Tonight, we ring in the new year and say goodbye to 2008. And this is my wish for a safe and prosperous New Year, for you and your loved ones! Happy New Year!

[Photo: © FOX Broadcasting Company]

Since the end of the year draws near and we have seen about half the House episodes in season 5, I thought it would be fun to ask you which of the episodes we’ve seen so far this season is your favorite. To me, it’s very hard to decide. I have things I love and things I don’t like as much about every one of the episodes.

And we are still waiting for those incredible spoilers we’ve been given!

So please comment and vote and let’s get a conversation started.

[Photo: © FOX Broadcasting Company]

When Lisa Edelstein was in Monte Carlo for the Monte Carlo Television Festival last summer, these photos were snapped by paparazzi. She was out enjoying what looks like a beautiful day and and the incredible shopping there. I think she looks lovely in these photos.

[Photo: Bauer-Griffin]

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In October, Miley Cyrus held a huge Sweet 16 birthday party at Disneyland. And among the many guests were Greg House’s ex…Sela Ward and her kids. These photos were taken of her with her son Austin and her daughter Annabella at the event. I have to say that she’s still one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood.

[Photo: Bauer-Griffin]

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I found this photo of Lisa Edelstein, aka Dr. Cuddy on House, with her mother. This is an older photo because it was taken in September of 2007 at the BAFTA/LA Tea Party. It’s so obvious that Lisa’s beauty comes from her mother!

[Photo: Bauer-Griffin]

Well, thank goodness Kristin isn’t saying that Cuddy will leave! GEEZ! Ausiello still has me steamed over that one! But it looks like there are obstacles ahead. Hey, it IS House, after all…

Spoiler:
Megan: As happy as I am that Cuddy got her Christmas miracle baby, I still want to see some Huddy love. Please tell me that this baby doesn’t mean the end for my favorite TV couple.
This baby doesn’t mean the end for your favorite TV couple, but the next episode has minimal Huddy, since both of them spend most of the episode at their respective houses: Cuddy’s preparing for a social worker who’s checking on the baby’s welfare, and House is dealing with a plumbing problem. That’s not a euphemism though. The man’s got problems with his pipes!

Mary in Epping, N.H.: Any dish on Foreteen? They’re really growing on me.
The final scene of the next episode is Foreteen-centric, and it will knock you back on your heels. After you gasp, you’ll spend the rest of the night tying yourself into ethical knots. It’s a very nicely developed plot twist, and it adds a layer to Foreteen that gets them up to Sixteen or Seventeen at least! Let’s just say that Foreman has to make a choice that will either jeopardize his career or her life/health, so it ain’t sweet and simple. [Source: E!online]

I found some photos of House’s Jennifer Morrison on the beach in Hawaii all alone last February. She looks like she was taking some time to contemplate things and enjoying her solitude. And, by the way, she looks fabulous! Don’t you think?

[Photo: Bauer-Griffin]

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House’s Dr. Kutner, Kal Penn was photographed when he landed at LAX recently. He just seems like the nice guy next door to me. He always seems to be relaxed and doesn’t seem to stress…except when he plays Kutner, of course!

[Photo: Bauer-Griffin]

Thanks to wonderful House fan Grace for sending me the tip about this cute poem. (All parents of little ones will definitely identify…) And how fitting that Christmas Eve was celebrated by watching House!

Twas the night before Christmas, a.k.a Christmas Eve
We made it through dinner and nobody heaved
I threw the boys in the tub and got them all clean
While hubby washed the dishes until there was a sparkley sheen

We wrestled them into pj’s and read them a book
One last glass of water and their vitamins they took
They brushed their teeth and gargled like Wookies
Then left out a plate of carrots and cookies

They felt that by the time Santa arrived
The reindeer would probably be carrot deprived
Such thoughtful little children I’ve raised
We put them to bed with compliments and praise

I put on their covers and shut off the light
“Nighty, nighty, sweet babies, may you sleep tight.”
“Nighty, nighty, dear mama, we both love you.”
“See you in the mornin’; I love you both, too.”

Since the children were nestled, tucked up in the bunk
I got comfy on the living room couch with my hunk
Me with my popcorn, he with corona and lime
We had just settled down to watch some prime time

When out of the corner of my eye should appear
Little A out of bed, holding his rear
“I have poo poos, Mama,” he cried.
I rolled my eyes and heavily sighed.

“It’s 9PM, of course you do.
There isn’t a night that goes by when you don’t poo!”
I changed his diaper as quick as a mouse
As hubby was waiting; we were watching House

I returned and then the team was just about to diagnose
It has to be this time – Lupus, of course
When out of the corner of my eye should appear
Little A again, pulling at his ear

“What’s wrong with you now?” I sighed.
“My ear needs cream,” he replied.
So we got out the cream and put House on pause
“You know if you don’t go to sleep, there will be no Santa Claus.”

“OK, Mommy,” he nodded
And off to his room again he so trotted
I looked at hubby for him to press play
Hoping this time in his room Little A will stay

An insulting comment, one snide remark
Dr. House gave his team with Spriteskeeper-like snark
When out of the corner of my eye I did see
Little A, yet again, shuffling up to me

Immensely irritated, I just gave him a look
He grinned really wide and showed me a book
“Mommy, dis is my faborite stowee.”
“Darling, I am trying to watch Hugh Laurie!”

I gritted my teeth and dragged him off to bed
An array of punishments danced in my head
Spankings came to mind; maybe a bar of soap
Strangling is done best with some rope

I covered the child and breathed in deep
“Son, this has to stop, you must go to sleep!”
“But, Mommy, sometimes I just can’t close my eyes!“
“If you don’t then Santa will never leave your surprise!”

He nodded, “OK, Mommy, I will be good.”
I truly hoped this time that he would.
I went back to my hubby and the mental MD
We finished the show, turned off the TV

We wrapped all the presents, set them under the tree
Scattered crumbs on the table from the cookies
Tossed soot near the fireplace and messed up the shoes
(’Cuz that’s where we put them, don’t know if you knew)

We put on our pj’s and jumped into bed
Too tired for funny business, I patted his head
“Merry Christmas, dear hubby, now turn off the light.”
“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

[Image: stock xchng]

Many thanks to Lindy for the tip about this new Variety interview with House Executive Producer, Katie Jacobs. Apparently, people sent in the questions they wanted to ask Ms. Jacobs and she chose the top 5 questions to answer. Here are the two I was most interested in:

Q. How far in advance do you plan a characters developmental arc? For instance, it has been revealed in the season 4 that House was abused as a child, and in season 5 that John House is not his birth father. Have you had these critical bits of info mapped out since the inception of the character? Or were they ideas that came to you as the character of House developed over the years? — Jodi
A. One of the most enjoyable aspects of scripted TV is that you live alongside your characters. Each of the characters, Cuddy, Foreman, Wilson etc. become part of you. Certain details are known from the beginning while others are mapped out as you go along. We just spent three days at a writers retreat figuring out the rest of the season.

Q. Will we ever hear more about Wilson’s long-lost brother? — Mindy
A. Yes, we will hear more about Wilson’s brother. We have established him as homeless but we will reveal more about him before the end of this season.

Be sure to go read the entire interview!