The doctor will no longer be as Fox, actor Hugh Laurie and executive producers David Shore and Katie Jacobs of House have decided to end the snarky medical drama after eight seasons and a whopping 177 episodes.
Hugh Laurie has led House over its eight years on the air playing an emotionally and physically damaged doctor whose willingness to say whatever is on his mind often leads to confrontations with his patients, staff and anyone else he comes into contact with. The show helped put Olivia Wilde on the map after she joined mid-run as “13,” but lost her and original star Lisa Edelstein within the past season.
House has been strong for Fox since its premiere with ratings always within the top 10 during its night. Last season’s finale captured the attention of more than 10 million total viewers, and episodes this season have been falling between the 7 and 8 million mark.
Creatively there’s only so much abuse and pain Dr. House can take, and that played a role into canceling the show now rather than let it drown out. Fans have been vocal about the show’s drop in quality over the past season-and-a-half, and Edelstein’s departure as House’s former boss and, for a time lover, hasn’t helped.
Looking ahead, the departure of House seems logical considering Fox’s new and potential upcoming shows. Newcomers Alcatraz, and Touch with Kiefer Sutherland, are expected to help carry Monday’s in the fall. In addition, Fox could potentially renew the sci-fi dinosaur drama Terra Nova for Mondays, or slot in season of any one of five drama pilots ordered into production.
The House series finale and final appearance of Hugh Laurie as the crusty doctor will air in April.
Source: THR
