And so it ends...
Announcement from HOUSE Executive Producers David Shore, Katie Jacobs and Hugh Laurie by House on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 5:32pm · Announcement from HOUSE Executive Producers David Shore, Katie Jacobs and Hugh Laurie, as well as a statement from Kevin Reilly, President of Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. After much deliberation, the producers of House M.D. have decided that this season of the show, the 8th, should be the last. By April this year they will have completed 177 episodes, which is about 175 more than anyone expected back in 2004. The decision to end the show now, or ever, is a painful one, as it risks putting asunder hundreds of close friendships that have developed over the last eight years - but also because the show itself has been a source of great pride to everyone involved. Since it began, House has aspired to offer a coherent and satisfying world in which everlasting human questions of ethics and emotion, logic and truth, could be examined, played out, and occasionally answered. This sounds like fancy talk, but it really isn’t. House has, in its time, intrigued audiences around the world in vast numbers, and has shown that there is a strong appetite for television drama that relies on more than prettiness or gun play. But now that time is drawing to a close. The producers have always imagined House as an enigmatic creature; he should never be the last one to leave the party. How much better to disappear before the music stops, while there is still some promise and mystique in the air. The producers can never sufficiently express their gratitude to the hundreds of dedicated artists and technicians who have given so generously of their energy and talent to make House the show it has been - and perhaps will continue to be for some time, on one cable network or another. The makers of House would also like to thank Fox Broadcasting and Universal Television for supporting the show with patience, imagination and large quantities of good taste. The Studio-As-Evil-Adversary is one of the many clichés that House has managed to avoid, and for that the cast and crew are deeply grateful. Lastly, the audience: some have come and some have gone, obviously. This is to be expected in the life of any show. But over the course of the last eight years, the producers of House have felt immensely honored to be the subject of such close attention by an intelligent, discriminating, humane and thoughtful - not to mention numerous - audience. Even the show's detractors have been flattering in their way. Making the show has felt like a lively and passionate discussion about as many different subjects as could possibly be raised in 177 hours. The devotion and generosity of our viewers has been marvelous to behold. So, finally, everyone at House will bid farewell to the audience and to each other with more than a few tears, but also with a deep feeling of gratitude for the grand adventure they have been privileged to enjoy for the last eight years. If the show lives on somewhere, with somebody, as a fond memory, then that is a precious feat, of which we will always be proud. Everybody Lies. STATEMENT FROM KEVIN REILLY, PRESIDENT, ENTERTAINMENT, FOX BROADCASTING COMPANY: While it’s with much regret, and a lump in our throats, we respect the decision Hugh, David and Katie have made. A true original, on the page and amazingly brought to life by Hugh Laurie, there is only one Dr. House. For eight seasons, the entire HOUSE team has given us – and fans around the world – some of the most compelling characters and affecting stories ever seen on television. They have been creatively tenacious and collaborative throughout this incredible run, and they are amongst the most superior talents in the business. For all the above, we wholeheartedly thank them, and the fans who have supported the show.

I, for one, am really sad to hear this news. I think it's coming at an awful time because the show has FINALLY gotten back to what made it really good in the first place.

I find this news heartbreaking! :(

I'd much rather see it go out on a high note while I still want to watch it If it were to go on another season I suspect I would be looking forward to its end. Great shows that go on too long leave a bitterness that diminishes them and spoils the whole. IMHO.

Waaaaaaaaah! That is all.

Sadness.

At this point, all I can manage to say is that I'm glad the decision came from David, Katie and Hugh, and not from FOX or NBC.

Definitely the end of an era. And sad, yes. But it's clear the time had come for Hugh and he's ready to move on, likely with more music for a while. I'm thinking most of that statement was Hugh, and lovely it is, though I suspect Shore might have added that last "Everybody Lies." Oh they were a magical team.

The only thing I will NOT accept is if they kill House in the final episode. Even if we won't get to see his future behavior I need to know that he will still be at PPTH, wreaking havoc and healing people.

Part of me is glad that the show will be going out on a high note. But an even larger part of me is INCREDIBLY sad that this is the last season. These past few episodes have really gotten back to the heart of the show, and I do sincerely hope the rest of the season will be wonderful. They better have one hell of a series finale. I think I might need to have a grieving period. It wasn't unexpected, but still, I hoped...

It is sad to see House come to an end. I hope to see RSL in other things. I also like Charlene Yi and hope to see her on other primetime shows. It would also be a nice tribute to loyal fans if they brought back cast members who moved on e.g. Jennifer Morrison, Lisa Edelstein, Olivia Wilde.

The post on the House Facebook page already has more than 4,000 comments from all over the world. The responders are overwhelmingly positive about the show and mourn its ending. Quite a contrast to the large number of comments to media reports here that are negative about the show and almost enthusiastic about its ending.