About
"In the pilot we asked, 'Would you rather have a doctor hold your hand while you die or have a doctor treat you like crap while he cured you?' Humanity to some extent is synonymous with caring. House didn't care about caring. He cared about results."
In his three-hour interview, David Shore talks about his early life and brief law career in Canada. He describes his move to Los Angeles and his big break writing for the critically acclaimed series Due South for show creator Paul Haggis. He discusses writing for the Canadian shows Traders, The Hardy Boys, and The Outer Limits and chronicles writing an episode of NYPD Blue, which led to becoming a staff writer on David E. Kelley's The Practice. He recalls writing for Family Law, Century City, Hack, and for Law and Order -- for which he received his first Emmy nomination. Shore then speaks at length about creating and writing the popular medical drama House. He outlines casting Hugh Laurie in the title role, filming the pilot, talks of various themes of the show, casting changes, and winning an Emmy for the series. He discusses the end of House and what he hopes to accomplish in the future. Amy Harrington conducted the interview on October 11, 2012 in North Hollywood, CA.
Highlights
David Shore on writing the character "Gregory House" on House
David Shore on casting Hugh Laurie as "Gregory House" on House
David Shore on the importance of humor on House
David Shore on his small role in the feature film "Meatballs"
David Shore on the key to creating a successful series
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early life and influences; on appearing in the feature film "Meatballs"; on writing spec scripts for television
On getting an agent and his first writing job; on writing the series Due South for Paul Haggis
On becoming head writer for the Canadian series Traders; on writing for The Hardy Boys and The Outer Limits
On writing for NYPD Blue and The Practice; on writing for Law & Order
Chapter 2
On coming up with story ideas; on his interest in creating a series; on writing for the series Beggars and Choosers
On writing the series Family Law
On writing for the series Hack; on writing for the series Century City
On creating House; on filming the pilot of House; on developing the character of "Gregory House"
Chapter 3
On the character of "Gregory House" on House; on casting House
On filming the pilot for House; on initial critical and viewer reaction to House; on the humor, themes, and cast changes on the show
On "Gregory House's" struggles with addiction and romance; on House being nominated for Emmy Awards; on the landmark House episode "Three Stories"
On the end of House; on his career highlight; on advice to aspiring writers
Shows
Due South
David Shore on writing for the series Due South
David Shore on his favorite episodes of Due South
David Shore on leaving Due South and becoming head writer on the series Traders
Family Law
David Shore on coming up with story ideas
David Shore on writing for the series Family Law
House
David Shore on getting the idea for House and his early trepidation about the series
David Shore on the House catchphrase "Everybody lies"
David Shore on the state of the television medical drama when House began to air and going with FOX instead of ABC
David Shore on the basic premise of House and filming the pilot
David Shore on developing the character of "Gregory House" on House
David Shore on writing the character "Gregory House" on House
David Shore on casting Hugh Laurie as "Gregory House" on House
David Shore on casting House
David Shore on filming the pilot for House
David Shore on initial critical reaction and viewer reaction to House and early notes from FOX
David Shore on the importance of humor on House
David Shore on the themes of House
David Shore on the cast changes during the run of House
David Shore on how his own personality reflected the characters of House; on "Gregory House"'s struggles with addiction
David Shore on the romance between "House" and "Cuddy" on House and Lisa Edelstein leaving the series
David Shore on House being nominated for Emmys
David Shore on the House episode "Three Stories"
David Shore on House coming to an end
Law & Order
David Shore on writing for Law & Order
David Shore on writing for Law & Order
David Shore on being nominated for an Emmy for an episode of Law & Order
NYPD Blue
David Shore on writing for NYPD Blue
Practice, The (1997-2004)
David Shore on writing for The Practice
David Shore on the writing process for The Practice
David Shore on how his career as a lawyer helped him write The Practice
David Shore on leaving his writing job on The Practice
Topics
Characters & Catchphrases
David Shore on the House catchphrase "Everybody lies"
David Shore on developing the character of "Gregory House" on House
David Shore on Hugh Laurie as "Gregory House" on House
Criticism of TV
David Shore on initial critical reaction and viewer reaction to House and early notes from FOX
Emmy Awards
David Shore on being nominated for an Emmy for an episode of Law and Order
David Shore on House being nominated for Emmys
Memorable Moments on Television
David Shore on House coming to an end
Pop Culture
David Shore on the House catchphrase "Everybody lies"
David Shore on developing the character of "Gregory House" on House
David Shore on Hugh Laurie as "Gregory House" on House
Television Industry
David Shore on initial critical reaction and viewer reaction to House and early notes from FOX
Professions
Show Creators
David Shore on creating the series House
David Shore on the advice he would give to young writers
David Shore on the key to creating a successful series
Writers
David Shore on coming up with story ideas
David Shore on the advice he would give to young writers
Genres
Comedy Series
David Shore on writing for the series Due South
Cop/Detective/Mystery Series
David Shore on writing for NYPD Blue
Drama Series
David Shore on writing for the Canadian series Traders
David Shore on writing for the series Beggars and Choosers
Legal Dramas
David Shore on writing for The Practice
David Shore on writing for Law & Order
David Shore on writing for the series Family Law
David Shore on writing for Law and Order
David Shore on consulting and writing for the series Century City
Medical Dramas
David Shore on creating the series House
David Shore on creating, writing and producing House
People
Dixie Carter
David Shore on writing for the series Family Law
David E. Kelley
David Shore on writing for The Practice
David Shore on the writing process for The Practice
Hugh Laurie
David Shore on writing the character "Gregory House" on House
David Shore on casting Hugh Laurie as "Gregory House" on House
David Shore on the importance of humor on House
Bill Murray
David Shore on his small role in the feature film "Meatballs"