House and Wilson: BFF
A close bond between two men is not often seen on television today without some sort of romantic entanglement or macho posturing. Ever since the days of the 1960s Batman series, male friendships have been the object of jokes and accusations of homosexuality. Perhaps this is why you simply don’t see these bonds much on television today.
In fact, I can only think of two shows that ‘dare’ to celebrate this type of relationship to the fullest: NBC’s Scrubs and FOX’s House, M.D. Scrubs takes a delightfully comedic approach to J.D.’s brotherly love for best friend Turk, while House, M.D. showcases the poignancy found in the relationship between Doctors House and Wilson. The usually acerbic House shows his true self only around his best friend, and is able to admit his vulnerability to him. The two give each other advice and support, and maintain a rapport that is both touching and amusing.
Perhaps this could be the start of a new trend in television: the celebration of the power of friendship between men. Isn’t it about time?
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POSTED IN: Hugh Laurie, Robert Sean Leonard
4 opinions for House and Wilson: BFF
Chenai
May 2, 2006 at 9:53 am
Oh my god!!!! I love this!! Its SOO right!!
Grace
Jan 1, 2007 at 6:47 pm
WONDERFUL!! I just hope they leave it that way!!
Pam
Jan 2, 2007 at 9:39 am
I believe you may have missed Boston Legal. The relationship between Alan Shore and Denny Crane is… fulfilling (well, almost so, for someone who dearly missed Jeffrey Geiger and Aaron Shutt on Chicago Hope). Denny has a bit of homophobia with regard to the relationship, but still… I would miss their “balcony time” as much as they did, if it were gone.
Glad you noticed Scrubs, though :-)
Much as I love Scrubs, for male friendship, I think I like House/Wilson better.
Willie
Jan 2, 2007 at 10:46 am
As Pam noted, I’d also include Alan and Denny from Boston Legal.
Rhys, you’re absolutely right about the poignancy of the relationship between House and Wilson. Wilson’s willingness to sacrifice for House–whether it’s an evening with his (now-ex) wife all the way up to his job–never fails to touch me. Okay, so maybe it’s emotionally pathological on Wilson’s part, but it’s touching nonetheless. :)
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