SCRUBS Returns Tonight with Some New & Old Faces
December 1, 2009 by Kath Skerry
It may not exactly be the SCRUBS of old, but SCRUBS is none the less back tonight. But wait, didn’t the show end last season with a strong, satisfying and rather emotional season finale that tied up the loose end of all the major characters? Why yes, it did, but ABC has yelled “Clear!” and given the show a shock to the system. It’s back from the almost dead.
When ABC announced that SCRUBS would be returning for a ninth season, a lot of questions were raised about who from the original cast would be coming back, and just how the new incarnation of SCRUBS would work. There was talk of changing the name of SCRUBS: MED or SCRUBS: INTERNS to delineate it from the original series. But ABC balked and thus the ninth season of SCRUBS was born as opposed to season one of a new spinoff. As for the original cast, Zach Braff, the series star, had made it known that he was looking to move on despite his love for the series. And he has…well a little, ok not really, he’s still there, as are some of his old pals.
In last season’s finale, Dr. J.D. Dorian left Sacred Heart to work at another hospital. But he’s back, and together with Turk (Donald Faison), Dr. Cox (John C. McGinely) and Dr. Kelso (Ken Jenkins), he is now a professor at the med school of Sacred Heart. So instead of being the bumbling intern he once was, JD is now teaching them.
The show introduces to us the new faces of Sacred Heart, med students Cole (Dave Franco) – the arrogant rich kid who gets by on his looks and his money, certainly not his personality; Drew (Michael Mosley) – a med student back for the second time, he hopes to be able to tough it out ten years later; and Lucy (Kerry Bishe) – the new voice of SCRUBS. I think it’s definitely safe to call her the girl version of JD, complete with an overactive imagination and a full set or neuroses. As you can imagine, each of the newbies come with their own set of unique…well, idiosyncrasies. And don’t be surprised if a little romance sparks between one of the med students and Denise (Eliza Coupe) who is back again at Sacred Heart, but this time as a faculty advisor.
With Braff, Faison and the other familiar faces still around, it helps to create a smooth transition to the new cast, but while the new faces are enjoyable, I was just fine with the scenes featuring JD, Turk, and Dr. Cox. With Faison and McGinley signed on for the full season we’ll see much more of them. But Braff will be appearing in only 6 of the 13 episodes.
I know that SCRUBS had a loyal fanbase through the years. While I certainly watched the show on occasion, SCRUBS was never appointment television for me. So I’m actually really interested to see what real SCRUBS fans think of the spiffied up new show. If you’re a big SCRUBS fan, drop me a line and let me know if you plan on watching this new season. And whether you’re a fan from Season 1 or you’re just giving the show a shot for the first time tonight, come back tomorrow and let us all know what YOU thought.
For now I’ll leave you with a few scenes from tonight’s season premiere airing 9pm & 9:30pm on ABC.
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So, here’s why I’m excited for the new incarnation: Dave Franco. Ever since I saw the “Acting Lessons” series of videos with Dave and James Franco (and their mom!), I’ve been a fan of the younger Franco brother. Then, I thought he was adorable on Privileged (r.i.p. show that I still miss). Kath, I remember you got sort of annoyed by his admitted mumbling problem – how is he on Scrubs? Better with diction? (Can’t watch the clips at the moment)
Scrubs is a show that I’ve seen probably 70% of the episodes, but it was also not appointment tv for me until last season. I’m curious to see the new version of the show, even though I agree that the ending last year was pretty perfect.
Yeah, I’m not yet on the Dave Franco train. He is a bit more articulate in SCRUBS, but it’s still a bit annoying to me. I might be able to get over it though.
Funny how both Franco brothers are hanging around in a fictional hospital these days.
I am a Scrubs fan from season 1 and I am excited to watch the new season, I am a little saddened that Braff won’t be in it more but I am excited to see what Faison and McGinley can do with the lack of Zach around, as they will be possibly more of a focus. I just think that his could be really, really good. I am excited and intend to watch the whole season.
The early years of Scrubs were 1000% appointment tv for me. Back in the day without fancy DVRs and internet I would make sure to be home for Scrubs. I made quick friends with a guy at college over our love of the show and he became my watching partner. It was the best comedy around. I have always watched but the last few season were not quite up to par with the early years. My all time favorite episode (which is still on my DVR) is the airbanding episode. I have never laughed so hard as when Turk lipsynced to Poison-Bell Biv DeVoe. I still think of it every time I hear that song. I’ll be watching this new reincarnation. I thought the original had played out but I loved the style so this new one could become appointment tv again.
Two summers ago, I spent my summer living with three other people on our college campus. Not much good TV was on, so we wasted our evenings together drinking and watching Scrubs DVDs. Since then I’ve held a special place in my heart for that show. I was one of those people who thought the finale was brilliant, but I wasn’t ready for the show to end.
I have faith in Bill Lawrence. That’s what I’ve said through all the news about the new Scrubs, and about Cougar Town. I trust him and his brand of comedy. I’m ready to see what he does – it may get off to a rough start, but I believe it will work out.
Have LOVED Scrubs from the beginning – no other show can make me laugh as hard and then tear up 2 minutes later in the same episode like Scrubs can. Own all the seasons on DVD and still watch them repeatedly. Will be watching the new season, but warily, a little scared they are going to drag on a good thing for too long and will have wished that they just ended the show with dignity with last season’s finale.
My boyfriend loves Scrubs. Absolutely loves it. I mean so much so that we’ve seen The Blanks (also known as Ted’s Band from Scrubs – the a capella group) live twice. He really felt like last year should have been the last and I’m not sure he’s going to be as eager to tune in this year. He has said that as long as Dr. Cox is there, he’d be interested but I’m sure that with no Janitor, Jordan, or some of the other characters, it is not going to be the same.
I wasn’t excited about the fact it was returning after the fitting finale. But the more I hear about the new version, the more confidant I am that I am going to enjoy it. It will be like seeing old friends again.
I never really watched Scrubs on TV, but a friend got me hooked on the seasons, around season 5 or so, and i watched them all straight, and loved them. I think that’s why I’m excited for the IDEA of this new cast (relatively). Because if even half of the magic of the first season can be achieved, i think it will be worth watching. Bummed that Carla won’t be around much, or at all, apparently. Strunkette is right in that the airband episode is one of the all time best ever, especially when Janitor is like “He’s got it. I don’t even know what it is, but he’s got it” haha. And Randi, yes, about Ted’s band. You have seen them twice? That is pretty awesome. I will be excited to hear everyone’s opinions tomorrow.
I got hooked on Scrubs two years ago, when I was awake and bored at 1 am, and caught a rerun. From that time on, I recorded all reruns (7 days a week) and was pretty much caught right up when last season started. The show was so funny for me, especially in the beginning, so I’ll admit that last season wasn’t really as entertaining to me. However, the fact that I am not a JD/Elliot fan, and the finale of last year still made me laugh, weep, and feel warm and snuggly says things about this show. I’m willing to give Scrubs 2.0 a shot this season, if for no other reason than the clip above, of Extended Guy Love, made me remember how much this show has entertained me.
Not sure if people are going to come around here to comment on last night’s eps, but I enjoyed them.
Watched last night’s episodes, and sadly I thought they were horrible.
A few giggle worthy moments every now and then, but they always involved the “old” cast members.
Take my opinion with a grain of salt, as Scrubs was never appointment TV for me either. But what I saw last night didn’t have much promise. Sorry 🙁