House Is Right Poll Opinion: The Supporting Cast Is Dead Weight
July 12, 2006 by Cory
This is the first of two opposing opinions I’ll be publishing in conjunction with the current House Is Right poll. If you haven’t voted please do so (check the sidebar), and then share your reasons in the comments. If you’ve got something really good to say, email me, and I may just feature it in a post of its own.
The Supporting Cast Is Dead Weight
Let’s just admit it: House is a one man show. It begins and ends with Hugh Laurie. The identity of the supporting actors themselves don’t really matter. They have one purpose: Set ‘em up so Hugh can knock ‘em down.
Consider what they do 90% of the time. One: They poke patients and run lab tests. Two: They ramble on in the conference room, tossing out soft ball diagnoses so House can ram them back down their throats. Finally: they bitch and moan at House’s mistreatment. Not a lot of need for Shakespearian training in any of those roles. In fact, the only requirement for the group is that they be diverse so House has the opportunity to insult all people without discrimination.
That’s it. That’s the argument. Hugh is House, and the producers know this. That’s why they rarely give the supporting cast any meat. They throw them just enough to keep them signed on for consistency sake. (We all remember how awkward the Two Darren’s were….) First time one of them pipes up about more money — Bam! Long walk down an empty elevator shaft. I’d bet last season’s two-parter was a warning to Omar.
Here’s your chance to let me know what you think. Leave a comment and defend the honor of Mr. and Ms. Replaceable.
Every show has a star, no doubt. Hugh certainly is the start of House. As you said, he *is* House. But, it also takes the right supporting cast to set him up properly. Someone who doesn’t have the right gravitas or charisma or timing could ruin the magic. If it was just House, who would care? I love House, but I love watching him push Foreman because Foreman is most likely to be the one to take is place one day. Cameron gives Hugh someone to take care of and a foil to show his softer side a bit, but just a bit.
The whole cast is part of the magic. Could one or two fo them be replaced at a given time, sure. Down the road it would be a great way to bring in new blood and freshen up the show. But the supporting cast helps make Hugh / House look good. With the wrong people the whole show would be a joke.
Agreed. HOUSE is HUGH LAURIE!!
Well…I like Wilson too. And Cuddy is pretty good too. The rest I could live without.