House is based on the cantankerous, talented doctor, Gregory House.
He's a diagnostician, the very best of his kind. House and a team of less intelligent doctors work on unique, life-threatening diseases at Princeton Plainsboro in New Jersey.
House suffered from a blood clot in his leg many years ago, which has led to a) a limp and b) an addiction to Vicotin. It's also made Dr. House less than friendly, on a day-to-day basis, as he pretty much believes in the worst, most selfish of human nature.
Still, there's a soft side to House. Friends and co-workers, Dr. Wilson and Dr. Cuddy, are typically the ones to bring it out.