Kal Penn leaves House for Obama... no, seriously
"House" fans are still in shock over last night's unexplainable turn of events. At this late hour however, we are getting some answers as to why what happened actually went down.
If you haven't yet seen this week's episode, stop reading now...
The suicide of Kal Penn's "House" character Lawrence Kutner came as a major surprise to not only viewers of the show on Monday night, but to Kutner's on screen colleagues too. Why would such an intelligent, talented kid want to end his life so abruptly? What was going through the head of this young man, sweet and caring enough to babysit Cuddy's daughter?
Well, turns out that's the tale executive producers David Shore and Katie Jacobs intend to tell throughout the rest of this "House" season.
Speaking to EW.com's Michael Ausiello, Jacobs explained that House cannot wrap his head around why Kutner would do this and therefore it really throws him: "He is the man who can't rest until the puzzle is solved. So the idea that he worked in such close proximity to Kutner and didn't see it coming [is an interesting story to us]."
But the truly fascinating stuff is why this storyline even came about. Producers were not looking to get rid of Penn. On the contrary, it was Penn who asked to leave the series, so he'd be freed up to work for... wait for it... the President of The United States.
Yep.
Kal Penn is jumping from one House to another, having recently accepted a position as the associate director for the White House office of public liaison. I don't really know what that means, but apparently he'll be working with real people through various charities and organizations, and representing President Obama while doing it.
Wow, right?
What do you think? Does this information ease the pain of the way Kutner went out? Or are you still bothered by the producers' decision to kill him off when they could've just had him take a new job at an out-of-state hospital or something?
Related Stories:
Death hits close to home on 'House'
'House' recap: The suicide of Kutner
'House': A tribute to Kal Penn's Lawrence Kutner
'House': What's next after Kutner's death
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Wow. Good for Kal Penn for pursuing some other career interests. There aren't many young actors who, if they were in the same position (a regular cast member on a hit TV show), who would've made the same choice. He may eventually touch more lives doing his government job than he would as an actor.
God bless Kal Penn. RIP Kutner.
Now that I know the real reason he is gone, I wished the show would have had him go away or move or something, just in case he wants to return to the show. He was one of my favorite characters. So sad :(
He'll regret that decision in four years. They can always bring him back as a new character.
Suicide IS senseless, and many people don't understand it. I like the idea that this story line is bringing attention to a VERY real issue. RIP Kutner, Good Luck Penn
Thank You Kal for the excellent entertainment on House!Last night's show was one to touch a tender spot,we will miss you there....but let me thank you for being a true hero in life for caring about so many others!If approached properly your suicide scene can help many people who suffer thru just such a loss...so not only does your new job hold importance likewise does your exit from your old job.Thanks for not giving House a clue!
May God always bless you with good health and fortune.
What? They couldn't have put Kutner in a coma or something? What I found REALLY disturbing was when I looked at the wikipedia page on Kal Penn and someone had listed his date of death: April 6, 2009 (suicide). It was removed within a couple of hours, but still, it had me worried. I'm so glad to know that he is alive and well. And happy for him that he gets this opportunity! Good luck, Kalpen!
I had to DVR it because I had cl***. With such an abrupt exit and how they made the end so real with the RIP Kutner, I had to google to see if somthing happened to Kal Penn. I am glad that it was just a career change because he is one of my favorite actors.
They should have gave him the option to come back. Suicide is just so final.
No big deal. I'd much rather work with Hugh Laurie than B.O. Whatever!
I just THANK THE LORD that it wasn't WILSON!!