I happened to read recently that the creator of House, M.D., in conjunction with Hugh Laurie, the lead actor, modeled the character of Greg House on Sherlock Holmes. In fact, it's been a running gag within the series to place "clues" to this throughout the episodes, much like programmers used to place hidden "easter eggs" in their software.
There are a number of similarities which are readily apparent, such as:
Holmes: His name sounds like "Homes".
House: His name is another word for "Home".
Holmes: Creator based the character on a doctor.
House: Is a doctor.
Holmes: Addicted to cocaine.
House: Addicted to Vicodin.
Holmes: Arrogant.
House: Extremely arrogant.
Holmes: Music is very important to Holmes and he plays the violin.
House: Music is very important to House and he plays the piano.
Holmes: Calls his best friend, Watson, by his last name.
House: Calls his best friend, Wilson, by his last name.
Holmes: Can deduce a great deal from just looking at a person.
House: Can deduce and diagnose a great deal just from looking at a person.
Holmes: Fought deadly criminals.
House: Fights deadly germs, diseases and other medical problems.
Holmes: Languid and lazy when not on a case.
House: Lazy until he is forced to look into something that intrigues him.
Holmes: Aloof, although less so with his only friend and roommate.
House: Keeps everyone except Wilson at a distance.
Also, there are numerous "clues" in various episodes, like:
In Season 1, Episode 1 - "Pilot" - House treats a woman whose last name is Adler. The first Sherlock Holmes story, "A Scandal in Bohemia" is about his admiration for a woman, Irene Adler.
In Season 2, Episode 7 - "Hunting" - we discover House's street address is 221B — we see the number as House and Wilson leave in the morning (but we don't know the street). Holmes lived at 221B Baker St.
In Season 2, Episode 24 - "No Reason" - an old patient, Jack Moriarty, comes back and seeks revenge by shooting House. Holmes' nemesis was Professor James Moriarty.
In Season 3, Episode 21 - "Family" - while House is shopping for a cane, he puts a curled Baskerville pipe in his mouth.
Have any of you noticed these clues?
Do you know of any others?
Is it only a matter of time before Hugh Laurie utters those nearly famous words...
"Alimentary, my dear Wilson!"
