? And yes, Blackadder Goes Forth was just so well done, especially that unexpectedly moving ending. I was trying to remember the name of Hugh Laurie’s character in that the other day and failing. Thanks for that.
Love your last sentence. True.
I’m visiting here from EthelMae’s place, and am a HUGE fan of House and Hugh Laurie. I became as hooked to him as he is to vicoden about a year and a half ago when I was bedridden with the flu. I watch re-runs of re-runs, and can hardly wait for him to come back after a hiatus. He’s one of the most fascinating characters on tv, and his relationship to Dr. Wilson intrigues me, as does Wilson’s character. Anyway, enjoyed the read, and will definitely do some back-reading and come back another time.
Linda Windes´s last blog ..Happy 101
Linda Windes – Hello there, and welcome aboard!
It’s easy to become hooked on House, isn’t it? It’s a complex web they weave, of medical stuff and personalities and relationships – and humour, which is an important part of the mix! I’m in the lucky position of still having half the backlog to watch as ‘new to me’, but I’m so glad they’re still making them!
I’m popping over to your place now to take a look around! Thanks for visiting!