“We have a very good time pushing buttons, but not just for the sake of pushing buttons,” said Kaplow. “Everything that House says, every response, is justified, no matter how rude – at least in his twisted mind.”
In Andie's case, House has humour on his side. As shocking as some of his comments are, they are put-it-on-a-T-shirt funny (“I’m not terminal, merely pathetic, and you wouldn’t believe the crap people let me get away with”). He also has an element of truth on his side. Having a terminal disease does not make someone a saint. And he has a higher purpose on his side. House questions Andie's bravery not just from a foundation of profound cynicism, but from a clinical perspective that it could be another symptom to write on his beloved whiteboard.
“If you look specifically at his actions, they're all designed for one thing - they're constructed to benefit the patient,” Kaplow pointed out. “So no matter how outlandish he is, you can always count on House doing the right thing to save a life. I don't think we can get too outrageous, because so far he's always been in the patient's corner.”
This trait, plus the charisma Hugh Laurie adds, gives the writers freedom to push the limits of House's misanthropy, allowing him to say the rudest comments to make a point, and, for the most part, not horrify the audience or make them wonder too loudly why the man isn't fired or killed. (He has been sued and punched.)
“He can get away with it, because he's the one guy you really want on your case if you're sick,” said Kaplow.
The Issues: “Who's to say that what House has done is wrong?”
House is the doctor I would most want on my case if I contracted a mysterious disease, and the one I would least want on my staff if I were running a hospital. I often find myself cheering for him, then realizing I really should be opposed to what he's done – like his lie to the transplant committee in last season's Kaplow-written “Control,” a lie that put his bulimic and therefore higher-risk patient on the top of the transplant list.
Article comments
1 - vikk
What a great . . . interview, essay, article, oh, all three. I thoroughtly enjoyed reading this.
2 - S. Savage
I suggesting the writer could have a seen with "The Rock". Dr. House's character it seems like no one could stand up to him but, I think the Rock could. Write something about how The Rock has to have surgery but really doesn't becauce Dr. House mis-diagnosed him and The Rock wants to Slam dunk him. Something like that. thanks
3 - May
Great article. It's really fun to hear from the writer's perspective and delve into the characters deeper than most of the interviews I read, it shows such a good insights of the house character of the writers. I noticed when the 2nd season starts House did act more recklessly than before, Hugh's performance more animated, and wonder where that will lead, now I got a peak, nice. I do agreed that because the medical elements are mixed with character elements, it makes the show so much relevent, and that's what makes it so great. Love the part that he can't praise high enough for Hugh either. He is "The Man".
Really love the article along with the Q&A. Thanks, and keep it up.
4 - treacle-a
Excellent interview.
It makes me sad though that Kaplow is willing to get out there and trawl the net to find out what the fans are thinking, but ends up at TWoP?!
It worries me because TWoP has a history of strong bias against Cameron, the writing of whom Kaplow has been criticised for in the past, and the idea that word might leak back that 'the fans are ANTI-CAM' fills me with dread. Maybe if Laurence reads this comments, he'll consider moseying on over to an LJ community like house_cameron and experience the flip-side :)
5 - deekay
Thank you, all! treacle-a, he mentioned a few places and I'm not sure it was a comprehensive list. TWoP stands out because I asked some follow up questions to it. And not everyone hates Cameron. As I said in the Humpty Dumpty review, I love one of her - I just think she's been inconsistently written. When I said she was "overly emotional" in this article, I meant that's what House was calling her by his comment ... though she was actually great in that particular episode (Autopsy).
6 - Phillip Winn
Since I see now that House is available on DVD, I think I need to check it out. Such devoted fans tell me something!
7 - deekay
I believe part of that "something" is "get the DVDs," Phillip, but the other part is "Tuesdays at 9." It's not a hard show to jump into midstream, since the episodes are largely self-contained. What you've missed in character backstory is made up for in viciously funny sarcasm.
Uh, really, I'm not employed by Fox!
8 - jac
Superb writing for a superb actor. For someone who rarely watches TV, then usually only views those old,wonderful English comedies on PBS, I am not qualified to critique TV dramas. But the few episodes I saw of the first year were so great I bought the DVDs, and actually remembered to watch the first of the season tonight. Now, I am afraid House may not be the man I thought he was. Tonight, he had lost his hair and his honesty! Please, don't make him physically unattractive and dishonest and lose the poignancy of his love scene with his lost love that everyone wants to see more of this year.
9 - mel
great interview!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love the show house but i live in australia so we're only up to da carmen elektra one but i still love the show. OH and i need 2 know DOES HOUSE LOVE CAMERON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
10 - AR
I have a great idea (medical case) for a show- which actually happened to me. Where can I submit this??
11 - Corrine
The show sometimes gives me sparks on how to making the life eaiser and how to achieve any goals in your mind. Just look how House made it.