“House” prognosis good as it has 4 Emmy noms this year. Make Hollywood Today your Emmy partner and visit each day and throughout the show for up-to-the-minute stories.
By Stacey Silberman
HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 9/13/07 – British actor playing American doctor Hugh Laurie is one happy camper. But, it’s not only because “House M.D.,” his critically acclaimed FOX TV series is up for four Emmys this Sunday, one for him as best actor in a drama.
He told Hollywood Today, “I think all (cast of “House”) of us agree that our cup runneth over. To be actors who have a job with other actors whose company they enjoy and whose work they respect, doing scripts that they absolutely adore, is the actual cherry on top.” Of course he’s thrilled and gratefully accepts the nods from his peers, but it does not define him as an actor.
Since its first Emmy eligible year in 2005, “House” has received a total of 13 nominations in different categories, but has only taken the statue once, the writing award in 2005. And while Laurie was up for best actor last year, he lost – much to the consternation of Emmy critics who thought he should have won.
After three years establishing itself as a well-written and well-acted drama, “House” finished its last season as one of the most-watched shows on television. And following the hit show “American Idol,” didn’t hurt much either.
The eccentric Dr. House comes off as very intelligent, but practices medicine in a highly unorthodox manner, which sometimes aggravates his colleagues. But, “He’s (House) extremely self-effacing, he’s extremely funny, he’s brilliant, he’s scathingly honest and he’s incredibly candid. What’s not to like about him,” said co-star Robert Sean Leonard (Wilson). “I think he’s extremely likeable.”
The drama takes place in a fictional teaching hospital in New Jersey. House specializes in the diagnosis of rare ailments and diseases. Laurie’s character has horrible bed-side manners which offend the average patient. He is also an out-of-control doctor who is enigmatic and has a generally unacceptable nature. Laurie went on to say that “He’s forgiven a lot by the characters within the drama and I think by the audience too.”
Another serious flaw that plagues Laurie’s character is his addiction to Vicodin, a painkiller used to control the constant pain in his badly injured leg.
Executive Producer Katie Jacobs believes that “for both the cast and myself, this is the most exciting season we’ve started off yet, because it feels very organic. And it’s allowed the cast of characters to explore the character of Dr. House more deeply.”
There have been a lot of changes to the show since season one. Characters have changed, left House’s side and found new positions at other hospitals. “And in the first episode (of the new season), House is alone and he is trying to solve cases by himself.
All of the characters from last season are coming back, but things are going to be different. “People kind of know that the writers are smart enough that if they want to entertain us exiting the show, it wouldn’t be as simple as that. But people are kind of chomping at the bit to see what’s going to happen in the upcoming season,” said co-star Omar Epps about reactions from fans.
Says co-star Lisa Edelstein, “It’s a new beginning, but in the scripts that I’ve seen, the voice and the feel of the show remains true to itself.”
Laurie said that he loves playing House because “The scripts are absolutely phenomenal. I’ve never read anything that so ambitiously tries to mix broad comedy, gut-wrenching tragedy and philosophical musings with bizarre literary references, all in the space of five seconds,” he said emphatically.
“House” is also the lucky recipient of another honor bestowed upon it by Fox. The show will play immediately after the “Super Bowl.” What a ratings boost that will be, on top of its regular slot following “American Idol.” If the show falters, it won’t be because Fox didn’t set it up, “Idol” is the No. 1 series on TV, the Superbowl the most watched show.
And it that isn’t enough, rumor has it, that Laurie was one-step away from beating out Ryan Seacrest as host of this year’s Emmy telecast.
With everything playing into the palms of their hands, it wouldn’t surprise industry insiders if either Laurie or the producers finally walk away with Emmy glory this year.
The 59th Annual Emmy Primetime Awards show airs on Sunday, September 16, at 8pm (ET).
Tune in for its season premiere Tuesday, September 25, at 9pm, to find out what’s happening on “House.”