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So, Entertainment Weekly has a DVD with a sneak of the first episode of "House" on it, and I thought I'd start a thread about it here.

This show is Bryan "X-Men" Singer's big attempt at television, and the first episode delivers the goods.  "House" is to your usual medical drama as CSI is to your usual cop drama.  Every week, a team of brilliant young doctors is faced with obscure and baffling illnesses, and they must use science and intuition to find the answer to a medical "whodunnit".  "House" also has elements of Homicide and The Practice in tone, giving it a bit more of an edge than CSI (which frequently borders on folksy comedy).

But what really makes "House" a treat is the acting of Hugh Laurie as the crotchety, sarcastic, brutally honest, annoying, and yet brilliant, head physician.  Okay, so we've all seen this character before, but Laurie plays it with such believability that the character feels human, not a caricature.  His performance is even more amazing give that he had to adopt an American accent for the role.  Hugh Laurie is perhaps best known for his frequent minor roles in various Blackadder TV series, as well as supplying the voice of Nigel Pinchley in the Family Guy episode "One If by Clam, Two If by Sea".

"House" premiers Tuesday November 16th, 9:00PM on FOX.

Bruce

Hugh Laurie is the one and only reason I have any interest in this show whatsoever. He is a terrific actor, a helluva comedian, but I can always tell when he's putting on an American accent. It always manages to sound just artificial enough to be noticeable, especially if you've seen his normal accent.

I'll watch the show just for him, and if it sucks, well, at least he's got steady work. Glad to know it appears to deliver the goods.

Alas, I fear you're not correct.  I would say that Hugh is probably best known these days for his starring role in the Stuart Little films.  Arg.

However, he's a fantastic actor/comedian and a hell of a nice guy as well.

I think you're wrong too, Bruce.  I think he's probably the best known for Jeeves and Wooster and Blackadder.  I never even saw the Stuart Little movies.  Well, maybe it's the case in the US, but, surely, even here more would know him from Blackadder, no?

It was partly sarcasm.  He hasn't really HAD many big roles.

Bruce

oops... sorry, Bruce.  I meant to direct that to Ironwood (about the Stuart Little films) but I typed your name in error.  So I basically agree with you about Blackadder and disagree with that Ironwood fellow about Stuart Little.  Or something like that.

British humor roXXors. As does Hugh Laurie.

If you really want to make a series called "House" that will interest me, then they should adapt the mid-80s haunted house movie starring William "Greatest American Hero" Katt and Richard "The Tall Freak From Night Court" Moll. I'm sure they could both use the work.

Yeah, that was the first thing that popped into my head as well, when I saw the subject.
Great corny movie.
The sequels wasn't much, allthough I do reecall Cliff Clavin as an electrician slash adventurer complete with rapier in his toolbox... or maybe I'm mixing my bad 80s movies now...

You haven't seen Stuart Little, so no-one else has ?  Er, ok.  I still reckon it's his most famous vehicle.  Please note also the 'best known these days' bit of my post.  It's the biggest thing he's done lately.  

Not that I'm nit picking here, but my rage has to go somewhere now the politics forum is locked.  *Ticking Time Bomb Of Rage*

Jeeves and Wooster is fantastic, but usually when we're talking British humour on these boards there's a lot of American 'huh ?' that goes on and Hanzii has to explain it to them.  No idea why him, but it usually is.  Where's Dawn Falcon when you need him ?!  Oh, that's right.  Somewhere else...

I'll stop babbling now and go post something vitriolic on brokentoys about how that bastard sold out.

Oh, you could be right, I don't know.  I know that Blackadder enjoys a modicum of popularity in the US, but can't say if Jeeves and Wooster ever even made it here.  Shame really... how much better can it get?  Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry!  Things like 'The Young Ones' are creeping into American TV, but I don't know how popular they are.  Fawlty Tower is here and I've even seen Brittias Empire (which I don't much care for).  I mostly assumed that the Stuart Little films were just kiddie flicks, but maybe I'm wrong.

'Fry and Laurie' rocked.

See, this is the type of thing I don't understand :  Why bother marketing or putting out things like 'Brittas Empire' in Amerca ?  Surely it just doesn't work for anyone over there ?  The culture gap must be staggering.

It's like the time I watched the American 'remake' of Fawlty Towers;  it was really like watching a group of skaters bitch-slap my gran.   Truly awful.

Sometimes it's best to accept that we are culturally divided and leave it at that.  It'd be like sending you guys 'Chewin' The Fat' and expecting you to get it...

You are correct. John Ratzenberger did indeed star in the brilliant "House 2: The Second Story".

Second Story ... get it? Like the second story on ... A HOUSE? Get it?????



Has the American version of "The Office" premiered yet? Seeing as how the original BBC version is probably the best comedy to appear on TV in 10 years or so, there seems to be no possible way the remake can compare. I'm just wondering how badly they will butcher it.

Even though Steve Karel is on the American version of "The Office," I still don't expect it to last as long as the American version of "Coupling."

Seinfeld is better than The Office. Though I do love me some of that show. Unfortunately, British seasons are like 6-8 episodes long. Resulting in really shitty continuity and about 3 hours worth of viewing.

Lazy fuckers.

Heh.

Seinfeld is the best of New York humor, The Office is the best of British humor. Curb Your Enthusiasm is pretty fuckin' funny too.

Why are British TV seasons so short? And they don't have commercials every five minutes? What the hell is wrong with these people, what, are they actually making an attempt at quality? Do they think television can actually be used to create art? Fools.

Oh, and speaking of Seinfeld, the Festivus season is approaching. Has everyone picked out their Festivus pole yet? I got a lot of grievances to air with you people!

Arrested Development is pretty damn funny.

Though after having watched Scream 2 on Halloween and then AD cpl of nights ago I realised the funniest thing maybe how hideously bad Portia de Rossi's eyebrows are.

See, this is exactly what I'm talking about.  It's cultural divides that allow people to say such completely moronic and untrue stuff.

Just to demonstrate :

Sienfeld is not funny.  At all.  I have yet to laugh at an episode.

The American "Coupling" was some of the worst television I've seen in a long time. Yet I find the British version one of the funniest shows EVAR.

That's probably more to do with the fact that the cast of Coupling made the writing funnier, rather than the other way around.  It's like Ab Fab - don't see that working with any other actors, to be honest.

Goddamn threadjackers.

Seriously, watch "House".

Bruce

Ok, ok... I've set it to record.  I'm only watching because of Hugh Laurie.  I have a feeling it's going to be gross, though.  I cover my eyes through so many bits of CSI that sometimes I lose the plot.

Actually, there's only one scene with blood and cutting, and it's fairly brief, so it's not like E.R. or anything.  There's some mediocre CG where they zoom inside someone's body.

Bruce

See and this is where we Danes sit in the middle of the cultural divide. I prefer Drew Carey to Seinfeld (overall, a few Seinfeld episodes beats all) but I prefer Seinfeld to The Office.

Has anybody seen The Day Today? Only six episodes but fucking brilliant... maybe because they mock my line of work - just like Chef with Lenny Henry (also brilliantly funny) is my brother the gourmet chefs favourite show, but didn't appeal to that many others.

Yup, and Brass Eye was just as good.

I didn't think Chef was meant to be a comedy tho....

Hi. Anomaly, meet Majority. Majority wins. Even if it's wrong. Which in this case, isn't. Tomorrow I'll introduce you to Mr. Outlier and Mr. Sample Size.

I met Mr Sample Size when I went for my prostate exam.  Never again, thanks.

And how is my reasoning any different than yours ?  You wrote :  "Sienfeld is better than the office."

That's nothing to do with majority, sample size, anomalies or Splicing - it's just yer opinion.

:D

Mr. Sample Size?

(http://wwws.musicmatch.com/graphics/www.mmguide.musicmatch.com/album_image/amg/drf700/f756/f75626wyx1e.jpg)

shrug I never cared for Seinfield either. Maybe my sense of humour just isnt refined enough huh?

You either think Seinfeld is comic genius, or it simply annoys the shit out of you when you watch it. I'm in the first category and my mother was always in the second. It seems too that women I've met tend to dislike the show more than guys, but the Simpson's is like that as well. I just think generally women don't understand good humor.

Seinfeld the show was pretty funny for seasons 3-6. The rest... not so much. It was still more entertaining than half the drek that's on American TV now.

But it is, however, an acquired taste. While I love the show, I find most of his standup to be mediocre in 'teh funney' department. I chuckle, shrug, and move on. The show had me in stitches at time, with the Masturbation episode being my all-time favorite.

Well, that post was all kinds of offensive.

Good one.

Too many good ones to choose from, but I'd have to put the Keith Hernandez "Second Spitter" episode near the top.

Bruce

Jesus tap-dancing Christ. Thin skin much?

Look, he said people either like Seinfeld or they don't. It's pretty much my experience too, anyone you talk to about the show either believes it was genius or complete unwatchable crap. Sure Paelos put that forth in a somewhat offensive manner (well, about as offensive as the rapping nanny in the Wedding singer...), but get over your hangups and just read what the man said.    

Though, if you want a good feel for the show, skip at least the first season. It really isn't that good.  They don't really get into the good episodes until after the initial awkwardness has worn off (plus Jerry's girlfriends early on are quite homely).

Edit: Just saw the Elaine dancing episode yesterday (it comes on after Simpsons). CLASSIC.  Even if you're not a fan, you just have to see this episode. The thumbs.. the legs flailing about.. like a full body dry heave.

If this show is any good at all, it might stand a chance.  Because really, what the fuck is there to watch at 9:00 on a Tuesday?

I'm going to agree with Ironwood, though.  More folks will recognize Hugh from Stuard Little than Black Adder.  British humor isn't a big thing (in the midwest at least) and oftentimes you're lucky to find someone who enjoys or even knows Monty Python, much less something that's only been shown on PBS in the states.

See, this is what's all wrong with this thread. I usually agree with Ironwood on everything (hey, he's scottish which is by definition cool... even though he likes Irn Bru), but in this case SirBruce who has no redeeming values whatsoever just picked my favourite seinfeld.

"There must have been a second spitter"
Pure.Fucking. Genius.

There is actually an excellent choice for Tuesdays at 9pm. (http://www.cbs.com/primetime/amazing_race6/)

That's reality TV. It doesn't count.

Just a reminder that "House" is on tonight, and no, they aren't paying me to spam you guys. :)

Bruce

At what time?

I'm lazy today.  Took the day off.

must. watch. scrubs.

"House" premiers Tuesday November 16th, 9:00PM on FOX.

That's Pacific time; not sure what it is elsewhere.

Bruce

You know, after looking at Shockeye's and my new avatars, I'm suddenly in the mood to watch some old Judy Garland movies.

EDIT: Upon further reflection, I dumped the elf avatar and went with the less sexually threatening Klayman.

The Wiggles are not gay.  They're just Australian.  They can't help it.

*cough cough*

.k SR

At the risk of being on-topic, I watched this last night.  While I enjoyed the show it was very awkward hearing Hugh with that odd gravely whine than a British accent.  It fits the character far better, but it just didn't 'feel' right to me.  I also found myself really not liking his character.

 It might just be that it was my first exposure, but he seemed far too antagonistic.  He's not the Gil Grissom "I just don't get social situations" type of character, or the "I stay distant to protect myself" type of character.  He was just generally an ass in the whole ER's Dr. Romano type of way, just far less brash.

Actualy, Romano after he loses the arm is exactly who he reminds me of. The fact that he's crippled only reinforces that notion.

While I enjoyed Romano as an ancillary character, basing a whole show around one might not work, at least for me.  I tend to get tired of the assholes and hope they get a helicopter dropped on them or something similarly gruesome.

Watching that helicoptor scene with my wife, I burst out laughing which was not very popular with my ER loving wife.  In about 2 minutes, however, even she was laughing also.  It was such an over the top way to punish the "bad guy" on that show that it made me laugh.  

I almost watched House last night but then I remembered that Amazing Race was on and who recommended House.

Well, now you know why I liked him. :)

The uncut version on the preview DVD had an extra scene where you find out a little more background about his "students", and also a scene where the doctor at the beginning grabs House's cane to stop him from getting on the elevator before he agrees to take the case.  ("Would you grab somebody's *leg*?", House growls.)  That explains the comment he makes to his boss later where he asks if she is going to grab his cane too.

The analogy to Romano is certainly apt, although I don't think House is quite that much of an intentional asshole.  Romano was purposefully abusive and mysoginistic because he was an evil bastard.  House is more of the antisocial, "I'm brilliant; leave me alone you fucking idiots!" type.

Bruce

The Amazing Race has now rejumped the shark.

They, like the producers of all reality TV shows, have forgotten that the point is to put regular people in weird situations, and watch them turn weird.  After a couple of seasons, they always jump the gun and go out of their way to find explicitly weird people, in which case you have no empathy and it's just a freakshow.

Last season's attempt to jump the shark by casting a midget wasn't enough to ruin the show, because she actually turned out to be a nice and sympathetic person.  This season's more able effort of casting a professional wrestling couple, a lesbian couple, 2 Brooklyn Jews (from whom every single comment. . every single one. . involves either a comparison to Brooklyn or some aspect of being Jewish), the nightmare egomaniac entrepreneur and his battered wife, two Mormon party girls, and 18 models will probably be more successful in destroying the show.

I want to remain optimistic, sidereal, but I am afraid you may be right.

From the opening episode, there was no team that I felt I could support, yet many teams that I actively hate. There are no teams of the caliber of Chip and Kim or even the Bowling Moms this season. This new group of freakos even make me miss Colin and Christie. The only team that I even slightly empathized with have already been eliminated.

Although I do have to say, the lady wrestler had the line of the night: "We got beat by blue hair! That's embarassing!" Heh.

The best team ever was that gay couple from San Francisco, because they were actually nice and didn't sprint everywhere like assholes (Honestly, what's the point of sprinting around like a jackass if you're going to be sleeping for 8 hours in the airport later?), and they made it pretty far.  It's been consistently downhill since then.

Lame attempt to get back on topic:  I'm trying to find time to watch House.  He reminds me of M*A*S*H's Hawkeye in a good way.

"You know I always wanted to pretend I was an architect"

There are so many good lines from that show.

I watched House last night. It's very hard to like the character, and some of the situations felt like intentional attempts to manipulate the narrative. Still, I got used to Hugh Laurie's attempt at an American accent, and started to like the character despite his being an asshole. The whole "You're orange, you moron!" was hysterical.

About the accent, I don't understand WHY they don't let him speak in his natural voice. I mean, one of the guys on his team is a fucking Brit, and Laurie is a Brit, but the star of the show can't be British? WTF? I'm trying to wrap my mind around why the accent is being used, and I can't think of one good narrative reason. It just seems to be more of a marketing decision, as in "Americans won't buy a show with a British protagonist."

I don't think the show is going to last. It's just left of center enough to not appeal to Middle America. I'm surprised Fox didn't put it on Friday nights just to doom it from the start.

I watched it, and I liked it. He's a dick, but he's a dick for a reason most of the time. Let's face it, we've all been around people we want to strangle because they think they have all the answers or they are just being obtuse. His character basically cuts through the bullshit and gets to the heart of the matter in a brutal fashion. It's something I've been accused of before in my life, especially since the South is known for gentile, beating around the bush, be nice to everyone then talk shit about them later behavior.

The downsides have been mentioned so far. The accent is contrived, the dialogue does seem forced in places for shock value alone, and the main character toes the line of being completely unsympathetic. Still, giving the hypochondriac breathmint placebos made me laugh, as did the whole conversation with his hot assistant. Those are quality moments.

I read a news article not too long ago that said that the NBC produced pilot of The Office tested about the worse of any show they have ever tested. Apparently american test audiences didn't get it and didn't think it was funny. I don't think that NBC was going to pick it up for any run at all.

All this shit about the accent is pointless. I have never seen the guy in anything so the fact that he is British isn't relevant at all to the show. I liked the show. I don't watch TV much but ever since Nip/Tuck went into re-runs my wife and I have been looking for something to watch one night a week. Not sure this will be it, though, since my wife go all pissy at the end when he told the hot chick doctor that hot chicks who choose tough careers are fucked in the head somehow.

Yes, women won't like it, but hell it's not that far off. Most hot women I've known that wanted to be lawyers or doctors had really fucked up personalities. Then again, so did the guys.

Well I got in trouble because I would not come right out and condemn the sentiment. I think it has validity. My wife has issues separating generalizations from herself.

In that case, just tell her that, on this particular issue, most women are whiny and full of shit.

Then prepare to be bitchslapped.

What he was saying was that hot women like her didn't have to be smart, didn't have to try at all to do anything because more often than not, men of all stripes will fall all over themselves to give her stuff for free, including grades, jobs and other shit. The fact that she actually worked at her grades and her job showed she was more than just a pretty face and that something either wasn't right or was very right. Either way, she was the type of person he wanted on his staff.

We just don't know why he wants these particular types on his staff, or really what his staff does.

In the deleted scene, they make it clear that these are recently-graduated medical students doing their internships.  Chase, the Brit, has been there a year; Cameron, the girl, has been there 6 months, and Foremon, the black guy has been there only 3 days.  Oh hell, I'll just transcribe it for you guys:

Foreman (the black guy): "I've been here for three days, and I haven't seen an actual patient.  This all we do?"

Chase (the Brit), doing a crossword puzzle: "Until the checks start bouncing."

Foreman: "So glad I passed up that Neurology job at Sloan.  So glad I was able to parlay a Chief Residency position into this ..."

Chase: "So glad you filled us in on your vaunted past."

Foreman: "My point was, it doesn't matter how smart the guy is if he's just wasting our time."

Chase: "Yeah, see, uhh, you've completely discounted the possibility that I'm here because it's boring.  I get to tell women I'm a doctor and I have time to date them.  Nine letters - Iodine deficiancy in children."

Foreman: "Cretinism.  So, umm, how long have you been here, Cameron?"

Cameron (at the computer): "Six months.  Chase has been here a year."

Foreman: "So, uhh, what's your specialty?"

Cameron: "Immunology."

Chase: "Intensive Care."

Foreman: "Well, is House abusive, mysogynist, or just can't afford a secretary?"

Chase: "*laugh* He doesn't need a secretary."

Foreman: "He's got her answering his mail."

Chase: "Uhhh. No, he doesn't."

Foreman (to Cameron): What are you doing?

Cameron: Answering his mail.

Foreman (to Chase): She's answering his mail.

Chase: But he didn't ask her too.

Cameron: He throws all the requests for consults into the trash.  I get them out, and apologize that he's too busy.

Bruce

Well, this week's episode wasn't quite as good.  Still some great character moments from Dr. House, though.  I'm hoping not every episode won't involve multiple WRONG diagnoses before they get the right one -- it would be nice if they just flailed around trying various things without ever deciding they are "certain" of anything.

Bruce

I actually liked it better than the first one. House didn't come off as big of a jackoff as he did in the first episode. He was still sarcastic, arrogent, and generally caustic, but he had moments where you realized a lot of that is his adjustments to the world he lives in.

Overall, I give it a 3.5/5, and frankly its the only thing worth a damn on Tuesday nights.

After watching the second one, I'm hooked. Not by the medical diagnosis shit, that's really a sideshow IMO. The real hook is the characters, and I hope they actually push them more, as opposed to dropping into a diagnosis, misdiagnose and kvetch, then stumble upon the solution formula. The show could go bad or good, depending on which side of the character development thing they go to.