by Paul Schingle

Created on: November 21, 2010   Last Updated: November 22, 2010

I'm not really big on watching television, but this is a show for which I've made an exception.  Up until this year, I would have said this is the best show on television.  In fact, even now, it may be.  Like I say, I don't watch the boob tube much.  Alas, as TV shows are wont to do, this program has taken a dramatic step backwards in the realm of quality.  Even at that, it's better than most.

Let's start with a little background.  House began it's 7th season this past September.  I only began watching it about two years ago.  Fortunately, with USA network, I think I'm pretty much caught up with most episodes (I'm sure I've missed a few).  Original airings of House run on Fox network on Monday evenings (7pm in Chicago, presumably 8pm on the East Coast).

Hugh Laurie plays Dr. House.  Mr. Laurie is a well-respected British actor who does a pretty darned good American accent.  At any rate, House, obviously, is the main character.  He's the first really "bad guy" I ever remember on TV who is the protagonist.  Now, by "bad" I don't mean he's a thief, or anything.  No, old House is just one of the most egotistical, obnoxious, humanity-loathing individuals ever created for TV.  His mean-spiritedness is unequaled.  But, because of this, he's got a wicked, hilarious, sense-of-humor.

There are three other main characters who, occasionally, stand up to House.  First, there's Dr. Lisa Cuddy (played by Lisa Edelstein).  She's a doctor-turned-hospital administrator.  She's House's boss and, now (sadly), his lover.  (More on that later).  Then, there's Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard) .  He's an oncologist who works at the same hospital as House, but not directly with him.  He's the one character who's never afraid to confront House about his character flaws.  House will never cave into Wilson, but Wilson doesn't cave either.  Finally, there's Foreman (Omar Epps).  He'll take on House as well, but not as fiercely as Wilson and he'll give in much more easily.

The premise behind the show is this:  House runs the diagnostic department at "Princeton Plainsboro Hospital" (I use quotations because I'm not sure if this is a hospital in real life, or not).  He and his team are assigned to particularly difficult (almost impossible) to diagnose cases.  In addition to House and Foreman, he's had a number of ancillary doctors on his

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