TV review | Laurie must choose between returning to England and staying on series
January 29, 2008
BY DOUG ELFMAN Television Critic
For the past few years, Hugh Laurie has mused to me and other critics that he envisions the day, possibly soon, when he'll quit "House," leaving the show in the hands of people who aren't Hugh Laurie.
"House" without Hugh Laurie would be an empty nest. But Laurie gets exhausted in L.A. and misses his family in England. For now, the show is a go, although the writers strike has sent him back home for a well-deserved winter break.
It stinks that the studios aren't resolving the strike, though, as the comically grumpy drama (resuming tonight) has been delivering its most creatively successful season.
It's been funnier than usual and snarkier than almost every show geared toward kids (and thus a ratings hit among young viewers). It feels fresh partly because House (Laurie) spent the end of 2007 playing mind games with potential new assistants. (The moral finger-wagging by the old assistants was getting old.)
Tonight, those new House handymen -- Taub (Peter Jacobson), Kutner (Kal Penn) and Thirteen (Olivia Wilde) -- try to prove they're worthy full-timers, while dealing with a patient (Janel Moloney) who suddenly feels no sensations in her hands. Or is she lying about her condition?
The next three episodes should have run already, but they're airing tonight, Sunday after the Super Bowl and Feb. 5. Fox held onto these three after the writers strike began, so the network would have a few "Houses" to build around Super Bowl week.
That's why tonight's installment, "It's a Wonderful Lie," has House playing Secret Santa.
So why has this season been so fun? Maybe because "House" is experiencing a Fourth Season Flourish, as so many classic shows have, from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" to "Roseanne," "Seinfeld," "The X-Files" and on and on.
This phenomenon happens, I think, because these are/were shows run by smarty-pants who became more demanding and confident of themselves (not less) as success rolled in.
Laurie, too, has dedicated his life to "House" to the point that it seems to be taking a toll. Actors on set say he encourages everyone to reshoot scenes whenever they want, even though that means Laurie works 16 hours a day, day after day, months on end.
As for the three old assistants, Omar Epps returns as Foreman. But Arlington Heights native Jennifer Morrison and her ex-fiancee in real life, Jesse Spencer, have been relegated to but a few scenes all season. They certainly haven't been appearing in scenes together much.
If the show has made a mistake, it was in not keeping Anne Dudek, who played Amber, the job candidate House called "Manipulative Bitch."
Dudek -- she also plays knocked-up neighbor Francine on "Mad Men" -- was the most charming new development this season. By "charming," I mean "manipulative bitch" charming, like House.
House supposedly fired her for being too wrapped up in ego, rather than recognizing her failures en route to correct diagnoses.
Who knows why Dudek didn't make the cast. But I believe the real reason the doctor fired Manipulative Bitch was because she's a strong woman, and jerky like himself.
In other words, we could have ended up with two Houses in "House," but now at least we have one, and if Laurie leaves, zero. What a grim prognosis that'd be.
delfman@suntimes.com
BY DOUG ELFMAN Television Critic
For the past few years, Hugh Laurie has mused to me and other critics that he envisions the day, possibly soon, when he'll quit "House," leaving the show in the hands of people who aren't Hugh Laurie.
"House" without Hugh Laurie would be an empty nest. But Laurie gets exhausted in L.A. and misses his family in England. For now, the show is a go, although the writers strike has sent him back home for a well-deserved winter break.
It stinks that the studios aren't resolving the strike, though, as the comically grumpy drama (resuming tonight) has been delivering its most creatively successful season.
It's been funnier than usual and snarkier than almost every show geared toward kids (and thus a ratings hit among young viewers). It feels fresh partly because House (Laurie) spent the end of 2007 playing mind games with potential new assistants. (The moral finger-wagging by the old assistants was getting old.)
Tonight, those new House handymen -- Taub (Peter Jacobson), Kutner (Kal Penn) and Thirteen (Olivia Wilde) -- try to prove they're worthy full-timers, while dealing with a patient (Janel Moloney) who suddenly feels no sensations in her hands. Or is she lying about her condition?
The next three episodes should have run already, but they're airing tonight, Sunday after the Super Bowl and Feb. 5. Fox held onto these three after the writers strike began, so the network would have a few "Houses" to build around Super Bowl week.
That's why tonight's installment, "It's a Wonderful Lie," has House playing Secret Santa.
So why has this season been so fun? Maybe because "House" is experiencing a Fourth Season Flourish, as so many classic shows have, from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" to "Roseanne," "Seinfeld," "The X-Files" and on and on.
This phenomenon happens, I think, because these are/were shows run by smarty-pants who became more demanding and confident of themselves (not less) as success rolled in.
Laurie, too, has dedicated his life to "House" to the point that it seems to be taking a toll. Actors on set say he encourages everyone to reshoot scenes whenever they want, even though that means Laurie works 16 hours a day, day after day, months on end.
As for the three old assistants, Omar Epps returns as Foreman. But Arlington Heights native Jennifer Morrison and her ex-fiancee in real life, Jesse Spencer, have been relegated to but a few scenes all season. They certainly haven't been appearing in scenes together much.
If the show has made a mistake, it was in not keeping Anne Dudek, who played Amber, the job candidate House called "Manipulative Bitch."
Dudek -- she also plays knocked-up neighbor Francine on "Mad Men" -- was the most charming new development this season. By "charming," I mean "manipulative bitch" charming, like House.
House supposedly fired her for being too wrapped up in ego, rather than recognizing her failures en route to correct diagnoses.
Who knows why Dudek didn't make the cast. But I believe the real reason the doctor fired Manipulative Bitch was because she's a strong woman, and jerky like himself.
In other words, we could have ended up with two Houses in "House," but now at least we have one, and if Laurie leaves, zero. What a grim prognosis that'd be.
delfman@suntimes.com
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