Hey, Fox! Would you rather lose Hugh Laurie as the curmudgeon Dr. House, or would you rather risk what could happen to the show if he lost that trademark limp? He's been limping around the set for five years now. He's no spring chicken, and the limp is starting to take such a toll on his body, that Laurie might consider leaving House over it."The show might last through to (season) seven, eight or nine, but I don't know if I will because I'm starting to lose my knees," he said. "It's a lot of hip work. There are things going badly wrong." I've been reading for a few years now about how the limp has been affecting Laurie's actual health and physical well-being. I don't see why Fox doesn't just resolve this problem by eliminating the limp.
I know the chronic pain is supposed to be a facet of his character, but it's season six now. The viewers like him and can accept him as he grows and changes. We'd certainly rather deal with a pain-free House than a House-free TV schedule.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-21-2009 @ 3:09PM
Gina said...
Fix the limp. He will still be a cranky a$$. That part is his personality. The limp will not change that.
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9-21-2009 @ 3:33PM
Debbie said...
Don't lose Hugh Laurie. Fix the limp...it's pretty simple. You came up with a story line previously for the limp to temporarily go away...do it again...but the limp should get fixed for good. He'll still be cranky, but without a limp and cane. Keep the show going...because without Hugh, the show will end quickly. Don't lose this brilliant actor. Please do something to keep Hugh on House.
9-21-2009 @ 3:34PM
Jon said...
A couple of seasons ago, I read that they were going to fix it for just this reason. But he was only limp-free and without the cane for one or two episodes. Then both the limp and cane were back. I've wondered since then why it was brought back if it was causing Hugh Laurie so much discomfort.
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9-21-2009 @ 4:07PM
Barry Wilhelm said...
If they don't want him walking about without a limp, why not make the problem *worse* and put him in a wheelchair?
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9-21-2009 @ 4:30PM
Emland said...
Physician, heal thyself.
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9-21-2009 @ 4:43PM
David said...
When I read the source article, I can't help but think Laurie's just joking. He does have a very dry wit, you know ...
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9-28-2009 @ 4:39AM
Arina said...
I really don't think it's Laurie's wit we're talking about here...have you tried limping for a day? It produces real discomfort at nightfall you know...and he's been doing it 12 hours a day, 9 months a year for 5 years now!!!
9-21-2009 @ 4:58PM
Scott said...
It seems like he's lost it twice already over the course of the show--and then it comes back. Just like he's given up the pills a few times--and then he starts again.
Why not actually be brave enough to write the character without the pain and without the pills? It doesn't mean he'll become a nice guy. Let him deal with the conflict of not having an excuse to be the S.O.B. he enjoys being. MOVE FORWARD, instead of hitting the reset button! I like the show, but no one ever changes, nothing ever moves forward.
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9-21-2009 @ 9:39PM
wulfn1 said...
if its the affectation of the cane that they feel needs to make the character whole, fine... fix the limp but let him keep the cane as a "walking stick" style assist. He could suffer just like the rest of us who have lived through serious injury, whenever the weather turns damp and dank.
I wouldn't even consider watching "house" without the title character.
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9-21-2009 @ 10:27PM
Sally G said...
The wheelchair idea seems the most interesting to me. It is realistic, probably more so than having the limp just go away, and would also allow the show to protray House dealing with the limitations of being in a chair—would he just get crankier? how would he deal with the practical issues faced by the disabled every day? This show takes on issues and disease information; this could be a great extension. It would also be interesting to see the other characters' reaction to House's new disability.
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9-21-2009 @ 10:19PM
Richard said...
I decided to go back to that site and I found this: http://www.hollywood.com/news/Laurie_has_no_plans_to_quit_House/5703805
Woooo!!!
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9-22-2009 @ 12:30AM
Rachael said...
Hugh is such a wonderful actor, House would not of been a success without him. If it's true that the 'limp' is giving him problems, then do fix it! I'm sure the writers can add some state-of-the-art surgery to the storyline to cure his problem. He can still use the cane out of habit, and he'll still be popping the pills for the same reason. I love how he portrays himself as cranky/grumpy, but with such a sense of humour mixed in it.
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9-22-2009 @ 3:55AM
Eisbaer said...
I'm most partial to solving this problem by having House confined to a wheelchair. I don't think this show can afford to let Hugh Laurie leave -- let's face it, it just won't work without him. The only reason I stuck around through the last, disappointing season was because of him (and I know that I am not alone). Not that the other "House" cast members are untalented (far from it), but I don't think that any of them can carry this show (and GOD FORBID if Thirteen OFFICIALLY becomes the show's focus -- Olivia Wilde is a beautiful woman and all, but she's a lousy actress, her character is neither interesting nor likable, and 90% of what has gone wrong with "House" is directly related to Thirteen [and the writers' inexplicable focus on her]).
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9-22-2009 @ 6:58AM
dian7la said...
Keep House repair the leg. Great future stories of a man who has been in a love/hate relationship with his leg. All of the justifications it's given him physically, spiritually, intellectually and emotionally is suddenly gone. The physical crutch is gone! Now what is he going to do ? The emperor suddenly has no clothes. Fun, fun, fun! And how timely because all of us have lost some of our clothes this past year. Show us how House copes. Could this be a "teachable" moment from the best teacher on t.v.?
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9-22-2009 @ 12:51PM
Eric said...
They can't put him in a chair, and they can't get rid of the cane. The cane is an essential prop, and there's too much humour that goes with it to give it up.
I can't see a wheelchair working for more than one episode, either. Wilson and the rest will get their laughs, but it will get old quickly, hearing House say something about "can't go there" every episode.
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9-25-2009 @ 4:23PM
traci said...
who cares if he has a limp, not me but that new season starter was better than most of last years episodes! Wow, left me dying for more!
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9-26-2009 @ 10:24PM
Janie said...
House is wonderful. Don't get rid of him. If it's hurting
him, get rid of the limp. We love him.
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9-26-2009 @ 7:37PM
Shirley said...
Please, fix the mother-f***in limp he is the only reason why I watch the show. I do love the other actors, but if Hugh goes alot of fans leave too!
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9-26-2009 @ 10:26PM
Janie said...
House is wonderful. Don't let him quit. If the limp hurts
him, get rid of it. House is the best show on TV.
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