Hugh Laurie's blunt response to scathing review of House is utterly brilliant

It's been 22 years since House premiered, introducing the world to Dr Gregory House, a man as grouchy as he is a genius. For eight seasons, fans were transfixed by Dr House and his team working medical wonders, but not everyone is a fan. Freelance journalist Janet Murray recently watched season one for the first time and was less than impressed, claiming that it was the 'same narrative every episode'. But what does this mean for fans of the show? For Dr House actor Hugh Laurie himself?

Janet's complaint is not unfounded. She points out that every episode follows a similar pattern: patient has mysterious illness, Hugh Laurie (House) gets diagnosis wrong, patient nearly dies, and Hugh Laurie gets diagnosed right just in time. But what's wrong with that? As Hugh Laurie himself points out, this is not just a medical drama - it's a show about a brilliant but misanthropic doctor who solves complex medical mysteries. The formula is not just a repetition of the same narrative, but a deliberate choice to create tension and suspense.

But what about the variations on a theme that Hugh Laurie alludes to in his response? Is it really fair to compare House to the works of JS Bach or Frida Kahlo, who both explored similar themes in their respective art forms? Not necessarily. While it's true that Bach wrote 30 Goldberg variations on the same chord structure, this was not just a case of repetition, but a deliberate exploration of the beauty of music. Similarly, Frida Kahlo painted 50 portraits of herself, but each one was a unique exploration of her own identity and experiences. House, on the other hand, is a show that thrives on its repetition, using the same formula to create a sense of familiarity and comfort for its viewers.

So why does Hugh Laurie's response matter? It matters because it shows that even after 22 years, House is still a show that evokes strong opinions and emotions. It matters because it highlights the tension between perfection and imperfection, between the desire for something new and the comfort of familiarity. And it matters because it shows that even the most brilliant shows can still be misunderstood.

As I see it, this is not the last we've heard of this debate. With the rise of streaming services and the increasing importance of online communities, it's likely that we'll see more and more of these kinds of debates playing out online. And while some may see this as a negative trend, I think it's actually a positive sign - it shows that people are still passionate about their favorite shows, and that they're willing to fight for what they believe in.

In the end, House is a show that will continue to divide and unite audiences for years to come. And as Hugh Laurie so aptly puts it, 'if all you see is hospital, medical blah blah, then it wasn’t meant for you'.