Doris Egan has written a blog entry about scaling back her work on House next season and about the changing nature of television writing.

Hmmm, wonder where Season 7 is going to take us? First David Shore will be splitting his time with "House" and his new show and now Doris is scaling back to one episode. She is one of the better writers on the show.

Hmm. Seems all the spoiler speculation crap that takes place in fandom takes it toll on the writers/creators. From Doris Egan's LJ: I also can't tell you how trivializing it feels to go to Twitter in an excess of exuberance and say, "I wish I could tell you all why I'm so excited about this episode," and get negative remarks back about how much screen time someone's crystal ball says Wilson or Chase will or will not be getting, as though that were the only thing a writer could possibly be interested in. But I'll save my discussion of the shippification of television for another post. For now, though, no, Lucas was not my idea, so -- you know who you are -- you can stop sending me email. I know that shippers from two different contingents were bombarding her with comments based on rumors/speculation. (And one of them had the audacity to claim that her and her comrades' tweets had obviously convinced her to rewrite a scene.) ETA: By the way, that scene that the idiots claimed they forced her to change? They claimed (before the episode aired) that Wilson must have been at the bar during the Chase/Foreman/House scene, which would have followed their desire. So not only were they full of themselves, they were also wrong. Again. This is exactly the kind of reaction I feared when some factions of fandom get overly involved and mistake their fandom fun for reality.

Doris's openness has always been one of the bright lights of House-land. It's really no surprise that some people have to be assfaces and take advantage of her good nature, but I sure would love it if people would prove me wrong at least once in awhile.

Doris is one of my favorite writers (it helps that she actually follows me on Twitter, but I'd still love her work). I agree, Sarah Hess episodes tend to be sub-par. I'm hoping they'll get some new writers and bring some fresh energy on the show. Katie Jacobs will still be there. But I am majorly bummed about Doris. At least now she can follow her muse.

I've heard Rockford Files is no sure thing, and it may go into redevelopment, so that could mean less time for House if DS is super-committed to it or more time for House if he lets it go. Either way, both Katie and Hugh will be there. Doris. I want her to be happy and I'm so thrilled with this last episode and how happy she was with the acting of it that I hope she stays more involved. So many others of course, but it does sound like the damn six act structure has gotten to the writers as well as the fans. That and the dim bulbs who feel entitled to harass this generous, talented woman who has helped create this world we so treasure. My hope is that she will find a summer's rest helpful and that maybe some of her projects will take on multi-year development spans while she takes on a few more House projects than she thinks she will. And they could go back to the four act structure. And butterflies will bring me vintage wine. Anyway, I should be content with what I'm given, but alas find myself on the greedy side here.

If I tweet to a member of the creative team it's a compliment or I don't tweet. What would be the purpose (other than sheer rudeness?) Certainly a review can and may include what went wrong as well as what was right, but a critic doesn't do that in 140 characters. And to harass a writer for what the rumor mill tells you she has written in an episode you haven't seen yet???? It boggles the imagination.

Greg Yaitanes said he can tell by how many compliments he gets how well the epi went over. No need to tell him what's wrong, he knows people don't tweet when they don't like it. So the silence is being heard. No need to complain to them. (Expecially if you haven't seen it. That's wacky!) They are champs for being in contact with us pretty regularly, getting the cast on twitter and providing little treats for us. I know it's marketing but it's still taking their time to provide us with some fun insights. Why abuse that, especially if you watch (and one assumes, enjoy) the show? Agree poeia the mind does indeed boggle.

Apparently someone also tweeted DE blaming her writing for the episode's ratings. I'm still waiting for the app that will allow me to reach through the screen and slap people. Or at least wave a virtual finger in their faces.

Call me when you find that app. I need it. The feeling of entitlement of some people in the fandom is absolutely appalling. And the tendency towards hysteria and gun jumping on something they haven't seen is (as you well know) a huge pet peeve of mine. Let these people tell their damn story. If you don't like it, show that by turning the channel. Simple as that.

What the hell kind of person does that? I don't really venture out of here as far as House fandom goes, but is there basically a bunch of entitled, delusional, stupid assfaces in fandom who spend their days sending tweets and emails to GY & Doris & Sara Hess (and the rest) because they think their opinion matters that freakin' much? It boggles my mind how the widely held to be dangerously insane fandom I'm in (guess) is so much more polite than House fandom appears. ^that is an awkward sentence, sorry

Um, I certainly didn't want to provoke any harsh reactions... All I was basically saying is that I don't like Sara Hess' episodes. I follow her tweets and sometimes they mirror her writing struggle for me - but I am by no means one of those crazy (teenage?) fans who send complain tweets to cast and crew.

goldenheart, I don't think anyone here thought you were one of the rude lunatics who says things like that directly to the creative staff. Having preferences among the writers is valid. Expressing that preference is fine. Tweeting Sara Hess and saying "U suck. Ur writing sucks. Get off the show." would not be fine. Apparently someone also tweeted DE blaming her writing for the episode's ratings. That must be it. Members of the viewing public, when deciding what they wanted to watch on Monday at 8pm thought "Tonight's episode of House was co-written by Doris Egan so I won't watch it because it will probably break the formula in a way that no other episode of House except Three Stories has done while giving the viewers much more insight into how House feels now than any other episode has since Broken. But, because of that structure, I don't think it will be subtle about all of that information plus she probably included stuff in the last act that indicates that House is interested in things I don't want him to be interested in. If anyone else had written the episode, I'd watch but, because it was Doris Egan, I don't think I will."