Fall TV Preview: House, Television's Best Medical Drama Receives Some New Blood

"Get me a new cast. Stat!" Well, those words may or may not have been uttered, but one thing is for certain: "House," television's best medical drama has received a transfusion, and the Season 4 premiere will introduce viewers to some new blood. Here is a Fall TV Preview of "House."

"House," is, of course, named for the drama's head doc, played expertly by Hugh Laurie, who seems to have been born for the part. The brilliant yet cranky, pill-popping doctor is someone even the most jaded network television viewer can easily watch. But the supporting cast for the past few seasons, well, maybe not so much. And one doc generally does not a medical drama make.

Hence all the new blood. House needs a new staff, and there are forty (yes, forty) candidates vying for the positions. Including Kal Penn (from "24", but perhaps better known for Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle), Olivia Wilde (from "The OC"), and Edi Gathegi (from "Lincoln Heights"). House apparently will just continue firing people until he gets down to just a couple in the eighth or ninth episode. Sounds a little bit like "The Apprentice: House Edition," doesn't it? Well, unless Hugh Laurie is sporting a comb-over and blasting Rosie O'Donnell, "House" is bound to be more fun to watch.

According to the show's producers, the regular staff will be returning, too. Chase, played by Jesse Spencer, will be in surgery. Cameron, played by Jennifer Morrison, will be in the ER. And Foreman, played by Omar Epps, has been at another hospital, but he'll be back. (Unless there are plans for a Juice 2 that no one's told us about.)

Expectations are high this season for "House." Higher than a brilliant doctor hopped up on pain pills. And they should be. The character of Dr. House is such a draw, and this new blood may be (sorry, I have to do it)...just what the doctor ordered.

Of course, forty candidates is a lot, and it could be too overwhelming for a show that really focuses on just a single character. But as long as the forty candidates don't come complete with forty story lines, "House" should be just fine. FOX truly hit upon something special with Dr. McCranky, and producers aren't about to let the best medical drama on television flatline just yet. Then again, we are talking about FOX.

If you haven't seen "House" yet, jump in this season. Unless, of course, you absolutely have to watch the "Dancing with the Stars" results show on Tuesdays at nine. In that case, perhaps you might want to check in with a doctor of your own.