Sheldon Cooper and Dr. Gregory House are two iconic characters in television history. Sheldon Cooper, played by Jim Parsons, is a physicist who struggles with social skills while House, played by Hugh Laurie, is a sarcastic medical doctor with an encyclopedic knowledge of medical conditions. Sheldon has a close group of friends and is in a long-term relationship with Amy Farrah Fowler. House, on the other hand, has a strained relationship with his colleagues and struggles to maintain romantic relationships due to his addictive and abrasive personality. Both characters have had considerable cultural impact, but it ultimately comes down to personal preference as to which one is the superior eccentric.
Our Favorite Eccentrics: Sheldon Cooper vs. House
Introduction
Sheldon Cooper and Dr. Gregory House are two of the most iconic characters in television history. Despite coming from completely different worlds, these two have many similarities. They are both brilliant, opinionated, and often unbearable in ways that are both endearing and frustrating. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at both characters to determine which one is the superior eccentric.
Background
Sheldon Cooper
Sheldon Cooper is the character played by Jim Parsons in the CBS sitcom “The Big Bang Theory.” He is a physicist who works at Caltech and is famous for his idiosyncrasies, including an inability to understand sarcasm and a strict adherence to routine. Sheldon’s intelligence is matched only by his arrogance, which frequently puts him at odds with his friends.
Dr. Gregory House
Dr. Gregory House is a brilliant diagnostician played by Hugh Laurie in the Fox medical drama “House.” House is known for his acerbic wit and his disregard for social norms, which often puts him at odds with his colleagues. He is also characterized by his reliance on pain medication, which he uses to manage chronic leg pain caused by an injury.
Personality
Sheldon Cooper
Sheldon Cooper’s personality is best described as quirky and obsessive. He is often fixated on certain ideas or routines, which he finds difficult to deviate from. He is also highly intelligent, with a deep understanding of physics and mathematics, but lacks social skills and can be condescending towards others. However, underneath his eccentric exterior, he is a caring friend who is always there for his loved ones in times of need.
Dr. Gregory House
Dr. Gregory House is a sarcastic and often unpleasant character. He is highly intelligent and has an encyclopedic knowledge of medical conditions, which he is able to use to diagnose the most obscure illnesses. He is a lone wolf who prefers to work alone and has little regard for social niceties. House also struggles with addiction and frequently self-medicates with Vicodin to cope with his chronic pain.
Relationships
Sheldon Cooper
Sheldon Cooper has a close group of friends, including Leonard, Raj, Howard, and Penny. While he can be difficult to deal with, he is fiercely loyal to his friends and will go to great lengths to help them. He is also in a long-term relationship with Amy Farrah Fowler, who shares many of his quirks and idiosyncrasies.
Dr. Gregory House
Dr. Gregory House has a strained relationship with most of his colleagues, who find him difficult and unpleasant to work with. However, he does have a close friend in Dr. James Wilson, who is often the target of his sarcasm and biting wit. House has also been in several romantic relationships throughout the series, but he struggles to maintain them because of his addiction and abrasive personality.
Humor
Sheldon Cooper
Sheldon Cooper’s humor is often rooted in his social awkwardness and his inability to pick up on sarcasm. He frequently makes off-the-wall comments that are both bizarre and hilarious. He also has an encyclopedic knowledge of pop culture and frequently references sci-fi and comic book lore in his humor.
Dr. Gregory House
Dr. Gregory House’s humor is dark and acerbic. He uses sarcasm to deflect from uncomfortable situations and often makes jokes at the expense of others. His humor reflects his tendency to distance himself from others and his reluctance to let anyone get too close.
Cultural Impact
Sheldon Cooper
Sheldon Cooper has become a pop culture icon in his own right. He has been referenced in countless TV shows and movies, and “Bazinga,” one of his catchphrases, has become part of the lexicon. He has become a beloved character among fans of “The Big Bang Theory,” and his quirks and idiosyncrasies have endeared him to audiences around the world.
Dr. Gregory House
“House” was a hugely popular show during its run, and Dr. Gregory House was a big reason for its success. The character was lauded for his unique blend of intelligence, wit, and vulnerability. However, compared to Sheldon Cooper, he has had less of a cultural impact, with fewer references and catchphrases associated with him.
Conclusion
Both Sheldon Cooper and Dr. Gregory House are iconic characters in their own right, and both have their strengths and weaknesses. While Sheldon is more endearing and beloved by fans, House is more complex and has a more interesting character arc. Ultimately, it’s impossible to say which one is the superior eccentric; it all comes down to personal preference. Regardless, both of these characters will be remembered for years to come as two of the most iconic characters in TV history.