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House MD based in Sherlock Holmes?

Opinion by angiii7 posted 11 months ago
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For anyone who thinks we are reading too much into a connection between Sherlock Holmes and Gregory House that was never intended, the creator of "House" (David Shore) gave an interview for an article in Zap2It by Kate O'Hare in January 2005 that said:

"...Anytime one says 'puzzle' and 'brilliant deduction' in the same sentence, one can't help but think of the great fictional detective Sherlock Holmes and his trusty sidekick, Dr. Watson. And indeed, Holmes -- and the real-life physician that inspired him, Dr. Joseph Bell -- were very much inspirations for 'House.'"

...Shore also hopes to draw more parallels to Holmes by drawing House's best, and likely only, friend, oncologist Dr. Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard), into the Watson role.

"We're looking for Wilson to step up in that regard, as House's everyman, leaning over his shoulder and going, 'How'd you do that?' And more important, 'Why'd you do



House and Sherlock Holmes

1-Sherlock Holmes Can deduce a great deal from just looking at a person.

Gregory House, Can deduce and diagnose a great deal just from looking at a person.

2- Holmes' creator based the character on a doctor.

Greg House is a doctor.

3- His name sounds like "Homes

"His name is another word for "Home"

4-Sherlock Holmes fought deadly criminalsFights

Deadly germs, diseases and other medical problems.

5-Used cocaine to escape boredom

Uses Vicodin for pain in his leg and also for boredom and the pain of dealing with "stupid" people.

6-Holmes calls even his best friend by his last name

House calls all his associates by their last names

7-Arrogant said humility would be a lie

Greg House is extremely arrogant.

8- Read the agony columns in the paper

Watches soaps, plays video games, etc.

9-Languid and lazy when not on a case.

Lazy until he is forced to look into something that intrigues him.

10-His closest friend had problems with a wound in his leg (although initially, the wound was in his shoulder)

Has a medical problem in his leg.

11-Music is very important to Holmes and he plays the violin.

Music is very important to House and he plays the piano.

12-Aloof, although less so with his only friend and roommate.

Keeps everyone except Wilson at a distance.

13-Sherlock Holmes lives at 221B Baker St.

In #207 "Hunting" we discover House lives at 221B — we see the number as House and Wilson leave in the morning (but we don't know the street).


Don't own anything:)

]http://www.housemd-guide.com
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8 comments
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cocacola said:
well put, Angii. Nice to see all of these in one place. :D
posted 11 months ago.
 
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yunioshi said:
I started reading Sherlock holmes last weekend after finding out house was based on holmes. I finished a study in scarlet and am halfway through the sign of four. I love what I've read and picture house and Wilson as holmes and Watson but with British accents (well hugh speaking normally and RSL with an accent.) I also have been searching for as many parallels between the two as possible.
posted 11 months ago.
 
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RSL had a british accent when he was on broadway in INTENTION OF LOVE
i really wanted to see him in that
GO BACK ON BROADWAY RSL!
posted 11 months ago.
 
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omg, yunioshi, I started reading them for the exact same reason! I probably would have read them eventually if not for House, but it's fun to compare and contrastthe two. ;)
I've read a Study in Scarlett and a few of the shorter stories. In one, Holmes and Watson have a client named Wilson, haha.
posted 9 months ago.
 
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tvluva49 said:
Nice!! :)
posted 6 months ago.
 
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eka-chan said:
I got hooked into House MD because he was like the new Sherlock Holmes with his brilliance, snide commentaries and bipolar habits. There's always a strong parallel between the two and Shore is a big Sherlockian himself. :)
posted 2 months ago.
 
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NeonGlo said:
I'm a Holmes fan from way back, but I don't remember how long it was before I caught on to the now-obvious parallels. If the story is going to emphasize the House/Holmes - Wilson/Watson dynamic even more, all the better! One point you made that isn't quite right: the agony columns. Holmes didn't read them for fun. Those were the personal ads where people were looking for someone or something or for help. That was where Holmes picked up clues of what was going on as far as crime or strange occurrences.
posted 7 days ago.
 
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surprise
NeonGlo said:
I forgot to ask about that fabulous art with your article - the one with Holmes/Watson & House/Wilson. Is there somewhere I can see that full-sized? I love it!
posted 7 days ago.
 
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