Chasing Zebras: The Unofficial Guide to House, MD By: Barbara Barnett
(Paperback / 352 pages / Ecw Press / ISBN: 1550229559 / $17.95)Description: ‘Chasing Zebras’ is a resource for seasoned fans, an atlas for new viewers, and a guide for students of television, film and pop culture. It combines Barnett’s insights with details from her numerous interviews with the show’s writers, producers and actors.
Verdict: Now, and for the record, House is not my kind of guy – too rude – but the show appealed to me for some reason. This book helped me understand why. House claims he only cares about solving the medical mysteries, yet somehow you sense that he really has compassion for many of his patients. The book explains the subtle comments and signs that indicate he does.
It reflects skillful scriptwriting and acting. In addition, the book’s in-depth analysis of House as a brilliant but troubled person humanizes him and creates a level of sympathy that somewhat excuses his behavior. The other main characters are profiled as well. These profiles are a reminder that the more you know about someone – on TV or in real life – the more connected with them you feel.
What this book really did for me, though, was teach me to better understand and appreciate good scriptwriting. Author Barnett, whose own writing I found impressive, explains how the stories and the characters are developed and presented. I plan to watch the show more often, and will be looking and listening more closely for things that reveal motives and insights into the personalites of the characters. I think anyone reading this book will become a smarter viewer, not only of this series, but of other dramas. [JVO]
House, M.D. is still very much a hit series. Still going strong, with star Hugh Laurie, continuing to pour everything into his compelling portrayal of Dr. Gregory House, the show is now in its seventh year. The series is probably closer to the end of its long run than it is to the beginning, with Laurie’s contract up the end of next season.
Having lost its cushy American Idol lead-in a couple of years ago, House is now expected to support Fox’s new and promising ventures, providing an anchor on Mondays at 8:00 (ET).
The series producers have refused to fall back on formula and have played with viewers expectations couple of times over the series’ run. And, in a narrative sense, the last two seasons have seen the central character of House also begin to (at least try to) change.
How does all of that affect the show’s ratings and ultimately its future both on Fox and in syndication? And, why are ratings so important, anyway?
Television networks, producers and starring actors all track them. It’s what the industry lives by: they foretell who will live into syndication and who will die after two episodes. But fans watch the ratings too, and House‘s ratings have always been a hot topic within the fan community. This year is no different.
For any fan completely stoked about the return of Gregory House to the Fox TV network this fall, pay close attention – Chasing Zebras: The Unoffi cial Guide to House, M.D. is the perfect primer and referential resource for this fantastic show. A major benefi t to sourcing unofficial material when it comes to program compendiums is that readers are privy to alternative insights and perspectives that don’t always make it into a sanctioned book. By the same token, author Barbara Barnett has accessed many people on the creative staff behind the show, which has helped shape her comprehensive analysis. Barnett claims she can be considered obsessed when it comes to House, and her fanaticism is the key component that sells this book, as she gently draws readers into her obsession as well. The book allows fans the opportunity to brush-up on certain episodes, or get a bigger picture of how the show has developed over the course of six seasons. But there’s a lot more here than just programming notes. Barnett discusses the criticisms that fans had regarding casting changes, and how the network attempted to resolve them. She explores the technical modifi cations Fox made to commercial breaks, which interrupted the program’s pacing and literally forced transformations to the format of the show. Because of this depth, Chasing Zebras offers more to readers than standard television compendiums might normally. It’s a level of attention that even House himself would likely respect. –Brian McQueen
Chasing Zebras is available now in the U.S. from your local bookseller (B/N, Borders, many independents) or from Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble or Borders online (or your favorite online bookseller). The book will be out in Europe and worldwide October 28.
In honor my first book Chasing Zebras: The Unofficial Guide to House, M.D. and its recent launch, I’ve decided to have a contest (with real prizes) to thank you all for buying (and hopefully enjoying) the book. The contest requires you to have a copy of Chasing Zebras otherwise, the questions are mostly quite difficult to answer.
I realize that there was a delay from some booksellers (including Amazon) to fill many orders, but by now your book should have arrived (or shall shortly). Because of the delay (and not to leave anyone out), I’ve reserved one prize to be awarded randomly from among all entries to the contest. (So take your best stab if you don’t have a copy of the book handy.)
First prize is a Blu-ray set of of the Season six DVDs; in addition, there are several runnerup prizes. Winners will be announced at the Chasing Zebras Launch Party Sunday, September 19 (and you are all invited!). Details are here.
There are 10 questions. Email your responses to me at sasmom1@gmail.com by noon Sunday, September 19 (Central US time). Good luck–and don’t forget to RSVP to the Launch party if you’re coming (sarah@ecwpress.com), or if you can’t be there in person, follow the party on Twitter (@CZ_LaunchParty)
1. What character trait does House share with Rick Blaine from the movie Casablanca?
Disillusioned Idealist
2. Psychologist Dr. Robert Spector a wonderful expression to describe House in “Diagnosing Dr. House.” What is it?
A mensch disgusted with the idea
3. Whose biography has occasionally sat on House’s piano according to the book?
Beethoven
4. What third season guest star starred in an Oscar-winning film by Cameron Crowe?
Patrick Fugit
5. Which episode is highlighted in Chasing Zebras to explore House “struggling to do the right thing?”
Role Model
6. Why is the chapter on the character of House called “Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know?”
It is how Lady Caroline Lamb described the poet Lord Byron and by default–all Byronic heros
7. What is the Center for Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases and what is its relation to House?
The new center bears a strong resemblance (on a much higher level) to House’s diagnostics practice
8. About the nature of which relationship does Chasing Zebras ponder whether it’s symbiosis or codependence?
Wilson-House
9. There are several episode photographs and formal portraits of the cast and characters throughout the book. One of them is in the chapter on season six? From which episode is the photo?
Known Unknowns
10. The chapter called “Coincidence vs. Divine Intervention” uses which episodes to discuss this recurrent House theme?
Unfaithful, Here Kitty, Locked In.
Congratulations ShamansStorm2 (Cynde Janis) can you email me your email address @sasmom1@gmail.com?
It’s been several years in the making, but this year “Huddy” will happen on House, M.D. That is, House (Hugh Laurie) and Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein) are about to embark on a relationship. According to the show’s Powers That Be, the two will really try to travel this road, fraught though it may be with potholes and other obstacles (including, I’m sure, House’s considerable issues and attitudes).
Season six ends with the camera focused on House and Cuddy’s clasped hands as they embrace standing in House’s bathroom. Nearly a mirror image of House’s season five delusion about Cuddy in “Under My Skin,” Cuddy once again rescues House from the depths of despair, this time with a simple declaration of her love, and more significantly this time for real.
For what it’s worth, I don’t think the House brain trust initially intended for House and Cuddy to wind up together six years after House’s “thin line between love and hate” rant in “Occam’s Razor.” House doth protest too much when Wilson suggests there’s something more than antagonism between House and his boss, hence the “thin line.” House retorts that this metaphorical line is long, deep, and quite heavily guarded.
Don’t forget—Chasing Zebras is now available in bookstores across the U.S. (Try Barnes and Noble, which seems to have a couple copies in most stores). Right now it appears to be backordered at most online sellers, including Amazon, Borders and Barnes and Noble. It should be back in stock shortly. Hope all of you who have received your copy are enjoying it and as always value your feedback. If you like the book, do pass the word. Amazon reviews are always welcome!
If you happen to be in the Chicago area, please join me for a Launch Party, Sept 19 7-9 p.m. at Goose Island BrewPub in Wrigelyville. Fun to be had, prizes to be won, schmoozing and book signing. If you can’t join us in person, follow the party on Twitter @CZ_LaunchParty, sign during the party and particpate in the festivities virtually. You will be eligible for prizes whether you are there in person or virtually!
If you can make it either let me know or RSVP to sarah@ecwpress.com (who is the official organizer of the party). Copy of the invitation is down page front of the blog.
As Chasing Zebras: The Unofficial Guide to House, M.D. hits the shelves this week, I thought I’d offer my reflections on how it feels to be a first-time author.
Chasing Zebras: The Unofficial Guide to House, MD
. Thanks!
