Hugh Laurie apologizes after 'slightly tipsy' dispute with journalist over 'House' series

British actor Hugh Laurie has seemingly eased a social media spat with journalist Janet Murray concerning the medical drama "House M.D.," after admitting he was "slightly tipsy" when he made his initial remarks.

The dispute unfolded on X over the weekend after Murray criticized the Fox series, in which Laurie starred from 2004 to 2012. Murray described what she perceived as the show's recurring structural patterns. Laurie responded by drawing parallels to other art forms, suggesting Bach, Frida Kahlo, and Henry Moore also worked with variations on themes. He added, "If all you see is hospital, medical 'blah blah,' then it wasn't meant for you. Still, I look forward to your first book!"

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I'm sorry if people attacked you because of my tweet. That wasn't the intention. I was slightly tipsy and already upset about something unrelated to you.

Murray characterized Laurie's reaction as "unexpected. And not at all patronizing." Later, on June 8, Laurie posted an apology on X. "I'm sorry if people attacked you because of my tweet. That wasn't the intention. I was slightly tipsy and already upset about something unrelated to you," he wrote. He acknowledged being a "thin-skinned idiot" and stated he was defending the show's writers whom he admired. Laurie concluded by saying he listened to and would continue to listen to "10,000 blues songs written around the same 12-bar chord structure," because "we love what we love."

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If all you see is hospital, medical 'blah blah,' then it wasn't meant for you. Still, I look forward to your first book!