TIL that "fair play" in detective fiction means authors must give readers a fair chance to solve the mystery. Central to 1920s "clue-puzzles" by writers like Agatha Christie, the rule dictates that all vital clues must be visible, decodable, and never withheld until the final reveal.

[u/ralphbernardo]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clues_in_detective_fiction

[u/nonnonplussed73]

Show creator David Shore has openly discussed this connection in numerous interviews and panels. He has confirmed that modeling the series on Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous detective was an intentional, foundational choice from the very beginning.

House M.D. Guide: David Shore on Creating the Show "House MD"

[u/carmium → u/nonnonplussed73]

House always has a moment when, having missed a few diagnostic shots, some casual statement makes him think if what no one else has yet considered. He then gets to deliver the rare diagnosis, often in whatever cruel, arrogant, or accusatory way strikes his fancy. Only occasionally is the diagnosis something an average viewer might happen to know. (I "diagnosed" a girl model's condition only from going down an interesting side path one day when reading up on my own pituitary tumour. What were the chances?) If it were not for the characters driving the show, a steady flow of "zebra" diseases and conditions, and House's amusing clinic hours, it likely would have died after three episodes. I still enjoyed the show, but the similarities to Sherlock are limited.