"We have a great workplace in terms of the synergy between (creator and fellow executive producer) David Shore, Hugh (Laurie), the actors, the other writers, the producers and myself," she enthused. "We're all on the same team. We're all trying to climb this mountain together and make it better and better and better."

"Songs have become an important signature to every show, ours included."

Jacobs is also in control of the music for the show, both the score and song selection, and even that is a product of teamwork. "I get a lot of great suggestions from people around me and I sit on it, stew, worry and obsess, as I am right now — I have a mix later today — and then I decide at the last minute which song I'm going to use," she revealed.

She's particularly excited right now because they're preparing the first House soundtrack CD. It will contain songs from all three seasons, plus a couple of tracks covered by star Hugh Laurie's Band From TV, which also boasts Greg Grunberg of Heroes, James Denton of Desperate Housewives, Bonnie Somerville of Kitchen Confidential, and Bob Guiney of The Bachelor. When we talked, Jacobs wasn't sure if the rights had been secured yet for Elvis Costello's rendition of Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful," which he recorded specifically for the show, but she is hopeful it will be included — as will be fans who have hunted for the elusive track since "Autopsy" aired.

"The more you show about the characters that relate to him, the more you expand our world."

Her other bit of news was the just-finalized casting of Jane Adams as Wilson's second ex-wife in an upcoming episode. A Tony-award winner, as is Robert Sean Leonard, Adams is probably best known as Niles' second ex-wife on Frasier. Chances are she's going to be playing a needy character, in keeping with Wilson's history.

"He's been married three times and he tends to gravitate towards slightly wounded people, thinking he can make them feel better. So House certainly fits into the same category."

Jacobs, who admires the "brilliant chemistry" between Leonard and Laurie, hinted that Wilson might find someone other than House to gravitate toward soon, though. "Wilson is now three times divorced and alone and has plenty of time for House. What happens if he no longer has as much time because he's finding himself in a relationship?"

Cameron, who's still obviously harbouring feelings for her boss, has for now turned to the "very practical "friends-with-benefits arrangement with coworker Chase." They slept together once last season and it didn't screw things up, so why not," Jacobs laughed. "So we're having a really good time playing with that. How long can that go on? Maybe it will be entirely successful, but somebody always starts to feel more of an attachment than the other person."