It looks like we're creeping closer and closer to ABC bringing Scrubs back for a ninth season. Now comes word that Zach Braff and Sarah Chalke have both inked deals to appear in six episodes, most likely at the beginning of the season to help set up the new J.D.-less Sacred Heart. Creator Bill Lawrence said that he responded well to Eliza Coupe's crotchety Denise (the intern with no bedside manner). He didn't seem to say much about the rest of the cast, but I think this could work.Imagine transitioning Scrubs fully into a teaching hospital show. Instead of following one batch of interns, you can bring in a new batch every year or so. We can keep some of the good ones from prior classes, like Denise, but other than that it's new interns and we focus on the "teaching" staff, which would now include Turk. Donald Faison, Neil Flynn and John C. McGinley are on board for a full season, so that direction could definitely work. It would be a different kind of show, but if Lawrence stays involved it can still be a very funny show.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-15-2009 @ 9:15AM
carrie said...
Didn't Lawrence already announce that if Scrubs continues, he wouldn't be involved? I thought he was now focusing on Cougar Town.
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5-15-2009 @ 9:35AM
StillBash said...
You should find a source for that.
In the interviews I read he always said that "Scrubs" as is would be "over" but a different kind of show that looks like it would be done in its place. Feeling like a spinoff like "Frasier". "Scrubs 2.0" if you will.
To be honest I think if they get rid of enough old baggage this could really work. Instantly get rid of the bromance, of J.D. and Elliot and focus on the new bunch of actors. I really like Denise, I like the abs of black surgeon doctor (sorry but I can't focus on anything else but those abs *phew* and Denise said it herself she thought his name was... ah whatever ;-) )
And it's especially nice to see Jason on board with this too after the nice "scolding" he got from Bill Lawrence ;-)
5-15-2009 @ 10:22AM
Joel Keller said...
Bill scolded me, not Jason:
http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/04/28/memo-from-a-scrubs-fan-please-let-the-show-die/
He also scolded me on his own blog:
http://forums.abc.go.com/n/blogs/blog.aspx?nav=main&webtag=scrubsramblings&entry=15
And I'm still not on board with a Season nine. I have faith that Bill and his writers will do a good job, but the finale was so good it seems like they should just leave things the way they did.
5-15-2009 @ 11:46AM
StillBash said...
Argh damn it. Sorry Jason :-)
@Joel: I think you are right but I'm ok with it in a way that this is really more a spinoff than a ninth season. To be honest I didn't like the guest appearances of Ted Danson or Woody Harrelson on "Frasier" either, it felt totally off. Bill Lawrence said in that interview that "Scrubs" is officially done (for him) and that anything that is done now is not "Scrubs" anymore, and that's why I'm ok with it.
I hated "Joey" in season two - liked the episodes that didn't air in the US quite a bit though. If Lawrence manages not to drive this new vehicle directly into a wall and for "Scrubs" sake names it a bit differently then it could work and even if it doesn't we don't have to care.
I think the reason behind all this is to add more episodes to get that big syndication buck. They desperately want to get more episodes no matter what and that irks me "a little bit" too.
5-15-2009 @ 10:27AM
carrie said...
http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2009/01/exclusive-scrub.html
Things may have changed since this interview, but I got the impression from a few interviews I read that he gave season 9 his blessing, but wasn't planning on being involved. Maybe I just have old information.
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5-15-2009 @ 12:38PM
StillBash said...
Read this interview
http://www.premiumhollywood.com/2009/05/06/a-chat-with-bill-lawrence-the-scrubs-exit-interview/
That's new information from 10 days ago. A really really great interview.
5-15-2009 @ 10:17AM
Jeff said...
You didn't mention the possibility of the format change. They are considering changing to a multi-camera format (think How I Met Your Mother). This would be an incredible waste of the hospital "set" that they are currently using (they may even move production to a studio as a cost-saving measure). If they insist on going forward with a (mostly) new cast and the format change, this new "Scrubs" really should have a new title.
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5-15-2009 @ 5:08PM
carrie said...
Great interview. Thanks for the lynq.
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5-15-2009 @ 5:58PM
1iPete said...
Is the extra syndication episodes worth that much for a revamped show? Is ABC just not thrilled about their new pilots? Could it be that they are bringing it back at a much lower cost?
Scrubs averaged a 1.9 in 18-49 this past season which is not the stuff of renewal for a mature show. Heck, it's demo ratings was lower than Life on Mars and equal to Dirty Sexy Money.
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5-15-2009 @ 6:06PM
Vincent J. Murphy said...
The first 9th season ep should be named "Sunny Day is here again!"
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6-16-2009 @ 9:33PM
bianca said...
what actor is new black surgeon? i remember he had a show on disney channel yearsss ago but i can tfind any information on him
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