Lacey Rose interviewed House producers Katie Jacobs and David Shore (who also created the show) for Forbes:
As a broadcast storyteller, what’s the biggest challenge facing you today?
Shore: If you’re referring to broadcast, as opposed to cable, there’s obviously a difference, but I have very rarely felt hamstrung in my storytelling. We obviously can’t show nudity, we can’t curse and we have to have commercial breaks built into it, but the essentials of the story wouldn’t be any different anywhere else.
Jacobs: We don’t feel particularly restrained or hemmed in by being a network show in terms of the stories we want to do. Every season, we’ve managed to do a few episodes that really break the format of our show and the network has been incredibly supportive of that. I’d put those up against the shows I love on cable and I’d say they feel equally as innovative. The only thing I see as a pain is having to produce six acts each week. Really, I don’t see any other disadvantages; only huge advantages.
What are those huge advantages?
Jacobs: 20 million [viewers].
Shore: The advantage is broad-casting. We get a very large audience, and there’s no point in telling stories unless you’re telling it to people.
[...]
Jacobs: Historically speaking, regimes are made and remembered for the shows that they brought to the air. So we’re team players and we understand why we’re on at 8 p.m., but we could certainly be doing higher numbers if we weren’t on at 8 p.m. Having been on for awhile, what’s harder for us is that we don’t think we’re over and we want the same care and attention [as other shows get.] The fear is that the powers that be at both the studio and network are basically making their brand name by the new shows that they bring on. That’s the fear.
Is it the reality?
Jacobs: Well, I’m not going to piss off my bosses …
They dislike the fact that the network trust a show so much it can be a lead-in, eh? Odd interview this one.
Lol, if it’s the writers’ goal to make Dr. House unlikable, they have wildly succeeded!
No, I understand what they are saying. House was doing much better at 9:00.
It is like the Leno factor on NBC. If they can air House an hour later they can tell their story for a more mature audience. Eight to nine is considered family viewing so the writers feel a bit constrained. That is why it seems odd that NBC would cede the latest hour to Jay Leno. He isn’t going to be cutting edge but a drama in that slot might be. If NBC wanted Jay they could have moved him around on different nights. It might even work better. All they would have to do is plan carefully.
House would definitely do better at 9pm
I’m also wondering if there has been some sort of financial ramification to the switch to the earlier hour. I’ve noticed a big decrease in the supporting cast with lots of regulars leaving this season. Did Fox negotiate a lower per episode price that forced cuts?
IDK about huge cut down. There’s only one regular leaving for certain and they are already talking about bringing the P.I. back in bigger capacity. The way things are stacked at FOX right now, if House wants to be on at 9 p.m. that’ll have to be Thursdays and that’s not about to make them all that happy either, I am guessing.
The news that the PI is coming back is huge for me. I loved the limited screen time he had in Season 5.
Anyways, I don’t see why the writers are worried about viewers. The show is well established and won’t be going off air for a lack of viewers. It’ll be played out until the group wants to quit unless they really screw up and viewers flee. I don’t see that happening.
The PIs coming back? Arrrgh, I was so glad to see the back of him.
I’m surprised it hasn’t been said yet, so…
I’m guessing Chuck fans would like House to go back to 9pm also.
It would be a good idea for FOX to move House back to 9pm and Lie to Me up to 8pm in mid-season. LTM’s ratings have been consistent all season and doesn’t need a huge lead-in anymore to sustain an audience (like Castle on ABC). FOX could move 24 to 9pm Thursdays and move Fringe to Friday night.
I really think this interview is interesting. I think they are feeling that since the network has let them do their thing without really giving them attention that it’s a bad thing. Which is rediculous, since it’s the other way around. Since the show is SO successful, FOX trusts it to help other shows, and they don’t try and give input. The show is obviously working, so they aren’t going to mess with it. The producers have it good at FOX (and rightfully so for being the highest rated scripted show on the network), so they should be happy and not freaked out.
On the other hand, maybe they are purposely freaking out; if they fear for their jobs, that’s great motivation to do their best every week.
I don’t like this show
I do wish House was back on at 9, specially if House and Cuddy have sex this season (yes I know, I’m a huge pervert)
and btw there’s only one character truly leaving, the others will be back soon.
House would be awesome if it was on Showtime or HBO, a little grittier, sexier is good in my books. I always feel like he is holding back.
I find it funny that the lead characters name in Burn Notice on USA played by Jeffrey Donovan is Michael Weston, the same as the actor who plays the PI Lucas Douglas on House.
This fall, House has been freaking amazing. The writers are on a creative hot streak that I hope lasts through the entire season. They should have no reason to fear for their jobs. BTW, ABChasproblems, Fringe on Friday is a terrible idea. Fringe belongs on Tuesdays at 9.