 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
House
Common Sense Media says
Gripping medical/moral drama isn't for kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this medical drama deals with life-threatening illnesses that are often depicted graphically. Characters routinely work their way around hospital regulations in order to save patients, a practice that raises complex moral dilemmas that may confuse younger viewers. They also drink, smoke, curse, use drugs, get in arguments, violate rules, and lie. The show also contains some salty language ("crap," "damn," "hell") and some sexual innuendo. House’s addiction to painkillers is a recurring theme.
What's the story?
HOUSE follows the professional and personal trials of the gifted but bitter doctor Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) as he literally does whatever it takes to diagnose and treat the sick. As he obsessively rants, terrorizes patients, and browbeats his medical team, including Robert Chase (Jesse Spenser), Allison Cameron (Jennifer Morrison), Eric Foreman (Omar Epps), and Remy Hadley (Olivia Wilde), he fights with supervisors like Lisa Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein) in order to bend the rules to help his patients. Luckily, oncology department head and friend James Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard), helps him navigate through the ethical dilemmas.
Is it any good?
The intelligent and compelling series combines drama and humor that raise significant ethical questions about the medical profession. Adding to the generally exceptional production values, the cast is believable and compelling. As the title character, Hugh Laurie is strangely charismatic, drawing viewers in despite his surliness. The plotlines surrounding the characters’ personal lives also make it fun to watch.
It’s definitely entertaining, but the show’s strong sexual innuendo, language, as well as its complex subject matter makes it a better choice for older viewers. The show's gallows humor is prevalent throughout, as well as often-gripping medical detail -- House is not for squeamish viewers. But for folks looking some good dramatic TV, this one is sure to please.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the responsibility of doctors and medical professionals toward their patients. Is Dr. House's violation of hospital rules justified? What about his rudeness toward patients and peers?
Discuss the representation of the medical field, which in the show is often straightjacketed by bureaucratic regulations. How accurate is this representation?
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AGE
"Everybody Lies" But This Review Is Honest To The Core
Perhaps my favorite show. I began watching it for the first time when I was 13. Yes...perhaps a bit young in some eyes for watching House down Vicodin or as the main case of the episode has a unexplained seizure. It wasn't until I hit high school though that I fell in love with the show. It's literally a crime mystery put in a pair of scrubs. I'm a really big fan of learning human psychology and understanding how people think, which makes not only Dr.House but the majority of his cases and colleagues excellent subjects. I love the continuity of the show and the almost perpetual jerk-ness of House that makes every scarce moment of humanity in him that is exposed cherished. Occasionally they bring up real world politics or current affairs that gives the show a sense of realism. This show has made Hugh Laurie one of my favorite actors and celebrities, I was astonished to find out he's actually English. I have never seen someone fake an American accent so flawlessly. Every episode seems to have this sense of deep insight on the morality of humans that draws people in. Not for people who are easily insulted by some of House's behavior
nor those squeamish to surgery/blood/organs...well you get the idea. Occasionally I will recognize a med. term they use and I get a real kick out of it when I do, otherwise the terms are only to be understood by someone who is either in the medical field or takes Latin. Regardless, this show can be enjoyed anywhere from mature tweens and up. I highly recommend giving it a shot.
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AGE
Good for teens and kids interested in diagnostics
I absolutely love this show. I've watched it since it premiered in 2004 right? Around there I'm pretty sure so I was around 7. Looking back I realize that's super young compared to these ratings. My dad didn't really like me watching it but I was drawn in by the mystery and fell in love with the characters over time. House is definintely not the nicest person but he would stay there if he didn't like what he does. He saves lives and like it or not he's really smart. I got my dad hooked at the start of the 7th season.... I'd say if your children are able to understand the medical clues and that even though these doctors don't follow the rules, if they did half their patients would die. They also need to be able to laugh at the jokes or look past the inappropriate ones. I'd say watch it just once at least to see how you like it or how it compares to other medical dramas. :-) I'd also just like to say that House takes Vicodin because of his leg, not to get high and that he doesn't take it anymore.
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AGE
So long as you get it, it's fine.
House isn't meant to be a show that is centered on teaching the noblility of practicing medicine. It centers around an egotistical, bitter man who can be a bit sexist at times, and his team of proctologists who reluctantly follow his lead. He's not meant to be likeable; he's not meant to be entirely stable. Thus his dependency on drugs, and, if you would go so far as to mention it, metaphorically. (his limp.) However, Dr. House is portrayed as an excellent doctor who gets things done in a dramatic and sarcastic style. If you're someone who's watching the show, you should get that he's bending the rules. That's what makes the show. (Well, aside from the mentionings of their personal lives, which really isn't all that interesting after awhile.) So long as your kid doesn't end up wanting to rebel against authority because Dr. House does, it should be fine to show to kids around my age.
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AGE
Great for older kids but not for young kids
This is a great tv series to watch for older kids. There are a bunch of sexual jokes, and some nudity. House isn't a good role model. He lies and is rude, but saves people lives.
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AGE
Thinking about it, I don't really understand how the show could be so popular. I mean, they throw out all of these medical terms regularly that very few of the watchers probably understand. Somehow, the show still manages to be amazing. There is 'violence' but why mark it as a concern? It's a HOSPITAL! What do you expect there to be? Magical unicorns that skip around making everyone magically better? There will be symptoms, and they will not be pleasant. Just as in real life. House can be... interesting... in what he says. Especially about and to Cuddy. Cuddy is a very good role model along with Wilson (for the most part). I wouldn't let younger kids watch it nor would I let boys from 0-13 watch it because they'd just turn in to miniature, even more disturbing Houses.
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AGE
amazing show for mature tweens
I love House! I started watching it when I was eleven, and think the writing and humour is brilliant. Some of the subject matter may be inappropriate for some kids my age, but it depends on the maturity level. Also, some of the surgery scenes can be bloody,and gross even for my mom. I just close my eyes. I don't think it's appropriate for children under eleven.
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AGE
An excellent show, but make sure that your children are sure of their beliefs
As a 20 year old introduced to this show by my father when I was 15, I have had time to grow and love it's positives. HOWEVER, I do agree with the rating of 14+ and even then, I would say that if your children are immature, unsure of their beliefs or uneducated about drugs, sexual behaviour, or other things that it might be wise to either discuss things, or wait a year or two. I'm saying this because I know that I was fine with it at 15, but I would say that some teens wouldn't have been. Until you are able to see that tv is just that, tv, and not something that happens in the real world, as a parent, discretion is warranted. If House were always cutting, then it would not be 'human', but there are a number of instances of extreme humanity, including an episode in which he lied to the transplant committee so a woman with bulimia could receive a new heart. I have at least half a dozen friends with eating disorders and if at some point now, or in the future, they needed a transplant, I pray that they will never be rejected. Just like I would freak if someone rejected me because I have a history of depression. But that's another rant. Know your children, know how strong their are in their beliefs, and you should be fine. If you feel unsure, best to wait, or discuss it. There are plenty of good balancers, in the fact that in the end, House is human, and that's what we need to see in everyone.
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AGE
Perfect for teens but kinda iffy for 12 yrs old and younger
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AGE
Beware: Newer seasons are darker!
It's a great show, particularly because of Hugh Laurie playing the titular character, but it's gotten darker in this past season, especially when House cut into his own leg to remove tumors from it. I almost wanted to turn it off. Sex is mostly referenced for diagnostic purposes or House's sexist but obviously rude comments, but this past season, House got together with Cuddy, and plenty of innuendo-filled conversations followed. Language is typical of a primetime drama: a little salty, but nothing like cable. Drugs, well, it is a medical drama, but House himself has been on Vicodin and other drugs to ease his pain, and the danger of this pops up often. Overall, it is a fantastic show, but I wish it would go back to its humor and the clinic patients, so the series finale can end on a fantastic note, instead of jumping the shark.
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AGE
House is the one you be watching
This is a very good show with laughter and drama mixed together
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| TV rating: | TV-14 |
| Network: | Fox |
| Cast: | Hugh Laurie, Lisa Edelstein, Omar Epps, Robert Sean Leonard |
| Genre: | Drama |
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