If you watch prime time TV at all, chances are you know about the drama series "House". Featured by Fox, this medical caper show centers on a brilliant, narcissistic doctor by the name of Gregory House.
Today, I pulled up my laptop and went to fox.com where I experienced the latest full episode titled, "Dead and Buried." At this point in the story line, House has been sprung from prison on a strict leash, only on the grounds to be of help to the hospital he once had a free- shall we say- "licsence to ill.' He has a new team of specialists to assist him with cracking his patients' many complex ailments.
This season, his team consists of two new female replacement team members: Dr. Chi Park, and Dr. Jessica Adams. His male team members from the prior season are still on the show, and these are: Dr. Robert Chase, and Dr. Chris Taub. One of his former team members has now gone onto the role of the Hospital Administrator, (in the place of House's old flame and boss Lisa Cuddy) Dr. Eric Foreman. Let's get to the racial backgrounds and personalities of the characters shall we? Park is a young Asian woman, who has quirky charm and stubborness that can withstand House's personal prodding and manipulation. Adams is a svelte young brunette with a brilliant mind . Chase is the young blond Aussie who chases women and lives life in the grey areas, while Taub, a caucasian male, is the balding, mid life crisis sort of character. Foreman, who is a handsome young African American, has a seriousness about him and a moral back bone that clashes with the out of bounds ethics of Dr. House. Once Foreman was one of House's puppets on the team, now he has to wrestle with the task of trying to contain his ex boss, in order to run the entire hospital with as little liability as possible. Oh! Let's not forget House's long standing BFF- Dr. James Wislon. He's still around.
In this episode, House becomes fixated on finding the diagnosis of a four year old boy who passed away, as the father is in House's anger management class. While house is ignoring people's personal boundaries, breaking laws, and risking being shipped back to the clinker to solve this long deceased child's cause of death; he and his team are also solving the bizzare medical issues of a seemingly innocent teenage girl. Talk about multitasking!
Within this episode, Fox runs one commercial worthy of note. The product? Columbia Omni Heat (electric snow wear- What will they come up with next?) which comically features record making Wim Hoff sitting in a vat of ice and only using his brain to stay warm in comparison to the outer wear featured in the advertisement worn by the model at his side- who only has to press a button to stay warm.
As a viewer, what I pick up on as the appeal or attitude that hooks its audience- is not only the intriguing medical cases, but also that of a psychological basis. This show focuses on the secrets of all the characters- be they main, or one time roles. On House, it's all about analyzing the grey areas of life. Isn't why the debate of ethics is interesting after all? Filmed on set, and at several different locations; the "hospital" seen in the over head pan, is actually a view of part of Princeton University. The only character on the show who doesn't have an American accent, is Dr. Chase. There is a lot of bickering, jabbing comments between the characters; often caused by the tension Dr. House creates in the workplace with his outlandish demands within his professional realm. One could compare this to ABC's Grey's Anatomy- seeing how it too is centered on personal dramas, and the realm of medicine. Though, on Grey's Anatomy- the whole cast is the focus, and with House- Dr. House is definitely the carrier of the spotlight.
Sterotypically, the Asian doctor is odd, yet studious; the brunette is the "hottie" female, the blonde Aussie "hottie" male is a womanizer, and the middle aged doctor is an oaf, and the African American is serious and strong, if not cynical. The commercials featured seem to be directed to middle class young people of America. This does stand to reason, seeing that the body of the cast is made up mostly of 30 something year old doctors. I suppose if I weren't from America, and I watched this program; I might think that fly off the handle ethics of doctors was acceptable and celebrated in this country. Though the characters are typically stereotypical in regards to their racial heritage through the eyes of American society; I don't think one could actually conclude much about America at large- as these are not highlighted within the show.
Within this show many aspects are unrealistic, though based in reality. Doctors cannot burst in an exam room in the real world to discuss another patients issues with an attending physician. There are hefty fines for that, due to HIPPA. If a doctor were to pull of just one percent of the highjinks House has done over the years, there is no way they could keep a license. For me, the psychological drama captures my attention, as well as the zany diseases that patients are presented with. These two themes together are an effective way to gain a loyal audience.
I usually am engrossed with this show on my own personal down time, and it's not what I would consider family viewing material, due to it having adult themes. I don't have TV, therefore my laptop is a perfect substitute. Generally, I don't go to TV program websites, nor am I involved with Facebook for my fandom.
At the close of my break down, I realize how much I hadn't pondered the stereotypes involved with this show. As much as I find House interesting, I do find this aspect to be disappointing. But then, what is relatable TV without stereotypes we can all understand- right?
