Huddy and the Season Premiere

by Kathryn Nichols

If you're a fan of the Fox series "House," no doubt you're waiting anxiously to see the followup to the surprising Season 6 finale. Dr. House (Hugh Laurie) and Dr. Cuddy (Lisa
Edelstein) finally got together, but will they stay together? That's the question.

"House" Season 7 premieres Monday, Sept. 20, 2010 at 8 p.m. on Fox.

At the conclusion of the finale — a dramatic episode involving rescues from a collapsed building — House and Cuddy locked lips, something fans had been waiting for since the series began.

Already the pairing has been dubbed "Huddy," and spoilers from cast and crew indicate that there will be plenty of obstacles that the pair will have to confront as they navigate their new relationship.

And one big question being posed by TV critics is whether or not this will cause a "Sam and Diane problem," referring to how the show "Cheers" began to decline once the main characters became a couple.

There has been speculation ever since the series began on whether or not House and Cuddy would ever get together. There was obvious attraction and sexual tension, but the obstacles seemed too daunting — she's his boss, he's an addict and a pain in the rear, she's a mother looking for security.

Fans debated, after the Season 6 finale, whether or not the kiss between House and Cuddy was real or whether it was House's hallucination, as happened in Season 5. However, the show's executive producer Katie Jacobs confirmed that the Season 6 kiss was real and that it's the start of something big.

Photos released from the Season 7 premiere of "House" show House and Cuddy cuddling on the beach. (To see a photo, click here.) Seeing House happy will be an all-new experience for viewers, who are used to the typical manner of the famously cranky physician.

Another complication for Season 7 is the relationship between Dr. Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard) and his ex-wife (Cynthia Watross), who are once more living together. For the first time, both Wilson and House will be in happy relationships at the same time — what will it do to their friendship?

Also, with Cuddy being House's boss, there are all kinds of work issues that will come up between them, according to series creator David Shore.

In addition, Thirteen (Olivia Wilde) will depart after the start of Season 7 for an extended period, although she is due to return at some point. Her hiatus is due to film work on the movie "Cowboys & Aliens."


A new character will be introduced in her absence, a brilliant med student played by Amber Tamblyn, who is recruited by House for his team.

Another change coming in Season 7 is a fresh approach to the opening credits. Shore said in an interview that the opening will be updated, although he had no details about what would be changed about it.

Sources:

"Hot House-Cuddy Romance Jumpstarts House Season 7" by Kathyrn Nichols, Associated Content from Yahoo.
Published by Kathryn (Kathy) McKenzie Nichols - Featured Arts & Entertainment Contributor