Lisa Edelstein dishes on her sex scene with Hugh Laurie and more.
House, M.D.’s fifth season wraps up with this Monday’s episode “Under My Skin” (written by Pamela Davis and Lawrence Kaplow) and the season finale on May 11 (“Both Sides Now,” written by Doris Egan). Over the past two episodes, and since Kutner’s (Kal Penn) suicide, House (Hugh Laurie) has been unable to sleep and has been having increasingly prominent visions of Amber Volakis (his former fellow and Wilson’s girlfriend, killed in last year’s season finale, played by Anne Dudek). But even finally getting a decent night’s sleep at the end of last week’s episode could not rid House of his hallucinations, and in the two finale episodes, House continues his downward spiral as the visions intensify and disrupt his work and his life.…
Article comments
26 - Val
Barbara, I always enjoy your interviews and the extra treat in the way of videos.
I think LE is one talented, classy lady and love her take on Cuddy. Looking forward to your upcoming talk with Doris Eagan (sp?) and am keeping my fingers crossed that you will get an interview with the wonderful Hugh Laurie! I know you'd do it justice!
Thanks for the extras during our wait for Monday.
27 - barbara barnett
ctch23--I think every actor makes up some sort of backstory in their minds to make their character work. We know what we know (and that is the only "canon"). My question was aimed to find out if she had any ideas on how they might have known each other. She described it very much like my own fascination with an older student (interestingly also in pre-med). He was brilliant and had at one time been a high school drop out. I had a huge crush on him, and even registered for a class I knew he' be in (an upper-division class I really had no interest in) because it was a very small class for chem majors and I'd get to know him a bit better. I totally got what she was trying to say, becuase it's oh, so true. I certainly wasn't stalking him, but absolutely wanted to get to know him much better, and what better way...
For Cuddy to have known House in college it would have to have been something like her taking a class where he was a TA or doing a class to "fill in" what he was studying as a grad student (My personal fanwank is that he took a Masters Degree at UMich before going to Hopkins for med school).
It's not exciting, and I doubt the writers came up with it (it's an actors' device more than a writer's device), but something LE needed to help her fill in the blanks for proper motivation and playing the role.
28 - ctch23
@ barbara
oh I see... well thanks for the clarification. I am a new to this kind of thing - i've never loved a show so much... let alone analyze it.
thanks for sharing that lil tidbit from your college days - made me smile.
waiting for monday....
29 - Orange450
Barbara, thank you so much for this wonderful article, and three terrific interview clips. What a treat to hear these intelligent, articulate actors speaking with such great insight about their show and their characters!
I have only one complaint: I took mild exception to LE's concern about her hair in S1 "making her look fifty". HARUMPH! Some of her most devoted fans are over fifty (like me), and think we're doing okay so far. In fact, I'm always amused when I read comments on various forums (fora?) to the effect that isn't it great that she's over forty and still looks so good, is so sexy, etc. I want to laugh and reassure people that life *really* doesn't stop at age 35! Or even at 40. Or even - gasp - at 50 :-)
And besides, I thought her hair looked great in S1.
30 - Donna
Hey Barbara- As others have already said, thanks for all these neat between episode goodies in our House stockings this week! I found Lisa's take on the House/Cuddy relationship to be very plausible. She's a wonderful actress to watch.
Can't wait to read any of your upcoming interviews w/House cast, writers, etc. I know Egan is next (after finale).
31 - Melissa
I LOVE Lisa Edelstein. She's not only gorgeous and hilarious, but also such an awesome role model. The work she does for animal rights and AIDS awareness is really inspiring.
I cannot WAIT for Monday. I've been waiting for Cuddy and House to get together forever. I just hope he doesn't hurt her too badly. These two have the most fascinating, layered relationship and I cannot wait to see how it continues to evolve.
32 - carolyn
thanks for this Barbara - it's definitely helping the long wait until Monday : )
I just have to say that I loved Lisa's take on the House and Cuddy relationship . . . "I think she's in love with who House is" and that House wouldn't have to change for them to have a relationship - it wouldn't be a happy one, but they're "not really happy anyway." perfectly put!
33 - Jaim
I think it's great that LE feels that Cuddy has always loved House and probably always will. This makes me think that there will be hope for these two eventually. I don't think it would be bad for them to have a real relationship at least in the final season. I don't want them getting married or her having his twins, but I'd like to see them finally getting passed all their insecurities and doubts, and have a committed relationship. I mean they act like a an old married couple anyway so I really don't think it needs to be put in writing.
34 - simchasd
Thank you so very much for all the goodies and the continued insights.
It seems to me, on a personal note that Jennifer Morrison is sporting an engagement ring. Is there anything to that?
35 - sandra
I agree with Eloise. Especially this creepy stalkerish behaviours Cuddy displays this season doesn't suit her at all. I was never a fan of Huddy, and never will be, but I used to like Cuddy very much. In season 5 she's unfortunately more like an immature love-sick teenage girl with a silly crush (even Cameron's crush in season 1 was more mature than that) than a grown up, self-confident and independent woman - all traits she used to have and which I liked so much about her.
I think it would be better in general - for both, show and characters - if the writers would not focus that much on ships and get back to the roots. It's nice to see lovely LITTLE shipper moments (for every ship and not just one), which means every shipper gets something to look forward to, while non-shippers don't mind, and nobody needs to complain. What they are doing right now is simply wrong, but that's not the actors' fault.
I will most likely skip the upcoming episode (the first time in five years), mainly because I don't have time this week but also because Huddy is creeping me out too much, but I can't wait to see the finale and what will happen in season 6 (hopefully with less relationship drama and more medicine).
BTW of course, ALL comments are supposed to be polite whether pro-ship or not. But posting comments like "I see the bitter fangirls with their unfounded remarks are everywhere tonight." or "Stop watching. Everyone will be happier." (NO, if every non-Huddy would stop watching, there would be nothing left to watch soon!!!!) doesn't really help for that matter, on the contrary, it's only provoking. Ever heard of "We reap what we sow"?
Anyway, I wish all the Huddy fans a lot of fun on Monday, enjoy while it lasts ;-)
36 - Flo
Nice interviews thank you Barbara.
Actually I found the video interview more interesting than the canference call. On the other hand, what she said about House and Cuddy background history is interesting too.
I think that's one theory that the actress needed to play her role. Cuddy said in "Humpty Dumpty" that House was already a legend back in a days and I totally can see Cuddy being curious and check him out. Maybe they actueally met after that, but I find it believable that Cuddy would take a class just to see him from afar.
I really like how she described this relationship in the video interview.
"Who he is, is what Cuddy loves. I don't think it is necessary for him to change for them to have this horrible relationship".
I know some people think that Cuddy is trying to change House but I never believed it was true, so it was great that she finally said it. I think it is a very well spot-on comment.
"These are two really shut down, afraid people who get under each other skin no matter what."
There is not a better way to put it, IMO. great description.
She may have struggled in the beginning of the show but she knows her character and House's very well now and she has great perspective on them now.
That was good. I'm looking forward to your Doris Egan interview, Barbara!
ps: about that, do you think it is possible for you to ask her questions which are maybe just 'technical'. As a cinema studient, I am interested on what she has to say about the process of scriptwriting. May I summit a couple of question? If it's not possible I understand.
37 - barbara barnett
Thanks for the great comments. And Sandra, I agree with you about the civility of the comments. Everyone needs to be respectful. And for the most part everyone is. When people are snide (not saying you are at all :)-- and you aren't!) others do react to that and that's where it falls apart. Sorry to be so "meta" but...
I, too, really liked the taped interview. One of the problems with conference calls is that they're not organic. Writers come in with specific questions and don't really follow a line of questioning, so it come out a bit disjointed with no real opportunity "to talk" at any length.
The studio interview was a much better interview because it was an interview, not a press conference.
I do plan on asking DE about her process, as I've asked the writers before. I imagine the interview will be driven by the finale and what happens in it.
38 - Orange450
To simchasd re #34:
I noticed the engagement ring too, but I'm pretty sure the actors were in costume (I also noticed that HL's blue shirt was very wrinkled :-)). I think that's the ring that Chase gave her.
39 - Jair
"I think it would be better in general - for both, show and characters - if the writers would not focus that much on ships and get back to the roots. It's nice to see lovely LITTLE shipper moments (for every ship and not just one), which means every shipper gets something to look forward to, while non-shippers don't mind, and nobody needs to complain."
I think this approach causes as many people to complain, because then the shippy moments aren't really part of any story, they're just there to pander, and that tends to annoy everyone over time.
To me, if the writers are going to explore House's romantic feelings, the exploration should be organically part of the storyline, which precludes writing shippy moments for everybody concurrently.
I think they're doing an interesting job with this storyline. It's certainly surprised me, not always in a good way, but these are two flawed people. I think by the end of the arc, we'll see the shape the writers envisioned and we'll have learned a lot about both characters along the way.
40 - barbara barnett
I agree with Jair. This season has really been more of an exploration of House's feelings, the emotions he carries with him, which are so deeply buried people think he has none at all.
A variety of things have happened to him this year that have rocked his emotional life so much that they have to be expressed. One of those is are whatever feelngs he has for Cuddy. And whatever has stirred them up this year-- whether the death of Amber (and the fact that she was there for him during that crisis); the death of his father, the loss of Wilson's affection and/or the realization that Cuddy was moving ahead with her life while (as wilson said) he stayed in the eighth grade.
Despite what people think, I'm not a "Huddy"-or die shipper. I'm a House person. I'm there for the ride, and Cuddy's a big part of House's life right now (and she has been, but not overtly).
I was not averse to Cameron and loved the scenes back in seasons one and two (and adored her in Merry Little Christmas) with their flirtation. But I really do think that whatever House may have felt (or still feels) for Cameron, she's not right for him in all sorts of reasonable and valid way. He has an affection for her. But that's it.
Anyway, enough of the "ship" stuff. Just as I found the exploration earlier this year regarding House's feelings about Wilson, I'm loving this. I think the writers and DAvid Shore have done a remarkable job this season exploring House's psyche. And I can't wait to see what they have in store for the final two episodes.
41 - areader
Great interview, can't wait for the last two episodes (and then s6!) I love the way the writers have developed House & Cuddy's relationship over the last five years (and everyone else's) this is one of the few shows I can think of where the writing & acting from all parties has remained steller throughout the shows run.
HL, LE, RSL & PJ should all be nominated for Emmy's for this season.
42 - Kim
Hello everybody!
Thanks Barbara for another great article! I love Lisa Edelstein, who she is and what she does, and because of that I cannot get enough of her.
Less than 30 hours for the next episode, then the season finale on 11th of May and then Doris Egan interview....and more to come..yeeeaaahhhh
P.S.: Here comes my dumb question of the week..What M.D. of 'House MD' stands for?
43 - Ella
GOD I hate Ausiello.
That's all.
44 - barbara barnett
Kim--M.D. is the professional degree granted physicians. Medical Doctor. PhD=Docotr of Philosphy, DD=Doctor of Divinity, etc.
45 - Flo
37 - barbara barnett
"I do plan on asking DE about her process, as I've asked the writers before. I imagine the interview will be driven by the finale and what happens in it."
Okay, thank you very much. I am very interested in how she writes a script, in how long she does it (I spent like a year to write the script of my next short film looool) and how she works with David Shore and all when she writes.
I am glad not be the only one to be interested in these 'unrelated to the story' questions!!!!
All the writers have all my respect!! They manage to write something deep and make all the characters interract in an interesting and true to themself way for 24 episodes!!!!! It's absolutely fantastic!
Totally agree with you and Jair about this season being about House feelings.
On that matter, it was said that this season didn't have a real arc (like the Vogler, Stacy or Tritter ones). It is true but I wonder if the arc of this season isn't loss.
Loss of a friendship, of a father, of the power a person supposedly has on his/her life, loss of a colleague/friend/employee, of a gift, of the certainty you may have etc.
Anyway, great, exciting season!!
46 - barbara barnett
Flo--this is the process on House as I understand it (based on what they've told me): story idea is brought to Shore (i.e. the medical/procedural story). He assigns one of the exec producers to work with and flesh out the story, and add the character elements with the writer. shore sees it again. It's a really, really collaborative process from what I've been able to pick up from my chats.
47 - Val
Flo--I agree with your assesment of this season and an arc or even theme of the different kinds of loss and how it affects someone. It affects us all in varying ways ...particularly someone as complex as House...and it's been wonderful to see this season develop.
48 - Manu
We reap what we sow, indeed, Sandra.
Can not wait for Monday night and Barbara's take on the episode.
49 - Flo
okay thank you again Barbara!! (#46)
50 - Bertha S.
Laila, you're confused. LE has been pushing for Huddy and a baby momma drama arc since the beginning of the dshow. Read and watch her old interviews. Huddy is extremely juvenile unless you know you're a 12 year old viewer. And the baby - Oh Lord just make it go away,
51 - Bertha S.
Mel35, I happen to love one of the characters on the show so I will continue to watch until they leave. And I'll keep on voicing my opinion. I'm sure sure you have sufficient self-esteem to enjoy House characters I can't stand.
52 - Meik K.
Great article! Really! I loved reading it...just seen the latest episode and I have to admit I just CANNOT wait for the finale. I have chatted with some friends and we are all very eager to see what cliffhanger we get this time.
Please keep up the great work! I hope to read more interesting articles and interviews soon.
Greeting from Germany!
53 - SK
How come Robert Sean Leonard never gets interviewed? He's an amazing actor and plays a central character... This fandom need more Wilson-Love!
54 - evan
Lisa, we love you so much. Don´t listen to the bitter ones
55 - Jonie
HOUSE ACTORS ARE THE BEST ON TV.--WE LOVE HUGH LAURIE--& THE ACTOR THAT PLAYS ''WILSON IS A GREAT ACTOR-Lisa Edelstein also--plus she is beautiful--House is the only thing on tv worth watching--HOPE IT GOES ON FOREVER-