Fixing House, M.D.

[sharp2799]

How The Odd Couple can save House, M.D.

Anyone here ever see the series The Odd Couple? It was a 30-minute comedy series. And it’s true. The answer of how to save House from its parody downfall can be found in Jack Klugman’s book Tony and Me, which is about his friendship with actor Tony Randall.

p. 49:

Sometimes, even when really funny likes were

Comments

[ruralstar]

I remember The Odd Couple. Ironically the two times I stayed in NYC during my teen years it was with a woman who LOVED the series. I think I would enjoy Klugman's book, though I have fonder memories of him as Quincy M.D. which came out after Odd Couple left the air.

As you know I don't watch House but similar principles as quoted above can be applied to most any series that begins to stray from the basic tenants of good story telling. So far NCIS is still on track IMO. We know that Stargate went off the rails by the end of s7 and it wasn't just RDA's diminished capacity that was to blame. A tale for another time however. The Dead Zone also lost sight of the basic ideas that kept fans riveted when they switched to more stand-alone and crime of the week episodes. I hope House will regain its stride for next season.

Ruralstar

[ewokmonster]

I think House is becoming a victim of it's own success. If people seem to like House as an asshole, they make him more of an asshole. If people like his one liners, they throw in even more one liners. Their motivation isn't so much as keeping true to House of season 1, but doing even more of what gets cited in reviews and by the critics. I'm not saying House should change, because I think he will just by being surrounded by actual human beings. But I don't see the writers pulling in the reins when what they are doing results in a top 10 show every week.

[twop_tjl]

It's been a continuing theme for the writers of House to be loath to change. Fairly consistently they have events that might affect House in the episode itself (e.g., Autopsy, DNR, or One Day, One Room) but have no lasting impact. It's like a live-action Simpsons. While there are story arcs that last several episodes and House might be affected by them, once they are done, he's back to normal.

I've avoided watching any of the new episodes ever since I had heard of the basic details of the first episode back. I'm monitoring the discussion posts and once I see some evidence that the show has improved, I'll consider watching again.

[athousandsmiles]

I feel like TPTB have gotten so arrogant they probably wouldn't even listen to the actors at this point.

Tangentially, a friend of mine was working at school/daycare center as a temp when Tony Randall came in to pick up his kid. She was all asquee when I saw her later that night. lol