House, PI?
There's some pretty bizarre news in today's Ask Ausiello column over at TV Guide, saying that the producers of House are considering a spinoff of the medical drama — but with a twist. The character who would be "spun off" doesn't even exist on the show yet.
Here's the deal: There will be a new character — a male private investigator, and no, it's apparently not Tritter — introduced in an upcoming episode. If the character and actor stand out enough, that character could eventually get his own series. Presumably, this would all start next season, as this season's finale has already been written and cast and Ausiello says this would only happen if "the actor they find really pops," which suggests they're still looking.
At this point, there's no word that makes my stomach fill with dread more than "spinoff" — but this sounds less like a spinoff and more like a whole new show, in House style, about this private eye. So, do you think a House-esque take on a detective and his stories would be interesting? And how do you feel about House bringing on a character solely in the hopes of getting him his own show eventually?
Photo courtesy of Fox
The more I think about it, the less I like the idea. To begin with, since House is a doctor, there's drama in the fact that he's got a rotten disposition - who cares if a p.i. is obnoxious? Unless Hugh Lurie owns part of the new show, why should he let someone come ripoff his character?
1Are all the original story ideas really used up?