I do not even watch Scrubs and the one time that I did, I did not like it because I thought that it was a bit too random and went for the cheap jokes too often, but after reading Michael Ausiello's Sunday, January 4 interview with creator Bill Lawrence at Entertainment Weekly, I feel a lot better about the show. I was just going to post the (link), but I really like this interview, so I am pasting it here for you to see:
Exclusive: 'Scrubs' boss (sorta) spoils series finale!
Scrubs kicks off its eighth and (likely) final season on NBC ABC this Tuesday, and you know what that means: It's time for another one of my uncensored Q&As with the show's refreshingly candid creator, Bill Lawrence!
AUSIELLO: The first two episodes were a lot more serious than what we've come to expect from Scrubs. It felt more in line with earlier seasons. Why the tonal shift? BILL LAWRENCE: I thought we got a little silly. In order for the finale to actually mean anything, the show has to be borderline real for people to give a s--t. We were dangerously venturing into an area where everyone was so fake no one would have given a s--t when it ended.
Will all of the characters get their own little send-off? Without a doubt. Everybody has their own big summing-up [episode], where they assess where they are and where they're going in the future -- even some of the secondary characters that I never felt I did right by, like Ted Buckland, who plays the lawyer. He's such a good actor, so I gave him a girlfriend and a life this year. My plan has always been to give every character resolve, and not make it too treacly. I think everyone will be happy. We just finished cutting the finale and we showed it over at ABC and they all dug it.
Is it an hour-long episode? It was a half hour, but I ended up shooting a whole bunch of extra scenes so the network just changed it to an hour.
What's the episode about? It's about J.D.'s exit from the hospital and whether you can hold on to the relationships of your youth, or whether some of them fall by the wayside. J.D. takes a job at a hospital 37 minutes away because it's in a town where Kim (Elizabeth Banks) lives with his kid; he wants to be in the same town as his kid. He does it thinking it will make absolutely no difference in his life, but, of course, it does. It's a little bittersweet, but I don't think it will bum anybody out.
Where did you land on the whole J.D./Elliot thing? You've made no secret of the fact that you didn't want them to end up together. I don't want to ruin it for the audience, so let's just say I ended up compromising.
You've also said we'd learn the Janitor's real name. You don't have to tell me what it is, but are you happy with your choice? Yeah, but I don't think anyone will be super excited about it. Neil Flynn and I are happy about it. We felt we had burdened ourselves by never saying it, because then you're obligated to come up with something big. So we decided, to hell with it, and we didn't come up with anything big. J.D. finally asks him [in the finale] and the Janitor just says it; there's no big hoopla.
What are the odds of the show continuing for another season without you and Zach? 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. The reality is, Scrubs is incredibly reasonably priced. And without Zach's salary and my salary, it's probably cheaper to make then some new shows. And it's sold into syndication, so every episode that gets produced, ABC makes $1 million or so on the back end. I don't think it'll be a creative decision. I think if this show comes on and by February it's doing a 3 rating [in the 18-49 demo], it'll be on for another year. And if it's not, it won't. And if it's in the middle somewhere, they will wait and decide along with all their new pilots. It's really out of my hands because it's a financial and business decision and not a creative one.
Wouldn't you prefer that it end with you and Zach? My original preference was that when I left it would end. But one of the things we've really been talking about around here is, A, that's all about my ego and who gives a s--t, and, B, apparently there's something going on with the economy right now. There are 122 people who work here and there are essentially only six live-action comedies on TV. One of the main reasons that I'm going to embrace this decision either way is that there's no work out there. If we can keep this show going another year then all those people get to have jobs. It's a bleak time. The only way I'd object is if someone came up with a real crappy, half-assed idea to keep the show going. Like, "We'll call it Scrubs, but instead of Zach Braff, it'll be Hillary Duff, because everybody likes her!" I would say, "Don't f---ing do that man; it's bad." But there are six writers that all worked here over seven years, each with their own take on how to go forward. And all of the angles I've heard are more like Frasier was to Cheers than AfterMASH was to M*A*S*H.
Is there a part of you that's hoping the show performs well on ABC just so it makes NBC look bad? (Laughs) The truth is, I would not care about ratings at all were it not for the fact that I want NBC to feel stupid. This is the first time in five years that [bad] ratings will really bum me out. If this show can pull in better ratings than, like, Kath & Kim, it would really make me happy. One of the problems with network TV is that they don't reward loyalty. I've gotten to the point now that if I find a new show I like, I'll check its ratings before committing. If it's not a gangbuster hit, I'm very careful about getting invested. I enjoy Life. I think Damien Lewis is an interesting actor. But I knew it wasn't doing well, so [I stopped watching], because I know that even if a show is perceived as having merit, it's going to disappear. And it's so dumb. They create a self-fulfilling prophecy. My feeling is, once a show makes a network over $20 million, they should let you end it properly. It's not just Scrubs. They didn't end Las Vegas either. Just end the show. Lay people think television is dying, and it's not. Network television is dying. More people are watching TV than ever, there's just good s--t on other outlets -- and those guys reward their viewers. Television isn't dead, s-----y television is dead.
The second episode was vintage "Scrubs." Glynn Turman was great. The whole episode was simple, not overdone, and just a good 1/2 hour of television. Who knew "Scrubs" would last 8 seasons, but I'm glad it did and I'm glad Bill Lawrence recognized the show wasn't what it used to be and went about re-tooling it because it showed in that second episode.
I did not keep track of television news last year the way that I do now: was any reason ever given for NBC's cancellation of Scrubs? I did a quick Google search and came up with nothing. Scrubs did low 3's last season in the demo, which should be fine for a seven-year half-hour sitcom on the #4 network. It had a higher demo than NBC's average and many of its shows, most notably My Name is Earl.
Originally posted by thedemonhog: I did not keep track of television news last year the way that I do now: was any reason ever given for NBC's cancellation of Scrubs? I did a quick Google search and came up with nothing. Scrubs did low 3's last season in the demo, which should be fine for a seven-year half-hour sitcom on the #4 network. It had a higher demo than NBC's average and many of its shows, most notably My Name is Earl.
NBC and Scrubs always had a rocky relationship. But right around the time it was canceled I remember reading a lot about how expensive the cast was. Braff was at the time the second highest paid actor per half hour, (first is Sheen.) The rest of the cast isn't cheap either.
Meanwhile ABC was making all the money off syndicaiton and DVDs. It must be more profitable to produce NBC owned shows with slightly less ratings. (My Name is Earl, 30 Rock.)
NBC kept paying big buck for a show that made ABC big profits. In short the only reason NBC canceled it was because ABC owned it.
It was great having this ensemble back in action again. I liked how the new interns were added to the mix here ("Recognize!") with no awkwardness (especially the blunt blonde one), and it's nice seeing J.D. in the driver's seat now and be somewhat more mature about things. There was definitely more dramatic undercurrents in these episodes than in the last couple of seasons. Loved the scenes with J.D. and Dr. Cox talking as equals, Dr. Maddox firing the Janitor, the ratings/Emmys outro, and the "steak night" song. Courteney Cox was excellent here, and her comedic chops are as strong as ever. Glynn Turman was heartbreaking in his episode. Strong ensemble work from both episodes.
Grade for "My Jerks": B+ Grade for "My Last Words": A-
Congratulations, Primetime Emmy Winners!
Comedy Series: 30 ROCK Drama Series: MAD MEN Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: Alec Baldwin, 30 ROCK Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: Toni Collette, UNITED STATES OF TARA Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Bryan Cranston, BREAKING BAD Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Glenn Close, DAMAGES Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: Tina Fey, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE Guest Actress in a Drama Series: Ellen Burstyn, LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT
Posts: 24733 | Location: North Carolina, USA | Registered: April 11, 2005
A nice return for the show. I thought "My Jerks" was on the weaker side at the beginning and was a bit disappointed, but it really picked it up in the last few scenes, and the strength continued nicely into "My Last Words." Well played and welcome back.
The first one was happier and friendly and a great bit of ensemble work. It reunited us with the old cast and even managed to weave 4 new characters in without seeming forced or abrasive. It was pretty funny too. Courtney Cox was great!
Then "My Last Words" was just brilliant. The first half was pretty funny, though darker, but by the last half was just touching. That was a better take on death and dying than ER and Greys Anatomy and all those that regularly deal with death. If they can do that 5 more times I think they could break back into the emmy race.
If Glynn Truman had a few funny lines I'll be all over that submission for guest actor. As it is it could make it. I just think guest actors should be rewarded for their comedy chops not a touching performance like this one.
Don't think either ep were strong enough for Courtney Cox to get a nod. Though the first one could land her close.
I liked how "My Last Words" only had two of the main cast in it (and a quick appearance by Carla in a fantasy) but by the end of the episode you didn't even notice you were missing Elliot and Dr. Cox and Janitor.
Grades My Jerk: B+ My Last Words: A
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I thought the first episode was okay. I am already missing Ken Jenkins though. I really hope the show finds a good way to incorporate him. I liked the introduction of the new interns. I thought this was handled much better than in previous seasons. Liked the JD/Cox scene. Liked seeing Courtney Cox fire the Janitor. LOL.
B+ on this one.
The second episode was great, though. Someone here said it reminded them of season 1's "My Old Lady" and I agree. It was nice to see a similar story done with the roles reversed. Interesting to make that connection back to when JD was first starting out and was so scared, to now when he has a bit more experience. Glynn Turman was great, but I doubt the Emmys will care.
I give this one an A-.
Frankly, the Emmys never cared about guest stars on this show. Even when they were freaking amazing. Tom Cavanaugh, Heather Locklear, Brendan Frasier, even Michael J Fox couldn't get nominated. I really don't have any Emmy hopes for Scrubs.
Oh, and I read somewhere that the deal Lawrence signed to get the show on ABC said that each of the major cast members would have to take 2 episodes off this season. I thought that would be kind of weird when I read it. But, this episode had almost everyone off and it was great. So, kudos to the writers.
Perfect way to open what very well could be the final season of this series. Both episodes were great with "My Last Words" being slightly better. Courtney Cox is a great addition to this show, although she does seem to be playing a slightly more abrasive version of Monica Geller, but hey i can let that slide.
Praying The Daytime Emmys air on TV in 2010!
Posts: 20043 | Location: just outside Providence, Rhode Island | Registered: July 28, 2002
Originally posted by LostBoy2003: any word on the ratings yet?
Yeah. The final ratings for the episodes: My Jerk: 6.76 Million My Last Words: 6.64 Million
That's higher than the last airing of "My Name is Earl" and "Kath & Kim", but obviously not higher than "30 Rock" & "The Office." Scrubs might beat them all this week since The Office is a repeat while the rest of the NBC comedies are new...
I bet these hold relatively steady as people figure out where Scrubs is these days.
Interestingly, Scrubs got above a 3.0 rating in the demo, which according to Lawrence is what ABC needed to see to consider extending Scrubs. If it holds those numbers till February ABC will look into extending/spinning it off.
Originally posted by LostBoy2003: any word on the ratings yet?
Interestingly, Scrubs got above a 3.0 rating in the demo, which according to Lawrence is what ABC needed to see to consider extending Scrubs. If it holds those numbers till February ABC will look into extending/spinning it off.
music to my ears
Praying The Daytime Emmys air on TV in 2010!
Posts: 20043 | Location: just outside Providence, Rhode Island | Registered: July 28, 2002
While I would love to see Scrubs go another season, part of me doesn't want to see it without the original cast. Zach Braff is the heart of that show. Watching it without him would be hard.
Posts: 3790 | Location: Earth | Registered: April 11, 2005
I am not sure I would watch without Zach Braff. I am not sure what the point would be. Especially if Lawrence wasn't running it.
Scrubs always seems to do well in the demos. It scores really high among young men traditionally. Which is partly why the cable channels love to run it in syndication. Also, the advertisers love that it reaches that young male demo.
But, it seems to me that Scrubs has been pulling in around 6 million an episode for a few seasons now. No matter how many times NBC changed its timeslot. I think this group will stick with it.
Originally posted by LadyHathor25: I am not sure I would watch without Zach Braff. I am not sure what the point would be. Especially if Lawrence wasn't running it.
Scrubs always seems to do well in the demos. It scores really high among young men traditionally. Which is partly why the cable channels love to run it in syndication. Also, the advertisers love that it reaches that young male demo.
But, it seems to me that Scrubs has been pulling in around 6 million an episode for a few seasons now. No matter how many times NBC changed its timeslot. I think this group will stick with it.
Well i will definetly keep watching Scrubs no matter what. To me, even without Zack Braff i could see this show going on. For me, the heart and soul of the show has always been John C. McGinley and Judy Reyes. While Zack Braff is excellent and very important to the show i feel that if he leaves they could very easily continue the show and revolve it around another character; Maybe Dr. Cox finally takes on the challenge of becoming Chief-Of-Staff and the show now focuses on his transistion from Dr to administrator? or they focus now on a different group of interns?
Praying The Daytime Emmys air on TV in 2010!
Posts: 20043 | Location: just outside Providence, Rhode Island | Registered: July 28, 2002
My Saving Grace" -- Desperate times call for desperate measures when lifelong adversaries Drs. Kelso and Cox ally to oust Dr. Maddox (guest starring Courteney Cox) from Sacred Heart, while Carla makes it her mission to take a self-centered, incompetent intern down a notch. ABC.
"My Happy Place" - New sparks of an old romance are ignited between J.D. and Elliot when they work together to encourage to Dr. Kelso to branch out beyond the hospital coffee shop to find his new happy place. ABC.
I just want to say right now that I have always hated JD and Elliot together. LOL. And I really don't like the idea of them becoming some sort of Ross/Rachel type of couple.
Okay. There is my complaint. I am getting it out there ahead of time so I won't spend the entire season grumbling about it.
I liked the look of My Happy Place with Elliot and JD against black like that and the hilarious Friends references.
WILLIAM PETERSEN: Well, this is a shock. The only explanation for this is that somehow in the last year, every one of you tried to act with rubber gloves and tweezers.
Posts: 6617 | Location: NY | Registered: December 01, 2002
It's weird, but it seems like the episodes are on a rotation this season of being okay and then amazing.
Episode 3: Funny stuff, but it felt a bit rushed the way they kicked Maddox out the door. I liked Kelso's inclusion in this episode, and her speech at the end, but it would have been nice to see some scenes with her and Jordan. Some of the jokes worked really well, however, a few of them felt odd. I feel like they've done the Carla gives someone a talking to storyline a lot, but it always works really well. However, i wouldn't mind if they gave her a nice arc, making her pregnant again would be okay with me. Grade: B
Episode 4: A Fantastic episode. It hilarious in all the right moments (ted and the janitor, todd being todd) and heartwarming too. I liked Kelso's storyline a lot and i liked where it pushed JD and Elliot. It was nice seeing them talking about things. While i liked them together in earlier seasons, when they finally broke in season 3 it felt real. I'm not sure if i want to see them together again, but it's been so long, and Braff and Chalke have such amazing chemistry together that i don't mind. Rather than having them on again off again for seasons on end, they wisely kept them apart, and i think that's keeping these scenes feeling really fresh. This was classic scrubs, and should certainly be their submission if they could squeak into the top ten. Grade: A
Braff and Chalke need emmys. They've always been fantastic (and Braff should have taken it home easily for the first season). This entire ensemble is great, and at one point or another they've all deserved nominations.
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