Earlier this week, we reported that House had been renewed for an eighth season on FOX. The announcement came after weeks of negotiations between Universal Media (the TV series’ studio) and the network.
Reportedly, FOX wanted a discount on the per-episode licensing fee. House has declined in the ratings and FOX execs know that the show makes a boatload of cash for the studio in syndication. A new deal was finally reached and the network will pay about $5 million per installment which is approximately the sum that FOX wanted to pay.
New contracts with some of the show’s co-stars also had to be worked out. Hugh Laurie has a three year contract but that will be up at the end of next season which means they’ll have to renegotiate with him if they want a ninth season. He’s apparently tired of spending 10 months a year away from his family and Laurie told the UK’s Radio Times, “The end of (the eighth) season, right now, looks like the end of the show… That is as far as they have got me for.”
Considering how long it took to iron out a financial deal for season eight, a ninth year doesn’t seem very probable. In addition, executive producer David Shore’s contract finishes this season. A new deal is being worked out and Deadline reports that it would see him “return and finish the series.”
What do you think? Will there be a season nine of House or will year eight be the end? Should it end?
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Image courtesy FOX.
House has been my favorite show, until this last season. I really got tired of House being s selfish, self absorbed fool, who couldn’t make a relationship work with Cuddy. That turned me off towards the show. Sometimes you would just like to see s somewhat happy ending.
This is my absolute favorite show, but we’ve seen too many shows fall victim to not knowing when to “call it a day.” From “Friends” and “Happy Days,” to even shows like “Cheers” and “All in the Family.” The last thing I want to see is “House” become a show that is remembered for “jumping the shark” (which would be inevitable), instead of its top-notch acting, storytelling, writing, and cinematography. I feel the show can easily tie-up loose ends with one more season, and go out on top. It will be hard to let it go, but it will be… Read more »
David Shore directly addresses this issue in an interview we did with him last month for our documentary, ‘Showrunners’. Can’t comment on the likelihood of a 9th season, but David Shore made his position clear when he said – “Our show hasn’t officially been picked up, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to lift a finger if they [FOX & NBC/Universal] can’t get their act together.”
My cousin works as an assistant to one of the writers for House and the current idea being brainstormed is to see the final two episodes cover House’s death by overdose and funeral. A new head of Diagnostics will be chosen and others will leave the hospital.
147 15 “Bombshells”
This episode pretty much destroyed the House value as look forward to program. Season 8 is enough. That was a seriously out of bound program and shows that it has used up any remaining ability it has. I love the show, and while I do not dislike surprises, I do not enjoy watching comedies that turn into horrors or horrors that turn into comedies.
As far out of the “House” spectrum as “Bombshells” was, I have to admit that I thoroughly enjoyed this episode, and hearing Hugh Laurie’s rendition “Come On, Get Happy” was brilliant. But it really did show that the writers of “House” seem to be running on fumes. Season 8, and then we can call it quits…
Have been a (mostly) loyal watcher of House since the beginning. I would be sad to see it go, but I feel I get the feeling it’s time has come. Give David Shore and Hugh Laurie one more season to give it the ending it deserves, and for gods sake get Cuddie and House back together. I’m tired of watching them squabble.
I agree with Tuck. I think Season 8 should wrap up with an awesome ending. With House maturing a little and becoming the father he didn’t have. And Cuddie becoming more by letting forgiveness match her intelligence. Go House!
Oh, Heavens, yes! They should’ve ended the show a long time ago. But, Thank the Lord, David Shore will be coming back for the final season! He’s managed to screw up a once-great show so badly, it’ll be interesting to see how far into the ground he can send it.
let 9 be the last one.
The house will be up for sale after next season!
Have been loyal watcher for the entire run. Always looked forward to good stories, scripts and acting. This year has been a tremendous letdown. Scripts are stupid, disjointed and weak. This may appeal to a newer audience. Unfortunately even steel oxidizes, rusts and crumbles. I just couldn’t take it anymore, and stopped watching about 3 episodes ago.
Honestly, if they would get some good writing going on for this show, the ratings would go back to the top or close to it. NCIS has been on the air 1 season longer than House and it takes its time slot neraly every week by a big margin. Why? Because they haven’t strayed too far from the cop show procedural. It’s all business with just a peek into the personal lives of the cast. House started to jump the shark during the 4th season, and they keep jumping. I’m willing to bet that if the scripts were a lot… Read more »
I go along with whatever ”Hugh Laurie”says and with whatever the co-actors say.
I really am surprised that the show is failing ! I for one don’t always believe what the network has to say. In one moment i hear that the show is on the top because of fresh material and excellant acting. Then in another moment i hear it is failing. Sounds to me like the money is the issue and i don’t mean the stars and what they want !
Joe O’Donnell
The show’s coming to its end. A brilliant, amazing show that it has been. As with all of my favorite shows, I just want a true ending and it not to be cancelled hastily. So there can be a geniune goodbye.
I would have to wait until Season 8 has been in full-swing to make that kind of decision. I thought the first half of this season somewhat “jumped the shark” with the whole Cuddy relationship, but it’s seemed to have picked up ever since that ended. I still feel like the final scene from last scene where Cuddy professed her feelings for House should have been the final scene for the entire show.
My thoughts exactly, though I’m a fair bit behind most of the people on here. I’ve just got up to the episode with Cuddy’s kidney mass, and to be perfectly honest, it was almost bad enough to put me off watching any more House at all. Pure self-indulgence, and the dream scenes were irrelevant filler. Up until seeing that, I thought they might still bring the show back round with some bright idea, despite there not really being anywhere left to go once the “will they/won’t they” has actually happened (see late Fraser for further examples). But, since watching this… Read more »
Well it porbably shouldn’t but it’s going to anyway. At this rate maybe even glee will be down. But after the 3 cancelations I heard about today most likely next May will be the series finale.
Yeah I think you’re right.