by Hornito

Why is “House” the most popular show in the world?

There are few awards and titles given out in life that seem fair, but when House was named the “world’s most popular TV show” of 2008 I was able to give a hearty, “Hell yeah” and think that maybe, just maybe, world peace can be attained. It begs the question though, why is this mean-spirited, drug-addicted doctor the one things we can all agree on?

I’m not going to lie: I just recently started my House addiction because my girlfriend no longer allows me to watch The Real World or anything having to do with VH1’s New York. It helps that there are marathons of the medical dramedy pretty much every weekend along with regular showings throughout the week, but I simply can’t get enough. I was never a fan of ER or Grey’s Anatomy so why would I enjoy this so much?

Differential Diagnosis

Hugh Laurie as Dr. Gregory House is perfect. He’s a terrible boss, he pops Vicotin like they’re Tic Tacs and he crosses every line that stands before him, He combines the roles of medical genius, snarky d-bag and nut just waiting to be cracked so well that it’s hard to take your eyes off of him. Also, as far as guys go, he’s kind of sexy (even if he needs to trim his nails, badly — trust me on this one).

Lisa Edelstein as Dr. Cuddy — House’s sparring partner for all things medical and sexual. While most of us in AfterEllen.com land seem to give a good deal of lip service to the gorgeousness that is Olivia Wilde, I’d give my left pinky to have Lisa Edelstein swab my tonsils and check for strep. She’s smart, she’s sexy, her skirts always show off her legs while her tops usually have a plunging neckline. Pass the smelling salt, I’m starting to get woozy.

Olivia Wilde as Thirteen. I mean, there’s no getting around it: Olivia Wilde is a sexy beast and her character is smart, tough and has been known to get down with the fairer species. Her bisexual storyline seems like a thing of the past, but I’m still holding out hope she will dump Debbie Downer Dr. Foreman and get back on the lady bandwagon.

Robert Sean Leonard as House’s best friend, Wilson. Three words for you: Dead Poet’s Society. Enough said.

Jennifer Morrison andJesse Spencer as doctors Cameron and Chase. They met as two out of the three residents that started it all and now they’re married. Morrison is nothing to sneeze at in the looks department and Jesse Spencer is an incredibly pretty man with a cute Aussie accent.

Yes, all of these actors/characters make the show so much fun to watch. So I say gather round, friends and neighbors from distant lands. Let’s put down our weapons, pop some popcorn, have some wine and together hope that Thirteen goes back to dating women as we collectively cheer in our different languages. If we watch it, peace will come.

Hornito's blog

Submitted by

Hornito

on June 15, 2009 - 3:00pm.

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missing someone?

Submitted by

bluemonkey (2 posts)

on June 15, 2009 - 3:28pm.

What about Foreman? He's been around since the beginning and he is an integral part of the show. The first three seasons wouldn't have been nearly as interesting without his counterpoint to House's character. Mentioning him only as a hinderance to Thirteen's bi storyline is a bit unfair. He's definitely one of my favorite characters and I can't imagine the show without him.

Totally

Submitted by

ceruleanshipper (1 post)

on June 16, 2009 - 9:27pm.

And just because Thirteen's with a dude doesn't mean her bisexuality's gone away. She and Foreman discussed it while searching a patient's apartment, and not only did she make out with one of the strippers at Chase's bachelor party, she helped pick the strippers out and demanded House invite her to the bachelor party.

What I wouldn't give to see

Submitted by

ladytia (12 posts)

on June 15, 2009 - 3:35pm.

What I wouldn't give to see a little Cuddy/Thirteen action on House. That being said, Cuddy is my favorite character from House. I guess my love for Lisa Edelstein is what made me start watching, and I wasn't disappointed.

And what about Foreman? He had a some pretty good episodes centered around him, I can name a few off the top of my head. He's not as bad of a character as some people say. I'd rather watch him than Chase.

Foreman is admittedly really

Submitted by

captainlex (55 posts)

on June 15, 2009 - 3:45pm.

Foreman is admittedly really bloody boring now, and I probably just dislike because he's wasting the hotness that is Thirteen, I really can't see House being the same without him, either. Not to mention Taub and Kutner. Love those two...even the crappy ending they gave Kutner, not to give anything away.

I totally agree. Foreman = boring

Submitted by

SpecialK7 (158 posts)

on June 15, 2009 - 8:18pm.

but I’m still holding out hope she will dump Debbie Downer Dr. Foreman and get back on the lady bandwagon

Me too. Me too. Well, I really wouldn't care that much if she was with a guy, but really, her and Foreman are a complete snooze fest.

However, Foreman is an integral part of the show. Unfortunately.

Cameron and Chase have been boring lately too. Here's hoping next season will let them have a little action.

What's Foreman's deal?

Submitted by

Femm (84 posts)

on June 16, 2009 - 3:21pm.

I don't get the character that is Foreman. All he does is constantly disagree with House and almost every time House turns out to be right! Why does he keep disagreeing? If you disagreed with your boss ten million times and every time your boss turned out to be right, wouldn't you just drop the attitude and listen to the man?!

Woop to the House

Submitted by

Moosy (75 posts)

on June 15, 2009 - 3:46pm.

I would so have a three way with Hugh Laurie and Olivia Wilde... do not judge

lol

Submitted by

Manuela (178 posts)

on June 15, 2009 - 7:15pm.

Totally agree with you. . . just hypothetically though. . but i definitely would with 13 and allison =D

It would House and Cuddy

Submitted by

Kels. (66 posts)

on June 16, 2009 - 12:21am.

It would House and Cuddy for me. Olvia Wilde is gorgeous we all know that, but Cuddy's dominance is exponentially sexier. (imho)

shame :P

Submitted by

Kat (24 posts)

on June 16, 2009 - 3:36pm.

MOosy shameeeee... :P i think you need to substiute Hugh Laurie with me lol jk

House :)

Submitted by

walkintothesea (1 post)

on June 15, 2009 - 3:47pm.

House is my kind of man, and Thirteen is my kind of woman. The plots are always so intelligent and well done. House is absolutely wonderful, and it deserves this honor.

LOOOOOVEEEE House!!

Submitted by

BetweenThaLines (353 posts)

on June 15, 2009 - 3:58pm.

It's been my favorite tv show for years. I love it. Hugh Laurie as House is just brilliant! And, I know not a lot of people agree with me, but give me Cuddy over Thirteen any day. Not that I dislike Thirteen.

But can I say that I never liked Cameron. Don't really know why, but she has just been boring to me from the start. I'm happy she's been put in the background a little bit. The show got even better when Kutner, Thirteen and Taub arrived!

youtube

yay for house

Submitted by

nicole eggett (137 posts)

on June 15, 2009 - 3:57pm.

i love House and have been watching it forever, it's amazing!! cameron is my favorite character, i really liked in the earlier seasons when she had the crush on house :)

but my favorite episode is Hunting, when cameron got high and then had sex with chase. favorite of ALL TIME!! :D

can't wait till next season!!

:)

Submitted by

charlotte :) (23 posts)

on June 15, 2009 - 4:05pm.

I love this show so much!! i love greys anatomy too, but i think House is funnier :D Also i am kind of in awe of hugth lauries american accent!!

House imperfect

Submitted by

afan (63 posts)

on June 15, 2009 - 4:07pm.

I think we like House because he does and says all the things we can't or won't.

I am so crazy over 13 and I now hate Foreman. He's a drag and a man - I noticed. I keep hoping for 13 to get a secret crush on a woman at the hospital. Foreman oh who cares.

Cameron and Chase are boring and I'm betting there days on the show are numbered unless they shake it up with an affair between Cameron and House while Cuddy steams, otherwise its just tooo predictable. I'll keep watching because as I said I'm crazy over 13, yummy....

Sorry but; Hugh Laurie is NOT sexy -- even if he baths --- gross...

Nope

Submitted by

TabulaRasa (64 posts)

on June 15, 2009 - 4:49pm.

Weill, I can't agree on this being the best show. Not in a million years. I only watch because of Olivia Wilde, and then I usually just skip the parts that she's not in. :-P

House

Submitted by

Kah (118 posts)

on June 15, 2009 - 5:32pm.

I watch the show because even though House is an asshole; he is super funny

cameron married to wahts'

Submitted by

bedcutter (37 posts)

on June 15, 2009 - 5:51pm.

cameron married to wahts' his face?

aww, damn it. i am on season 3 and , did not see that coming

can u tag a spoiiler on this?

"One disadvantage of having nothing to do is you can't stop and rest." - Franklin P. Jones

I love House! He says the

Submitted by

MistressPearl (43 posts)

on June 15, 2009 - 6:04pm.

I love House! He says the things you wish you had the balls to say to people (especially if you've ever worked retail).

I was curious as to what they're t-shirts said in the first picture, so I searched and found a large scale one.

If anyone's interested:

http://img5.allocine.fr/acmedia/medias/nmedia/18/67/03/55/18969244.jpg

picture

Submitted by

chelc (57 posts)

on June 15, 2009 - 7:42pm.

too bad i cant tell what Cameron, Cuddy 13's shirts say lol my 3 faves! :(

Tried to find out...

Submitted by

polkadotwings (92 posts)

on June 15, 2009 - 10:57pm.

I was trying to look up if anyone knew what those three said and a bunch of places all said 13's was "Everything has a reason" and Cuddy's was "Don't trust opinions," but I keep finding different things for Cameron's like "Something's something," "Everything's something," and "Nothing's something."

Nothing's Something

Submitted by

chelc (57 posts)

on June 16, 2009 - 10:57am.

im gonna guess that it says "Nothing's Something" b/c she always has to make something out of nothing especially when it comes to House.

New Fave Show

Submitted by

chelc (57 posts)

on June 15, 2009 - 7:43pm.

im new to this show too...this summer it has become one of my favorites. House is soo funny and hes such a sarcastic jerk, but thats what makes him awesome! At first i wanted him and Dr. Cameron to get together, but then i was all for him and Cuddy! Now i just want a communal shower scene with Cuddy, Cameron, and 13 (whose real name in the show is Remy Hadley! i think ill stick to calling her 13 lol).

13 is def my favorite for obvious reasons, but i love all of them except sometimes Chase and Foreman bug me. oh and i really hate Taub..he thinks he can act like a jerk like House and get away with it! really Taub? NO!

oh, cameron and chase are

Submitted by

jayweh (41 posts)

on June 15, 2009 - 8:03pm.

oh, cameron and chase are married now?! bummer! I was still putting my hopes on a thirteen/cameron romance here. that´s not too much to ask for, is it? lol

I love the cast...

Submitted by

Adventres_nz (209 posts)

on June 15, 2009 - 8:25pm.

We are soooo way behind in whats happening in house, but thats ok since i only watch it for Cuddy and 13 anyway. I would love to see them both together ;)

oh, house is kinda sexy in his own arogant way lol

I totally agree!

Submitted by

phantomavatar08 (30 posts)

on June 15, 2009 - 8:38pm.

As far as characters go House is one of the most well fleshed out. Personally though, I wouldn't mind a spin-off. Maybe a Thirteen, M.D.? *thought causes major neurological instability* Quick someone page Dr. Hadley!

If homophobes always think what they've always thought, then they'll always get what they've always got...my foot have way up their

It's totally Cuddy.... <3

Submitted by

sparklet (1007 posts)

on June 15, 2009 - 9:52pm.

I have a Lisa Edelstein obsession that is several years strong (I am ALWAYS disappointed when she doesn't make the Hot 100...). Without her Cuddy wouldn't be Cuddy, and, in my opinion, the show wouldn't be the same. I like most of the other characters (NOT FOREMAN. He has gotten increasingly annoying.)..... I kinda wish that the other two original ducklings would come back (Chase's expressions are HILARIOUS, and Cameron's little insecurities are really funny). House can have a bigger team, right? It's a win-win: more man-power, and he gets more people to mock haha.

Anyway, besides my obsessed ramblings (HOUSE is basically my LIFE when it comes to t.v, along with Bones, my other biggie), House has totally earned it's number 1 spot :)

Yay!

Submitted by

polkadotwings (92 posts)

on June 15, 2009 - 10:50pm.

I love House! I tend to love most medical dramas though lol (although it took me a looong time to finally get into Grey's Anatomy). And of course 13 is my favorite character haha, but not just because she's hot. I've loved her ever since the one episode where she drugged House because she was finally a woman on the show who wasn't all googly over House. And while she's no Olivia Wilde, I think Jennifer Morrison is absolutely adorable. I do hate her hair blonde though.

Ok, done rambling, lol. I love this show!! :)

Aw, I love this show. :] I

Submitted by

Kevorkian (38 posts)

on June 15, 2009 - 11:01pm.

Aw, I love this show. :] I couldn't even explain how much this show has meant to me. Seriously, this makes me incredibly happy.

eh

Submitted by

Brutal_Romance (384 posts)

on June 15, 2009 - 11:40pm.

i tried so hard liking this show, or atleast try to see whats the hype is all about.

but i couldnt, its equally disgusting as Gray's Anatomy.

ER and Scrubs are the best hospital shows out there!

The world will never get

Submitted by

Cate (11 posts)

on June 16, 2009 - 12:42am.

The world will never get tired of the Sherlock Holmes story. House is that + sexy young doctors with great acting!

yes!

Submitted by

frith (31 posts)

on June 16, 2009 - 1:50am.

i flippin' love house. i'm spending this winter uni break in bed with tea and season 2.. i agree that foreman is really boring! and now i'm gonna have to check out house's fingernails.. ew..

Dr Cuddy

Submitted by

myrtille (20 posts)

on June 16, 2009 - 2:53am.

I'm very new to the show, only started watching a few months ago because a friend of mine recommended I watch it just to see the hotness that is Lisa Edelstein. Can't say she was wrong!

The only reason I watch this show is for Dr Cuddy, she is one gorgeous woman, she can rock a suit and she's the head of a hospital... she's awesome.

I love the character of House because he is a jerk but he is also incredibly funny and I must admit I like the idea of House and Cuddy together, I love their scenes together.

Otherwise the rest of the cast or the show doesn't really interest me. It's fine to sit through for an hour and I don't get the urge to fast forward some parts but it's not my favourite show. Even 13 doesn't do much for me. I like Olivia Wilde, but not 13 and I definitely don't like her storyline.

But as long as Lisa Edelstein is on board, I'll keep watching!

house

Submitted by

anna (117 posts)

on June 16, 2009 - 3:04am.

sooooo my favourite show right now. cuddy/house angst is just... ugh i'm a glutton for punishment, i love it. so excited for the next season! can't come soon enough.

also i spotted a bunch of spelling/grammar mistakes in this blog. not to be nit-picky or anything.

House

Submitted by

Ms.O (1557 posts)

on June 16, 2009 - 3:28am.

Ooh... I really should get back into watching this show.... Im missing a lot! House's sarcasm and dark sense of humor is awesome! love it! and Cuddy.. and her tight skirt !!! mm mmm :) lol

Tis Grey's Anatomy, not

Submitted by

Hopeless_Savage (386 posts)

on June 16, 2009 - 3:58am.

Tis Grey's Anatomy, not Gray's. Just a note :)

I do love house, and I am disappointed I didn't get the Cameron/13 pairing I was hoping for. (LOL Long shot I know...)

I really liked the first

Submitted by

HGregory (4 posts)

on June 16, 2009 - 5:28am.

I really liked the first season when I watched it on DVD, but when I started watching season three on television I didn't like it at all. I finished out that and season four, but I just can't put any more time into something completely unenjoyable. Sometimes I trick myself into thinking I like it and I'll put an episode on, but I generally remember quickly that I hate the show.

just sayin.

Submitted by

Melissa Hsu (not verified)

on June 16, 2009 - 5:33am.

I have never watched this show, but your description of the main character, Dr. Gregory House, makes me wonder if Greg were Gina House would this show be as popular? I don't believe people would be as accepting of a female douchbag no matter how brilliant she was-- she would just be an insufferable bitch according to the masses.

i was loging in to point

Submitted by

Mary (57 posts)

on June 16, 2009 - 7:21am.

"Tis Grey's Anatomy, not Gray's. Just a note :) "

i was loging in to point this out :P

actually Gray's Anatomy is the name of a very well known anatomy book, and the name of the show (GrEy's anatomy) is a reference to the book - and the main character's name.

Dr. Foreman is a pain in my

Submitted by

a.k.a...360!!! (1663 posts)

on June 16, 2009 - 9:30am.

Dr. Foreman is a pain in my ass he is always so negative in certain things its annoying

i admit it im addicted to House

I try to discover a little something to make me sweeter Oh baby refrain from breaking my heart I'm so in love with you i'll be forever blue

Yeah, the acting is

Submitted by

Zahir Blue (8 posts)

on June 16, 2009 - 10:10am.

Yeah, the acting is excellent and the women are hot and so forth, but what really makes House so special is first and foremost the writing. This is a show about edgy human behavior--not so much the addictions, but the way our perceptions are often wrong, about the complicated interplay of expectation with reality, of fear and desire. Not least impressive is the way it never forces any specific answers down anyone's throat, but asks the most fascinating questions and urges you the audience to come up with your own answer.

Yeah

Submitted by

Alexandra (5 posts)

on June 16, 2009 - 1:38pm.

Yeah, I can nothing but confirm this "world’s most popular TV show" status. House is one of the most popular shows in my country, Czech Republic, among with LOST and Prison Break. (Which, I think, is a little bit unfair, considering that such as wonderful show as Buffy the Vampire Slayer is highly underrated.)

Sky 1 has stole House!!!!

Submitted by

faith_in_buffy (137 posts)

on June 16, 2009 - 2:00pm.

4 seasons it played on 5 here in the UK then Sky 1 snatched it away like its done with other shows that do well. I admit I am glad it happened with Lost to cut me off since I didn't like the show but was addicted to it. But I love house and I don't have sky :( luckily I was able to watch it online so I haven't missed out.

House is different to other hospital dramas. I tried watchin grey's anatomy but couldnt get into it. House is more like a detective show which is prolly why I like it.

House is a great character, he's a twat but a loveable one. I was never too fussed on his 1st 3 assistents, it was like they took it in turns to piss me off. I was shocked when he got rid of them all though and the way he picked his new team was fun. I've always liked Wilson he's like a puppy. Cuddy is great after 5 seasons of her and House flirting I really wanted them to get together, I don't think I've ever wanted a man and woman to shag on a show more in my life. Obviously I don't have a bad word to say about 13 she's stunning and I like her character.

"My life's like a romantic comedy that's never romantic! Or comedic! My life is nothing like a romantic comedy!" - Caitlin (Cashmere Mafia)