Best Show on TV: House, M.D.

The drama on the fox network that has been on since 2004 has been the best show on television every season. Its ratings this season have been consistently in the top five shows of the week at around 20 to 24 million viewers, and have often been the top drama at the time coming in right after reality competition shows. The show contains some very dramatic storylines that involve both repeating characters and guest patients, very funny comedic elements that relate to these characters, and some amply intense sequences that involve medical treatments. All of this creates one of the most entertaining shows that I have ever seen on television.

The set structure for each show basically remains constant during the entire season but it is the method that they arrive at the conclusion that makes the show most appealing. There is a fascinating new medical mystery each episode that Dr. House must solve and usually does in a way that no one can ever figure out. These mysteries can be the simplest enigma that the viewer can think of and it can also be the most complicated brain-teaser that normal doctors would have no idea where to start. But this is where the fun lies.

It is when Dr. House tries to solve these medical mysteries that we see the essence of the show's entertainment value. It is the character of House that drives the show from episode to episode and makes for great drama. He is so revered because he is so dangerous. There is nothing that House won't do in order to be the most objective doctor so that he can reach his eventual goal and it usually means risking the patient's life just to find out the diagnosis. House is a unique entity that all of his colleagues are never able to figure out completely because of his constant comedic romps into understanding the people around him.

The show's cast is one of its strongest points because of their acting experience, which for most has included numerous films. Its star, Hugh Laurie, is a British actor who has been in films such as Sense and Sensibility (1995) and Flight of the Phoenix (2004), is perfect for the American role as he has won two consecutive Golden Globes in the best actor in a television drama category. Robert Sean Leonard, who plays House's friend Dr. Wilson, has been in such excellent films as Dead Poet's Society (1989) and Much Ado About Nothing (1993). And Omar Epps, who has been in films such as Higher Learning (1995) and Love & Basketball (2000), is also a very capable actor.

The bottom line is that House, M.D. is the best show on television right now, and if you see it once, you will be hooked on it for the rest of the season. So take my recommendation and watch it; it is usually on Tuesdays at 9pm on Fox network.

Works Cited

"The Internet Movie Database". Internet Movie Database. 1990-2007. Internet Movie Database Inc. May 19^th, 2007. http://www.imdb.com/