It's odd. You ask a person a question enough times, you sometimes end up hearing a range of answers that makes things even more muddled in your mind than if you never asked the question at all.And I know it's been two days since NBC day at the Television Critics Association press tour, but what Zach Braff said at the Scrubs session is still making me scratch my head. He told the gathered lunch crowd that "Scrubs could go on without me," and that he'd love to keep working on the show if possible. He even joked with creator Bill Lawrence, who said that if he left and there was a season seven, he'd force Zach to come back and explain why he left. "I'd come back for one episode to die," said Braff.
Hm... the day before, when I visited the set for a video feature we're putting together, he gave a more affirmative answer. Granted, he never said the words, "Yes, I'm coming back," but he did tell me that he was recharged by doing this season, including the musical, and would love to come back if the opportunity presented itself. So what changed between Tuesday and Wednesday for him to say the show could go on without him?
Lawrence, for his part, has been consistent: he told me that "I think I'd only do the show with Zach, personally," a statement which he repeated at the TCA lunch. He can't imagine the show without Braff, and, frankly, neither can I.
So what's going on here? One word: $$$$$ (well, that's not a word, but you get the idea). I'm just spitballing, but whenever I hear the star of a show equivocate and change stances daily like Braff is doing, it means that contract negotiations are underway. He did tell me on Tuesday that his contract is up after this year, which was why he speculated last year that he might leave the show. So I wonder if he or his agents think that any statement that leans towards "yes" is hurting negotiations with Touchstone and NBC. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see when a person is positioning himself for a big pay day. I just wish people didn't have to bring fans along on the roller coaster ride.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-19-2007 @ 6:50PM
SJ said...
Braff should just be glad that the show has lasted 6 seasons. Ok, so we all want more money, but I'm sure he's already making a nice earning.
With its ratings, I am very surprised that Scrubs has managed to last at least six seasons.
Hmm, maybe J.D is the character who dies this season? That would be too big of a downer.
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1-19-2007 @ 7:47PM
Rick said...
To speak quite blatently here, the show would just die on its arse without Braff.
I am a massive fan of the show but it just wouldnt have the same appeal without him.
I for one hope he stays for a 7th season.
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1-19-2007 @ 8:16PM
michael said...
End the show now. It should have ended after the third season when it have been considered on par with Arrested Development. Now, it is a complete Ally McBeal rip off.
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1-19-2007 @ 8:56PM
Curt said...
How is it an Ally McBeal ripoff? Just because they do surreal bits? Other than that, I see no resemblance to one or the other.
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1-19-2007 @ 9:11PM
Bart Smith said...
I think it would be hilarious if J.D. died on the Season Seven premiere and continued to narrate the rest of the season from beyond the grave a la DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES.
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1-19-2007 @ 9:17PM
Mike said...
I hear they are planning to introduce a new character: a Brazilian doctor named Paolo who has actually been interning alongside the rest of the cast since the first season, just off camera. He will take over the narration next year, but for some reason he will narrate in Korean.
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1-19-2007 @ 9:56PM
WhiteCat said...
Michael- What are you talking about? This season of Scrubs as well as last years are considered the series best by most critics and bloggers alike. Ally McBeal and Scrubs are two WILDLY different animals.
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1-20-2007 @ 3:42AM
Bernard said...
On his blog, he says:
"Scrubs Coming Back?
Not sure yet. I would do another year if all the right pieces fall into place. For example: Bill Lawrence staying on as the creator/head writer, some scheduling tweaks, etc… We will know more in the next month."
So it looks like the show will only continue if both Bill and Zach are staying.
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1-20-2007 @ 3:42AM
Bernard said...
forgot the source...
Zach's blog: http://www.zachbraff.com/
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1-21-2007 @ 2:31PM
Madolin said...
I agree the show w/o Braff would be hard to pull off, but there is no way they should have ended after season 3. I am a huge Arrested Development fan and it's a different kind of comedy. Scrubs is my 2nd favorite show behind AD and season 5 was amazing, so far this season has been great and I'm hopefully looking forward to a season 7.
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2-05-2007 @ 7:45PM
Alex said...
Braff better stay with Scrubs. This is my favorite show on TV. If he leaves, it will just be like the guy who was on That 70's Show (forgot his name) who played Foreman. After he left, the show quickly died. Main people will start leaving (either Elliot, Turk, or Dr. Cox) then it will end with a horrible final season.
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