House (also known as House, M.D.) is an American medical drama television series created by David Shore about maverick medical genius Gregory House, M.D., who heads a team of diagnosticians at the fictional Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital in New Jersey.
Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie), devoid of bedside manner and dealing with his own constant physical pain, uses a cane that punctuates his acerbic, brutally honest demeanour.
His behaviour often borders on antisocial, but House is a brilliant diagnostician whose unconventional thinking and flawless instincts afford him a great deal of respect.
An infectious disease specialist, he thrives on the challenge of solving medical puzzles in order to save lives.
House shepherds an elite team of experts who help him unravel diagnostic mysteries, including plastic surgeon Dr. Chris Taub (Peter Jacobson), enigmatic Dr. Remy Hadley/Thirteen (Olivia Wilde) and surgeon Dr. Robert Chase (Jesse Spencer).
He has a confidante and good friend in oncology specialist Dr. James Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard), and maintains a somewhat volatile and undefined relationship with Dr. Lisa Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein), the Dean of Medicine and hospital administrator.
Though the two are in constant conflict over House's duties and unconventional behaviour, even she would admit that his brilliance is worth the trouble.
Neurologist Dr. Eric Foreman (Omar Epps) serves as Cuddy's eyes and ears on House's team.
In the Season 6 finale, House, driven by the loss of a patient he treated at an accident site and confronted with the unexpected news that Cuddy was now engaged, spiraled into despair and considered treating his mental and emotional anguish with Vicodin, potentially prompting the cycle of his dependency and addiction all over again.
But in a surprising turn, Cuddy revealed that she called off her engagement and admitted to House she loves him, despite wishing she didn't.
Also, Thirteen submitted her leave of absence from the hospital, prompting questions about the status of her health.
As Season 7 begins, House and Cuddy attempt to make a real relationship work and face the question as to whether their new relationship will affect their ability to diagnose patients.
House is from Heel and Toe Films, Shore Z Productions and Bad Hat Harry Productions in association with Universal Media Studios.
Katie Jacobs, David Shore, Paul Attanasio, Bryan Singer, Russel Friend, Garrett Lerner, Thomas L. Moran, Greg Yaitanes and Hugh Laurie are executive producers.
Broadcast Notes
House aired in the USA on Fox from 16 November, 2004 to 21 May, 2012. There are 177 hour-long episodes in eight seasons.
In South Africa, Hallmark became Universal Channel in 2010.