House MD also known as House and Private Practice are popular American medical dramas. House, which airs on FOX network, produced its last season in February 2012. Currently the drama series has 8 seasons from 167 episodes (Holtz 1). Private Practice which shows on American Broadcasting Company (ABC) is still in production with 5 seasons comprising 88 episodes released to date (Holtz 1). In spite of House MD and Private Practice bearing resemblance on several aspects, numerous contrasts also abound.
In each of the two productions, a medical doctor (Dr. Gregory House-House MD and Dr. Addison Forbes-Private Practice) leads a team of physicians to solve medical challenges. The two productions have enjoyed immense success since they premiered and industry players have hailed the productions for their extra-ordinary presentation of the lives of medical doctors (Lacey 1). Private practice won the Young Artists Award, Best performance in a TV series (Starring Joey Luthman) among others. Since it premiered on Fox in 2004, House MD has been honored with 5 Emmy Awards and was declared as the most watched television program in the world in 2008.
The title House is derived from the name of the lead actor Dr. Gregory House, while private practice derives its name from the setting of the series. Private practice focuses on the life of Dr. Addison Forbes and her friends whom she joins in private practice, hence the title.
House MD was inspired by a column in the New York Times magazine “Diagnosis” and the escapades of fictional detective Sherlock Holmes. The drama is based on the life of an unconventional medical doctor (Dr. Gregory House) who specializes in diagnostic medicine and engages a team of doctors to solve puzzling medical cases. The events from Sherlock Holmes inspire Dr. Gregory House to conduct his diagnosis in a peculiar way in which he mistrusts almost all his workmates. Private Practice on the other hand, is a follow-up of popular TV series- Grey’s Anatomy. In fact the first episode of Private Practice titled “The other side of this life” aired as an episode of Grey’s Anatomy.
Whereas House MD focuses on the events of a medical doctor mostly in a hospital setting, Private Practice focuses on several other aspects of the lead actress’s life. Moreover, the content of House MD is more predictable as compared to that of Private Practice. In almost all episodes Dr. Gregory House leads a team of physicians to diagnose the illness of a primary patient following up from a pre-credit sequence usually set outside hospital premises. Private Practice on the other hand is characterized by a sequential storyline with the happenings in each episode dependent on the events in the previous episode.
House MD is more of a comedy as compared to Private Practice. The storylines focus on the unconventional medical theories of Dr. House and not on the elaborate details relating to treatment. The innovative drama pits a medical malady against a controversial doctor with the doctor always emerging triumphant (Lacey 1). Private Practice on the other hand brings about the intrigues of working in private practice and the relationships between friends and lovers. Private Practice explores the themes of romance and family ties more elaborately as compared to House MD.
House MD and Private Practice are both American medical drama series that have enjoyed immense popularity in the last couple of years. The two programs that feature a lead doctor in charge of a team of physicians have won several awards and are both compelling to watch. However, House MD, named after the lead doctor, presents a more comical outlook in comparison to Private Practice. In addition House MD is more predictable to watch since episodes revolve around related issues. Private Practice, named after the occupational engagement of the actors, presents a sequential storyline throughout the episodes. Private Practice also explores the themes of romance and family more elaborately. In spite of numerous contrasts and similarities, House MD and Private Practice are excellent productions worth watching.
Works cited
Holtz, Andrew The Medical Science of House, M.D.. Berkley Trade.
Doi:10.1097/01.COT.0000295295.97642.ae. ISBN 0-425-21230-0. 2006. Print
Lacey, Rose "Benjamin Bratt Joining 'Private Practice' as a Cast Regular (Exclusive)". The
Hollywood Reporter. 2011. Print
