The relationship between House and Cuddy has changed and grown over the seasons. Asked how much input she has had into how her character is portrayed on the show, Edelstein commented that at first, it was really primarily the writers. “Then you insert some of your own personality into your character and the writers write to that, rather than to only the original concept, so it’s a marriage of the two.”
Edelstein was able to give some nice insight into the relationship between House and Cuddy. As viewers, we’ve only be given their backstory in broad strokes: she’d heard of him in college (he was a legend at the University of Michigan); they’d had a one-night stand; she hired him when no one else would). Edelstein thinks that Cuddy probably got a bit obsessed with the legendary House when she was an undergrad and maybe audited a class she knew he was in (maybe as a “brush up class” to “check him out,” to know him better), she explained. "I relate to her taste in men,” explained Edelstein. “Intelligence and taste in men have little to do with each other — and the partner we choose for ourselves. For Cuddy, it’s House and always has been."
And, whatever happens between them in the two final episodes of the season, Edelstein doesn’t feel that House and Cuddy are simply a “passing comfort” for each other. “I don’t think it’s a passing thing. I think it’s been going on for a long, long time, whether or not they’ve acted out on it,” she noted. “ I don’t necessarily think it’s going to be a satisfying relationship. Cuddy has a complicated relationship with men. She likes the screwed up kind,” Edelstein laughed. She revealed that the impact of House and Cuddy’s hookup will be addressed in the finale, but she said no more, lest she spoil us too much.
The season finale also features the comedy legend Carl Reiner. Reiner developed and played Alan Brady in the original Dick van Dyke Show and has been the genius behind a generation’s worth of television and film comedy. Edelstein loved working with the 87-year-old Reiner. “He’s 87 years old and he’s showing up to work and he’s hilarious. Great to work with him and get that kind of experience. It’s something to talk about for the rest of my life.”
House is seen Monday nights on FOX at 8:00 p.m. (ET).
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Bertha S.
I hate CUDDY and HUDDY and I hate the idea that the juvenile HUDDY will replace the boring FORETEEN in Season 6. I think LE needs to stop believing her own hype. I plan TiVo right past the HUDDY-UCKFEST.
2 - Eloise
I think the backstory Lisa came up with to explain when and why she met House is kinda creepy but that explains the stalkerish behaviour her character's been displaying this season, saying that House is that partner and always has been right after she says that Cuddy got a bit obssessed with him 20 years ago is disturbing.
3 - Laila
Believing her own hype? I have no idea what you're talking about. Lisa answers the questions she is asked and she isn't the one writing the Huddy storylines. Tivo past those scenes all you want, but don't confuse the character she plays with the actress herself.
4 - CuttingOnions
Lisa answers what she is asked.
And PLEASE skip your tivo, I don't get why people watch House if its only to complain, there is other thing son TV on the same time.
I'm SO looking forward for Monday, only with the clip that FOX released I'm already feeling frisky, lol.
Lisa is the cutest person on earth! I love the fact that she and Hugh are great friends?
Is monday yet? :(
5 - sdemar
Bertha, if that is how you feel, it would be better that you don't even bother watching. And what exact hype does LE need to stop believing? Take a listen to Hugh's interview and he seems to agree with her on the fact that these two characters really like each other. As he said, "let's be honest". Sounds like LE has a very good grasp on what is happening on the show and she should since she plays a central role.
Barbara, thanks for this wonderful article. You know my love for House/Cuddy is a very strong one and I am so happy they are exploring their relationship and that it will be a part of episode 23 and 24. Great way to end the season that has been a stellar one at that. Although I do worry about House. I'm excited to see how they all come around to help me.
Enjoyed the 3 interviews you posted. Weird no RSL. I guess interviewing is just not his thing and yet he is so much fun to watch. Jennifer is a very bright young woman. Love that she says if anyone can handle House it would be Cuddy. And it goes without saying the interviews by Hugh and Lisa are exceptional. Lisa is very poised and comfortable interviewing.
Thanks again for everything.
6 - Stuart Stuart
Bertha, while you hate "CUDDY and HUDDY(...)and juvenile HUDDY (...)", I simply hate juvenile comments.
I think it's correct, that Lisa is enjoying every second and probably is a sort of Huddy shipper. So much is visible for me.
But if you can't put up with it, please simply don't watch. I'm personally not interested what you TiVo or not.
7 - Grace
I understand not liking a character. There is never, ever any need to make such remarks about the actor. Disgusting.
Barbara, thanks for the article. I know so many of us are extremely hyped up about this and the excitement both Hugh and Lisa talk about the upcoming episodes with make me even more excited!
8 - Pat
Laila, Lisa E. came up with the idea that House and Cuddy had a sexual relationship in the past before they both worked at PPTH, which Shore wrote into the Vogler arc and Humpty Dumpty. She also came up with the idea that Cuddy tries to get pregnant through AI which was a long arc on the show. So yes, she is writing Cuddy's story lines to some extent. Other actors have come up with story lines and backstory for their characters (e.g. Jennifer Morrison suggested a professional storyline for Cameron) but none of those have made it to the show itself as far as I know.
Good interview, Barbara. Thanks.
9 - Janine
What the hell is wrong with people? Lisa E is one of the most down to earth actresses around. I honestly don' know how anyone could bash her. Further, Cuddy is a fabulous character and the House/Cuddy hook up is going to be sexy. So Hamerons/Hilsons swallow the bitter pill and move on.
10 - cj_housegirl
Wow. All three were really great interviews & oh my God is Hugh Laurie hot, although I always think that! And, that accent! We just don't get to hear him speak enough. I loved what he had to say about Season Five and I agree with him totally. I also love what he had to say about the final two episodes. He is a rather cautious man and I know when he was promo-ing Season Four's final two episodes he was nervous about it and called it "ambitious." I've learned to trust this man's instincts so I'm really looking forward to the season finale.
Great article too Barbara. Thanks for writing it and getting it online so quickly.
I'm very much looking forward to this Monday's episode and I'm hoping to see House at least half-naked. ;)
11 - Jair
Lisa Edelstein told the producers she might be getting pregnant in the near future when they hired her. David Shore came up with a storyline to accomodate that. Hardly writing her own storylines. Lisa E didn't say anything different than Jennifer Morrison did in Barbara's excellent interview with her. JM said she doesn't write the storylines but at this point she does have some control over how she portrays her character in her scenes. The actors round out the characters and the writers react.
Nice interview, Barbara. I'm really looking foward to the next two episodes. I hate to see House on a downward spiral but it does make for good television.
12 - barbara barnett
thanks for reading guys. Jair--my thoughts exactly when LE was responding to the question about how much input she has. I asked JM the same question (that question wasn't mine in this interview), and the response was very, very similar--and it makes a lot of sense.
Hope you like all the goodies. Those interviews were a fantastic gift from the powers that be.
13 - Manu
I see the bitter fangirls with their unfounded remarks are everywhere tonight. Newsflash: it is not going to make a difference. Find yourselves another show to watch, write to FOX and the producers but don't come here - a place where most are usually polite to each other and are actually enjoying the show - with the sole purpose to insult an actress because your "ship" of choice is not actually a choice at all.
Thank you so much, Barbara, that was a lovely article, as usual.
14 - Luisa Borges
Hi Barbara,
Thank you so much for the interview and for the interview clips supplied by FOX.
I really love Lisa Edelstein, she brought so much to the show and to the character of Cuddy. It's nice to read how they get to work and how much input they get get into their characters.
Loved, loved, and then loved some more, the background info into Cuddy and House's relationship, it's just so good to know that. And it brings more light into their interplay. Season 5 has been great so far and I'm sure it's about to get even better. I'm so looking forward to the next episodes.
Conference calls with many people are not always an easy endeavor so I thank you Barbara for bringing this to us with your special insightful eyes (and ears as it were) behind it.
All the best to you!!
15 - barbara barnett
Thanks for that reminder, manu! All ships (or non-ships) welcome here, of course. But the tone of the conversation must remain civil and respectful. Nothing personal towards another commenter or any of the cast, please!
16 - blacktop
Barbara, thank you for this balanced and thorough report on the interview with the admirable Lisa Edelstein. There are bitter and insensitive people everywhere and sadly a few of these sorry folk have emerged in the House fandom recently. They are best ignored. I am really looking forward to the final two episodes of this excellent season. Lisa's insightful comments about the show and the relationship between House and Cuddy indicate that the darkness and rich complexity of this season will be carried through to the finale. I can't wait for Monday!
17 - JL
Thankyou for this article, Barbara. In the past, you've occasionally provided complete transcripts of your interviews (I do realise that this one involved lots of people) - any chance of that this time?
I'm also really looking forward to your coming interview with Doris Egan. Here's to filling in the INTERMINABLE wait between episodes...
18 - Grace
HELP!!! The videos won't work for me.
Could someone please give me the important points? I sure would appreciate it.
19 - Mel35
Bertha S. : Stop watching. Everyone will be happier.
Thanks for Lisa's interview, it's always a pleasure read her ideas on new episodes. I usually share her feelings and I hope to do the same this time. :)
20 - sjoes
Thanks Barbara. It's nice to read about LE's interview through a renowned fan of the show. Why people specifically click a link to an interview with Lisa Edelstein just to leave (a first) comment stating that they hate Cuddy/Huddy is beyond me. Edelstein is over 40 yet beautiful, kind, talented, grounded, successful and liked by peers and TV bosses alike. To me, a woman of her age, she's an excellent role model and she shows younger women life doesn't end after a certain age. I'm a proud Huddy because of the layered relationship acted out by two excellent actors whose sexiness and attraction are not superficially based on youth and skin deep beauty. Growing up with Fry and Laurie, Blackadder, Jeeves and Wooster I never thought I'd look forward to see HL having it off at nearly 50 nor fancying an American actress but I do now.
21 - sjoes
Ehm, that last sentence ^^^ I meant I never thought I'd be fancying an American actress.
22 - maya
LE is a beautiful and talented lady and I think she's done a marvelous job of portraying Cuddy. Her performance in "Joy" is Emmy nomination worthy. I hope to see Cuddy on the show till the very end.
As far as the interview goes, Lisa was answering questions that she was being asked and as usual, she did a great job.
I am looking forward to the last two episodes of the season and all the wonderful acting by HL, LE and RSL.
Thanks, Barbara.
23 - Shaz
I can't work out why people get so worked up on a Huddy hook up. ..as for who's stalking whom, its clearly it is House as can be seen in his pussuit of her in Insensitive.
I for one can't wait for the next 2 episodes just to see how the clearly long simmering sexual tension (that only the blind and those who are in total denial would fail to notice) will play out. It is about time it was dealt with, whether the end result is them ending up being in a relationship (which everyone knows will not include a garden, dog and picket fences)or them having closure so they can embark on a relationship with others (in which case I do hope they do not destroy their friendship).
24 - silentsnark
I don't comment here as often as I should... I just wanted to thank you for the interview. I always enjoy your articles.
25 - ctch23
barbara i love your take on the show. I stumbled on house earlier this year and looved it! And ever since I came across this site I appreciate it even more.
As for the impending huddy action and Lisa's interview - twas great to hear thoughts on it...most of it anyways.
The back story part of it left me feeling a little ...er how should I put it - deflated i guess. This is the first time we've gotten any solid details on it and while I didn't have any solid ideas as to how it should be ( the writers by and large do such a wonderful job that I don't even
kid myself into thinking that i'd have a better idea that what they'll come up with) - this story we were presented with doesn't do anything for me.
I am really hoping to hear the House folks say something like 'oh LE was just kidding when she said that.'
Am looking forward the DE interview.
I wish there were more interviews with the writers and not just the actors. esp the writers who wrote the last episode that aired.