(Here be spoilers for upcoming episodes, so turn back now if you are trying to be completely spoiler-free.)
Katie Jacobs is executive producer and co-showrunner (with David Shore) of the hit series House, MD, starring the incomparable Hugh Laurie. One of the “Powers That Be” behind the series, Jacobs has also directed several episodes, including the season three episode “Half-Wit,” the season four finale “Wilson’s Heart,” and episode nine of this season “Last Resort,” which will air November 25.
“Last Resort,” will be an “extended” episode, running an extra eight minutes, from 8:00 p.m. to 9:08 p.m. ET. (Set your DVRs and DVD recorders accordingly!). The episode guest stars Emmy-winning actor Zeljko Ivanek as a man who has been to sixteen hospitals, enduring a multitude of tests without being diagnosed. All he wants is to finally be diagnosed said director Jacobs during a brief conference call with television writers. “We wanted to tap in to the frustration that we feel when we see a doctor and we’re not diagnosed.” This is a man who has nothing left to lose: he’s lost his dignity; his life has been brutally disrupted by his illness. 
But when he comes to Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching hospital, he takes House, 13, and several clinic patients hostage, unwilling to release them until they can determine what is wrong with him.
He demands medical attention from the best doctor in the hospital (House, naturally), threatening to kill any hostages necessary along the way. 13 offers herself as a human guinea pig as the patient insists that any treatments be pre-tested. By the end of the episode, noted Jacobs, 13, who has been on a reckless and downward spiral, takes a second look at where her diminished life is headed. After the Huntington’s diagnosis she has lost all hope, according to Jacobs. “She kind of given up.” But in the aftermath of “Last Resort,” she winds up in an “interesting different place,” which the series will continue to explore.
Since last year’s cast explosion, Jacobs and the rest of the crew have dealt with the challenge of a much larger cast. “It’s hard but satisfying with all of the characters” and their differing points of view. This hopefully comes across, Jacobs offered, in “Last Resort,” when having such a diverse cast of characters can really be used to great advantage. Of course, the downside with such a large and talented is cast is diminished face-time for all of them, including the central character of House. "But hopefully we're doing better than last year with that," said Jacobs, acknowledging that last year's "survivor" story arc pushed several of the series regulars into the background. Of course last night's episode drew attention to Cameron and Chase's deepening relationship; and all three "House Classic" fellows are being much better utilized this season.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - sdemar
Thanks for your write-up, Barbara. Of course I am wondering what that "satisfying surprise in a personal sort of way between House and Cuddy" will turn out to be.
And I agree about the "unorthodox" nature of their relationship. That's why I love it so much-so unconventional, yet it works.
I know H&C will both agree to not pursue a relationship but hope that we will continue to see signs that there is something unique and special between these 2 characters.
"Asked about this earlier time slot (and the move to Mondays in January), Jacobs does not seem overly elated. Noting that she tries to be “unaffected by the numbers,” Jacobs realizes that the new timeslot offers fewer viewers. But she realizes that House’s success (and the show continues to be a huge ratings success) can help other shows also succeed"
I was wondering if the ratings have had an impact on TPTB. They have the highest rating amongst the prime audience but the # of viewers is quite a bit less than what they had in the past. They have competition this year but this shows isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
2 - marykir
Did you really mean to say "Jacobs does not seem overly elated" about the time slot? Just because of the phrasing, I wondered whether you meant to say "overly concerned," which is obviously quite different :)
3 - Grace
I, for one, am NOT at all happy about the earlier time slot, nor the move to Mondays in January. I don't care what show it helps or doesn't help, I want HOUSE on Hughsday, 9 p.m. EST!!! DO I NEED TO SAY THAT CLEARER????????
AND, WHY doesn't Katie know yet that we don't care about 13! WHY must we endure yet another episode tied around her????????????????????????
I'm SO glad the Christmas surprise will NOT be sex!!! Thank the gods!
Thanks for the interview, Barbara. I don't mean to sound ungrateful. I really do appreciate your blog on HOUSE.
DON'T FORGET to VOTE for HUGH and HOUSE for The People's Choice Awards. www.pca.com/pca/ You don't have to join,just type in a code. You can vote EVERY DAY until Dec. 8th! PASS IT ON!!
I have a note on my computer to remind me.
Let's show 'em just how many loyal fans HOUSE and HUGH really have!!!!!
4 - hl_lover
My thanks, too, for the interview, Barbara!
The unorthodox way (using Ms. Jacob's word for it) that "House" the show explores interpersonal relationships is exactly why it is one of the most satisfying shows on television today. And she (and her fellow producers) should be commended for standing their ground against the descent into 'soap-opera' territory, unrealistic character behaviors, and other 'jump the shark' manuevers that other shows resort to in order to try to maintain viewer interest.
The move to 8PM (and even the future planned day change) will not dissuade the dedicated viewers who appreciate this show, but perhaps the more casual viewers will fall by the wayside. The ratings are still good, considering that the landscape of television is changing before our very eyes, and the ways of measuring a show's popularity will need to be adjusted to take other factors into account, such as delayed DVR viewing.
marykir, I'd say that Barbara meant what she typed. It makes sense to me. ;)
5 - fhmd
Thanks for the article Barbara. I am glad the interview gave us some general overall directions on what we can expect in the near future without it being too spoiler heavy.
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After the Huntington’s diagnosis she has lost all hope, according to Jacobs. “She kind of given up.” But in the aftermath of “Last Resort,” she winds up in an “interesting different place,” which the series will continue to explore.``
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I am glad to hear that the destructive face of Thirteen is ending. I am looking forward to seeing a more "positive" Thirteen. She is a strong independent female character.
For the House/Cuddy relationship, the only believeable course of action is "unorthodox". And I agree with sdemar, "That's why I love it so much-so unconventional, yet it works."
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This season, House moved from its old 9:00 p.m. time to 8:00 p.m. Asked about this earlier time slot (and the move to Mondays in January), Jacobs does not seem overly elated.
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I do not like the new 8:00pm time slot. It is in my humble opinion too early a time slot for a show like House. I attribute to the decrease (although still very respectable) overall audience by a few factors.
- early time slot
- DVR
- Online viewing availability
- direct competition
I do not however believe the numbers are greatly affected due to the addition of the new ducklings and diminishing roles of the old ducklings in the show. The show is called House. I, and I suspect many others as well, watch the show because of House. Not Foreman, not Cameron and not Chase. They are "side dishes", House is the "main course".
All season, House has been losing to NCIS in total viewership. But it has mandleheanded the demographics war. Since Fox is not ever going to change the time slot for AI and it is evident that they are doing everything in their power to give Fringe a helping hand, House is forced to move to a new day. So House will be competing against ABC's Dancing With The Stars come Jan. I actually thinks this is better than the current Tuesday 8pm time slot. I think NCIS is a more direct competition than DWTS.
6 - Barbara Barnett
marykir--KJ talked a bit about the timeslot move. She is not happy with the new time, she'd much rather have it at 9 p.m.--the viewing base is smaller and anytime you see a drop in viewership, no matte how legitimate the rationale for it, she felt it was a bit discouraging. she also said that she knows that it makes some sense (and I'm not directly quoting her on any of this, but like I said, she talked a bit about it)to bolster a new show--and time is something they have no control over at Bad Hat or NBC/Uni, which produces the show (for those of you who didn't know that it's not a FOX series).
She didn't say that she was concerned about it, and she didn't appear concerned about it, noting that the show is still a huge hit and tremendously successful by any measure.
fmhd--I agree that the viewership hasn't been affected one way or the other by the new group of fellows. People tend to watch (most people, anyway) for the central character. I do feel their pain, as when I was a kid, I tended to pretty consistently get into the secondary character, who was usually the quirkier,more interesting character.
People have their favorites, to be sure among the secondary (i.e. non-Hugh) cast: Wilson, Cuddy, old crew or new. Not everyone dislikes 13 (no, she's not my favorite, but not my least favorite), not everyone likes Cameron. OR Cuddy. Or even Wilson.
7 - echo
*ducks flying fruit*
note to Katie Jacobs:
the over-stuffed cast diminishes the impact of the writing and the tone of the show. please let at least two, if not three, characters go and get back to the central theme of House as House.
Less screen time for Hugh Laurie, as House, is most certainly NOT the answer to the ratings slip. And I am quite sure you already know that.
8 - Eve
How I wished the show would get back to 9pm if only to prove that the drop in viewership is not only due to the 8pm timeslot.
9 - blacktop
While I am not at all disturbed by the slight diminution in audience for "House" this season, I do dislike the 8 p.m. hour because it pushes toward a less edgy, more conventional content and tone for the show. I don't believe that the addition of the new team has damaged the show at all; I was getting mighty tired of the original threesome. I particularly like that Thirteen has not shown signs of succumbing to the charms of House like all other women who enter his orbit. I find her acerbic responses to him enjoyable and realistic.
Many thanks to Barbara for this interview with Katie Jacobs. I am delighted to learn that the show runners realize that the dark, sexy, unorthodox, and difficult relationship of House and Cuddy is worth exploring in extended detail.
10 - operahouse
In response to "People tend to watch (most people, anyway) for the central character," how do you know this? I have maybe a dozen friends who watch House, and only one watches for the central character. And not everyone thinks there are sparks between House and Cuddy. I see absolutely no chemistry between them.
11 - Eve K
Hi over there and congrats with the election! Here in Europe we are very happy with the result!
About House and the impact of the ratings. I do not fear for the quality of the show so far.
This season have turned out to be very good, though the tone is quite different from earlier seasons. The hospital sets are larger (Hugh Laurie said it made him feel smaller), the colours, (witch I did think was amazingly bright in season 2) is toned down, much brown, beige and dark. There is sometimes like a dusty atmosphere. I think this sort of dehumanizes things.
The characters have to work harder to stand out, the music is toned down, everything is more naked, raw, the extreme HD quality leave nothing to our imagination, every wrinkle shows.
This makes it more real, although its somewhat larger than life, literary speaking.
The story is more important than ever to make this work, the characters and the dialog.
So far I like what I see. I do think that the new time-slot over there is going to better the ratings and the only reason I care is that I want to keep my fav show as good as it can be.
As always, a great review on "Itch" witch was a very good ep. Although House is becoming just a little bit to normal for my taste. But anyway, good for him. (-:
12 - Barbara Barnett
Eve K--House normal???? Nevah! I've really liked season five. At this point in each of the other seasons there has been at least one or two episodes I've not liked. Here we are up to #7 and I've pretty much liked them all. I do wish there was more HL. I felt so spoiled by House's Head. But he'll always be at the center of the show (sorry, operahouse).
13 - Amber
Sorry, Katie - the balance is not better this season as evidenced by the disproportionate amount of time spent on 13 at the expense of everyone else, even House (there are episodes where she gets more screen time that him this season). I didn't think it was possible, but in 13 David Shore has managed to create a character that I & my friends hate watching with a passion that far out strips anything we feel for any other character on TV.
14 - Pat
It's funny how NCIS managed to pick up 4 million viewers this season while House lost 5 million. Yes, it's definitely the time slot, not the show. As fhmd said above, DWTS will be easier as House's competition because NCIS does what House used to do but better.
I don't wish ill on characters but I do wish 13 would get killed in this episode or decide to leave permanently. Maybe then there would be room for someone else. Jacobs is either lying or delusional when she says the old team is better utilized this season. Foreman barely does anything but roll his eyes and Cameron and Chase have had more than a small scene or two only in the last episode and even that was overshadowed by the Huddy plot.
Thanks for the interview but this is very discouraging. It's the same old stuff as before. If you don't like Thirteen or Huddy (and I don't), there's nothing worth watching for.
Jacobs believes that “they see a hole, an emptiness, and what the women want to do is ease his pain. People see that he’s in a lot of pain, and if they can be the one who can smooth out those rough edges.”
Pass me a kidney dish, please. This was the worst of the early Cameron and now Jacobs thinks every woman is like that. What happened to having a smart, strong woman who can see through House's b.s.? Someone who will smack him into next week when he starts abusing her as he does Cuddy?
15 - Elaine
Sometimes I wonder if Katie Jacobs actually watches her own show, because some of her comments seem like total nonsense! She says, "Of course, the downside with such a large and talented is cast is diminished face-time for all of them, including the central character of House." Diminished for ALL characters? No! It's diminished for Chase and Cameron while Thirteen has gotten two HUGE amounts of face time in the first five episodes, and we are being threatened with... er, I mean... spoiled with MORE upcoming plots with her character as well. In the meantime, Cameron has had only ONE episode in a year-and-a-half, and poor Chase is getting a couple of minutes here and there, which is what Cameron will now be getting once again, of course. And that's IF we're lucky. The only person "doing better than last year" is Thirteen! I'm one of the many viewers who watch for ALL the old characters, not just House.
I also disagree with Ms. Jacobs that the time slot is largely responsible for the drop in viewership. Huge numbers of us have followed the show in the past to wherever it goes. It's been on Monday nights, Tuesday nights, and even a Wednesday night with "Euphoria 2," all with great ratings until lately, even those episodes that aired at 8:00. If NCIS can pull in huge numbers, there is no reason why House can't, and it wouldn't explain a drop in the MILLIONS for House in the past year. To NOT relate dropping ratings with major cast changes, as well as other changes in the show itself, seems unbelievable to me. If people loved this show as much as they used to, they'd follow it wherever the timeslot takes them. And if a Thirteen-laden Season 5 premiere is followed by an episode with 2 million viewers not returning, is it the fault of the time change?
I thoroughly enjoyed "The Itch," not because of the House/Cuddy junior high school antics, but because Cameron brought back some much needed warmth to the show, House's medical ethics were once again challenged, House was actually engaged in a case for a nice change, the medical mystery was quite interesting, and the old cast was "kicking it old school." The only thing missing was a funny clinic patient. It felt like a vintage House episode. Now I'm seeing the picture of House and Thirteen chained together for another over-the-top kind of episode. What's next? An earthquake? Fire at PPTH? Will we see Cuddy give birth in an elevator next season? Who's going to die a dramatic death next? One thing I AM sure of - it won't be lucky Thirteen.
I'd love to have five minutes alone with Katie Jacobs to ask her these questions. I feel such a huge disconnect from what she sees in the show and what I see. I definitely can't see "Huddy," but I'll reluctantly put up with it as long as it's not the focus. Combine that with too much Thirteen and I'll switch channels.
That's the end of my rant. I'm usually quite mild-mannered!
16 - Sea
Did none of you at the teleconference have the urge to call Katie Jacobs on her lies? That woman is delusional.
and all three "House Classic" fellows are being much better utilized this season.
In which way? We haven't seen Cameron or Chase for more than a couple of scenes until The Itch, and it seems that's going to be the last of it till when? next season?
Of course, the downside with such a large and talented is cast is diminished face-time for all of them, including the central character of House
Large? Sure, Talented? I'm not so sure. Diminished face-time for all of them? BS! only for Jennifer Morrison and Jesse Spencer.
And if the central character of House isn't as prominent as he used to be is due to Thirteen and episodes like Dying changes everything, Lucky Thirteen and more to come (episodes 9, 10 and a future arc), and the worst of all is that Olivia Wilde's acting skill is below average.
17 - Barbara Barnett
There are big differences in the NCIS/House demographics, with NCIS skewing way, way older. In the "key" demographic, House wins the time slot. Older viewers tend not to dvr things, either, and House picks up lots of viewers when you add back in the dvr recorders, and the re-running on USA network the next week. Seven is just plain too early for me to catch it any other way than by watching the recording and time-shifting. So, I'm one of those lost viewers, even though I am a very, very consistent viewer.
House, as a character has always had a woundedness, and (for me anyway, who loves Victorian literature--pass me my daily Bronte) I'm completely drawn to that darkness and tortured soul-thing. I love House's strangeness, and the fact that he is contradiction upon contradiction, but if he were simply a snarky jack-ass with sense of humor, I'd never have started watching to begin with. I watch almost no series television. For me House is maybe a once-in-a-decade find. My last being X-Files.
I stopped watching XF when I lost interest in Mulder as a character. I liked the dynamic between he and Scully, and I loved the UST, but not the RST (I'll explain if you don't know the jargon). I like the tension between House and Cuddy. It's been present since the first season.
Of course there are characters on House I like better than others, and I've made no secret of that. And my feelings about Chase and Cameron (individually) have changed vastly over time. I love Kutner and think Taub has a lot of possibilities (and I can see him and House coming to loggerheads at some time). I care much less for Foreman and 13. I've liked Wilson to varying degrees as well, as well as Cuddy. Even House can sometimes be too much of an ass for me. And that even goes back to season one.
18 - pollyg
I'm one of those older viewers without tivo so the main reason I don't like the new time slot is that, after forgetting House for two weeks in a row, I finally remembered it this week only to tune in for last five minutes instead of the beginning....They may lose me entirely when they switch to another day of the week....
I do find that the old team are better utilized this season--maybe not as much as many would like but they have seemed about balanced with the new team in the last couple episodes (I have managed to actually not miss...last one I saw all of was the road trip...)
"Thirteen has not shown signs of succumbing to the charms of House like all other women who enter his orbit." I agree but it disgusts me more than a little that they had to make her a lesbian to accomplish this.
"please let at least two, if not three, characters go..." Is it just me or does it seem most of fandom would vote hands down for letting Foreman and 13 go but these are the very ones who seem to be the darlings of Jacobs and company?
Thank you so much for the interview, Barbara--it's great to know what the powers are saying, even if we don't always like it ;)
19 - Gerry
Hi Barbara, nice interview! I think KJ is right in saying that old and new cast have been better utilized this season. Chase and Cameron had a good episode this week, and frankly, I don't need another featuring Cameron again next week. Just as I don't mind Thirteen as a character, but do mind excessive featuring. I want to see all the characters have their turn. Kutner's overdue.
I was most disturbed by KJ admitting House was being featured less, because I was hoping that was a temporary blip. I don't want to have to be hoping to see House on "House"---he should be front and centre. I don't think a shift to ensemble will work on this show.
I'm loving the fact that House and Cuddy are getting serious exploration with House admitting to feelings, even if only to himself. This season has really given us excellent fallout from House's conversatio with Amber/himself on the bus. He's trying to knock on the door. I don't think we'll get a typical relationship out of this, but I'm onboard for whatever is coming.
20 - Barbara Barnett
pollyg--Thanks for your insights. I don't always agree with the decisions made by the powers who run the show. But I've always found the show well-written (not 100% of the time, but most of the time). The character of House is amazingly consistently written. And while I don't always agree with where they are taking him,I do enjoy the journey, and sometimes my mind is changed. I've never been a big Foreman fan. He curls his lip, sneers a lot and generally glares in disbelief at everything House does and stands for, yet here he is still working for House after Cameron and Chase have moved on.
I intensely disliked Chase at the beginning. I've really grown to like him as a character--and his change is believable as he has grown out of his 20s and into a more mature age. Jesse has done a remarkable job at showing Chase's soft inner core and innocence beneath his veneer.
I agree that the show is a bit crowded. Give me more House!!!! But I'm OK with where they're going. As far as the powers listening to the fans. I don't think they should in a way that amakes them change their way of doing things. This is their show, their characters and their vision. Long may it reign.
21 - michelle
Barb, you always do a fine job of writing these up even if the neverending focus on Thirteen makes me want to scream.
Whatever made DS and co. think that tossing two characters that were there from the beginning and replacing them with an emotionally closed off, unexpressive drone that answers to number would be a good thing? How I wish she would just hurry up and stinking die already!
It appears that KJ made no further comment about Chase or Cam getting any more story exploration, but HEY! We're going to get to see fallout from Thirteen being taken hostage. Yay. We barely got to see Wilson deal with Amber's death, but I have no doubt we'll get plenty of Thirteen exploration on this one. Ugh, pass me the remote.
If they were going to move towrds this more soapish/less procedural direction the last thing they needed to do was to add more characters that the audience barely knows and start focusing on them. I'd much prefer the time spent on Thirteen and Taub to be spent on Wilson, Chase, Cameron, or even Foreman.
22 - Barbara Barnett
Thanks, Gerry. She didn't exactly say that House would be featured less, but everyone's getting a little more face time and it has to come from somewhere. Wilson's had way more time this season, as had Cuddy these last few episodes.
I remember in my interview last spring with Garrett Lerner and Russel Friend, who wrote the finale episodes, I asked them where House would be this season. They told me that he would be in a much more introspective space and that the finale would have an impact on him as he considers his own life and those closest to him. They were so very right. I'm loving this ride we're on with House. He may never change, but it certainly doesn't mean he doesn't want to change. Change is remarkably hard by the time you're in your late 40s (believe me I know). Even if you want to do it--desperately. The House at the end of "the Itch" was back at the pub where he was at the end of "Half Wit" scared of emerging from his shell and from his comfortable loneliness. but now he's thinking of not just interacting with people, but with a woman. For the first time in eons.
23 - Barbara Barnett
The one thing you all have to consider regarding what Katie offered in the interview: she could only respond to the questions she was asked. Most of the questions focused on House and Cuddy. so that's where the interview went. It was a conference call and not a one-on-one. If it was a one on one interview and I was asking the questions, they would be different questions. I will be posting a transcript of the interview on my personal site (only) when I get it tomorrow.
She was asked only one question about Cameron and Chase, so that's reflected in the interview. So, do keep that in mind.
24 - NancyGail
House ratings probably helped that it teamed w/Fringe. I HATE the Jan. switch, though - I'll have to catch new eps when they repeat. Chuck is on at that hour.
25 - Orange450
Barbara, thanks for the write-up. It's always fun to hear from TPTB. And I see what you mean about the writing machine :-) Three substantial articles in one day! Pretty impressive.
I'm enjoying this season so far, although with the exception of Birthmarks, I don't think it has hit any of the high points of the last several episodes of S4, starting from from Frozen.
So what is it about House? Come on, Katie! I can answer that in one word. Ok, two. Hugh Laurie. If he weren't playing the title role, I doubt I'd still be watching.
I also watch almost no series television, and agree 100% that House is a "once-in-a-decade" find. (And I've never been remotely tempted to spend the time on "extracurricular" analysis, discussion etc. like I do on this one.) Yes, the writing is great. But if HL weren't delivering the lines, I don't think they'd have a fraction of their impact. I can't think of any other actor (current or past) who could pull together the package, and make all the fascinating contradictions in the character come together in completely seamless fashion.