We've barely gotten our second wind from the emotionally-charged two-part finale of House's fourth season.  Yet, we're already being given the opportunity to place our orders for the just-concluded season.  Amazon is now accepting pre-orders for House season 4, which, according to Universal Home Entertainment's recent announcement, is coming to DVD on August 19.  Amazon is offering a 30% discount along with a price guarantee on the said compilation.

Meanwhile, here are snippets of Playbill's conversation with House regular, Robert Sean Leonard.  One of their featured interviews this month in their “Stage to Screen” section, take a look at why film and theatre's loss is our blessed gain on television.

As the insufferable ladies man/brilliant (he wouldn't be House's best friend and trusted colleague otherwise would he?) oncologist, Dr. James Wilson on House, Robert Sean Leonard told Playbill how his journey through acting's various platforms brought him to the FOX medical drama.  He recounts his path from almost being the lead in a stage musical production of Giants in the Sky, based on Jack and the Beanstalk, to being among my personal favorite creatures of the night in the (in)famous My Best Friend is a Vampire, and finally, on House.

"When I was 16, I was cast by [Stephen] Sondheim for a six-week workshop of Into the Woods,” Leonard said.  “One day, Sondheim came in, with [the just-written] Giants in the Sky.  He pointed to me, and said, 'This is for Bobby.'  I pretty much could have died."

Around that same time, he was offered the lead in the arguably forgettable yet funny My Best Friend is a Vampire.  Faced with the dilemma of two pending projects, Leonard called James Lapine, who wrote the musical's book and was set to helm it.

"In the most supportive, incredibly helpful way, he said, 'Robert, you're a talented guy, but your future's not in musical theatre.'"

Despite the success of his next film project, Dead Poets Society, alongside Robin Williams and Ethan Hawk, Leonard shied away from the big screen, saying "I didn't want to chase movies.  It's too hard.  You've got to work at it - opening nights, photo shoots, publicity people, managers.  I never wanted to do that.  I'm too lazy."

While shunning the whole movie scene, he confessed to missing the satisfaction of doing theatre, at the same time recognizing that it's not something that brings in the big bucks.  Thankfully for him, and for us fans of House, the right vehicle drove up to his front door.

"I didn't want to be the lead guy; that's too much work.  But I thought that it might be fun to be the lead guy's friend,” Leonard said of his role as Wilson.  “I'd have days off, and still get a paycheck every week.  Hugh Laurie, who plays [Dr. Gregory] House, is remarkable.  I lean in the door and say, 'Hey, what do you think about egg salad [for lunch]?'  Then I have two days in a row off.  It's a great gig."


-Rosario Santiago, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: Amazon, Playbill
(Image Courtesy of FOX)