'Scrubs' on ABC next season -- a done deal?

Ceballos Wed, Mar 26, 2008 at 08:30 AM EST

I gotta say, I love "Scrubs" as much as everyone else. I've watched the show through its entire run, own all the seasons on DVD and watch on Comedy Central several times a week whenever I catch it...

...but I'm kinda ready for the show to be over. They've had seven (or six and a quarter) mostly strong seasons, which is kind of a blessing considering how the show was never really a blockbuster. I just think it's time to wrap it up.

In recent seasons, the show has even started poking fun at its own tendencies (Dr. Cox's rants, etc) and there's only so many times you can have JD and Elliot break up and hook up.

I kinda hope that this ABC season will be the last and that Bill Lawrence has a chance to end the show properly (just put Elliot and JD together already, and tell us what the Janitor's name is) and not with some weak, strike-shortened season.

Ceballos Wed, Mar 26, 2008 at 08:31 AM EST

I meant to say, I love the show as much as "anyone else", not "everyone else"...it's a bit presumptuous of me to assume everyone loves the show. :)

M Wed, Mar 26, 2008 at 09:07 AM EST

I agree, Ceballos . . . my wife and I watch "Scrubs" with the dedication of an air traffic controller monitoring a radar, and I agree Season 8 should be it. Newer episodes do rely more on self-reflective humor (w/ tweaks on Cox rants, J.D. daydreaming). That kind of signifies to me too that it's nearing the end of its creative cycle . . .

Scrubs 4 eva Wed, Mar 26, 2008 at 09:31 AM EST

I disagree - I think Scrubs has been bounced around so much on NBC, that on a new network, it may attract new fans and give it new energy and life.
FYI - Scrubs has a huge international cult type following.

paige Wed, Mar 26, 2008 at 10:02 AM EST

once again i agree with the legenday ceballos... i am an absolute die-hard scrubs fan but i fear the show will start to outstay its welcome. the last season was ok at best and the episodes from this season were nothing memorable. its wonderful that its on syndication though...

Mike Wed, Mar 26, 2008 at 10:15 AM EST

I agree too, season 8 should definitely be it. But you forgot one big thing that needs to happen before the show is over. The inevitable JD/COX hug! Of course, I could see them touching on that subject in a series finale, but then still not actually letting the HUG happen lol

KelDC Wed, Mar 26, 2008 at 12:28 PM EST

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this show! I thought Zach Braff only signed on for the 7th season, which has been abbreviated by the writer's strike?
It is time for the show to wrap up after this, I agree. I would be sick if they tried to extend it without JD, though. It just wouldn't be true to the show.

Ceballos Wed, Mar 26, 2008 at 12:40 PM EST

Paige...I'm pretty sure I'm only a legend in my own mind.

Mike...good call on the JD/Cox hug, as far as things I'd like to see before the show ends. I'd also throw in just a quick scene or moment where Dr. Kelso (who's on his way out) show's Ted even a modicum of respect or, at least affection. Sure, Ted is completely inept, but those two seem like they're pretty close (for better or worse) and I enjoy the moments when Dr. Kelso unexpectedly shows some heart.

cRAIG Wed, Mar 26, 2008 at 03:50 PM EST

i totally agree with you, Ceballos. the first four or five seasons were
brilliant, but it's almost become a cartoon version of itself. it seemed to be setting itself up for a satisfactory goodbye before the writer's strike. continuing on could be a mistake. if fans like us feel this way, what chance does it have?

Homerox Wed, Mar 26, 2008 at 04:37 PM EST

I'm with you, Ceballos...I actually thought the episodes from this season were a big step up from the last one where it seemed the idea well was really running dry (the episode told from Ted, Jordan, and "The Todd"'s POV was probably the worst ever). That said, the only reason a 7th season made sense to me was because it was only supposed to run 18 episodes. Now that they've shown 6 or 7 of those, it makes no sense to me to try to stretch out for a whole other season. And why would ABC want it now, with just one year left on it? Let it wrap up gracefully now so we can remember the good!

dbldn11 Wed, Mar 26, 2008 at 05:25 PM EST

Scrubs is one of if not the best show on TV. The fact that we get to see such creative, intelligent and hysterical comedy every week with these characters continue on is a gift and a blessing. Ready for the show to be over? Thats a croc.

Ceballos Wed, Mar 26, 2008 at 06:48 PM EST

dbldn11...

I hear you, but, in my opinion, while the show is still very funny and certainly funnier than a lot of shows on TV, it's not nearly as good as it was during the first four seasons. It's nobody's fault. There are just so many stories that can be told before you start repeating yourself and becoming gimmicky (which the show has). It's like in sports, when an athlete hangs on for too long.

Eight years is a very good run and I can understand that you're not ready for the show to leave. But when you're ready to say goodbye, I'll be there for you the same way Dr. Cox's friends were there for him when he was ready to say goodbye to Brendan Fraser's character. I'll even throw in a hug.

Wed, Mar 26, 2008 at 06:48 PM EST

Scrubs is my absolute favorite show and I've been watching it since it premiered when I was like 12. It's one of those shows I grew up with and it was genious at the top of it's game but I agree with Ceballos. Over the last 2 seasons in particular the show has just begun to sort of lose it's spark. I thought that this season would be a good time for it too end.

leviaron Wed, Mar 26, 2008 at 08:07 PM EST

That is great, althought why can't it happen for ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT!!!!!!

Amy Thu, Mar 27, 2008 at 10:34 PM EST

This show has always struggled and been threatened with cancellation, so I must give a lot of kudos to NBC. So many shows get axed too early, and I'm impressed two networks have been willing to keep it running for so long. So even though I mourn the loss of some brilliant shows (arrested development, eg), I'm glad this one has fought through 7 sesons.

makuto Fri, Mar 28, 2008 at 05:51 AM EST

Sorry but can anybody tell me if scrubs will be continuing after these 6 first episodes on the 7th season?

Otherwise I wouldn't care if scrubs goes on forever with the same carachters, but as it is practically impossible, I agree with this one being the last season and to review every episode another and another and anoter time...

Nat X Fri, Mar 28, 2008 at 03:43 PM EST

One of the problems with the show continuing on is the fact that the actors/characters are getting older. JD, Elliot, and Turk's issues are much more entertaining when they're in their 20s. It's like Friends. You don't want to watch people in their mid to late 30s dealing with those same issues. You start feeling sad that they still haven't grown up. On the other hand, you don't necessarily want to watch them "grow up," getting married, having babies, etc.

Raven_Moon Sat, Mar 29, 2008 at 01:42 AM EST

I would love to see "Scrubs" continue. I'd like it to have a chance to wrap things up properly & perhaps with some planning of the writers, go out on a higher note.

Dr.Murphy Fan Sat, Mar 29, 2008 at 10:01 AM EST

Until they do an episode all about Doug, I won't be fulfilled that Scrubs has completed their duty to the fans. Doug is totally undervalued and consistently makes me laugh. I wish we could see more of him, and hope to in season 8.

Michael Sat, Mar 29, 2008 at 11:29 PM EST

Ok yes it might get old and boring if they continue the show for more than one more season...but Scrubs is my favorite show on tv and I am constantly watching the old episodes on tivo and my ipod and even if the episodes get kind of boring and some of you decide to stop watching, I will always be watching and even if they were continuing with different versions of the same jokes, I still love it and I hope this show never stops making new episodes!!!

huckleberry Sun, Mar 30, 2008 at 11:09 AM EST

Ceballos said:

"I hear you, but, in my opinion, while the show is still very funny and certainly funnier than a lot of shows on TV, it's not nearly as good as it was during the first four seasons. It's nobody's fault. There are just so many stories that can be told before you start repeating yourself and becoming gimmicky (which the show has)."

If you watch the DVD extras, Bill Lawrence says that after the 3rd or 4th season they moved from a more poignant/moralistic format to one that is more of a straight comedy. I agree, I would like to see a bit more of a return to the formula from the early years. That being said, I would love to see more Scrubs in general!! As long as the gang is still having fun....theres tons of room for more story ideas. The creative minds at Scrubs are some of the best in the business, I say as long as they want to play, we want them to!!!

justin Mon, Mar 31, 2008 at 11:16 AM EST

scrubs is the best ...there is sumthing about the show that draws me to it

captain obvious Wed, Apr 2, 2008 at 04:59 PM EST

They've already announced a long time ago that this would be the final season. Duh.

Muddy Wed, Apr 2, 2008 at 06:52 PM EST

I absolutely ADORE scrubs. I'm british and i have been watching it almost compulsively. in fact no, really compulsively. i'm not sure if i want to end. im still uncertain as to whether 8 should be it, but i think that 7 (especially given its circumstances) is just not enough. but, i would gladly watch scrub episodes right up to a tenth season, even though perhps they'd become somewhat repetitive. I don't think that there will ever be a right time to end scrubs, as so many questions will go unanswered, whenever the show ends, but i gotta say, its nice knowing thats its not QUOTE over just yet.

xxx

Muddy Wed, Apr 2, 2008 at 06:53 PM EST

sorry i meant QUITE

Jamie Fri, Apr 4, 2008 at 09:54 AM EST

I don't care that it's going to take another season, I'm just SO relieved and happy that the show will have a proper ending.

I was scared for a while that if they decided to do an 8th season that zach braff wouldn't do it because he has said in his blogs 7th season is the LAST ONE FOR DEFINITE!

just happy about this news tbh

sam Thu, Apr 10, 2008 at 01:07 PM EST

I love scrubs i own every season out and i dont want it to end it would crush me its my favorite show i think if u want it to end ur not even a scrubs fan (sorry)

Fri, Apr 11, 2008 at 06:40 PM EST

come on...give us an 8th season...(make it an even number at very least!!!).

(self confessed scrubs addict here. the jd+dr cox thing (girls names and all) are awesome. and (someone must agree here) turks laugh/scream is hilarious).

Nate Wed, Apr 16, 2008 at 11:28 PM EST

I am real die hard fan of this show, although I have only been watching it since the 6th season. But I have kept my eyes glued for reruns. And I recently purchased ALL the scrubs episodes on DVD from Ebay. lately I have been surfing the web for when scrubs would be back (great coming back episode by the way). But I am really not just ready to give this show up. I don't really care if the show kills itself. I just cant bear the thought of never seeing a new scrubs episode and just letting the show fade into the oblivion and forgotten. What I am most likely going to do is save the very last episode on tape and completely shut myself off from the scrubs fan community. Then in like 2 years I will watch the final episode and it will be a little less hard to accept that its gone. Lets hear it for a 19th season! JK I really just hope we get 8.

sam Mon, Apr 21, 2008 at 07:29 PM EST

i wish for it to stay on as long as posibly and i totally agree with the person that left a comment right after mine but didnt leave a name i mean i totally agree thats the best comment left yet

Dallas Sun, Apr 27, 2008 at 12:08 AM EST

Scrubs Rules!!! It should keep going for a million seasons or until Zach Braff is too senile to make any sense.

Hill1003 Wed, Apr 30, 2008 at 06:51 PM EST

OMG I disagree with you all who say that SCRUBS should end. I love it and i not sure what i would watch if it ended so soon. I am really disappointed that so many of my other favorties were recentaly cancelled....ended...and i can't handle more dissapointment. I think they should get to season 9 or even 10!!!! they can't end yet! And who will be the new chef of medicine!

Me Wed, Apr 30, 2008 at 07:42 PM EST

You're right, let's end the really, really good shows, and keep just the "blockbusters". That way we can watch a bunch of American Idol ripoff shows instead of something of rare genius, like Scrubs.

In short, if you really were a fan of scrubs, you wouldn't be saying to end it. By definition, you are not a fan of the show. Would a fan of a sports team hope for them to lose, because "I'm tired of them winning"? Genius.

Ceballos Sat, May 3, 2008 at 11:04 AM EST

First of all, I'm more than a little insulted that, just because I said that the show should end after a proper 8th season (8 seasons is a terrific run for a sitcom, by the way), that I'm somehow not a fan of the show.

ME:

Your analogy doesn't make any sense. Sports franchises are around for decades, and the reason they don't just die away is because players and coaches change. Obviously, you wouldn't want to change the writers and the cast on the show. You're also dead wrong when saying wanting the show to end properly would be like wanting your team to lose. Um, no. The correct analogy for wanting my favorite team to lose would be for me to be actively rooting for the show to be bad, which I would never do.

Unfortunately, in my opinion, the show has already told every story that needs to be told. I mean, come on, we even got an episode dedicated to tertiary characters like Ted, Jordan and the Todd.

(to be continued)

Ceballos Sat, May 3, 2008 at 11:11 AM EST

I already acknowledged that even subpar "Scrubs" (and make no mistake, that's what the last few season have been, compared to the first four), is better than 80 percent of the sitcoms on TV.

But, to me, that's still no excuse to trot a show out there that's already told all the stories it's needed to tell, just because we love it a lot and can't let go. Hence, my (more accurate) analogy about the athlete who hangs around too long when the glory days are well behind him/her.

This show is NOT "Law & Order". It can't go on 19 years. I've seen every episode, and I watch ever week and I laugh, but eventually it HAS to end. Season 8, to me, is a good place because it's still just in a slight decline (it hasn't reached an embarrassing level of overstaying its welcome). Also, Lawrence has a chance to end it properly with a full season

I love this show BECAUSE it's so good. I don't want it to be around long enough for it to become a weak show.

(conclusion)

Ceballos Sat, May 3, 2008 at 11:14 AM EST

If anything, this should be a challenge to the networks: develop new, fresh comedies of great quality, so that an eight-year-old hospital comedy in noticeable decline IS NOT one of the funniest sitcomes on TV.

Bottom line: I love this show, and I'll be damned if I'm going to let a bunch of people who just can't let go question my fandom. You all have a great weekend.

To Ceballos Sat, May 3, 2008 at 04:54 PM EST

Whoa slow down there kiddo, don't get all defensive because a few people said they just wanted to have their beloved show to continue. So what if it's different form your opinion, it is their right. If they question you wanting the show to end, then so be it. Again, calm down it's just their opinion.

Ceballos Sat, May 3, 2008 at 08:39 PM EST

To "To Ceballos"-

I'm perfectly fine with people who want the show to go on forever. In a perfect world, it would go on forever, and it would be great forever (as unrealistic as that is). I just get annoyed when someone questioned my fandom when all I did was make what I thought was a sensible statement about the end of the show (and countered with ridiculous and non-sensible responses about people who think the show should end while it's still good.)

Anyway, you're right. I'm SO not into fighting with people on the internet, so I'm over it. If anything, I think my slight tirade shows how much I care about the show.

Ceballos Sat, May 3, 2008 at 08:52 PM EST

(In fact, I'm in such a good mood, I've even decided to overlook the slightly condescending way you called me "kiddo.") :)

TMac Fri, May 9, 2008 at 05:53 PM EST

I agree with all of yaul. Scrubs is the funniest show on, and i would like to see more seasons, alot. but if they r there gonna have to come up with more stuff. than just j.d and elliott breakin up.

Ziggy Stardust Fri, May 9, 2008 at 07:29 PM EST

i think most true scrubs fans agree--scrubs is ready to end. it's not getting better.
i think after season five it kinda went into a sinkhole.

It's still really good but i just don't find myself as excited and energetic about it as i was in the earlier days.

don't get me wrong, i love scrubs so much it hurts sometimes and have every season on dvd, but they need to end it before it's just flat out bad.

with this said, i am very happy that there will most certainly be an 8th season after the disaster that was the season finale.