Arthur Conan Doyle modeled Sherlock Holmes after a real person--a physician with impressive deductive powers. Holmes is obviously the model for House, a genius diagnostician: the name, a sidekick named Wilson (as in Watson), the misanthropy, even a drug addiction.

It's a great concept really, and done so well. I have a friend who didn't like the program--complained they get a lot of medicine wrong, including the effects of Vicodin (the drug House is addicted to). Mind you, as a rule I don't even like medical dramas, but there are several reasons I think this rises above. Great acting, especially by Hugh Laurie in the title role. Great writing--a strong arc through the season, twists and turns in episodes, witty lines. The series can be moving at times and funny at times. And the character of House is unique in television. A lead who is not nice? But no villain. Part "cruel to be kind" and part just plain in pain and damaged.

Mind you, when I first caught him on television I despised the character. He can be unbelievably jaw-droppingly nasty. It's a different experience though watching this as it develops one episode after another in order. For one, they do a great job at the slow reveal. House's addiction doesn't seem that bad early in the series. Cameron and Foreman also had their secrets that are only unfolded slowly. It's such an intelligent show. ( )