FOX’s House M.D. Laughs Loudest

Dr. Gregory House is back, and he’s doing better than ever. In the latest episodes of FOX’s hit medical mystery series "House," Hugh Laurie’s jaded doctor squared off with a woman in a wheelchair for her parking space in a debate to redefine the word ‘handicapped’ House-style. Only House could get away with it and even have viewers on his side, agreeing with his cynical and some would say callous perspective on the matter. But, in the end, with a little help from his best guilt-inducing arguments, he got his parking space back. And, after last week’s "House," viewers were tuning in to discover his big "dark secret" from his past, as the previews for sweeps dangled that carrot, and he revealed that his father inflicted cruel and unusual punishment upon him, adding child abuse to the list of attributing factors that shaped his more charming yet extremely jagged personality traits.

The wonder and awe that is "House" in all his sarcastic and misanthropic glory reached new peaks these last two episodes. According to ratings summaries by the Hollywood Reporter, "One Day, One Room," which aired on January 30th, was the highest demographic rating ever for the series among adults 18-49, and the second highest was appropriately this week’s episode, "Needle in a Haystack." Some of the credit is being given to "American Idol" audiences who are following the lead into "House" at 9PM. But, bear in mind, "House" was nominated for four Emmys at the 2006 Awards, and Hugh Laurie just won the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Drama Television Series for the second year in a row, not to mention the SAG Award that immediately followed the Golden Globe win this year. "House" is on a roll. He may start out as the doctor you love to hate, but he ends up the doctor you hate to love. 24.9 million viewers agree; like it or not, "House" owns Tuesday nights.