TVline posted a story on Aug. 1 that was later shared on the "House" official Facebook page, that supposedly leaked a huge spoiler: the person that will replace Lisa Cuddy as dean of medicine, hospital administrator, and House's boss. I say supposedly because there was no real spoiler. The article narrowed the confirmed possible replacements to seven characters that have been in the series before. This does confirm that Fox will not bring in a new character to replace actress Lisa Edelstein, and does at least leave fans with a shorter list to debate. Just for fun, let's take a look at the viability of each of those seven choices.
Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard): Other than the fact Wilson is well-known for not being able to stand up to House, there's no reason his character couldn't fill the void. He ranks as one of the most likely of the seven.
Foreman (Omar Epps): Foreman has actually been placed in a supervisor position above House before, and failed. However, as it has been leaked a new cast member will join House's team, this does support the possibility that a team member will leave. Foreman seems the most likely to be promoted, but not to dean of medicine but more likely to his old position wrangling House for whoever is the new Cuddy. His character just lacks the authority to be the man in charge of it all.
Chase (Jesse Spencer): Chase being the new hospital administrator and dean would be entirely against the character profile built for him. While ambitious, Chase has not been shown to have any backbone against House at all. While he has gone against him in the series, it was always with help to better his position. Standing alone, Chase would crumble like the pretty boy he is.
Taub (Peter Jacobson): Taub's character also doesn't fit the bill. He has been wishy-washy about quitting plastic surgery to even be a medical doctor, let alone run a hospital. Besides, with two babies on the way, the writers need Taub for side stories, not the main plot.
Former team applicant Jeffrey Cole (Edi Gathegi): You may not even remember Jeffrey. He played a brief stint in a Season 4 arc in which House brought in 40 possible new team members, then slowly fired all but Thirteen, Taub and Kutner. Cole was number 18, and the only African American among the applicants. He was also a single father and a Mormon, which brought him under the ridicule of House. He even punched House in the face, which actually kept him around until he made a deal with Cuddy to gain immunity from one of the many games House put the applicants through. When House discovers this, he fires Cole anyway. Cole would make an interesting replacement as dean of medicine, being he clearly has a scapula to bury with House. He is, however, an unlikely choice. You'll notice Thirteen was the only team member that wasn't on the list, likely because her movie career makes her unreliable. Edi Gathegi also isn't exactly unpopular as of late. He's been in three films this last year, including "X-Men: First Class," and is already under contract for a lead role in an upcoming USA series called "Wild Card."
Former boss man and bad guy, Vogler (Chi McBride): Edward Vogler you probably do remember. He was the focus of a Season 1 arc where Edward, a billionaire chairman of a pharmaceutical company, signed on as chairman of the board at the hospital. Vogler disliked House and offered to donate a large sum of money to the hospital on the condition House was fired. Cuddy stood up for her long-time flame and Gregory kept his job. Vogler left with his money. Already having been House's boss once before, Vogler seems a sound bet for the replacement. However, to be a realistic dean of medicine, this character would have to somehow become a full-fledged doctor all of the sudden.
Wilson's ex-Wife, Sam (Cynthia Watros): Sam is the wild card on this list. She's been a reoccurring and well-received cast member, and doesn't have much else going on movie career wise. She is a doctor, and her character isn't really developed enough to not make sense in the position. There has also been rumor Cuddy's replacement will be female. If Wilson were offered the job, and refused, this would be an easy way for Sam to have heard of it. Her recent refusal of Wilson's remarriage proposal would also replace the love-hate drama Cuddy and House had in Season 7.
So, who will replace Cuddy?
The most logical of the seven is Sam Carr, followed by Wilson. Foreman makes a long-shot possible, and the other four make no sense at all. It's also possible TVline has faulty information. Fans will have to wait until Oct. 3 to find out.
More from this contributor:
More 'House' Season 8 Spoilers
Five Ways 'House' Season 8 Could Be Better Than Season 7
Is Hugh Laurie Too Busy To Continue Being Gregory House?
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