I enjoy it because I like seeing something other than the standard adorable-misunderstood-quirky-person as the lead.

Yes, this, but for me it's also hugely about Hugh Laurie. I hated Ted Danson's Becker, and I didn't like Buffalo Bill, either (if it's the same show you're thinking of, and the one I'm remembering -- Dabney Coleman, right?).

What kind of freak gets off on being hated?

whistles

Dear god, why did I come to work? Must get shit done, so I can go home and have soup and tea.

I'm just hesitant because she and I are so new -- I don't know how they react here and I don't want her to lose her job.

From your description, I'd be more worried about her mental health than her job. HR should have the training to deal with this. That is spooky stuff and needs to be addressed.

THEN she started saying she's being watched wherever she goes, like the grocery store. That's when I got spooked.

I'm going throw in with Cashmere and the others, and vote for telling HR, or at least her boss.

I admit, I never could watch Archie Bunker for similar reasons, although I can now. I don't see there having been a shortage of grumpy unlikeable characters -- mostly it's the prima donna "my rules!" thing that sets me off.

Trudy, if you're worried it may get her into trouble, is there anyone who worked there longer than you that you can consult with, before taking it higher? Other than that, I'm with Cash and Theo and everybody else.

Still and all, I should think he would respect a woman who takes his cane away from him to beat him with it. It is something he would do, in a fight.

Well, I don't know House well enough, but I just have that whole image playing in my mind right now.

whistles

Yeah, how many nice and good things have you done for people, some of whom you've never even met?

For me, I guess it's the whole "the rules are different for me" thing in characters that I don't like. If you're being mean and hated for it, that's OK. If you're being mean and expect to be liked despite it, then, well, it's not a character I can like.

I admit, I never could watch Archie Bunker for similar reasons, although I can now.

Archie Bunker got called on his behavior and it always came back inside the half hour to bite him in the ass. The difference with House is that he's so damned used to being right that it's harder for people to call him out on his behavior. House may have a few ass-bite moments, but they're not enough to humble him.

I've never seen any evidence that House expects to be liked.

I'm going throw in with Cashmere and the others, and vote for telling HR, or at least her boss.

She doesn't really have *A* boss. It would have to be HR.

I think I'll see how she is when I get back from lunch before I go to them. Aw man.

I love House the character, because he says all the bad stuff many of us think, and in amusing ways. And Laurie kicks ass as an actor. I could not be around House for five minutes in real life without killing him, but it's TV. I feel the same way about Al Swearingen in Deadwood.

Or Richard III, for that matter.