SCRUBS vs HOUSE M.D. - Battle of the Medical Shows
I was really reluctant to start watching a new medical series
after the awesomeness of Scrubs and the crappiness of Grey’s anatomy (is it
Gray’s or Grey’s? I always get mixed up between the one I read and the one people
waste their time on.) Multiple recommendation websites suggested I watch House
M.D. if I liked Scrubs, but since they also suggested Grey’s Anatomy based on SCRUBS I concluded them to be
quite misleading.
However, when Andy, a friend of mine from high school who I don’t
talk to frequently but who has excellent taste in most things and is basically
responsible for refining my tastes in all the arts, suggested the show I began
to re-think. I got the downloaded seasons from a friend and sat down with a
pack of Lay’s (or maybe there were more) to watch the 1st season.
A few minutes into the 1st episode the first thing
that occurred to me was the striking similarity between Dr Cox and Dr House. Both
of them are lovable sociopathic geniuses. Their witty replies and the ability
to evade personal issues by turning it into an insulting but funny remark about
the asker is a trick I envy massively. Not to mention their super-advanced
medical skills and the ability to inspire awe among the subordinates that I would
give anything to have, even sacrifice a thigh muscle.
If we are to compare the characters of Gregory House and
Perry Cox, I do not think I can point out the clear winner as far as my
preference goes. But here’s the thing about TV shows, you cannot compare two
shows based on a single character. According to my tastes, a TV show is successful
if:-
1. All, or at
least most of the characters are lovable and/or relatable.
a. SCRUBS - J.D., Turk, Janitor
b. HOUSE –
Wilson, House
2. If the show
is a comedy series, even then there should be at least some amount of serious
issues that are addressed and dealt with.
In
SCRUBS – A serious quote that makes you (and J.D) think and reflect at the end
of each episode, most often uttered by Cox.
3. Vice versa
for drama series. There should be some amount of comedy even in the darkest
hour.
In HOUSE – Every time House talks to a human being.
4. There must
be at least one couple that are stable and that you can root for from the very
beginning or at least for the majority of the show.
a. SCRUBS –
Turk and Carla, Jordan and Cox
b. HOUSE –
None I could root for after it became clear that House and Cuddy wouldn’t end
up together.
5. The seemingly
shallow jerk must have some dark past or hidden emotions that make him so,
re-instigating the belief that nobody is completely unredeemable.
a. SCRUBS –
Cox is a big softie, so is Kelso; both of them love their families.
b. HOUSE –
House had a crippling injury and is in constant pain. Also an ex wife and Cuddy
who deserted him for other guys.
6. The episode
timeline should not be predictable.
a. SCRUBS – No
certainty at all except J.D’S fantasies at random and unforeseeable times.
b. HOUSE –
Patient intro, convincing House to take the case, an easy diagnosis, a
difficult diagnosis, an out of the world disease ,cancer, unrelated conversation
with Wilson leading to epiphany, a silly
and easily curable disease; interspersed with random hallucinations and creepy behavior
from patients. Each diagnosis preceded by House poking his nose into everybody’s
personal business.
7. One eye
candy each for the male and female audiences.
a. SCRUBS – Any
of J.D’s girlfriends at the time(male eye candy); J.D. and Turk(female eye
candy)
b. HOUSE –
Thirteen (male eye candy); Chase( female eye candy)
8. Ridiculing at
least one show or a genre of shows in good humor.
a. SCRUBS –
ridiculed House, Days of Our Lives, Grey’s Anatomy and all sitcoms with a
laughter track.
b. HOUSE – made
fun of Grey’s Anatomy and daytime soap operas.
9. One bro-mance
is absolutely essential.
a. SCRUBS –
Turk and J.D
b. HOUSE –
House and Wilson
10. Well spaced
animal appearances.
a. SCRUBS –
Rowdy, the stuffed dog appears throughout the show.
b. HOUSE –
Hector, the dog Wilson’s second ex-wife owned stays with House for a couple
episodes.
11. One badass
female character who is self assured and good at personal relationships.
a. SCRUBS –
Jordan Sullivan
b. HOUSE –
Lisa Cuddy
12. One black
guy with an endless supply of coolness.
a. SCRUBS –
Turk is the man.
b. HOUSE –
Foreman is black but he isn’t a quarter as cool as Turk.
From the above comparison points, I thereby conclude that
SCRUBS is a more wholesome show than HOUSE, M.D.
Have points in favor of HOUSE M.D. being the
better show? Or more to add to the awesomeness of SCRUBS? Please tell me in the
comments below.
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