What is arguebly Hugh Laurie’s best role starts up again this Tues, folks. Heads up.
This is the only show that can get me to turn on the television without also turning on the dvd/vhs player.
Yeah, I’ d never seen Laurie do drama before, and boy does he deliver. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’ll actually make a point of seeing this show.
I went through the first season DVD really fast and absolutely loved it. The only weak spots for me were the stuff with Cameron (although Jennifer Morrison is hooooootttt!) and Sela Ward. Too bad the latter will be back for seven episodes this season, although I did like her interplay with House to some extent. But Omar Epps, Robert Sean Leonard, and Lisa Edlestein are all great–I’d watch the show for them even if Laurie wasn’t as strong as he was.
And make no mistake: Laurie is a god. This is one of the truly legendary performances in recent TV history. (I’m also thinking of Ian McShane’s Al Swearangen.) There’s a Tom Shales quote about Andre Braugher’s Frank Pembleton (another iconic performance), where he says no matter what was going on that week with the rest of the characters, Braugher was always going to be interesting. So true with House/Laurie as well, especially in the first half of the season, where he’s basically keeping the show afloat through your standard “medical mystery of the week” stories.
This season, I hope to see them bring back Chase’s dad (aka Lodz from Carnivale) and possibly reintroduce the thing with Wilson’s missing brother. Those were the two possible subplots that were introduced last season that I liked the most, and in the case of the latter, saw a lot of potential in. I’d also like them to continue the theme of “medicine as a buisness” that they brought up with Vogler (I almost wish they hadn’t gotten rid of that character completely, perhaps Chi McBride can come back in some way as well).
Of course, the whole thing with House’s addiction is going to be something to watch as well; although I am kind of hoping that the series ends with House still addicted and still functioning–it would be a change of pace from the typical arc you see on tv.
Hands down my favorite show on TV, and the only non-animated scripted show that I watch. I have to say though, I don’t think the House / Cameron angle is over, based on what Sela Ward was saying at the end of last season. I also just realized that Wilson was pretty sure that House cared about her. She’s sort of a dull character, but watching House struggle with vulnerability has a lot of potential, especially in light of how last season ended.
Hope there’s a ‘RETURN OF THE POISENOUS JEANS’ subplot.
I’m a big fan of this show and especially the character of house, but the show itself was at it’s strongest during the Vogler arc, when not only did House have a natural to play off of, but the show didn’t have to concentrate on the increasingly formulaic crazy disease plots. The Sela arc didn’t do it for me as much, so I hope they can turn that around for the start of this season.
and to think I was the only one posting in the original House Thread last year!!
good to hear there are finally some Coverts to Season 2.
LL Cool H meets LL Cool J in the first episode! Can’t wait.
love laurie, love house, can’t wait for tuesday. and the emmy goes to…
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| Originally Posted by almostsexy This is the only show that can get me to turn on the television without also turning on the dvd/vhs player. |
Outside of some news and whatnot thats exactly the same thing here. Laurie is truly magnificent as House. The writing is really good and in my opinion some of the best on TV in a long time.
My wife and I started watching reruns of this show as we were avoiding home improvement work and got hooked immediately. Laurie is amazing. Who cares about shitty ER when this show is on?
I wasn’t really familiar with Hugh Laurie when I watched the first episode of House last season.
In fact, my wife had to show me his IMBD page to prove to me he was in Flight of the Phoenix.
I just flat out didn’t remember the guy from that movie.
House was one of my two must see shows last season (Veronica Mars being the other).
I happened upon it by accident about 10 minutes into the premiere episode and I was hooked immediately.
One of my favorite OMG House moments from season 1 was whem Dr. Forman complains to House that he’s being treated unfairly and House starts to run through the possible reasons. “Well, it couldn’t be race, since you were just as black last week”.
I was continually amazed not just by the crisp dialogue for Dr. House but at Laurie’s acting style during season 1. I keep reading about Laurie’s work as the ‘blithering idiot’ in the Black Adder series. Has any of the House fans here seen any of that show yet? I’m so used to seeing Laurie as House M.D. that I can’t begin to imagine him playing a Mr. Bean type of character. Anyways, I hope to see Hugh Laurie’s name on that Emmy soon.
Here’s a site for show transcripts.
It’s also quite refreshing to see an older female character taking the spoils from the young miss thang.
A good rule of thumb for reality or fiction, if Sela Ward wants your man then she will get him.
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| Originally Posted by JCB I was continually amazed not just by the crisp dialogue for Dr. House but at Laurie’s acting style during season 1. I keep reading about Laurie’s work as the ‘blithering idiot’ in the Black Adder series. Has any of the House fans here seen any of that show yet? I’m so used to seeing Laurie as House M.D. that I can’t begin to imagine him playing a Mr. Bean type of character. Anyways, I hope to see Hugh Laurie’s name on that Emmy soon |
Seen both.
He was in the last three Blackadder series: he played a mad German assassin in BA2, was Prince George in BA3, and lieutenant George in BA goes Forth.
None of them was even close to the House role, and it’s interesting to see how much he has changed over the years.
I agree that’s an outstanding role for him, but am I alone in noticing that his American accent isn’t flawless, or am I just hearing that because I know that he’s British?
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| Originally Posted by Jackstar I agree that’s an outstanding role for him, but am I alone in noticing that his American accent isn’t flawless, or am I just hearing that because I know that he’s British? |
I think his accent’s fantastic. I told a few regular viewers of the show that he’s British and they were flabbergasted. They couldn’t detect any British mannerisms or twang at all from Laurie.
I must admit though that I haven’t seen Blackadder in like twenty years so I have no memory to color my perception of him.
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| Originally Posted by Jackstar I agree that’s an outstanding role for him, but am I alone in noticing that his American accent isn’t flawless, or am I just hearing that because I know that he’s British? |
Heard his accent for the first time in Flight of The Phoniex, and I think his American is spot on. Much like Burke, the people who I have informed that he is British are very taken aback.
I’m looking forward to the show tonight… I just hope that it doesn’t head to far into soap opera territory with Sela Ward as “THE EX-GIRLFRIEND.”
I can watch E.R. for a shitty hospital soap…
But I am hoping for a little Cameron/Sela bitch slap fight… maybe falling into a vat of chocolate, and some biting and kicking…
Another classic film with Laurie that you may want to check out is Peter’s Friends. One of Kenneth Branaugh’s UK films, with Emma Thompson, Hugh Frye, and many others.
Excellent episode to kick off season two. House is my favorite character on TV, bar none. This story gave the others a chance to stand out as well, and brought up some bigger ideas than just the medical mystery. If not for using that song that Shrek ruined for the ending, this might have been a perfect episode.
“Bro’s before ho’s”
god I’m glad House is back. This is the only show on TV that cracks me up continuously. House’s wit never seems to fail.
L.L. actually gave a dern good performance too… for someone in major pain.
and while I’m at it, Omar Epps is becoming one of my favorite characters on House (besides HOuse of course).
" I could’ve tapped that". House is THE man.
Ha yeah another great episode. Yeah what was with the Shrek song? Ridiculous to use that.