House, MD

I don't think that I've had the oppertunity to rant about this show yet. While here in London, I've had access to something that I really haven't before: Television. A couple of stations here play a number of shows that I've been interested in, a couple that I'd heard of and a couple that I've never thought about before. House, MD, is one of these shows.

The title comes from the main character, Dr. Greggory House, a brilliant doctor who figures out a number of puzzling illnesses. While brilliant, he's also fairly antisocial, sarcastic and abrasive. He browbeats and lies to patients to get them to do something when he isn't avoiding them altogether. He's also addicted to the painkilled Vicodin because of a leg problem caused by a infraction, which forces him to walk with a limp and a cane, sometimes used to whack people with. Despite his misqualities, House tends to do the right thing. He lies to get patients to do what's right and despite avoiding patients, he does everything in his power (Including lying and blackmailing doctors) to get them better.
House is joined by a young but very bright team that assists him. Foreman, a black doctor who doesn't like House much, Chase, from Australia and Cameron, the only woman on the team, and who's been attracted to House in the past. One of House's favorite things to do is to pick on them and mess with their heads. Other members of the main cast include Cuddy, the hospital administrator, and Wilson, House's only real friend. There's also been a recurring subplot with a character named Stacy, a lawyer who worked for the hospital, and the woman who House could never work it out with, despite their mutual feelings.
I was attracted to House's personality. I love sarcastic humour, and House does it brilliantly. A couple of quotes:

Dr. Wilson: That smugness of yours really is an attractive quality.
Dr. Gregory House: Thank you. It was either that or get my hair highlighted. Smugness is easier to maintain.

Dr. Gregory House: I am the doctor who's trying to save your son's life. You're the mother who's letting him die. Clarification- it's a beautiful thing.

Dr. Gregory House: I suppose "minimally at best" is your stiff upper lip British way of saying "No chance in hell"?
Dr. Robert Chase: Actually, I'm Australian.
Dr. Gregory House: You put the Queen on your money. You're British.

Dr. Lisa Cuddy: [approaching with two young-looking female interns] Dr. House!
Dr. Gregory House: Time for Girl Scout cookies already?
Dr. Wilson: Get me some Thin Mints.

Dr. Gregory House: [to the team after shutting blinds to avoid seeing Stacy Warner] What? Mommy and Daddy are having a little fight. It doesn't mean we stop loving you. Now, go outside and play. Get Daddy some smokes and an arterial blood gas test.

Dr. Gregory House: You're a wuss. Don't worry. Your secret's safe with me... Hey, Wilson! Guess what Foreman just did!

Dr. Wilson: Did you know your phone is dead? Do you ever recharge the batteries?
Dr. Gregory House: They recharge? I just keep buying new phones.

And so on. IMDB has a lot more if you really want to see more. It's the one show that I refuse to miss. I'll be getting the first season when I return home. Can't wait to either.