All good things must come to an end and it turns out that eight seasons will be the finish of House. The series finale will air in May.
Creator David Shore and FOX have been discussing the possibility of ending the venerable series for a couple months. The initial plan was to make a decision by the end of 2011, to ensure that Shore and the writers would, if needed, have time to craft a fitting finale.
It was mutually decided to delay the decision and, at January’s Television Critics Association winter press tour, FOX president Kevin Reilly noted that he wasn’t looking forward to making the decision, saying that “it’s hard to imagine the network without House.”
According to Deadline, Shore was feeling like it was creatively time to end the series and he had the support of executive producer Katie Jacobs and star/executive producer Hugh Laurie.
By deciding to end the show now, the network will avoid another round of protracted contract negotiations like last year’s. There was a possibility that NBC, whose sister studio produces House, could take over the series for season nine but NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt said that was unlikely given the expense.
Here’s the official press release/statement:
Announcement from HOUSE Executive Producers David Shore, Katie Jacobs and Hugh Laurie
After much deliberation, the producers of House M.D. have decided that this season of the show, the 8th, should be the last. By April this year they will have completed 177 episodes, which is about 175 more than anyone expected back in 2004.
The decision to end the show now, or ever, is a painful one, as it risks putting asunder hundreds of close friendships that have developed over the last eight years – but also because the show itself has been a source of great pride to everyone involved.
Since it began, House has aspired to offer a coherent and satisfying world in which everlasting human questions of ethics and emotion, logic and truth, could be examined, played out, and occasionally answered. This sounds like fancy talk, but it really isn’t. House has, in its time, intrigued audiences around the world in vast numbers, and has shown that there is a strong appetite for television drama that relies on more than prettiness or gun play.
But now that time is drawing to a close. The producers have always imagined House as an enigmatic creature; he should never be the last one to leave the party. How much better to disappear before the music stops, while there is still some promise and mystique in the air.
The producers can never sufficiently express their gratitude to the hundreds of dedicated artists and technicians who have given so generously of their energy and talent to make House the show it has been – and perhaps will continue to be for some time, on one cable network or another.
The makers of House would also like to thank Fox Broadcasting and Universal Television for supporting the show with patience, imagination and large quantities of good taste. The Studio-As-Evil-Adversary is one of the many clichés that House has managed to avoid, and for that the cast and crew are deeply grateful.
Lastly, the audience: some have come and some have gone, obviously. This is to be expected in the life of any show. But over the course of the last eight years, the producers of House have felt immensely honored to be the subject of such close attention by an intelligent, discriminating, humane and thoughtful – not to mention numerous – audience. Even the show’s detractors have been flattering in their way. Making the show has felt like a lively and passionate discussion about as many different subjects as could possibly be raised in 177 hours. The devotion and generosity of our viewers has been marvelous to behold.
So, finally, everyone at House will bid farewell to the audience and to each other with more than a few tears, but also with a deep feeling of gratitude for the grand adventure they have been privileged to enjoy for the last eight years. If the show lives on somewhere, with somebody, as a fond memory, then that is a precious feat, of which we will always be proud.
Everybody Lies.
STATEMENT FROM KEVIN REILLY, PRESIDENT, ENTERTAINMENT, FOX BROADCASTING COMPANY:
While it’s with much regret, and a lump in our throats, we respect the decision Hugh, David and Katie have made. A true original, on the page and amazingly brought to life by Hugh Laurie, there is only one Dr. House. For eight seasons, the entire HOUSE team has given us – and fans around the world – some of the most compelling characters and affecting stories ever seen on television. They have been creatively tenacious and collaborative throughout this incredible run, and they are amongst the most superior talents in the business. For all the above, we wholeheartedly thank them, and the fans who have supported the show.
What do you think? Are you sorry that House is ending? Do you think there should be a ninth season?
Image courtesy FOX.
I cannot express the disappointment that myself and 22 yr old daughter are feeling right now, hearing that our favorite tv show “House” is going to end. We are in shock that tv’s best tv show is ending. We can never get enough House and would watch it til the end of time and I am positive that so many other fans would as well. There is just no other personality on tv like ‘House’ and we adore him. It would be nice if the writers and such would take into consideration the people who still want House to continue… Read more »
As alwasys another awesome show gets dropped. House IS one of the best shows ever. With all the money Fox makes they can affored to keep going. Money rules the world!!! House is only a very few shows worth watching on ANY network. Sucks that it is over.
It was a blow hearing that this show has been dropped, i would really hope fox would reconsider. This show and the character in it have moved many, and took TV series to a whole new level.
I will always be a fan of gregory hourse, chase, 13 and foreman and wish them the best in the rest of their carreers, you can bet i will be keeping an eye on where they move onto next.
Thanks Fox but i dont think any series you come up with now will ever top house, But Best of luck !
why so they can put more stupid shows like big bang, women have a hundred kids and surviver and mike and molly , kardashians bull guess its time to throw my tv out the window. they done taken ghost whisper off . every time they have a show taht keeps you in suspense POOF its gone im pissed
Soooo Sorry to see House end.. Loved Hugh Laurie
Well, I’m sorry to see House end, but I believe it’s the right decision. Although this season has been good with a great opener the episodes over last few years have often lacked that special quality the earlier shows had. Following the contract renegotiation’s after season seven and the departure of Lisa Edelstein the show has suffered from a lack of dynamic that was present in the past. But then we’ve had about 120 hours of great drama, wit, comedy and tragedy spanning 177 episodes. Even though I’m a huge fan I wish it could have finished with House walking… Read more »
I am really sad to see this show end. I have watched and enjoyed each and everyone of them. I am in health care and these shows brought saddness, laughter, and good characters . It is sad because with the shows on today they either relate to the younger population and are at best very strange . I wish the producers would reconsider and keep the series going for a little longer.
I love House and I hate that it is over. I think Fox is crazy for dropping it.
I love the television show House! As a student hoping to get into the nursing program at Indiana University, I know that many of the things that happen on all of the medical dramas do not often happen in “real life”, however, the shows are close enough to the real thing to be very enjoyable and it really pains me to see yet another one come to an end. Please rethink this decision?
[…] signs off for good on Monday, May 21st. The last episode will be preceded by a one-hour retrospective and FOX is asking fans of the long-running medical […]
This is one of the best show’s ever. I could see that it was heading down this road due to, to many staff changes also a lack of patients in the later episode. The days of the white board, small ball off a wall and insults where the best. Also losing the chemistry with House and Cuddy was a bad move. There is more room for another session but in doing so I think a change back to session 4-5 would be a better way forward. I love the crazy cutting edge ideas to save life’s and the fact that… Read more »
house is a true inspiration to us all, there should be at lest two more seasons and after 10 go out with a bang to be remembered for all time. This is the best tv show anyone could possibly watch and you could learn a thing or two as well. I hate to see it go.
I cannot beleive House will end. Been watching it since the beginning. What’s wrong with you people? There are shows on Fox that should have been cancelled a long time ago. I must say that since Cutty left, it’s not the same and maybe she should come back ????? Whatever you do, please don’t cancell that show!
I’m disappointed that it’s not going to reach 10 seasons like Friends did, but at least they made the eighth season and didn’t just stop at seven. I do hope they make an amazing ending and don’t just leave it with a cliffhanger or something so stupid that it makes me not want to re-watch the show as much anymore. It’d be funny if Chase’s subtle pen trick became the cause for something big to happen in the show as he’s been doing it for so long and so little amount of ppl in the world even notice it. Or… Read more »
This really is the only show on TV worth watching. Why end a good thing!