I just ran across this in the local paper and thought I'd share it with you guys.
"TV's difficult doctors dispense strong medicine" by Frazier Moore, Associated Press
Many viewers prefer a kindly TV doctor--the Marcus Welby type who not only fix what ails you, but also will be your best friend. And never keeps you waiting.
But there's another breed of video physician who lives a different Hippocratic Oath. Not "First do no harm," but "First have no charm."
Dr.Gregory House of Fox's midseason arrival "House" is such a a specialist. As played by Hugh Laurie, he's a brilliant diagnostician with a sour attitude, a sarcastic display and, thanks to his chronic injury, an addiction to pain killers. But who cares? House gets his patients well.
From TV history, here are a few more docs unconcerned with bedside manner, They're all great healers. So what if they're heels? (The article goes on to mention tv docs from Doc Adams on "Gunsmoke" to Dr. Romano on "ER")
...Romano, like the rest of this outstanding group, would surely agree with "House" star Laurie when he posed the question at the crux of his show: "Would you rather have an unkind person who is right, or a kind person who is wrong?"
The answer is clear. Now, if only these guys were on your HMO plan!
Although the writer made the mistake of labeling "House" as a mid-season show--probably because it's just really started to take off in the ratings--I thought it was a pretty good article. There's a pic of HL as House, which is what caught my eye--sorry, I couldn't find an internet link so you guys could see it! :(
Oooo! Can you scan the pic maybe? Nice little article. I came across a scathing article about the show yesterday that was written by surgeon who thought the character of House was deplorable. It made me so angry when I read it. Like your article said, I'd rather a doctor be right than kind. Anyway, for as much as this guy tore the show apart, he couldn't help but praise Hugh Laurie for his outstanding performance. Even the haters live him!
Sorry asil--I don't have a scanner and I sent the article to my mom; I'm trying to get her to start watching the show. She and my step-dad just saw Flight of the Phoenix and I went to the post office this evening to pop the letter in the mail so she'll hopefully get it by Tuesday. Trying to strike while the iron is hot! Sometimes the Wal-Mart here has extra Sunday papers they keep in the machine until they run out; I'll go tomorrow and see if there are any left and if there are, I'll send the article to Taru to see if she can scan it.