Facts From a TV Junkie: 'House M.D.'

Hello all! Chances are if you're reading this it means you, much like myself, are addicted to TV. You just can't ever get enough of that small screen action! Well, I'm here to tell you that I feel your pain and would like to help you in your noble quest for TV knowledge, which is why I've taken it upon myself to create this fun, weekly feature. Every week, I will dig up new and interesting facts about a show and share them with you right here. So sit back, relax, and let the trivia madness commence!

This week, I thought it would be fun to delve into the genius mind of ‘House M.D.’ Pill popping and a complete disregard for authority aside, Gregory House is one of the best docs in the business. Bedside manners are completely overrated, right? And while you may consider yourself an expert of the show, there are a few things you may be unaware of. Also, I know House says everybody lies, but I promise you that won't be the case where this feature is concerned. Let's begin!

Did You Know:

1. The series was inspired by The Diagnosis Column in the New York Times Magazine.

It’s purpose was to spotlight unusual medical cases. Executive producer Paul Attanasio came up with the concept and pitched it to the networks as a medical procedural. From there, show creator David Shore revised the idea into a character drama where the medical cases became the instrument rather than the main focus of the storytelling.

2. The character, Dr. Gregory House, is based on Sherlock Holmes.

If you think about it, this actually makes perfect sense given his drug use and a strong desire to solve the unsolvable. In fact, in several episodes, House is shown at home with his address being 221B — a nod to Sherlock’s famous London abode on Baker Street. Oh, and it’s no coincidence that his best friend, Dr. James Wilson, just happened to share the same initials as Dr. John Watson. But in case you need further proof, the patient in the pilot episode had the last name Adler, and in the last episode of Season 2, the last name of the man who shot House was Moriarty. Need we say more?

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3. Originally, executive producer Bryan Singer didn’t know Hugh Laurie was British.

During the actor’s audition, Singer remarked that the actor was exactly what they were looking for: “an American guy.” It was only later that he discovered the truth. Awkward.

4. Jesse Spencer and Jennifer Morrison were engaged in real life.

Spencer proposed to Morrison in December 2006, which was roughly around the same time they were shooting the first episodes in which their characters, Dr. Robert Chase and Dr. Allison Cameron, began their romance together. Unfortunately, neither relationship ended up working out.

5. House was given that last name for a reason.

When ER doctors admit patients who have a known history of drug use or addiction, it is often notated in their patient charts using the acronym HOUSE for History of Use. Given his character’s constant overuse of drugs, this particular last name made for the perfect fit.

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6. House’s limp became somewhat of a real life problem for Hugh Laurie.

In September 2009, the actor confessed to The Daily Express that he was starting to suffer physical injury from years of walking with his character’s pronounced limp. “The show might last through to series seven, eight or nine, but I don’t know if I will because I’m starting to lose my knees a little bit,” Laurie remarked. “It’s a lot of hip work. There are things going badly wrong.” Later on, the actor also admitted that the limp created a problem during other acting gigs since he’d developed a Pavlovian response to the cameras. As soon as they’d start rolling, he couldn’t help but start limping.

7. There was supposed to be a ‘House’ spin-off.

The recurring character, Lucas Douglas (played by Michael Weston), was created and introduced as a way to establish a spin-off series. However, the producers decided to back out of the idea, so the project was eventually dropped. This was probably for the best though since there seems to be too many spin-off shows out there already. House would never approve.

I hope you enjoyed this week's installment of Facts From a TV Junkie. Check back next week for another fix!

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