People tend to take out of shows what they want it to say. It’s very consistently acknowledged, House is an asshole. People are openly terrified of becoming like him. They consistently work to fix him. So he’s not like that. That said, I love House, I’ve been watching it repeatedly since it aired. I still find new layers to the subtext and relationships of the show. And the reason people tried to help House, not be like he is, is because he has a richly developed character with deep endearing empathy and sympathy for others, he consistently puts others before himself, sometimes risking his own life, just to save someone else. He might say the asshole thing, but it’s calculated and planned for a good outcome, he might be helping someone face an uncomfortable truth that will ultimately save a life. Like how he spoke to the family of the guy in the wheelchair who pushed himself into the pool. He needs answers that politeness wouldn’t allow, like the guy who refused to admit he was taking steroids. But was. He thinks his meanness is purposeful, even towards his team. He has that old school boomer gen attitude of toughing people up to motivate them. Which, during his character growth he comes to realise isn’t right. He deeply cares about the people closest to him. Often giving them kind and endearing comforting words when they need them. He is a balance, and he is in a lot of pain. Even the kindest person is a bit of an asshole when in constant pain. The show is a little dated, in the sense that we as a society have realised those jokes are beneath us and we strive to be better, so don’t make those references that hurt others when we realise. But there’s not too many spots like that, it does well for its age, mostly.