For many fans of the show House, MD, it’s easy to see the similarities between Dr. Gregory House and Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes. David Shore and Paul Attanasio, the show’s creators, even admitted to deliberately basing their main character on the detective.
To see how the creators worked their passion for Sherlock Holmes into the show, here are 7 similarities:
1. They both have similar names.
Holmes’s name is similar to the word "House" while House’s name is simply another name for a home. Even the names of his faithful companions are similar: John Watson and James Wilson.
2. They both only have one loyal friend.
The relationship between Holmes/Watson and House/Wilson is similar in that both Holmes and House are dominant personalities while Watson and Wilson are followers. In many cases, although Holmes and House can be abusive to their loyal friends, Watson and Wilson remain loyal. However, both Holmes and House need their loyal friends because they often serve as the only real connection to the outside world.
3. They both turn down cases they don’t care about.
Both main characters only take cases that interest them. They both need to be intellectually stimulated to take on and complete a case (whether it’s catching a deadly criminal or diagnosing a deadly disease). They will only take cases they are not interested in if they are forced to take action.
4. They both treat those around them with indifference.
House and Holmes are famous for how poorly they treat those around them (House is particularly famous for his bedside manners). Although they may show interest in people during a case, they often lose interest once the case has been resolved. The nonchalant behavior causes those around the two main characters to see them as antisocial and arrogant.
5. They both have drug addictions.
Both main characters have been described as having drug addictions. While House was addicted to painkillers, Holmes used cocaine recreationally. However, both men used drugs to escape boredom (and House also used them for leg pain).
6. They both have a keen sense of observation.
Both main characters can learn numerous facts about a person simply by observing them. For example, House can diagnose an illness simply by observing an individual’s subtle mannerisms, such as a particular tic.
7. They both have the same apartment number.
Another interesting and obvious fact is that House lives in apartment 221B (as seen in the episode titled "Hunting"), which is also the same apartment number Sherlock Holmes has.
Although House, MD aired its final season in May 2012, it remains a fan favorite for a medical drama series. With its homage to Sherlock Holmes, the series provides even more entertainment as new and old fans alike watch it again to find the Easter eggs.