# House **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 14, 2011, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house/567642 "2011-01-14T20:58:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BigBertha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@BigBertha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigBertha)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house/567642/1 "2011-01-14T20:58:56Z")
Obviously, I am new to this, but my friend got some boxed shows of this and showed me. It is seriously a weird show. I only saw the deaf boy, the ballerina, and the shock treatment ones. ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house/567642/2 "2011-01-14T21:02:33Z")
OK. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house/567642/3 "2011-01-14T21:13:25Z")
I watch this every now and then but I never really got into it. House is a good character, but I really don’t give a crap about the rest of them, and the medical cases follow a rigid formula of: 1)someone has terrible medical problem no one can diagnose 2)House’s team bounces ideas off of him, he insults and belittles them, then they try a bunch of them anyway and inevitably make the condition worse 3)at some point they break into the patient’s home/office and find something else that leads them to a wrong diagnosis and treatment, further exacerbating the problem 4)House (or someone else) deduces from the tiniest clue what the problem is, says "Give him/her [medication/treatment] and _BANG_: 5)patient is instantly cured (usually) 6)this is all interspersed with House fucking with his team, his boss, and the patient, and soap opera drama between all of the characters Later episodes stray from this a bit sometimes but that’s pretty much what you can generally expect from every episode. It’s acceptably entertaining. ---
**Author:** ![banjoDavid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3d9bf3/32.png) [@banjoDavid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/banjoDavid)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house/567642/4 "2011-01-14T22:15:38Z")
My friend Barbara Barnett wrote a really good book about the show. Chasing Zebras, the unofficial guide to House M.D. This is taken from an Amazon review \*Chasing Zebras, the unofficial guide to House M.D. is a must read. I love everything about this book. It is well written and thought provoking. If you are a fan of the show, this is the book to have and reference back to. \* Check it out David Reply With Quote ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house/567642/5 "2011-01-14T22:21:55Z")
It wouldn’t be nearly so much fun to watch if it didn’t star Hugh Laurie. Also, it’s never lupus! ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house/567642/6 "2011-01-14T22:28:18Z")
Whatever you do, do not go to Princeton‑Plainsboro Teaching Hospital to be treated for a disease. Even if they can cure you, they’ll usually try something that almost kills you first. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house/567642/7 "2011-01-14T22:38:22Z")
Keep watching - House starts off ok and gets better as time goes on. > [@TriPolar](#): > > Whatever you do, do not go to Princeton‑Plainsboro Teaching Hospital to be treated for a disease. Even if they can cure you, they’ll usually try something that almost kills you first. So your choices are: Don’t go - don’t get cured. Die. Go - almost die. Get cured. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2011, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house/567642/8 "2011-01-15T00:53:24Z")
Another choice - go to a better hospital. ---
**Author:** ![pancakes3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba9def/32.png) [@pancakes3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pancakes3)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2011, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house/567642/9 "2011-01-15T01:39:14Z")
i’d go to princeton plainsboro for no other reason than to sneak peeks at cuddy’s cleavage. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2011, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house/567642/10 "2011-01-15T01:59:33Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > Also, it’s never lupus! Except for the one time that it was. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2011, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house/567642/11 "2011-01-15T02:21:08Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Another choice - go to a better hospital. I think the point is there is no better hospital. If your disease is straightforward you’ll be sent to another hospital just because it is a waste of plainsboro’s time. (or merely not dealt with by House’s team) If it isn’t you can only be cured by the work of the advanced diagnostics dept at plainsboro, after some close-to-death events, or die in another hospital. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2011, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house/567642/12 "2011-01-15T02:27:49Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > It wouldn’t be nearly so much fun to watch if it didn’t star Hugh Laurie.! That’s reason enough to watch it. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2011, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house/567642/13 "2011-01-15T03:13:20Z")
I’m never happier than when I’m immersed in a House-a-thon, which is shown on both USA and Bravo, twice a week. Yes, it’s pretty much a formula, but so are a thousand other shows. And it’s funny. And I’m really interested in seeing how the House/Cuddy relationship plays out - I have a feeling House is going to be on for only one more season, two at most. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2011, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house/567642/14 "2011-01-15T03:16:34Z")
> [@salinqmind](#): > > Yes, it’s pretty much a formula, but so are a thousand other shows. It’s like watching _Law & Order_ or _Columbo_ - sure, every episode has essentially the same plot but it’s a good plot. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2011, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house/567642/15 "2011-01-15T03:19:49Z")
_House, house, house Oh, you are made of stone But you are not alone- -ly house!_ – The People’s Poet ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2011, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house/567642/16 "2011-01-15T07:23:25Z")
> [@Lobsang](#): > > I think the point is there is no better hospital. If your disease is straightforward you’ll be sent to another hospital just because it is a waste of plainsboro’s time. (or merely not dealt with by House’s team) If it isn’t you can only be cured by the work of the advanced diagnostics dept at plainsboro, after some close-to-death events, or die in another hospital. You do realize it’s just a TV show right? ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2011, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house/567642/17 "2011-01-15T14:28:07Z")
I recall on some other thread here, some time ago, someone was talking about hospitals in New Jersey. Someone else jokingly suggested they should go to Princeton Plainsboro (to be checked out by House) and they said oh, I’ll have to keep PP in mind. :rolleyes: Apparently not a fan of ‘House’. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2011, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house/567642/18 "2011-01-15T14:40:43Z")
I’ve been hearing for years about how House is based on Sherlock Holmes (along with all the similarities). Having never read Sherlock Holmes, I took them at face value and moved on. A few months ago I decided to rent it from Netflix. I remember, sitting in my recliner thinking to myself “Jesus, this is like watching a really long episode of Hou- Oh yeah, nevermind” Now I have to wonder, is House really based that closely on Sherlock Holmes, or is the new Sherlock Holmes movie somewhat based on House. I think what really made me put the two together was the style and rhythm of the dialogue. Where the original Sherlock Holmes books written similarly? ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2011, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house/567642/19 "2011-01-15T14:59:36Z")
The Original In Print Sherlock Holmes was NOT like House. He was not an asshole. He was more like Mr. Spock- logical, rational, cool, but never rude. More energetic than Mr. Spock. I haven’t watched the new Sherlock Holmes series. The best onscreen Holmes, as far as personality and method, was IMHO Jeremy Brett (of blessed memory). Forget Basil Rathbone, too. I used to watch House, but I got very tired of his personality. NEVER got tired of seeing Cuddy in those pencil skirts though. ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2011, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house/567642/20 "2011-01-15T17:26:15Z")
I looove House, it’s one of my favorite shows. I’ve loved it for years, but only recently realized I also have a crush on House. And he’s SO not my type. Well, he is, because he’s cocky and witty and I can’t resist that, but physically he could hardly be less my type (and I’m shallow enough to usually only like men who are my type physically). I also find it very impressive how well he does an American accent. It’s not just House though, Chase and Foreman are very attractive too. And Cameron is very pretty. It would freak me the hell out to have a team of doctors like them. I don’t want hot doctors. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house/567642.md?page=2)