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Exclusive: Why House Fired "Cutthroat Bitch"
Anne Dudek by Chris Haston/NBC Universal/Fox
Dr. House's little game of "Survivor Princeton Plainsboro" came to an end last night when Anne Dudek's Cutthroat Bitch became the 37th and final doc voted off his diagnostics team, leaving Kutner (Kal Penn), Taub (Peter Jacobson) and Thirteen (Olivia Wilde) as the final three standing. Although CB's dismissal didn't come as a complete surprise — news of Penn, Jacobson and Wilde's permanent status leaked out last month — it was nonetheless a crushing blow to those of us (yours truly included) who found Dudek's ruthless doc enormously intriguing, not to mention a major gas. So, why did the bitch get the boot? And what was behind the decision to keep Kutner, Taub and Thirteen? In this exclusive interview, House executive producer Katie Jacobs reveals the method to the mad scheme that recharged the show and called for the firing of 37 actors in the span of three months.
Why'd you cut the Cutthroat Bitch! I loved her!
Katie Jacobs: I can tell you that it was a phenomenally difficult decision. When we decided to go in this [Survivor-like] direction this season, [fellow exec producer] David Shore and I never anticipated that we'd fall in love with as many of the characters as we did — and [Cutthroat Bitch] was certainly one of those. But I would say that, if you want to see more of her, so do we. And I think that that might happen. She's terrific, and she adds a really great color to the group. I'm looking forward to finding a way that she could come back into the fold.
When did you know who the final three would be?
Jacobs: At the very last minute, because we really didn't know how it was all going to work out. We went around the writers room and everyone quietly ranked who they wanted to write for. Everybody loved all the actors; it was more a question of who they wanted to write for and how they clashed with and blended with House.
How did the actors find out their characters were being fired? By reading the script?
Jacobs: No. We wouldn't do that. But David and I also knew that if we sent a message to the set that we wanted to meet with them, then they would know automatically that [they were being let go]. But, unfortunately, this became the way that we did it, because we felt that it was really important [to tell them ourselves] — even before the actors' representation knew. First we would talk to Hugh [Laurie] and let him know — because we always include him in the business of the show — and then David and I would go visit them in their trailer or we would call them on the phone. It was horrible. It was really horrible.
I can only imagine.
Jacobs: But [creatively] it was fun, because we opened up and expanded our world. Until this season, we had a much smaller cast than most one-hour [dramas]. And the thing is, I am still in love with Cameron, Chase and Foreman. And how they will fold back in is of equal interest to us as Cole, who has been cut, but who had a really strong presence on the show.
On the surface, it would seem like Jennifer and Olivia's characters serve the same purpose: They're both ridiculously hot young doctors harboring a crush on House. Is it fair to say that there will be some tension between the two?
Jacobs: I didn't know that people thought Thirteen had a crush on House.
Well, it seems pretty obvious that she's drawn to him. And vice-versa.
Jacobs: He's drawn to her strength. And I think she calls him on what he sees. But there are layers of who Thirteen is that have not been revealed yet. She's very different from Cameron, and I can only speak about their backstory. You know, Cameron is a person who feels the compulsive need to heal. She's attracted to the most wounded characters, as evidenced by the fact that she married someone who was dying. Thirteen is hidden, and hasn't yet revealed very much about herself. She doesn't really want to look into the future, and House finds that enormously compelling. So, to me, they're both different. They are both beautiful, however. That much is true.
Skeptics would say that Kal and Olivia, arguably the two biggest stars from the original pool of candidates, were shoo-ins to make it to the final cut.
Jacobs: You know it's really funny. And I just had this conversation with Kal not a moment ago. I just received my copy of Harold and Kumar, and I equated it with the tunnel vision I have when David and I are casting. And despite the fact that I have three kids, I hadn't seen [Laurie in] Stuart Little. The funny thing is — and I don't know if anyone knows this — the part of Cole was not written as African-American. We saw all ethnicities. We actually imagined that he wouldn't be African-American. We tend to treat the casting process as part of the creative process, so we usually don't set limitations beforehand. We actually saw Kal for the role of Cole. And I was so taken with Kal, not really being aware of his previous work, that we started to talk about Kal as Kutner. And the other thing is, we weren't looking for stars, quote unquote. Kal and Olivia may have a higher profile, but I think they do themselves a favor by coming in and auditioning, which is what they did. We did not offer any of these roles to people who didn't come in and read. We were just looking to go through the casting process and be genuine to that process. And I think when you leave yourself open to ethnicity and age, you have a better chance for success.
For more from Jacobs — including scoop on what's next for Chase and Cameron — check out next week's Ask Ausiello. In the meantime, use that spiffy white box below to express your feelings about House's new team. Do you agree with his picks? And if not, who would have been your ideal final three? Me? My dream team would've included CB, Cole and Kutner.
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Nov 28, 2007 1:19 PM
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I would've replaced Kutner with Cutthroat Bitch, but I'm happy with Taub and Thirteen.
I don't think Thirteen is interested in House romantically, but I do think they find one another interesting. If House didn't find her interesting, then he wouldn't have hired her.
Thirteen and Cameron look alike, but I see a big difference in their personalities. I absolutely loathe Cameron, so if Thirteen had the same personality, I'd hate her too. Thirteen doesn't like to talk about feelings and doesn't like to constantly nag... She's not Cameron.
I'm glad Cutthroat Bitch might come back, but I would've much preferred her be on House's team instead of Foreman's.
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Nov 28, 2007 1:38 PM
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I have never sent a reply to any TV Shows but this comment "Bitch" offends me. I think she should have been fired. But...I am offended by the word Bitch. Yes she was a cutthroat and the writers made that obvious. But why the Bitch? That is a name given to dogs and should not be used about women even Cutthroat Women!!!
Thank You.
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Nov 28, 2007 1:52 PM
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I have never sent a reply to any TV Shows but this comment "Bitch" offends me. I think she should have been fired. But...I am offended by the word Bitch. Yes she was a cutthroat and the writers made that obvious. But why the Bitch? That is a name given to dogs and should not be used about women even Cutthroat Women!!!
Thank You.
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Nov 28, 2007 1:52 PM
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Is there someway I can have your column sent to me by e-mail?
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Nov 28, 2007 1:53 PM
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I'll always love House but darned if I hate that CTB was cut. I seriously hope they find a way to bring her back. She was awesome to watch!
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Nov 28, 2007 2:05 PM
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Mike, I am aghast at your use of the term "cutthroat"!
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Nov 28, 2007 2:38 PM
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My dream team would have included Cole, the Non-Dr. and Kutner. To me those three were the most interesting and had the most potential for surprising interactions with House. I particularly miss the old guy as he seemed to be a rare someone that House actually respected.
CTB had her good points, but she was best in small doses. I agree that Cameron can be annoying and I prefer 13. Though I don't think we know as much about Cameron as we do about Chase and Foreman, after all, we've actually met people from their past, we haven't with Cameron. I'd love for the best man to show up so we can meet the guy who was her husband's best friend and the man she was really in love with.
I'm a little disappointed in Foreman but hope he'll be back in bigger and better doses soon. I also miss Chase, which is odd, because he wasn't my favorite duckling, but I do think he was interesting. I do like his interactions with House now and how that dynamic has changed.
How they are going to give everyone equal time is going to be a challenge. But I'm looking forward to the ride.
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Nov 28, 2007 2:42 PM
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I have to say after watching last night's House I didn't miss Cameron at all. While CB was interesting and fun to watch, I am not sure if I could handle her on a full time basis. I am a bit partial to both Olivia and Kal so I am glad that both their characters will remain. Also I was surprised by how much I've enjoyed Taub!
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Nov 28, 2007 2:52 PM
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Why not bring CTB back as a love interest for House? Now that they dont work together they should have them 2 date because face it House needs as new love interest Cuddy and Cameron are getting old let him and CTB date for a bit i think it would make for great tv...
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Nov 28, 2007 3:02 PM
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I would've loved to have seen Cole, Kutner, and Thirteen, but I'm okay with Taub. While I found Cutthroat Bitch interesting, like the above commenter said, to have to deal with her on the screen full-time would get really old really fast.
I don't necessarily think Thirteen is attracted romantically to House -- I just think she finds him intriguing and vice-versa, like Katie said.
Maybe they could replace Foreman with Cole? Because honestly that guy has annoyed me from Day 1 and he's even more so this season.
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Nov 28, 2007 3:06 PM
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I wasn't a big fan of CTB--however, I do believe I'm going to miss her. After last night's episode started to open the door into who she really was--I wish she had made the cut. I like the three remaining doctors, I also do not think 13 is romantically interested in House (and vice versa), with 13 it is almost like the character from last season (the rape victim who would only speak to House) I think he is curious to how she ticks.
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Nov 28, 2007 3:40 PM
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I find Thirteen INCREDIBLY BORING! House should have kept CB and Kutner--and Foreman needs to lighten up!
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Nov 28, 2007 4:02 PM
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Um, 13 and Cameron are the same character. No matter how many people tell me different, they are. I also hate them both. They are both whinny cry babies. I wanted CTB to stay, she was awesome. Well, she cried at the end, but hey she was fired. It was a no brainier which woman they were gonna pick to be one of the new cast, which I hate. It wasn't based on talent for sure. I don't care how many people are gonna say I'm wrong and 13 can act and she's not a Cameron clone, blah blah. It's my opinion and nobody's gonna change it.
I'll miss Anne Dudek, as will most, but I'll get my much needed dose of her threw House repeats and on Mad Men, which she needs a bigger part.
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Nov 28, 2007 4:04 PM
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i really hate thirteen!
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Nov 28, 2007 4:27 PM
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