Is There a Doctor in the House?

In a network world full of Law & Order (oh, don't we wish!) and CSIs, it's refreshing to turn on the TV on Tuesday nights at 9 PM (EST), flip the remote to the local Fox affiliate, and sit back to watch America's favorite physician at work. Now, the twist to this is that the "American" physician is really British, and the show was supposed to be more of a CSI with diseases as the bad guys.

Since its debut in November, 2004, HOUSE has won various media awards and catapulted its star, Hugh Laurie, to greater fame (he's already a well-known comedian in England as well as producer, serious actor, novelist and accomplished keyboardist with his "Band From TV" musical group). As Dr. Gregory House -- diagnostician specializing in nephrology (study of kidney diseases) -- he heads a team of doctors at the fictional Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital in New Jersey. When a patient develops a puzzling malady, the team meets to discuss and diagnose the problem (normally they use what House calls the "Socratic method" or "differential diagnosis" - a systematic style of identifying causes). Invariably, no matter what possibilities are offered by the team, the stubborn House will discount each one, believing that something is still missing from the diagnosis. And they'll misdiagnose at least once or twice -- even at times administering the wrong medications -- because the patient lies about symptoms; thus, House's famous catchphrase, "Everybody lies ..."

The ascerbic House doesn't like to actually interact with patients, and does a lot of verbal sparring with his boss, endocrinologist Dr. Lisa Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein). Whatever the issue, it always seems to intrude upon either his time or his frame of thought. Occasionally having to fulfill a required stint as physician at a "walk-in" clinic, he can confuse patients with his unorthodox and sometimes abrupt bedside manner while showing apparent disinterest in them (sometimes playing a hand-held video game while patients talk to him), yet still arrive at the correct diagnosis and treatment.

The doctor seems to be a contrast in values: genius physician on one hand (actually capable of feeling sympathy in rare cases) and scampish teenager on the other. Without a doubt, he's the wittiest yet most thorough doctor this side of Hawkeye Pierce (M*A*S*H). With a bad leg that necessitates a cane and a dependence on pain pills, and a flippant attitude toward most of the staff, he's an enigma to many, a headache to others, but, in the final analysis, a blessing to all.

When all is said and done, his research finally presents the right diagnosis for the mysterious ailment, and proper treatment can begin.

With a cast that seems almost tailor-made for the drama/comedy, Laurie -- who was recently given the Order of the British Empire by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth -- is totally convincing as an American. In fact, his accent was so authentic that director Bryan Singer thought of him as the example of a true American actor! His facial expressions (especially those that vacillate between being tired and sarcastic), flawless delivery (even in accent) and expert timing show the man to be a consummate actor.

But the character of Dr. Gregory House does more than just perform -- it teaches viewers that, despite whatever problematic situations they face, keeping a sense of humor can often help alleviate its emotional effects; that looking at the problem from all angles, and working on solutions based on those angles, can help find a way to solve it; that, even with a disability, one can still operate by focusing on what they "can" do rather than "can't"; if necessary to clarify a situation, to be brutally and bluntly honest; and that it's important to take time for yourself, no matter what the job or responsibilities are.

Imagine ... all this, plus a quick medical education and humor, too. Is it any wonder the show is so popular? If you're not a fan YET, turn it on for a few episodes ... and that "yet" will certainly be eliminated!