It wasn’t a salary dispute and it wasn’t ratings. TV Guide said the problem wasn’t even that the actors and executive producers were ready to move on. It actually was an issue with the license fee, insiders say, for the reason why House MD will not return for a ninth season.
Hugh Laurie, who makes $700,000 an episode, was reportedly ready to accept a pay cut to come back despite saying earlier he was ready to move away from television. Ratings have dropped, however remain really good for a show in its eighth season, said Fox. The show averages a 3.5 rating among adults 18-49 – a total of 9.1 million viewers.
But according to Michael Schneider, reporting for TV Guide this week, the network currently spends $5 million an episode for the show and wanted to see a cut in the license fee before considering renewal. Fox also was only willing to commit to a final 13-episode season instead of the 22 shows that Universal TV wanted.
Fox and Universal could not iron out details that suited both parties and did not wish to drag on negotiations for fear that there would not be a “proper” final episode. They agree to “disappear before the music stops, while there is still some promise and mystique in the air.”
Statements from the actors show their disappointment, as “the show has been a source of great pride to everyone involved.” Peter Jacobson (Dr. Taub) said “I seriously cannot say enough how much I will miss being around the whole cast and crew.”
So how will it end? “It’s not going to be an unceremonious finish, I can tell you that,” said Fox Entertainment President Kevin Reilly. “It will absolutely have a satisfying conclusion.”
Originally reported to end in April 2012, Fox has set the finale date for Monday, May 21
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