House Writers Offered Multiyear Contract by NBC Universal

Posted on March 15, 2007

Variety reports that the writers behind the hit show House, Garrett Lerner and Russel Friend, have been offered a very nice deal to stay and develop new shows for NBC Universal. House is the second highest rated scripted series on TV today, and is well on its way to being #1 if it can catch Grey's Anatomy.

Lerner and Friend have carved a niche for themselves as the moral voices of "House," penning a number of segs dealing with ethical dilemmas -- such as whether to give treatment to a death row inmate played by LL Cool J. "They handle the procedural elements just as well as the character elements, which not everyone can do," said Laura Lancaster, senior veepee of drama/cable programming for NBC U TV Studio.
Exec called the duo "amazingly versatile writers. They know how to bring the really in-depth character writing that is the core of what 'House' is all about." Lerner and Friend went to film school at USC together and became writing partners in 1995. After trying features for a while, they shifted to television via a stint on the Sammo Hung skein "Martial Law."
Gigs on "Roswell," "Boston Public," "John Doe" and "LAX" followed. They've been with "House" since the show's first season. Scribes said the "House" gig has been particularly satisfying, which is why they hope to stay put on the skein for at least a few more years.
"We've sort of achieved our dream of landing on a smart show that people are watching," Lerner said. Friend added that while "House" remains their chief priority, "We'd like to one day develop stuff that's as intelligent as 'House,' maybe another character-based procedural."

We love House, which is a smart series that mixes the crime-solving techniques of Sherlock Holmes with a "lovable curmudgeon" character. Despite its popularity, we've just never gotten around to watching even one episode of Grey's Anatomy, though. We think it's because we can only stand watching so many series set in a hospital. In any event, we'll look forward to seeing what Lerner and Friend will come up with next.