House (TV series)

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House (also called House M.D.) is an American television medical drama that originally aired on the Fox Broadcasting Company from November 16, 2004, to May 21, 2012. The series's main character is Dr. Gregory House (played by Hugh Laurie), an unconventional, misanthropic medical genius who, despite his dependence on pain medication, leads a team of diagnosticians at the fictional Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital (PPTH) in New Jersey.

Plot

The series revolves around Dr. House's unique approach to diagnosing complex medical cases. House often clashes with his fellow physicians, including his own diagnostic team, because of his unconventional methods and abrasive personality. Despite his reliance on pain medication due to a chronic leg injury, House's brilliance and instincts solve medical puzzles that others cannot. Each episode typically begins with a cold open scene showing the events leading to the onset of symptoms for that episode's primary patient. The main story then follows House and his team as they solve the medical mystery, often with scenes involving patient treatment, team discussions, and differential diagnosis sessions.

Characters

• Gregory House - The title character, a medical genius with a troubled personal life and dependency on pain medication.
• James Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard) - House's best friend and the head of the Department of Oncology at PPTH.
• Lisa Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein) - The hospital's Dean of Medicine and House's direct superior, with whom House has a complex relationship.
• Eric Foreman (Omar Epps) - A member of House's team, known for his neurology expertise.
• Allison Cameron (Jennifer Morrison) - An immunologist and a member of House's original diagnostic team.
• Robert Chase (Jesse Spencer) - A surgeon and another original member of House's team.
• Chris Taub (Peter Jacobson) and Lawrence Kutner (Kal Penn) - Later additions to House's team, specializing in plastic surgery and sports medicine, respectively.

Production

The show was created by David Shore, who, along with Paul Attanasio and Katie Jacobs, served as a major producer. The character of Gregory House was partly inspired by Sherlock Holmes, particularly in his use of deductive reasoning and his abrasive personality. Hugh Laurie's portrayal of Dr. House received widespread acclaim, and the show became a significant part of 2000s television culture, noted for its influence on medical dramas that followed.

Reception

House was critically acclaimed and received numerous awards, including several Primetime Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards. Hugh Laurie became one of the highest-paid actors in television. The series was praised for its innovative approach to medical drama, complex characters, and moral dilemmas. It also sparked discussions about the ethics of medical practice and the portrayal of pain and addiction in popular media.

Legacy

House M.D. is considered a landmark series in the medical drama genre, influencing numerous other series with its focus on complex characters and ethical questions in medicine. Its impact is seen in the way it blended procedural elements with deeper, character-driven stories, setting a new standard for medical dramas.

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