HOUSE: Instant Karma

On the eve of the 1992 Presidential election, political strategist James Carville shared a simple message with the Clinton campaign staff assembled in Little Rock: “There’s a simple doctrine. Outside of a person’s love, the most sacred thing they can give is their labor…and anytime that you can combine labor with love, you have a […]

HOUSE: The Tyrant

James Earl Jones is an imposing figure, and his guest appearance on House was bound to be more impactful than a lesser known actor. The story of President DiBala altered the formulaic presentation of the show, foreshadowing personal & professional struggles ahead for Princeton Plainsboro’s staff. Before I dive into the key story arcs, let […]

HOUSE: Epic Fail

When hard times stare people down, many of us fall into the trap of “If only…” We attach earth shattering significance to our actions, often with the intention of changing the way we are perceived. If only I could lose these extra pounds, take that new job, start over in a new place. We want […]

HOUSE Season Premiere: Broken

On Sunday night, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences presented Emmy Awards to a cavalcade of deserving actors, writers, directors, and producers. Though House fans may have been disappointed that the show was shut out this year, I have an early submission to make for the 2010 award season. I nominate Hugh Laurie’s efforts […]

I Just Watched the HOUSE Season Finale…or Did I? (Updated)

Before I turn it over to Erik, I wanted to take a moment to sincerely thank Erik for his amazing contributions to GiveMeMyRemote.com and to the fans of HOUSE.  As the Editor of the site, I am beyond thrilled at the community of thoughtful TV fans that have come together each week to discuss HOUSE. […]

HOUSE: Under My Skin

The game of expectations has a long history of leaving its contestants defeated and deflated. Who among us has escaped the trap that opens when we put our emotional eggs in a tenuous basket? Examples of this phenomenon are as plentiful as the broken dreams that suffer the consequences. A father brings his son to […]

HOUSE: House Divided

Like many long running dramas, House has an audience that eagerly awaits interesting plot developments and payoffs to long term storylines. Aside from taking a few baby steps toward Dr. House’s inevitable breakdown, this week provided little fodder for viewers who like to put those complicated puzzle pieces together. Instead, the House team continued on […]

HOUSE: Saviors

Last week, I predicted that Dr. Kutner’s unexpected suicide would force his colleagues to move forward and tackle big decisions in their personal and professional lives. Though the show’s producers were criticized for orchestrating Kal Penn’s exit from the show in a somewhat illogical fashion, their first chance to reset the ensemble cast in the […]

HOUSE: Simple Explanation

Television, at its best, can provoke howls of laughter or tears of sadness from the loyal viewers who come back each week to their favorite shows. That emotional investment is one of the key provisions of the bargain we strike with the writers, directors, actors, and other players who bring those programs into our living […]

HOUSE: Locked In

During my last trip to New York City, I spent several hours at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Like so many in attendance, I was initially dazzled by the size and scope of sophisticated paintings, sculptures, and other amazing pieces on display. As the afternoon wore on, I began to feel a deep pit in […]

HOUSE: Here Kitty

If you have picked up a newspaper or watched a cable news broadcast lately, you may have seen a mention or two about our ailing economy. Since most of us are not Ivy League economists or full time financial professionals, we might be hard pressed to explain the reasons behind the credit crisis or the […]

HOUSE: The Social Contract

As a reformed high school debate nerd, I was overwhelmed with flashbacks after seeing the title of this episode. For eager young minds who are desperate to assert their intellectual superiority, few topics brought out more first class blowhard behavior than the various theories regarding the Social Contract. Though many of history’s most admired thinkers […]

HOUSE: The Softer Side

Last week, I asked whether the producers of House had thrown down the gauntlet regarding Foreman & Thirteen’s increased roles on the show. With the entire television world struggling to accurately calculate ratings, there is no empirical evidence to suggest that Omar Epps & Olivia Wilde’s added screen time is turning away scores of loyal […]

HOUSE: Unfaithful

The medium of television hatches a special bond between the audience and their most beloved characters. In dozens of ways, both profound and infinitesimal, a familiar face in our living room transcends the gap between fantasy and reality. Unlike their film counterparts, who drop in on us for two hours in between handfuls of popcorn, […]

HOUSE: The Greater Good

What is it about milestones that make people lose perspective? Parents obsess about capturing the perfect image on a son or daughter’s birthday, as if the shots they took at the park a few days earlier cannot reflect that stepping stone of childhood. Young adults equate graduation from high school or college as a transcendent […]