Spoilery? I don't know. But just in case, I'll post it here. It made me weak in the knees.
My preview of 7X18 "The Dig" is here: www.magical24.livejournal.com/20046.html
TV Squad has a clip up of
next week's episode.
From
TV Line
Wilde About House | I checked out the next new episode of Fox’s House (airing April 11), which revolves around the return of Olivia Wilde’s Thirteen. We already got you speculating on why the gorgeous doc has been behind bars for much of her absence, and I’m not about to spoil that surprising reveal. Instead, I will share that House’s road trip with his onetime underling coincides with what would have been the first anniversary of his and Cuddy’s coupling (he himself offers up with no small amount of regret on his face). Also, the extremely entertaining episode ends with House saying the very nicest thing he could say to Thirteen. Back at the hospital, Foreman discovers that Taub has been “playing doctor” with not one but two lovely ladies. But seriously, back to Thirteen: The TV screen has missed her. Oh how it has missed her.
Ausiello:
Question: Any news about Jennifer Morrison coming back to House? —Tanya
Ausiello: It’s definitely not happening this season. “I have not been contacted by anyone over there,” Morrison tells TVLine. “I would do whatever they wanted me to do… Cameron is a fabulous character and it changed my life to play her… But it’s not in my control. People seem to think it is. I feel bad because fans really want answers and I don’t have them. I wish I did. My guess would be that I will probably never be on
again.” Morrison is hardly hurting for work these days. In addition to her recurring gig on How I Met Your Mother, she has a starring role in ABC’s fairytale-themed pilot Once Upon a Time. “Honestly, it’s not a sore subject for me,” she says of her House departure. “My life has gone on. I’m thrilled I was available to be . I’m thrilled I was available to do the new pilot. These are really exciting new things.”
Question: I’m really looking forward to next week’s House. Anything else you can share about House and Thirteen’s little road trip? —Max
Ausiello: The episode opens with Dr. Crankydoodle awaiting Thirteen’s release from a New Jersey correctional facility. But that’s old news. Here’s some new news: The hour ends with her waiting for him when he gets out of jail. And whereas he greets her with a freshly made martini, she… is less fancy.
http://www.tvline.com/2011/04/ask-ausiello-spoilers-smallville-glee-castle/#more-205239
Article from Variety :
Deadline nears on Fox-NBCU talks for 'House'
Network, studio in last-minute negotiations
There is a distinct possibility Fox could be arriving at the May upfronts without its longtime hit drama "House."
The network remains in last-minute negotiations with NBCUniversal, the studio that owns the series, in hopes of signing a new deal for an eighth season. However, the two sides are far apart in determining the percentage each will pay for the show's costs going forward.
NBCUniversal has given Fox an extension on the window of negotiation exclusivity. That ends April 15. If the two sides can't come to an agreement, NBCUniversal will offer the show to competing networks, including, of course, the Peacock, which would likely be more than happy to take the series away from Fox.
Another problem for both sides is that several cast members aren't signed up either. While NBCUniversal will exercise the options for Hugh Laurie and Olivia Wilde, Robert Sean Leonard, Omar Epps and Lisa Edelstein are unsigned for a new season and their deals would have to reupped if they were to continue.
Leonard has already committed to a Broadway revival of "Born Yesterday" that will coincide with the production of the new season of "House." Like most fall shows, production is set to begin in summer and Leonard will still be in Gotham.
The drama has been a staple of the Fox lineup for seven seasons, but ratings have been declining as of late, possibly because of shifting timeslots.
Part of the reason "House" has moved between Monday and Tuesday throughout its history is due to programing changes made after the writers strike. "House" has also shifted to serve as a lead-in for one-season skein "Standoff" and vacated its spot for "Hell's Kitchen."
It first moved back an hour from 8 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday beginning in 2007. Then the series was moved to Monday in 2008, only to move back to Tuesday later that year - and then back to Monday in 2009.
According to sources, NBCUniversal is looking for the same deal it has had with Fox for the show since the sides renegotiated prior to season five: The network pays for cost of production, plus a premium because the success of the series.
Fox is looking for a reduction in that agreement because of the falling viewer totals and the high cost of production and cast salaries, which is often the most expensive part of a series that has been on the air for seven seasons.
When "House" first began in 2004, Universal wasn't affiliated with NBC, so the network didn't have the first choice to buy it from the studio.
Both NBCUniversal and Fox would like to have the situation resolved as soon as possible, especially with Fox entertainment topper Kevin Reilly needing to make decisions starting in the next week or two on pilot pickups. A schedule without "House" would clearly create difficulties that he, nor his boss Peter Rice, who is taking lead on the negotiations, would have previously anticipated.
Reilly is currently out of the office but is engaged in the discussions.
If a deal can get done between Fox and NBCUniversal for another season, negotiations with the actors will ensue. That process could take weeks, if not months, for all parties to come to an agreement.
Also, showrunner and exec producer David Shore isn't contractually on board for an eighth season and his deal would have be ironed out as well, assuming he wanted to continue.
