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House (TV series)

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House is a prominent American medical drama television series.

HouseCastSeason1
HouseCastSeason1

Created by David Shore for the Fox network, the show aired for eight seasons. It ran from November 16, 2004, until May 21, 2012. The series follows the life of Dr. Gregory House. He is a medical genius who leads a team of diagnosticians. This team works at the fictional Princeton–Plainsboro Teaching Hospital, or PPTH. The hospital is located in New Jersey. House is known for being unconventional, cynical, and misanthropic. He often struggles with a dependence on pain medication due to a leg injury.

Hugh Laurie Actors Guild
Hugh Laurie Actors Guild

The show functions as a medical "whodunit." This means the doctors investigate symptoms to find the cause of an illness. The process relies heavily on inductive reasoning. This is a logical method where doctors eliminate diagnoses that are proven impossible. House often uses controversial or subtle insights to find answers. He even examines a patient's personal secrets or lies to solve cases. This investigative style creates constant tension. House frequently clashes with his boss, the hospital administrator Dr. Lisa Cuddy. He also often conflicts with his own medical team. His only true friend is Dr. James Wilson, the head of Oncology.

David Shore by Gage Skidmore
David Shore by Gage Skidmore

The diagnostic team changed several times during the eight seasons. For the first three seasons, the team included Dr. Robert Chase, Dr. Allison Cameron, and Dr. Eric Foreman. After this team disbanded, House selected new members. These included Dr. Remy "Thirteen" Hadley, Dr. Chris Taub, and Dr. Lawrence Kutner. Later, medical student Martha M. Masters joined the group. By the final season, the team consisted of Dr. Eric Foreman, Dr. Jessica Adams, and Dr. Chi Park. These shifts in personnel allowed the show to explore different team dynamics. Each member brought unique skills to the process of solving medical mysteries.

The concept for the series grew from several specific inspirations. Paul Attanasio and David Shore pitched the show as a medical detective program. Attanasio was inspired by "Diagnosis," a column written by physician Lisa Sanders. Sanders is an attending physician at Yale–New Haven Hospital. The fictional PPTH is modeled after that real teaching institution. Shore also used his own experiences as a patient for inspiration. He wanted to create a character who was physically disabled. Originally, the creators thought about using a wheelchair. However, Fox requested the character use a cane instead. This change added a crucial physical dimension to the role of House.

Many clever references link Dr. House to Sherlock Holmes. The character of House is loosely based on the famous detective. Both men use intense logic to solve their cases. They also both play musical instruments to relax. House plays the piano, the guitar, and the harmonica. House's relationship with Dr. Wilson echoes the bond between Holmes and Dr. Watson. The show includes many direct nods to the Conan Doyle stories. For example, House lives at address 221B. A patient in the pilot episode is named Rebecca Adler. This name refers to Irene Adler from the Holmes stories.

Sherlock Holmes - The Man with the Twisted Lip
Sherlock Holmes - The Man with the Twisted Lip

Even a villain in season two is named "Moriarty."

The production of the series was a massive global undertaking. It was filmed largely in the Century City district of Los Angeles. The show was highly successful in the United States. It ranked among the top 10 series from its second through fourth seasons. In 2008, it was the most-watched television program in the entire world. The series was distributed to 71 different countries. It earned many prestigious honors during its run. These include five Primetime Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards. It also received a Peabody Award and nine People's Choice Awards.

Behind the scenes, a large team managed the complex medical details. Lisa Sanders served as a technical advisor to ensure accuracy. Bobbin Bergstrom, a registered nurse, also served as a medical advisor. The writing staff was quite large and diverse. Over two dozen writers contributed to the series. Some of the most prolific writers included Lawrence Kaplow and David Shore. The show's direction was also handled by many different people. Deran Sarafian was one of the most prolific directors. Hugh Laurie even directed one episode titled "Locklock" in season six. This collaborative effort helped maintain the show's high standard for many years.

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Princeton Frist Campus Center back
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File:Sherlock Holmes - The Man with the Twisted Lip.jpg
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File:David Shore by Gage Skidmore.jpg
David Shore by Gage Skidmore.jpg
File:Hugh Laurie Actors Guild.jpg
Hugh Laurie Actors Guild.jpg
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Princeton Frist Campus Center back.jpg
File:HouseCastSeason1.jpg
HouseCastSeason1.jpg
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