‘House’ Producer Gleefully Baits “Huddy” Fans Over Twitter

Celebs like Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga may get thousands of adoring followers on Twitter, but the men and women who run television shows find the fan accessibility a bit tougher to manage. Suddenly, the viewers who would yell at the TV screen can log on to Twitter and send angry messages to the writers. So when Monday’s episode of House concluded — and if you haven’t seen it, don’t read on! — showrunner Greg Yaitanes knew he was in for a beating.

“Bombshells” ended with House and Cuddy breaking off their relationship after realizing that House couldn’t be the supportive boyfriend Cuddy needed, plus the added knowledge that he was still sneaking Vicodin despite seeming totally clean since last season. “Huddy” fans were, understandably, devastated by the break-up of a relationship that took six season to actually happen. But when they began asking Yaitanes — who has always made an effort to interact with fans and feed them clues — they grew angry at his glib responses.

Relishing today’s hate mail from #Huddy shippers, he wrote yesterday. It’s exciting to be part of something that has evoked such a strong reaction. #RIPhuddy

He fielded questions about whether this were another of the show’s famous cop-outs (no), if House and Cuddy would get back together (no) — and teasing out hints for the season finale. And when fans’ reactions grew angrier, he seemed to enjoy it even more, deflecting their barbs. Some people tried to threaten him, saying that Huddy ‘shippers (the word for anyone who writes fan fiction, makes fan art, or just obsesses over a pairing) would abandon the show, but he pointed out that though powerful, that contingent is just a small part of the House fandom. One fan, exasperated with his cheeriness, wrote, No we will no get happy. You’re such a masochist. You love all the hate you get. Yaitanes responded, i enjoy it all.

This exchange gives you a good idea of the dynamic going on:

Bones creator Hart Hanson, who has been the main recipient of fan backlash for refusing to put Booth and Brennan together on his show, simply tweeted, I feel your pain brother…