The final season of "Scrubs" starts its new run on ABC starting on Tuesday, January 6th, 2009, starting at 9 PM ET with two episodes. Courteney Cox guest-stars, and Emmy-winner Glynn Turman is featured in the second episode (Yay!).

Upcoming reviews.

Hollywood Reporter's review:
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TV Review: "Scrubs"
by Ray Richmond, January 04, 2009

Bottom Line: Different network, same laughs. Long live politically dicey comedy.

Here it is, season eight of "Scrubs" -- the one that never was supposed to happen. Like "Diff'rent Strokes" more than 20 years ago, the hospital sitcom has defected from NBC to ABC for what is presumed to be its final season. Or maybe not.

One never knows what the show's irrepressible creator/exec producer/showrunner Bill Lawrence might have up his sleeve, and to be sure he's pulled off quite a feat to land this 18-episode stay of execution. Of course, the fact that "Scrubs" is produced by ABC Studios might have had a little something to do with it. No matter the reason, it's pretty terrific to see the return of a half-hour this charmingly performed and superbly written, particularly when we're suffering such a primetime network comedy shortage.

The show hits the ground in midseason form after eight months and one change of venue, integrating a new crop of interns with seamless aplomb and again demonstrating how to fuse dramatic elements into a sitcom without breaking a sweat.

The show rolls onto ABC with a double-barreled (aka two-episode) premiere assault that impressively showcases its range, which has proved to be a "Scrubs" strength from the get-go. First up is a seg penned by Angela Nissel that introduces the heartless and unethical Dr. Maddox, played by none other than new recurring player Courteney Cox (who surely knows her way around a comedy series and turns in sharply over-the-top work here). She's surrounding by the usual cast of returning "Scrubs" players led by the underrated Zach Braff along with Sarah Chalke, Donald Faison, the incomparable John C. McGinley, and Judy Reyes -- long one of TV's most talented and colorful casts. The opening installment sputters a bit before finding a rhythm in Episode 2 that guest stars Glynn Turman as a dying patient coming to terms with his mortality.

What remains great about "Scrubs" is its politically incorrect tone, one that's so smooth the offending line is already in the rear-view mirror before you have a chance to work up a good dose of outrage. ABC is smart to have picked it up, as the show's loyal following likely will move with it a few ticks up the dial. While universal health care may still be a political pipe dream, laughter remains a medicine we not only all can afford but desperately need. And "Scrubs" continues to supply plenty of that without demanding so much as a co-pay.

WB; you've been gone too long!!!!

Woo hoo! Can't wait! I admit it, I totally love this show. I continue to think that the first three seasons were utter brilliance. It sagged a bit in season 4 & 5. But, I think 6 & 7 were a little better. I think being able to write for a definite ending will definitely help.

I really love this cast. I think these people have to be some of the most underrated actors in television. I think Zach Braff does an amazing job on this show. John C McGinley, Ken Jenkins and Neil Flynn are stellar supporting stars. I love the heart and the grounded feel Judy Reyes brings. I think Donald Faison brings a great balance to Braff. The two of them have created what is, IMO, the best depicted friendship on television. And of course, there is the wonderful Sarah Chalke. How I wish she had gotten some Emmy attention for this.

Anyway, really looking forward to it. I am very glad ABC picked it up. I am very glad Scrubs is going to get a proper ending.

Edited to add: Bill Lawrence has a short interview at EW.com today. It is kind of spoilery, so I am not posting it here. But here is the link:

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2009/01/exclusive-scrub.html#more

This message has been edited. Last edited by: LadyHathor25,

That interview was the highlight of my day. And I loved the way that Bill sticked it to the "JLN (Jay Leno Network)", and even if it doesn't get back on the Emmy radar (which I hope it does), I love that this series came back in top form from what it looks like. Have to record or catch it if it comes online. Welcome back Scrubs.

Welcome back Scrubs. I am so happy.



ABC is promoting the s--t out of Scrubs. It's very weird. It's the first time I've seen commercials for the show in seven years. There's a billboard near Warner Bros. that's the size of my house.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: dlanefan,

ABC is promoting the s--t out of Scrubs. It's very weird. It's the first time I've seen commercials for the show in seven years.

Lol, other than the 5 seconds they'd tag on at the end of an Office commercial or the whole "Final Season" promotion they ran last year, he's right, NBC never promoted this."

Welcome back Scrubs!

Also I'm really glad to hear there's a bit of a tone down to the silliness and back to the earlier seasons.

I can't wait to see Courteney Cox in a show with great writing again. She was far too good for "Dirt".

I'm really glad ABC is promoting a lot Scrubs.

Would be funny if Scrubs beat 'Kath & Kim' or '30 Rock' in the ratings

in your face NBC!

Episode Title: "My Jerks"

Synopsis: Dr. Kelso's beautiful new replacement, Dr. Maddox, makes some changes to Sacred Heart; J.D. is frustrated by his new set of incompetent interns; Elliot tries to control her ego.

Guest Star: Courteney Cox
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Episode Title: "My Last Words"

Synopsis: J.D. and Turk's steak-night tradition is put on hold when the pair comfort a dying patient instead; the unethicial Dr. Maddox starts to reveal her true character.

Guest Stars: Courteney Cox, Glynn Turman
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Discuss.

quote:

Originally posted by kukuku:
I'm really glad ABC is promoting a lot Scrubs.

Would be funny if Scrubs beat 'Kath & Kim' or '30 Rock' in the ratings

in your face NBC!

I think it has to beat Kath & Kim in the ratings. There's no way more people will watch that over K&K. Funny would be if it beat The Office. :P Could you imagine the next day at NBC if that happened!

Yea! Scrubs is back!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Hodag129:

quote:

Originally posted by kukuku:
I'm really glad ABC is promoting a lot Scrubs.

Would be funny if Scrubs beat 'Kath & Kim' or '30 Rock' in the ratings

in your face NBC!

I think it has to beat Kath & Kim in the ratings. There's no way more people will watch that over K&K. Funny would be if it beat The Office. :P Could you imagine the next day at NBC if that happened!

that would be something! I am praying it does beat both 30 Rock and K&K and The Office.

It really is weird to see Scrubs commercials, I agree. My roommate and I actually paused the Tivo the first time we saw one. We were just gaping at the screen in shock. I can't believe how much ABC is promoting it. It is kind of surreal.

Well, Scrubs was beating 30 Rock in ratings before, right? I have no idea how it will do now. It does have a pretty loyal fan base. Maybe everyone will just follow it over? (She says hopefully.)

In other news, my Phoenix affiliate is saying it is only airing the *second* episode tonight. Some local charity raffle is airing in the first hour of primetime and it is pushing back everything. So, instead of airing the premier, they are just jumping straight to the second episode. I am sincerely hoping this is not true.

Sigh. Even on a new network I am still having trouble figuring out when Scrubs is on.

Well for this super hyped premiere, I wouldn't be too shocked if it beats The Office's average this season. But I'd expect after the premiere Scrubs goes down (but maybe still above K&K and 30R.)

I'm sort of torn on the numbers though. On one hand I want Scrubs to do well. On the other I'm worried that if it does too well ABC will try to keep it going without Lawrence and the cast.

Ah, I checked with my affiliate, and they ARE showing both episodes tonight. Their listings are wrong. LOL. If it was ever easy to find Scrubs I would be surprised.

I have no idea about the ratings. It seemed to me like it was averaging about 6 for the last few seasons, no matter where or when NBC was airing it. But, my memory could be faulty.

Sounds like Bill Lawrence thinks ABC may try to continue the show. He gave a few reasons why in that article posted above. Heck, if ABC really is making $1 million per episode on it, as he thinks, then I can see why extending it would be appealing to them. However, I doubt I would watch without Lawrence or Braff there.

"So you're hotgirl99?"

I digged the Lost mention.

My Jerks
On a whole, the episode was alright...but Courteney Cox hit this out of the park. There's been a lot of high profile guest stars on sitcoms this season, but Cox kicked all their butts. She was absolutely hilarious. She was way better than what I was expecting. She already deserves the Emmy...

My Last Words
as does Glynn Turman for his wonderful turn in this very dramatic episode. He probably won't win since his role was completely dramatic and didn't deliver any laughs but he was so touching here. Cox had a great scene at the beginning with the smothering with the pillow. It was amazing how small scale this episode was as most cast members weren't even in it (like Chalke, McGinley, Jenkins, Flynn, and Reyes only appeared very briefly)

Glynn Turman gave an excellent and Emmy worthy performance in MY LAST WORDS. It was a very sad episode and he did deliver a laugh or two, but it was a mostly dramatic performance. Courtney Cox was great as well and game for anything that came her way in the crazy world of Scrubs. I'm glad to see the show back and hope the ratings are high!

I am hoping that they get at least 7 million viewers and no less than six. But who knows.

My Last Words was one of the best episodes this show has produced since "My Lunch" way back in season. It was funny and heartwarming. I really enjoyed it. It reminded me of "My Old Lady" from season one (except the story with the patient was inverted).