It's all over for the fourth season of the FOX medical dramedy, House.  Last week marked the close of the season, with the airing of the second half of its two-part finale entitled “Wilson's Heart.”  The broadcast fueled House to the top of that night's ratings ladder (not counting Dancing with the Stars), which in turn, helped propel FOX past the other networks.  Part two of the House season ender drew in a total of 16.2 million viewers, 5.7 million of which were from the coveted 18-49 demographic for a 14 share of that night's numbers.

On the heels of House's successful fourth season closer, E! Online got in touch with the show's executive producer, David Shore, in hopes of getting some juicy inside skinny on the ripple effect/s of the finale.

“One of the things I love about this show is how we can do such radical departures from our normal episodes, but for them to be departures, there has to be a norm,” Shore told E! Online when asked how the very personal angle of the concluding episode ties in to the future of the House canvas.  “So...you'll see more of these more personal episodes, but the series has not changed.”

Speaking of changes, the just-concluded season witnessed a remarkable amount of upheaval particularly in the casting department.  Though none of the original series regulars wound up departing the show, Omar Epps, Jesse Spencer and Jennifer Morrison all saw their screen times dwindle with the entry of House's new batch of hopeful team members.  Shore addressed concerns about the House ensemble ballooning to unmanageable and self-destructive proportions.

“It scares the hell out of me, but it also opens up so many more opportunities to us,” House's executive producer admitted.

As to the all-important question of what really transpired in the finale – whether House saved Amber, or saved himself and sent her to her doom; and what the real turn of events is going to do to House and Wilson's relationship – Shore had but one succinct response.

“I have a long answer to that question,” the showrunner told E! Online.  “It premieres Sept. 2, 2008.”


-Rosario Santiago, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: The Hollywood Reporter, E! Online
(Image Courtesy of Worldscreen.com)