View source for Scrubs (TV series)

{{Short description|American medical sitcom television series}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox television
| image                = Scrubscard.png
| genre                = {{Plainlist|
* [[Medical drama]]
* [[Sitcom]]
}}
| creator              = [[Bill Lawrence (TV producer)|Bill Lawrence]]
| starring             = {{Plainlist|
* [[Zach Braff]]
* [[Sarah Chalke]]
* [[Donald Faison]]
* [[Neil Flynn]]
* [[Ken Jenkins]]
* [[John C. McGinley]]
* [[Judy Reyes]]
* [[Eliza Coupe]]
* [[Kerry Bishé]]
* [[Michael Mosley (actor)|Michael Mosley]]
* [[Dave Franco]]
}}
| narrated             = {{Plainlist|
* Zach Braff
* Kerry Bishé (season 9)
}}
| theme_music_composer = {{Plainlist|
* Chad Fischer
* Chris Link
* Tim Bright
}}
| opentheme            = {{Plainlist|
* "[[Superman (Lazlo Bane song)|Superman]]" by [[Lazlo Bane]] (seasons 1–8)
* "Superman" by WAZ (season 9)
}}
| country              = United States
| language             = English
| num_seasons          = 9
| num_episodes         = 182
| list_episodes        = List of Scrubs episodes
| executive_producer   = {{Plainlist|
* Bill Lawrence
* [[Neil Goldman and Garrett Donovan|Neil Goldman<br>Garrett Donovan]]
* Tim Hobert
* Tad Quill
* [[Bill Callahan (producer)|Bill Callahan]]
* Zach Braff
* [[Josh Bycel]]
* [[Jonathan Groff (writer)|Jonathan Groff]]
}}
| producer             =
| camera               = [[Single-camera setup|Single-camera]]
| runtime              = 20–23 minutes
| company              = {{Plainlist|
* [[Doozer (company)|Doozer Productions]]
* [[ABC Signature|ABC Studios]]{{efn|Known as Touchstone Television until 2007.}}
}}
| composer             = Jan Stevens
| network              = [[NBC]]
| first_aired          = {{start date|2001|10|2}}
| last_aired           = {{end date|2008|5|8}}
| network2             = [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
| first_aired2         = {{start date|2009|1|6}}
| last_aired2          = {{end date|2010|3|17}}
| related              = {{Plainlist|
* ''[[Scrubs: Interns]]''
}} 
}}

'''''Scrubs''''' (stylized as '''''[scrubs]''''') is <!-- Stick to present tense please per [[WP:TENSE]] -->an American [[medical drama|medical]] [[sitcom]] created by [[Bill Lawrence (producer)|Bill Lawrence]] that aired from October 2, 2001, to March 17, 2010, on [[NBC]] and later [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]. The series follows the lives of employees at the fictional Sacred Heart Hospital, which is a [[teaching hospital]]. The title is a play on [[scrubs (clothing)|surgical scrubs]] and a term for a low-ranking person because at the beginning of the series, most of the main characters are [[medical interns]].

The series was noted for its fast-paced [[slapstick]] and surreal [[Vignette (literature)|vignettes]] presented mostly as the [[daydream]]s of the central character, [[J.D. (Scrubs)|John "J.D." Dorian]], played by [[Zach Braff]]. The main cast for all but its last season consisted of Braff, [[Sarah Chalke]], [[Donald Faison]], [[Neil Flynn]], [[Ken Jenkins]], [[John C. McGinley]], and [[Judy Reyes]]. The series featured multiple guest appearances by film actors, such as [[Brendan Fraser]], [[Heather Graham]], [[Michael J. Fox]] and [[Colin Farrell]].<!-- please do not add names to this, it is only a few, the rest are on the minor characters page -->

Although [[Scrubs season 8|season eight's]] "[[My Finale]]" was conceived and filmed as a series finale, the show was eventually revived for a [[Scrubs season 9|ninth season]] subtitled ''Med School'', with the setting moved to a medical school and new cast members introduced. Of the original cast only Braff, Faison, and McGinley remained regular cast members, while others (except Reyes) made guest appearances; [[Kerry Bishé]], [[Eliza Coupe]], [[Dave Franco]], and [[Michael Mosley (actor)|Michael Mosley]] became series regulars, with Bishé becoming the show's new narrator.

''Scrubs'', produced by [[ABC Studios]] (formerly Touchstone Television), premiered on October 2, 2001, on [[NBC]]. The series received a [[List of Peabody Award winners (2000–2009)#2006|Peabody Award in 2006]]. During the [[Scrubs season 7|seventh season]], NBC announced that it would not renew the show; [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] announced it had picked up the [[Scrubs season 8|eighth season]] of the series, intended to be the final season, which began airing on January 6, 2009. A ninth season, subtitled ''[[Scrubs season 9|Med School]]'', premiered on December 1, 2009, and on May 14, 2010, ABC officially canceled the series.

==Overview==
''Scrubs'' focuses on the unique point of view of its main character and narrator, Dr. John Michael "J.D." Dorian ([[Zach Braff]]) for the first eight seasons, with season nine being narrated by the new main character Lucy Bennett ([[Kerry Bishé]]). Most episodes feature multiple story lines thematically linked by [[voice-over]]s done by Braff, as well as the comical daydreams of J.D. According to Bill Lawrence, "What we decided was, rather than have it be a monotone narration, if it's going to be Zach's voice, we're going to do everything through J.D.'s eyes. It opened up a visual medium that those of us as comedy writers were not used to."<ref name="variety">{{Cite magazine|last=Weisman |first=Jon |title=Genre jumping pays off |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=January 24, 2006 |url=https://www.variety.com/awardcentral_vstory/VR1117936723.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090323235123/http://www.variety.com/awardcentral_vstory/VR1117936723.html |archive-date=March 23, 2009}}</ref> Actors were given the chance to [[improvise]] their lines on set with encouragement by series creator Bill Lawrence, with Neil Flynn and Zach Braff being the main improvisors.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fanpop.com/spots/neil-flynn/articles/86401/title/neil-flynn-on-how-chicago-improv-shaped-career |title=Neil Flynn on how Chicago and improv shaped his career |website=Fanpop |access-date= May 3, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://movieline.com/2010/01/06/the-middles-neil-flynn/ |title=Neil Flynn On Why He Left Scrubs and Life in The Middle |work=Movieline |first=Julie |last=Miller |date=January 6, 2010 |access-date=May 3, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120131212357/http://www.movieline.com/2010/01/06/the-middles-neil-flynn/ |archive-date=January 31, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

Almost every episode title for the first eight seasons begins with the word "My". Bill Lawrence says this is because each episode is Dr. John Dorian writing in his diary (revealed in the commentary on the DVD of the first-season episode "[[My Hero (Scrubs)|My Hero]]"). A few episodes are told from another character's perspective and have episode titles such as "His Story" or "Her Story". Apart from a brief period of narration from J.D. at the beginning and the end, these episodes primarily contain internal narration from other characters besides J.D. The transfer of the narration duties usually occurs at a moment of physical contact between two characters. Starting with season nine, the episode titles start with "Our..." as the focus has shifted from the perspective of J.D. to a new group of medical students. The webisodes that accompanied season eight, ''[[Scrubs: Interns]]'', also were named "Our...".

==Cast and characters==
{{main|List of Scrubs characters}}
[[File:Scrubs-Cast-Scrubs-DVD.jpg|thumb|''Scrubs''{{'}} original cast, seasons 1–8 (left to right): [[John C. McGinley]], [[Neil Flynn]], [[Sarah Chalke]], [[Zach Braff]], [[Donald Faison]], [[Ken Jenkins]], and [[Judy Reyes]].]]
For the first eight seasons, the series featured seven main cast members, with numerous other characters recurring throughout the course of the series. Starting with the ninth season, many of the original cast left as regular characters, while four new additions were made to the main cast.
* [[Zach Braff]] portrays [[J.D. (Scrubs)|John Michael "J.D." Dorian]], the show's protagonist and narrator. J.D. is a young physician, who begins the series as an intern. His voice-over to the series comes from his internal thoughts and often features surreal fantasies. J.D. describes himself as a "sensi", short for "sensitive guy", enjoying acoustic alternative music and being a lover of hugs. Over the course of the series, J.D. rises through the ranks of the hospital before leaving Sacred Heart to become the Residency Director at St. Vincent Hospital, before briefly returning to become a teacher at Winston University. J.D. has a son with ex-girlfriend [[Kim Briggs (Scrubs)|Kim Briggs]] and a child with wife [[Elliot Reid]].
* [[Sarah Chalke]] portrays [[Elliot Reid]] (seasons 1–8, recurring season 9), another intern and later private-practice physician. Her relationship with J.D. becomes romantic on several occasions throughout the series, resulting in them eventually marrying and having a child together. As the series progresses, despite an initial dislike of each other, she becomes friends with Carla. Elliot is driven by a neurotic desire to prove her worth to her family (in which all of the males are [[physician|doctors]]), her peers, and herself. She is described as extremely book-smart and equally attractive, while her social abilities are somewhat lacking. Her social skills develop throughout the seasons.
* [[Donald Faison]] portrays [[Christopher Turk]], J.D.'s best friend and surgeon, who rises from intern to chief of surgery as the series progresses. Turk and J.D. were roommates when they attended the [[College of William and Mary]], as well as in medical school, and the two have an extremely close relationship. Turk is highly driven and competitive while always remaining loyal. During the course of the series, Turk forms a relationship with Carla; they start dating early in the series, then get married, and eventually start a family together, having two children. In season nine, he is a teacher at Winston University while continuing his duties as chief of surgery.
* [[Neil Flynn]] portrays the "[[Janitor (Scrubs)|Janitor]]" (recurring season 1, main cast seasons 2–8, guest star season 9), the hospital's [[Janitor|custodian]]. An incident in the [[My First Day|pilot episode]] establishes an antagonistic relationship between J.D. and him, which persists throughout the series. This tends to take the form of the Janitor pulling abusive pranks on J.D., although he has shown, several times throughout the series, that he has a good side. The Janitor's real name is not mentioned until the season eight finale when he reveals to J.D. that he is called "Glenn Matthews". Shortly after this revelation, he is addressed as and answers to "Tommy" by another member of the hospital staff, bringing his previously stated name into question. However, it was later confirmed in a Facebook video by creator Bill Lawrence that the former is indeed his true name.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150264612679616&oid=29112278285|title=Bobblehead Theater|access-date=April 13, 2011|date=April 8, 2011|work=Facebook|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130202031906/http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150264612679616&oid=29112278285|archive-date=February 2, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref> <!-- Do not add mention of "Tommy" or "Tony" here. The exact name is unclear. -->
* [[Ken Jenkins]] portrays [[Bob Kelso]] (seasons 1–8, recurring season 9), Sacred Heart's chief of [[Internal medicine|medicine]] for the first seven seasons, after which he retires; in season nine, he becomes a teacher at Winston University. While chief of medicine, Kelso is seen to be selfish, intimidating, and mean-spirited, driven primarily by the hospital's bottom line rather than the well-being of patients. It is occasionally suggested that he has a softer side, and that his meanness is a means of [[Coping (psychology)|coping]] with the years of hard decisions. After his retirement in season seven, his relationship with staff at the hospital improves, becoming a regular at the hospital's coffee shop where he is entitled to "free [[muffin]]s for life". He is married with a son and regularly comments on the poor state of his marriage and the activities of his homosexual son. In season nine, after the death of his wife, Kelso becomes a teacher at Winston University along with J.D., Cox, and Turk.
* [[John C. McGinley]] portrays [[Perry Cox]], an attending physician who becomes the chief of medicine at Sacred Heart in season eight. J.D. considers Cox his [[mentor]], despite the fact that Cox routinely criticizes him, patronizes him, and calls him female names. Cox frequently suggests that this cruel treatment is intended as conditioning for the rigors of hospital life. On rare occasions, he expresses grudging admiration and even pride at J.D.'s accomplishments. Dr. Cox is dedicated to the welfare of his patients and frequently expresses concern for them, leading to frequent arguments with Bob Kelso. In season nine, he is seen working as a professor at Winston University while continuing his duties as chief of medicine.
* [[Judy Reyes]] portrays [[Carla Espinosa]] (seasons 1–8), the hospital's head [[nurse]]. Carla is opinionated, stubborn, and domineering, but continually caring, acting as a mother figure to interns, supporting them and sticking up for them when they make mistakes.<ref name="His Story IV">{{cite episode|title=His Story IV |episode-link=His Story IV |series=Scrubs |network=NBC |airdate=February 1, 2007 |season=6 |number=7}}</ref> During the course of the series, Turk forms a relationship with Carla; they start dating in the first episode of the series, then get married, and eventually start a family together. She is very close to J.D., affectionately calling him "Bambi", and despite initially disliking each other, also becomes close friends with Elliot.
* [[Eliza Coupe]] portrays [[Denise Mahoney|Denise "Jo" Mahoney]] (recurring season 8, regular season 9), an intern at Sacred Heart Hospital in season eight. She is outspoken and brutally honest, and struggles with patient-doctor communications because of this. In season nine, she is a resident at the new Sacred Heart Hospital, as well as a student adviser and teacher's assistant at Winston University. She is romantically involved with medical student Drew Suffin.
* [[Kerry Bishé]] portrays [[Lucy Bennett (Scrubs)|Lucy Bennett]] (season 9), a medical student at Winston University. She is the protagonist of season nine, initially sharing the narrating duties of the show with J.D. before taking over completely. She, like J.D., also has surreal fantasies. She loves horses and is romantically involved with a fellow student, Cole Aaronson.
* [[Michael Mosley (actor)|Michael Mosley]] portrays [[Drew Suffin]] (season 9), a medical student at Winston University. Though few details are ever given, Drew's dark past is often alluded to, including a previous burn-out at medical school. He is in a relationship with Denise Mahoney.
* [[Dave Franco]] portrays [[Cole Aaronson]] (season 9), an arrogant medical student at Winston University whose family donated a large amount of money to get the new Sacred Heart Hospital built and as such, believes that he is untouchable. After being diagnosed with [[skin cancer]] and subsequently going into remission after successful surgery, Cole rethinks his life and decides to specialize in surgery. He is in a relationship with Lucy Bennett.

==Episodes==
{{Main|List of Scrubs episodes}}
{{:List of Scrubs episodes}}
The [[Scrubs season 1|first season]] introduces John Michael "J.D." Dorian and his best friend Christopher Turk in their first year out of medical school as interns at Sacred Heart Hospital. J.D. meets his reluctant mentor Perry Cox; an attractive female intern named Elliot, on whom he develops a crush; the hospital's janitor, who goes out of his way to make J.D.'s life difficult; Chief of Medicine Dr. Bob Kelso, who is more concerned about the budget than the patients; and Carla Espinosa, the head nurse who eventually becomes Turk's girlfriend. The characters face romance and relationship issues, family obligations, overwhelming paperwork, long shifts, dealing with death of patients, and conflicting pressures from senior doctors.

The [[Scrubs season 2|second season]] follows J.D.'s second year practicing medicine at Sacred Heart where Elliot, Turk, and he are now residents. As the season develops, money issues affect the three of them, especially Elliot, whose dad cut her off. J.D.'s older brother Dan ([[Tom Cavanagh]]) comes to visit, as does Turk's brother Kevin ([[D.L. Hughley]]). Season two focuses on the romantic relationships of the main characters: Turk proposes to an indecisive Carla, who has doubts about if Turk is mature enough; Elliot dates nurse Paul Flowers ([[Rick Schroder]]); and Dr. Cox dates pharmaceutical rep Julie ([[Heather Locklear]]) before reigniting a relationship with his pregnant ex-wife Jordan ([[Christa Miller]]). J.D., meanwhile, attempts a relationship with Elliot, and later falls for Jamie ([[Amy Smart]]), the wife of one of his coma patients.

As the [[Scrubs season 3|third season]] opens, Elliot decides to change her image with some help from the Janitor. J.D.'s undeniable crush on Elliot emerges again, but J.D. instead begins a relationship with Jordan's sister Danni ([[Tara Reid]]), who is also dealing with feelings for her ex. Turk and Carla are engaged and planning their wedding. Turk, along with Todd and the other surgical residents, deal with new attending surgeon Grace Miller ([[Bellamy Young]]), who dislikes Turk and considers him sexist. Cox and Jordan are doing well with their relationship and their son Jack, although Cox develops a schoolboy crush on Dr. Miller. He also struggles with the death of his best friend, Jordan's brother. Elliot gets into a serious relationship with Sean Kelly ([[Scott Foley]]) and tries to maintain a long-distance relationship while he is in New Zealand for six months. J.D. eventually convinces Elliot to break up with Sean to date him, only to realize, once he has her, that he does not actually love her. Their relationship lasts three days. The season ends with Turk and Carla's wedding, which Turk misses due to surgery and a church mix-up.

In [[Scrubs season 4|season four]], J.D. finishes his residency and becomes a full-blown colleague of Cox, although their dynamic does not change much. As the season opens, Turk arrives from his honeymoon with Carla, but they soon start having issues when Carla tries to change many things about her new husband. Their marriage and Turk's friendship with J.D. experience friction when J.D. and Carla share a drunken kiss. Dr. Cox and Jordan learn that their divorce was not final, but this is not necessarily all good news. Elliot is still angry with J.D. for breaking her heart, and the situation becomes more uncomfortable still when she dates J.D.'s brother. J.D. has a new love interest of his own when a new and very attractive psychiatrist, Dr. Molly Clock ([[Heather Graham]]), arrives at Sacred Heart. Molly also serves as Elliot's mentor during her time at the hospital.

[[Scrubs season 5|Season five]] starts with J.D. living in a hotel, sorting out apartment issues. Elliot is dating Jake who builds her confidence up so she applies for, and gets, a new fellowship in another hospital. Turk and Carla are trying to have a baby, despite Turk's still having doubts. Finally, new interns have arrived to Sacred Heart, chief among them being Keith Dudemeister ([[Travis Schuldt]]), who soon becomes Elliot's new boyfriend, much to J.D.'s dissatisfaction. J.D. is cast in the role of expecting father, discovering at the very end of the season that his girlfriend, Dr. Kim Briggs ([[Elizabeth Banks]]), is pregnant with his child.

The [[Scrubs season 6|sixth season]] has J.D. and the other characters mature to fill the different roles required of them. Turk and Carla become parents when Carla gives birth to their daughter Isabella. Elliot plans her wedding to Keith, although J.D. and she still harbor feelings for each other. Dr. Cox, as father of two children with Jordan, struggles to prevent his foul disposition from affecting his parenting.

In [[Scrubs season 7|season seven]], J.D. and Elliot struggle once again to deny their feelings for each other, despite Elliot soon to be marrying Keith and J.D. to have his first son with Kim, while the Janitor may have a new girlfriend. Bob Kelso's job is put on the line as he turns 65 years old. J.D.'s brother Dan also returns to town.

The [[Scrubs season 8|eighth season]] has Kelso's replacement, Taylor Maddox ([[Courteney Cox]]), arrive; she quickly makes a lot of changes, affecting the way doctors treat patients. Elliot and J.D. finally discuss their true feelings for each other and again become a couple. Janitor and Lady ([[Kit Pongetti]]) marry, while Cox is promoted to chief of medicine to replace the dismissed Dr. Maddox, with some encouragement from Kelso. Kelso and Dr. Cox become friends, and J.D. prepares to leave Sacred Heart to move closer to his son, with Elliot. Turk is promoted to chief of surgery at Sacred Heart.

Coinciding with season eight, the webisode series ''[[Scrubs: Interns]]'' was launched, focusing around the eighth season's medical interns, Sonja "Sunny" Dey ([[Sonal Shah (actor)|Sonal Shah]]), Denise ([[Eliza Coupe]]), Katie ([[Betsy Beutler]]), and Howie (Todd Bosley). The interns learn from various characters of the show about life in the hospital.

The [[Scrubs season 9|ninth season]] takes place over a year after season eight's finale. The old Sacred Heart hospital has been torn down and rebuilt. Cox, Dorian, and Turk are now Winston University medical school professors whose students occasionally rotate through the new Sacred Heart. Between the end of season eight and the beginning of season nine, the Janitor has left the hospital after being told that J.D. was not returning, and Elliot and J.D. have married and are expecting their first child. J.D.'s stay at the university is short, and he leaves the series after six episodes, reappearing in episode 9, "Our Stuff Gets Real", as a secondary character. Kelso's wife passes away, and Ted quits Sacred Heart to travel around the U.S. with his girlfriend.

==Production==
The origin for the show is loosely based on Dr. Jonathan Doris'<!-- This is meant to say Doris ''not'' Dorian, it is the name of the medical advisor/inspiration, not the character, please refrain from changing it --> experiences as a [[resident (medicine)|resident]] in [[internal medicine]] at [[Brown Medical School]], which served as inspiration for college friend and show creator [[Bill Lawrence (producer)|Bill Lawrence]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.brown.edu/Administration/News_Bureau/2003-04/03-138d.html |title=Jonathan Doris, M.D.: "My Residency Is A Rerun" |last=Doris |first=Jonathan |date=May 31, 2004 |website=brown.edu |publisher=Brown University |access-date=November 22, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209154311/http://brown.edu/Administration/News_Bureau/2003-04/03-138d.html |archive-date=February 9, 2009 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

''Scrubs'' was produced by ABC, through [[ABC Studios|its production division]], though it was aired by rival broadcaster NBC.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/782/782639p1.html |title=Scrubs Season 7 Confirmed |last=Goldman |first=Eric |date=April 23, 2007 |website=IGN |access-date=August 28, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713004824/http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/782/782639p1.html |archive-date=July 13, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> According to [[show runner]] Lawrence, the arrangement was unusual, at least for 2007: "The show is a dinosaur, on one network and completely owned by another" and, since it is now in [[Broadcast syndication|syndication]], making a "ton of money for Touchstone."<ref name="bc">{{cite web |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/107267-Scrubs_a_Near_Lock_for_Next_Fall.php |title=Scrubs a Near Lock for Next Fall |last=Grossman |first=Ben |date=January 15, 2007 |website=Broadcasting & Cable |access-date=August 28, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090606184855/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/107267-Scrubs_a_Near_Lock_for_Next_Fall.php |archive-date=June 6, 2009 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Lawrence confirmed ABC would have broadcast the seventh season had NBC refused to do so.<ref name="bc"/>

===Main crew===
The show's creator, Bill Lawrence, was also an executive producer and the showrunner. He wrote 14 episodes and directed 17. [[Neil Goldman and Garrett Donovan]] co-wrote 13 episodes during their eight-year run on the show, starting as co-producers on the show and ending as [[executive producer]]s; they left the show after the eighth season.<ref name="InAndOut">{{cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/guide.aspx?id=in_and_out |title=the futon's guide to who's in and who's out |website=The Futon Critic |access-date=September 6, 2009}}</ref> [[Mike Schwartz]], who also played [[List of minor characters of Scrubs#Lloyd Slawski|Lloyd the Delivery Guy]], wrote 13 episodes during the first eight seasons; he started out as a story editor and became co-executive producer in season six.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hollywood.com/celebrities/56176223/mike-schwartz |title=Mike Schwartz |website=Hollywood.com |access-date=August 7, 2014}}</ref> [[Janae Bakken]] and [[Debra Fordham]] were writers and producers during the first eight seasons, each writing 16 episodes. Other notable writers who started in the first season include Mark Stegemann, who wrote 14 episodes and directed two episodes during the first eight seasons; Gabrielle Allan, who wrote 11 episodes during the first four seasons and was co-executive producer; [[Eric Weinberg]], who wrote 11 episodes during the first six seasons and was co-executive producer; Matt Tarses, who wrote eight episodes during the first four seasons and was co-executive producer. Notable writers who joined in the second season include Tim Hobert, who wrote 11 episodes from seasons two to six, and became executive producer in season five. [[Angela Nissel]] wrote 10 episodes from seasons two to eight, starting out as a staff writer and became supervising producer in season seven. [[Bill Callahan (producer)|Bill Callahan]] joined the show in season four, writing eight episodes from seasons four to eight; he became executive producer in season six.

[[Adam Bernstein]], who directed the pilot episode, "My First Day", also directed 11 episodes up until season seven. [[Michael Spiller]] directed the most episodes, 20 during the entire series run. [[Ken Whittingham]] and Chris Koch both directed 12 episodes from seasons two to nine. Comedian [[Michael McDonald (comedian)|Michael McDonald]], who also appeared on the show, directed five episodes. Show star Zach Braff directed seven episodes of the show, including the landmark 100th episode "[[My Way Home (Scrubs)|My Way Home]]", which won a [[Peabody Award]] in April&nbsp;2007. In 2009, [[Josh Bycel]], a writer and supervising producer for the animated comedy ''[[American Dad!]]'', joined the crew as a new executive producer for the ninth season.<ref name="InAndOut"/>

====Medical advisors====
''Scrubs'' writers worked with several medical advisors, including doctors Jonathan Doris, Jon Turk, and Dolly Klock. Their names serve as the basis for the names of characters John Dorian, Chris Turk, and Molly Clock (played by Braff, Faison, and Heather Graham, respectively). In the season eight finale "[[My Finale]]", the "real J.D.", Jonathan Doris, made a [[cameo appearance]] as the doctor who said "adios" to J.D.<ref>{{cite episode|title=My Finale|series=Scrubs|network=ABC|date=May 6, 2009|season=8|number=18|time=29:43}}</ref>
In addition, the show creator said that every single medical story on the show was handed to them by real physicians, whose names would then be written into the show. The show never used real patients' names, but Lawrence and his writers would make sure the doctors' names were written into the episodes.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Van Luling|first1=Todd|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/22/scrubs-trivia_n_7615796.html|title=11 Things You Didn't Know About 'Scrubs,' Even If You've Seen Every Episode|website=Huffington Post|date=December 6, 2017|access-date=January 2, 2018}}</ref>

===Filming location and Sacred Heart Hospital===
[[File:Scrubs set ago 2011.jpg|thumb|''Scrubs''{{'}} filming location, the North Hollywood Medical Center, being torn down after the series finished production]]
In the show, Sacred Heart is an inner-city [[teaching hospital]] located in Greater Sacramento, [[California]]. The first eight seasons of ''Scrubs'' were filmed on location at the [[North Hollywood Medical Center]], a decommissioned hospital located at 12629 Riverside Drive in [[North Hollywood, Los Angeles|North Hollywood]] neighborhood of Los Angeles. The site is on the south bank of the concrete channel of the [[Los Angeles River]], visible in some scenes on the series.

The production of ''Scrubs'' took complete control of the hospital, with the existing hospital rooms reworked to be more production-friendly. This involved knocking down various walls to create larger, more open spaces such as the main ward and the communal areas like admissions, which did not originally exist. Production designer Cabot McMullen also introduced more glass walls and windows around the hospital sets, as well as putting in nurses stations, which could be easily moved to allow different camera movements. While much of the building was renovated, the team were very keen to preserve the state of disrepair which the hospital was in, to give the show a more gritty, dank aesthetic.<ref name="arareconditionbts">{{cite AV media notes |title=''A Rare Condition'' |type=Behind the scenes DVD feature – Scrubs – Season 2 |year=2005}}</ref><ref name="fake2">{{cite podcast |url=https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-fake-doctors-real-friends-60367049/episode/102-my-mentor-60785489/ |title=Fake Doctors, Real Friends – 102: My Mentor |publisher=iHeartMedia |host=Zach Braff, Donald Faison |date=April 7, 2020}}</ref>

Other recurring locations were also built into the building, including J.D. and Turk's apartment, a bar which they frequent and Dr. Cox's apartment–which was built in an old operating room. As well as these permanent locations, the production team would also often construct temporary sets as required, also within the hospital.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Owen |first1=Rob |title=TV Preview: 'Scrubs' operates on different level than the usual sitcom |url=http://old.post-gazette.com/tv/20020430scrubs0430fnp3.asp |website=Post-Gazette |access-date=June 18, 2020 |date=April 30, 2002}}</ref><ref name="arareconditionbts"/> Almost all of the team responsible for the show were housed within the hospital; this included all of the writers, production and casting team. Post-production was also handled in the building, with an editing suite and a sound-studio for [[Dubbing (filmmaking)|ADR]].<ref name="arareconditionbts"/>

Instead of the more traditional artist trailers for the cast to retreat to during breaks, they were instead all given old hospital rooms as well as a small allowance to decorate them. In some instances when either filming went on late, or the cast and crew went out after work, some, such as John C. McGinley would go and sleep in their dressing room at the hospital instead of going home.<ref name="arareconditionbts"/><ref name="fake7">{{cite podcast |url=https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-fake-doctors-real-friends-60367049/episode/107-my-super-ego-with-john-61829202/ |title=Fake Doctors, Real Friends – 107: My Super Ego with John C. McGinley |publisher=iHeartMedia |host=Zach Braff, Donald Faison |date=April 28, 2020}}</ref> Cast and crew on the show refer to the location as "San DiFrangeles"—a [[portmanteau]] of [[San Diego]], [[San Francisco]], and [[Los Angeles]] that is meant to encompass a large part of California.<ref>Show creator Bill Lawrence, during audio commentary on Disk Three of "The Complete Second Season [of] Scrubs" DVD set.</ref> In season four's episode nine, "My Malpractice Decision", Turk's new phone number has the Sacramento [[area code 916]]. For the ninth season, the show moved to [[Culver Studios]], with exteriors shot on lawns and outside the [[Culver Studios#Bungalows|historical office bungalows]] of the studio complex.<ref name="bunchOFs09INFO">{{cite web |url=http://www.nj.com/entertainment/tv/index.ssf/2009/08/scrubs_creator_previews_next_s.html |title=''Scrubs'' creator previews next season |last=Sepinwall |first=Alan |date=August 13, 2009 |access-date=August 28, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090817214512/http://www.nj.com/entertainment/tv/index.ssf/2009/08/scrubs_creator_previews_next_s.html |archive-date=August 17, 2009 }}</ref> The building used for the exteriors of the new Sacred Heart Hospital is located at the intersection of Ince Boulevard and Lindblade Street in Culver City, California ({{coord|34.023988|-118.391414|scale:2000}}).<ref>Google Maps, [https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Ince+Boulevard,+Culver+City,+CA&hl=en&ll=34.023988,-118.391414&spn=0.000778,0.001206&sll=34.02364,-118.400774&sspn=0.035213,0.077162&vpsrc=6&t=h&z=20 Ince Bvld, Culver CA]</ref>

===WGA strike and network change===
On November 5, 2007, the [[Writers Guild of America]] [[2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike|went on strike]], which put the production of the show's seventh season on hold. When the strike started, only 11 of ''Scrubs''{{'}} 18 planned seventh-season episodes had been finished.<ref name="wgastrike1">{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a79658/scrubs-creator-12th-ep-will-not-end-series.html |title=''Scrubs'' creator: 12th ep will not end series |access-date=November 12, 2007 |last=Welsh |first=James |date=November 12, 2007 |website=Digital Spy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023065929/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a79658/scrubs-creator-12th-ep-will-not-end-series.html |archive-date=October 23, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Lawrence refused to cross any WGA picket lines to serve any of his duties for the show, so [[ABC Studios]]<!-- Please Note, ABC Studios do own ''Scrubs'', this is not a mistake, even though it formerly aired on NBC--> had non-WGA members finish episode 12, which the studio had unsuccessfully pressured Lawrence to rewrite as a series finale prior to the strike.<ref name="wgastrike1" />

During the strike, NBC announced that ''[[The Office (American TV series)|The Office]]'' and ''Scrubs'' would be replaced by ''[[The Apprentice (American TV series)|Celebrity Apprentice]]''. NBC later announced that they would leave ''Scrubs'' on hiatus for the time being and fill the 8–9&nbsp;pm timeslot with various specials and repeats.<ref name="scrubsremainsonhiatus">{{cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=7541 |title=NBC Expands ''Gladiators'', Books Finale |access-date=January 23, 2008 |author=The Futon Critic Staff |date=January 21, 2008 |website=The Futon Critic}}</ref>

Episode 11, "[[My Princess]]", was eventually filmed,<ref name="tvseriesfinalearticle">{{cite web |url=http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/scrubs-nbc-sitcom-may-not-get-series-finale/ |title=Scrubs: NBC Sitcom May Not Get Series Finale |access-date=January 3, 2008 |date=November 12, 2007 |website=TV Series Finale |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716044647/http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/scrubs-nbc-sitcom-may-not-get-series-finale/ |archive-date=July 16, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> although Lawrence was absent. Filming of episode 11 was disrupted by picketers. It was believed that Lawrence had tipped the picketers off about the filming schedule, although these beliefs turned out to be false as Lawrence quickly drove to the set to "keep the peace".<ref name="tvseriesfinalearticle" /> After the strike ended, Lawrence announced that the final episodes of ''Scrubs'' would be produced, although at the time, he was unsure where or how they would be distributed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tv.ign.com/articles/851/851330p1.html |title=You'll Get Your ''Scrubs'' Finale |access-date=February 13, 2008 |date=February 11, 2008 |website=IGN |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080213222734/http://tv.ign.com/articles/851/851330p1.html |archive-date=February 13, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

===Switch to ABC===
Amid strike-induced doubt involving the final episodes of ''Scrubs'', on February 28, 2008, ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' reported that ABC was in talks with corporate sibling ABC Studios with the aim of bringing ''Scrubs'' to ABC for an eighth season of 18 episodes,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/04/28/scrubs-to-abc-the-worst-kept-secret-in-hollywood/ |title=''Scrubs'' to ABC: The worst-kept secret in Hollywood |website=TV Squad |first=Joel |last=Keller |date=April 28, 2008 |access-date=November 1, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014182432/http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/04/28/scrubs-to-abc-the-worst-kept-secret-in-hollywood/ |archive-date=October 14, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> despite Lawrence and Braff's protests that the seventh season would definitely be the last.<ref name="tvseriesfinalearticle" /> Just hours later, ''[[Variety magazine|Variety]]'' reported that NBC was lashing out and threatening legal action against ABC Studios.<ref name="variety8thseason">{{Cite news|first=Michael |last=Schneider |title=''Scrubs'' skirmish |url=https://variety.com/2008/scene/markets-festivals/scrubs-skirmish-1117981634/ |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=February 28, 2008 |access-date=February 29, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107181618/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117981634?refCatId=14 |archive-date=November 7, 2012}}</ref> McGinley confirmed that he had been told to report back to work on March&nbsp;24, 2008, to begin production for another season.<ref name="Ledger8thseason">{{Cite news |first=Marilyn |last=Beck |title="Scrubs" Future No Longer in Question Says John C. McGinley |url=http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_272619342.shtml |website=National Ledger |date=March 10, 2008 |access-date=November 1, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091022123443/http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_272619342.shtml |archive-date=October 22, 2009 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> On March 12, 2008, McGinley was also quoted as saying that the show's long-rumored move from NBC to ABC was a done deal,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/tvnews.php?id=42884 |title=ER Coming Back, Scrubs Update |date=March 12, 2009 |website=Coming Soon.net |access-date=May 25, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080623110227/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/tvnews.php?id=42884 |archive-date=June 23, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> and that ''Scrubs'' would air on ABC during the 2008–09 TV season as a midseason replacement.<ref name= "Ledger8thseason" />

On March&nbsp;19, 2008, [[Michael Ausiello]] of ''TV Guide'' reported that although nothing was "official", the ''Scrubs'' cast was to report back to work the following Wednesday for work on a season "unofficial" as yet.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/scrubs-34543.aspx |title=Do you know what the deal is ... |last=Ausiello |first=Michael |date=March 19, 2009 |work=TV Guide |access-date=May 25, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603164131/http://www.tvguide.com/news/scrubs-34543.aspx |archive-date=June 3, 2009 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Zach Braff posted in his blog on [[Myspace]], on April&nbsp;28, 2008, that an eighth season consisting of 18 episodes was under production, but that he could not say where it would be aired.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.myspace.com/zachbraff/blog/387269933 |title=Making the Video |last=Braff |first=Zach |date=April 29, 2008 |website=MySpace |access-date=May 2, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023050701/http://www.myspace.com/zachbraff/blog/387269933 |archive-date=October 23, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> He then stated, on May&nbsp;7, 2008, that the May&nbsp;8 episode would be the final NBC-aired episode of ''Scrubs'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tv.popcrunch.com/zach-braff-myspace-message-scrubs-8th-season-may-8-princess-bride-episode/ |title=Zach Braff MySpace Message – Scrubs' 8th Season, May 8 "Princess Bride" Episode |date=May 2, 2008 |website=TV Crunch |access-date=May 8, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080504073155/http://tv.popcrunch.com/zach-braff-myspace-message-scrubs-8th-season-may-8-princess-bride-episode/ |archive-date=May 4, 2008 }}</ref> which was followed by a bulletin on his Myspace, on May 12, confirming that ''Scrubs''{{'}}s eighth season would be moving to ABC.

====Season eight====
{{Main|Scrubs season 8}}
On May 13, 2008, ABC announced that ''Scrubs'' would be a [[midseason replacement]], airing Tuesday nights at 9:00 pm&nbsp;EST.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna24594959 |title=ABC-TV will have only 2 new fall shows |agency=Associated Press |date=May 14, 2008 |website=MSNBC |access-date=August 28, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927051109/http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/24594959 |archive-date=September 27, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/guide.aspx?id=fall_2008 |title=Fall 2008 Guide |website=The Futon Critic |access-date=August 28, 2009}}</ref> Steve McPherson, ABC's President of Entertainment, also stated that additional seasons of ''Scrubs'' beyond the eighth could be produced if it performs well.<ref name="LATimes1">{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-upfronts14-2008may14,0,3549448.story |title=ABC's 2008 fall lineup holds firm, with a dose of ''Scrubs'' added |date=May 14, 2008 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=May 19, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517154309/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-upfronts14-2008may14%2C0%2C3549448.story |archive-date=May 17, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In late November, ABC announced ''Scrubs'' would resume with back-to-back episodes on January 6, 2009, at 9:00 pm&nbsp;EST.<ref name="Premiere">{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/News/Scrubs-Scrubs-Tuesdays-1000046.aspx|title=''Scrubs'' Scrubs in on Tuesdays, Mars Lands on Wednesday|date=November 20, 2008|work=TV Guide|access-date=May 25, 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603164350/http://www.tvguide.com/News/Scrubs-Scrubs-Tuesdays-1000046.aspx|archive-date=June 3, 2009|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

Creator Bill Lawrence described season eight as more like the first few seasons in tone, with increased focus on more realistic storylines, accompanied by the introduction of new characters.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.asitecalledfred.com/2008/05/04/scrubs-blog-my-welcome-back/ |title=Scrubs Blog&nbsp;— My Welcome Back |date=May 4, 2008 |website=asitecalledfred.com |publisher=Quick Stop Entertainment |access-date=May 11, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100619133317/http://www.asitecalledfred.com/2008/05/04/scrubs-blog-my-welcome-back/ |archive-date=June 19, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Courteney Cox joined the cast as the new chief of medicine, Dr. Maddox, for a three-episode arc.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a109429/cox-joins-scrubs-for-three-episode-arc.html |title=Cox joins ''Scrubs'' cast for three episode arc |date=July 10, 2008 |website=Digital Spy |access-date=July 10, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023065956/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a109429/cox-joins-scrubs-for-three-episode-arc.html |archive-date=October 23, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="S8PR">{{cite web |url=http://www.abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=112108_01 |title=Scrubs To Premiere January&nbsp;6, 2009 On ABC |website=ABC Medianet |date=November 21, 2008 |access-date=November 22, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216084005/http://www.abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=112108_01 |archive-date=December 16, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The eighth season includes [[webisodes]] and is the first ''Scrubs'' season broadcast in [[high-definition television|high definition]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/live-feed/scrubs-debut-webisodes-lawrence-talks-50528 |title=''Scrubs'' to debut webisodes; Lawrence talks network switch |work=The Live Feed |date=July 16, 2008 |access-date=November 1, 2009 |first=James |last=Hibberd |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629150439/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/live-feed/scrubs-debut-webisodes-lawrence-talks-50528 |archive-date=June 29, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

Sarah Chalke was hoping that J.D. and Elliot would end up back together, comparing them to ''[[Friends]]'' characters [[Ross Geller|Ross]] and [[Rachel Green|Rachel]], which has been addressed a few times on the show. In the early episodes of the season, they did rekindle their relationship, and continued dating through the end of the season. Several actors who guest starred as patients at Sacred Heart during the course of ''Scrubs'' returned for the finale.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tvguide.com/News/Elliot-Reunite-Scrubs-1000714.aspx |title=Will J.D. And Elliot Reunite for Scrubs' Final Season? |work=TV Guide |date=December 10, 2008 |access-date=December 17, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219165108/http://www.tvguide.com/News/Elliot-Reunite-Scrubs-1000714.aspx |archive-date=December 19, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

The double-length season eight finale, "[[My Finale]]", aired on May 6, 2009, and was expected to be the series finale, as well. However, it soon became clear that the show would return for a ninth season.

====Season nine====
{{Main|Scrubs season 9}}
On April 16, 2009, Bill Lawrence wrote on the ABC.com message boards that a ninth season of ''Scrubs'' was still "50/50".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://abc.go.com/primetime/scrubs/index?pn=mb&cat=147831&tid=492830&tsn=919 |title=Bill Lawrence Answers Questions |website=ABC.com |date=April 16, 2009 |access-date=April 20, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603165726/http://abc.go.com/primetime/scrubs/index?pn=mb&cat=147831&tid=492830&tsn=919 |archive-date=June 3, 2009 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> On April 28, it was announced that ABC was in talks to renew ''Scrubs'' for another year.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2009/04/28/scrubs-its-time/ |title=''Scrubs'', it's time to pull the plug |first=Margaret |last=Lyons |date=April 28, 2009 |access-date=November 1, 2009 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111226153544/http://popwatch.ew.com/2009/04/28/scrubs-its-time/ |archive-date=December 26, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

Lawrence also stated that ''Scrubs'' as it was is over, for the show to move forward with a new cast in an ''[[ER (TV series)|ER]]'' type role on ABC, or take a new title completely. In response to criticisms that the change would tarnish ''Scrubs''{{'}} legacy, Lawrence defended the decision, as it would allow the ''Scrubs'' crew to continue work through a [[Great Recession|recession]]: "'Legacy shmegacy.' I'm really proud of the show, I'll continue to be proud of the show, but I love all of those people..."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.premiumhollywood.com/2009/05/06/a-chat-with-bill-lawrence-the-scrubs-exit-interview/ |title=A Chat with Bill Lawrence: The "Scrubs" Exit Interview |last=Harris |first=Will |date=May 6, 2009 |website=Premium Hollywood |access-date=May 25, 2009}}</ref>

On June 19, 2009, it was announced that the ninth season of ''Scrubs'' would "shift from the hospital to the classroom and make med-school professors of John C. McGinley's Dr. Cox and Donald Faison's Turk." According to Lawrence, the ninth season would "be a lot like ''[[The Paper Chase (TV series)|Paper Chase]]'' as a comedy," with Cox's and Turk's students occasionally rotating through the halls of Sacred Heart and encountering former series regulars. McGinley and Faison were joined by "a quartet of newbies (most of them playing students)" as full-time regulars, while one of the freshmen "will be fairly famous."<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2009/06/19/scrubs-moving-from-hospital-to-med-school/ |title=''Scrubs'' shocker: School's in, hospital's out |last=Ausiello |first=Michael |date=June 19, 2009 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=June 19, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110404042049/http://insidetv.ew.com/2009/06/19/scrubs-moving-from-hospital-to-med-school/ |archive-date=April 4, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

Of the seven actors who had appeared in the show since the pilot, only Faison and McGinley retained their roles as regulars. Zach Braff returned part-time and was absent for the majority of the season, while retaining lead billing for six episodes. Sarah Chalke returned for four episodes as a guest star; [[Ken Jenkins]], credited as a guest star, appeared in nine of the 13 episodes; Neil Flynn appeared in the season premiere in a brief cameo; Judy Reyes was the only former star not to return to the show. In an interview on the [[YouTube]] series Made Man, John C. McGinley stated that the reason for some cast members not returning was that they demanded higher salaries. Although he did not confirm which cast members, he did specify that two of the original cast made demands; hence, they were not brought back.<ref name="higher salaries">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HV64MCYI6YA | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211029/HV64MCYI6YA| archive-date=2021-10-29|title=John C. McGinley: Every Week on Scrubs Was an Adventure – Speakeasy |date=February 2, 2015 |work=Made Man on YouTube |access-date=January 2, 2018 }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

The new main cast included Eliza Coupe<ref name="denisepromoted">{{cite web |url=http://blog.zap2it.com/korbitv/2009/07/scrubs-eliza-coupe-her-character-officially-promoted.html |title=''Scrubs'': Eliza Coupe & her character officially promoted |first=Korbi |last=Ghosh |date=July 14, 2009 |work=zap2it |access-date=November 1, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090918071737/http://blog.zap2it.com/korbitv/2009/07/scrubs-eliza-coupe-her-character-officially-promoted.html |archive-date=September 18, 2009 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> returning to the recurring role of Denise "Jo" Mahoney from season eight, Dave Franco as Cole, a charming, confidently stupid, and incredibly entitled medical student whose family donated the money to build the school,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-scrubs-idUSTRE57G19X20090817 |title=Franco to play med student on revamped "Scrubs" |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=August 17, 2009 |website=reuters.com |publisher=Reuters |access-date=August 28, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512162814/http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/08/17/us-scrubs-idUSTRE57G19X20090817 |archive-date=May 12, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Kerry Bishé as Lucy, who shared the starring role with Braff in the beginning of the season and eventually became the show's new narrator,<ref name="bunchOFs09INFO" /><ref name="restofnewcastnamed">{{cite web |url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2009/08/19/ask-ausiello-spoilers-on-greys-house-ncis-more/ |title=Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on ''Grey's'', ''House'', ''NCIS'', ''Bones'', ''Gossip Girl'', ''Supernatural'', and more! |last=Ausiello |first=Michael |date=August 19, 2009  |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=August 28, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105010444/http://insidetv.ew.com/2009/08/19/ask-ausiello-spoilers-on-greys-house-ncis-more/ |archive-date=November 5, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> and Michael Mosley as Drew, a 30-year-old med student on his last attempt at school.<ref name="restofnewcastnamed"/><ref name="NEWscrubsCHARACTERS">{{cite web |url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2009/07/27/armchair-casting-director-scrubs/ |title=Armchair Casting Director: ''Scrubs'' |last=Ausiello |first=Michael |date=July 27, 2009  |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=August 28, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111226152128/http://insidetv.ew.com/2009/07/27/armchair-casting-director-scrubs/ |archive-date=December 26, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

Production for the final season took place at Culver Studios.

===Cancellation===
On May 14, 2010, it was officially announced that the show was canceled. The season nine finale, titled "Our Thanks", aired on March 17, 2010. Five days later, on March 22, 2010, Zach Braff announced, via the official Facebook page, that the ninth season of ''Scrubs'' would be the last, commenting that, "Many of you have asked, so here it is: it appears that 'New Scrubs', 'Scrubs 2.0', 'Scrubs with New Kids', 'Scrubbier', 'Scrubs without JD' is no more. It was worth a try, but alas... it didn't work."<ref name="canceled">{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/report-abc-cancels-scrubs-flashforward-romantically-challenged-and-better-off-ted|title=ABC Cancels Scrubs, FlashForward, Romantically Challenged and Better Off Ted|access-date=May 14, 2010|date=May 14, 2010|location=Fox News|author=TVGuide|website=[[Fox News]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826190329/http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2010/05/14/report-abc-cancels-scrubs-flashforward-romantically-challenged-better-ted.html|archive-date=August 26, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=106929062660571&id=99806535469 |title=Scrubs Canceled&nbsp;– Zach Braff |access-date=March 22, 2010 |date=March 22, 2010 |location=Facebook |author=Zach Braff |website=[[Facebook]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130202031930/http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=106929062660571&id=99806535469 |archive-date=February 2, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

===Crossovers===
Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke, Judy Reyes, John C. McGinley and Neil Flynn reprised their roles as J.D., Elliot Reid, Carla Espinosa, Perry Cox, and the Janitor to make a cameo appearance in the 2002 [[The Muppets|Muppets]] film ''[[It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie]]'', trying to reanimate [[Miss Piggy]]. Eventually, Piggy and the ''Scrubs'' cast break the [[fourth wall]], with the actors portraying themselves and Bill Lawrence appearing as himself/the director of the current episode.

[[Neil Flynn]] reprised his role as [[Janitor (Scrubs)|Janitor]] in the ''[[Clone High]]'' season 1 episode "Litter Kills: Litterally". In the episode, Janitor is revealed to work part-time at Clone High, where his adoptive son, a [[Human cloning|clone]] of [[Ponce De León]], attends high school until he is killed, and Janitor is fired by [[Principal Scudworth]].<ref name="CloneHigh" /> In a speech at [[The College of William and Mary]] in [[Williamsburg, Virginia]] on January 29, 2009, Bill Lawrence confirmed that the name Scudworth called Janitor in the episode, "Glenn", was in the fact the character's real name, with his full name confirmed as "Glenn Matthews" in the season 8 finale of ''Scrubs''.<ref name="CloneHigh">{{cite web|url=http://www.dailypress.com/entertainment/dp-now-scrubs.j30,0,7059608.story|title='Scrubs' is ending, creator tells W&M audience|last=Paitsel|first=Nicole|publisher=Dailypress|date=2009-01-30|access-date=2009-05-10|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090510231305/http://www.dailypress.com/entertainment/dp-now-scrubs.j30,0,7059608.story|archive-date=2009-05-10}}</ref> In the season 2 finale of the 2023 revival of ''Clone High'', Flynn reprised his role as Janitor for the first time since the [[Scrubs season 9|''Scrubs'' season 9]] premiere "[[Our First Day of School]]"; revealed to have been since rehired in his old position as Janitor of Clone High,<ref>{{cite episode|title=Some Talking but Mostly Songs|episode-link=Clone High#ep18|series=Clone High|series-link=Clone High|network=HBO Max|airdate=June 8, 2023|season=2|number=5}}</ref> Janitor signs [[Joan of Arc (Clone High)|Joan of Arc]]'s Clone High 2023 yearbook, telling her (and signing) that "You're a lone wolf, just like me! – Janitor", before howling and walking away.<ref>{{cite episode|title=Clone Alone|episode-link=Clone High#ep23|series=Clone High|series-link=Clone High|network=HBO Max|airdate=June 22, 2023|season=2|number=10}}</ref>

[[Sam Lloyd]] reprised his role as [[Ted Buckland]] in the [[Cougar Town season 2|season two finale]] of the Lawrence series ''[[Cougar Town]]''. In the episode, written and directed by Lawrence, Ted is in [[Hawaii]] and says his girlfriend, [[Stephanie Gooch]], has run off with [[List of characters on Scrubs#Hooch|Dr. Hooch]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/whats-alan-watching/posts/cougar-town-something-good-coming-the-hawaii-way |title=Season finale review: 'Cougar Town' – 'Something Good Coming': The Hawaii way |website=HitFix |first=Alan |last=Sepinwall |date=May 25, 2011 |access-date=June 4, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110529092006/http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/whats-alan-watching/posts/cougar-town-something-good-coming-the-hawaii-way |archive-date=May 29, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Lloyd reprised his role again in the season three episode "A One Story Town" which also featured Ken Jenkins, Robert Maschio, Zach Braff, Christa Miller, Sarah Chalke, and the Worthless Peons in cameo appearances at the end of the episode, with a confused Ted saying "This is weird, man! Everyone here looks like someone from my old job.".

===Cinematography and delivery format===
The show is shot with a [[single-camera setup|single]] instead of [[multiple-camera setup]] more typical for sitcoms.<ref name="variety"/> The season four episode "My Life in Four Cameras", has a brief multiple-camera style, since it includes J.D.'s fantasies of life being more like a traditional sitcom.

John Inwood, the cinematographer of the series, shot the series with his own [[Aaton]] XTR prod [[Super16]] film camera. Despite the fact that some broadcasters, such as the BBC, consider Super 16 a "non-HD" format,<ref name=BBC_Worldwide_specs>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalfilm.biz/Downloads/tv_standards_worldwide.pdf|title=TV Delivery for BBC Worldwide|work=BBC Worldwide|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322231354/http://www.digitalfilm.biz/Downloads/tv_standards_worldwide.pdf|archive-date=March 22, 2012|df=mdy-all}} section 1.5.2</ref> John Inwood believed that footage from his camera was not only sufficient to air in high definition, but it also "looked terrific."<ref name="hd_for_scrubs">{{cite web|url=http://www.highdef.com/magazine/archive/HighDef_2008_6NovDec.pdf |title=A new HD frontier for Scrubs |access-date=November 1, 2009}}</ref> The intro of the first season, which was broadcast in 4:3, has been reused in an HD version for season eight without any further change.

Except for the finale of season five, "My Transition", which was broadcast in [[high-definition video|high definition]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hd.engadget.com/2006/05/16/hdtv-scrubs-on-nbc |title=HDTV ''Scrubs'' on NBC? |last=Lawler |first=Richard |date=March 16, 2006 |website=Engadget |access-date=August 28, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710192655/http://hd.engadget.com/2006/05/16/hdtv-scrubs-on-nbc |archive-date=July 10, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> the first seven seasons of the show have been broadcast in [[standard-definition television|standard definition]] with a 4:3 aspect ratio. After the show was moved from NBC to ABC, the broadcast format for new episodes changed to high definition and widescreen. John Inwood opined that older episodes could be rereleased that way, as well. From the very beginning, he filmed the show with widescreen delivery in mind so the whole series could be aired in widescreen when the market evolved.<ref name="hd_for_scrubs"/>

All nine seasons have been released on [[DVD-Video|DVD]] in 4:3 format. However, the eighth season was also released on [[Blu-ray Disc]] in the original widescreen format.

===Music===
Music plays a large role in ''Scrubs''. A wide variety of rock, pop, and [[Indie (music)|indie]] artists are featured, and almost every episode ends with a musical montage summing up the themes and plot lines of the episode, and the music for these montages is often picked even before the episodes are completely written.<ref name="Kristine">{{cite web|first=Kristine |last=Diane |title=Cultivating a Cult Audience: An Interview with Scrubs Creator Bill Lawrence |work=[[Blogcritics]] |url=http://blogcritics.org/video/article/cultivating-a-cult-audience-an-interview/ |date=May 8, 2006 |access-date=February 11, 2007}}</ref>

Members of the cast and crew were encouraged to contribute song suggestions, with many ideas coming from series creator Bill Lawrence, writer [[Neil Goldman and Garrett Donovan|Neil Goldman]], and actors Zach Braff (whose college friends [[Cary Brothers]] and [[Joshua Radin]] appear on the ''Scrubs'' soundtrack) and [[Christa Miller]] (who selected [[Colin Hay]] and [[Tammany Hall NYC]]). According to Lawrence, "Christa picks so much of the music for the show that a lot of the writers and actors don't even go to me anymore when they have a song. They hand it to her."<ref name="Kristine" />

Featured songs present in the original broadcasts appear unaltered in the DVD release of the show. However, a handful of songs were replaced in the versions released to streaming services such as [[Netflix]] and [[Hulu]] due to licensing issues.<ref>{{cite tweet|first=Zach|last=Braff|user=zachbraff|number=218058240968228864|date=June 27, 2012|title=RT @BradMcHargue The Netflix version of Scrubs uses different songs in a # of the episodes. Why?" The music license didn't cover Netflix.}}</ref>

''Scrubs'' featured a musical episode in the sixth season, "[[My Musical]]", guest-starring Tony-nominated ''[[Avenue Q]]'' actress [[Stephanie D'Abruzzo]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/scrubs-musical-episode-with-qs-dabruzzo-premieres-jan-18-com-137771|title='Scrubs' Musical Episode, with Q's D'Abruzzo, Premieres Jan. 18|last=Gans|first=Andrew|date=January 18, 2007|website=Playbill|access-date=December 13, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |work=[[TV Guide]] |first=Angel |last=Cohn |title=Why You Must "Tune" In to Tonight's Scrubs Musical! |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/Tune-Tonights-Scrubs-35612.aspx |date=January 18, 2007 |access-date=February 11, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322194215/http://www.tvguide.com/news/Tune-Tonights-Scrubs-35612.aspx |archive-date=March 22, 2009 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The episode was nominated for five [[Primetime Emmy Award|Emmy Awards]], winning one.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.emmys.com/shows/scrubs |title=Scrubs |access-date=December 14, 2018 |work=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences}}</ref>

====Theme song====
The theme song of the series, performed by [[Lazlo Bane]], is titled "[[Superman (Lazlo Bane song)|Superman]]", and can be found on the album ''[[All the Time in the World (Lazlo Bane album)|All the Time in the World]]'', as well as on the first ''Scrubs'' soundtrack. Lawrence credits Braff for finding and suggesting "Superman" as the theme song,<ref name="Bill"/> with the specific lyric "I'm no Superman" serving as an allusion to the fallibility of the lead characters.

The ''Scrubs'' main title is performed at a faster tempo than the original recording of the song. The original, slower recording was used briefly at the beginning of season two, played during an extended version of the title sequence, as well as the opening for "[[My Urologist]]", and a special edit of the title sequence for resulting in roughly 1–2 seconds of music, followed by the line "I'm no Superman", accompanied by a quick flash of credits. The original introduction from season one was used through most of season three and then used for seasons four through eight. In the ninth and final season, a new version of "Superman" is used, performed by WAZ.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://abc.go.com/music-lounge/artist/waz/325351 |title=WAZ&nbsp;— Music Lounge&nbsp;— ABC.com |website=Abc.go.com |access-date=January 2, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091203183652/http://abc.go.com/music-lounge/artist/waz/325351 |archive-date=December 3, 2009 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

====Soundtracks====
{{Main|List of Scrubs soundtracks}}
Three official soundtracks have been released. The first soundtrack, ''Music From Scrubs'', was released on CD on September 24, 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000066BZU/|title=Scrubs Soundtrack|work=Amazon.com|access-date=August 20, 2010}}</ref> The second soundtrack, ''Scrubs Original Soundtrack Vol. 2'', was released exclusively on iTunes on May 9, 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/scrubs-vol-2-original-soundtrack/id151910966|title=Scrubs, Vol. 2 (Original Soundtrack)|work=iTunes|access-date=August 20, 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100809122053/http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/scrubs-vol-2-original-soundtrack/id151910966|archive-date=August 9, 2010|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The third soundtrack, ''"My Musical" Soundtrack'', featured the music composed and performed in musical episode "My Musical"; it was released on Amazon.com and iTunes on August 7, 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00138KMN8/|title=Scrubs "My Musical"|work=Amazon.com|access-date=August 20, 2010}}</ref>

====Featured musical contributors====
[[Colin Hay]], the former frontman of [[Men at Work]], has had music featured in at least seven episodes, and has appeared in the episode "[[My Overkill]]", performing the song "[[Overkill (Men at Work song)|Overkill]]" as a street musician, and in the episode "[[My Hard Labor]]" performing "[[Down Under (song)|Down Under]]". Hay also sings "[[Where Everybody Knows Your Name]]", the theme from ''[[Cheers]]'', in the episode "[[My Life in Four Cameras]]" and the episode "[[My Philosophy]]" features Hay's song "[[Waiting For My Real Life To Begin]]", sung by several members of the cast. He also appeared in "My Finale".

The music of [[Joshua Radin]], who is a friend of ''Scrubs'' star Zach Braff,<ref>{{cite web|first=Zach |last=Braff |author-link=Zach Braff |date=February 19, 2006 |url=http://gardenstate.typepad.com/zach_braffs_garden_state_/2006/02/joshua_radingoo.html |title=Joshua Radin=Good |access-date=November 1, 2009 |work=Zach Braff's Garden State Blog}}</ref> appeared in six episodes.

Music by [[Keren DeBerg]] has featured in 15 episodes, and she appeared in "My Musical" as an extra in the song "All Right".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.last.fm/music/Keren+DeBerg/+wiki |title=Keren DeBerg's Biography |website=Last.fm |access-date=August 13, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090423233943/http://www.last.fm/music/Keren%2BDeBerg/%2Bwiki |archive-date=April 23, 2009 }}</ref>

[[Clay Aiken]] appeared in the episode "My Life in Four Cameras" and performed the song "[[Isn't She Lovely?]]" by [[Stevie Wonder]].

====The Worthless Peons====
{{Main|The Blanks}}

The Worthless Peons (also known as Ted's Band, The Blanks, or in the "[[My Way Home (Scrubs)|My Way Home]]" Director's Cut, as "[[Foghat]]") are an ''[[a cappella]]'' group made up of Sacred Heart hospital employees from different departments. They are a cover band, and often sing songs from a specific genre (for example, cartoon theme songs or commercial jingles).

The Worthless Peons are played by [[The Blanks]], who are a real-life ''a cappella'' band made up of [[Sam Lloyd (actor)|Sam Lloyd]] (who plays Ted), George Miserlis, Paul F. Perry, and Philip McNiven. The Blanks' album, ''[[Riding the Wave (album)|Riding the Wave]]'', features guest appearances from Lawrence and members of the ''Scrubs'' cast. This band was put on the show when Sam Lloyd brought his ''a cappella'' band to the ''Scrubs'' cast Christmas party. Lloyd told Lawrence about his band, and Lawrence got the idea of putting them in the show.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thescreenfiend.com/exclusive-interview-with-sam-llyod-and-philip-mcniven-of-scrubs-the-blanks/|title=Exclusive interview with Sam {{as written|Llyod}} and Philip McNiven of 'Scrubs,' 'The Blanks'|work=The Screen Fiend|year=2010|access-date=February 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717025110/http://thescreenfiend.com/exclusive-interview-with-sam-llyod-and-philip-mcniven-of-scrubs-the-blanks/ |archive-date=July 17, 2011|url-status=usurped}}</ref>

The Worthless Peons also sing the theme song to the web series ''Scrubs: Interns'', which features the new interns from season eight learning about the hospital in the same way that J.D. did in season one. ''Interns'' is aired on the ABC website.

===Title sequence===
The chest [[X-ray]] featured at the end of the title sequence was hung backwards for most of the first five seasons. Lawrence has stated that having the X-ray backwards was intentional as it signified that the new interns were inexperienced.<ref name="Bill">Bill Lawrence in the audio commentary for [[My First Day]]</ref> During Zach Braff's audio commentary on "[[My Last Chance (Scrubs)|My Last Chance]]", he states that the error was actually unintentional. The error became somewhat infamous and was even parodied in "[[My Cabbage (Scrubs episode)|My Cabbage]]".

An attempt was made to fix the error in the extended title sequence used at the beginning of season two that included [[Neil Flynn]], but the extended sequence (including corrected X-ray) was soon scrapped due to fan and network request. Finally, in "[[My Urologist (Scrubs episode)|My Urologist]]", Dr. Kim Briggs steps into the credits and switches the X-ray around, saying, "That's backwards; it's been bugging me for years". At the beginning of season eight, when the series switched to ABC, the chest X-ray was once again backwards.

The ninth season features a new title sequence with a new version of the theme song "Superman" performed by WAZ.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/superman-single/id345106030 |title=Superman – Single by Waz |website=iTunes |date=December 8, 2009 |access-date=August 7, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819102133/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/superman-single/id345106030 |archive-date=August 19, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The new title sequences features the four new characters–Denise, Lucy, Drew, and Cole, as well as Dr. Cox and Turk, while J.D. is seen at the end placing the chest X-ray. In all season nine episodes that do not feature J.D., he is absent from the title sequence and Lucy is the one placing the X-ray. The X-ray at the end of the sequence is also not backwards and the subtitle "Med School" appears at the end of the sequence.

=== Podcast ===
On March 31, 2020, Zach Braff and Donald Faison launched their ''Scrubs''-themed podcast ''Fake Doctors, Real Friends'' in partnership with [[iHeartRadio]] in which Braff and Faison rewatch each episode and give behind-the-scenes details on the series.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fake Doctors, Real Friends with Zach and Donald|url=https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-fake-doctors-real-friends-60367049/|access-date=January 22, 2021|website=iHeartRadio}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/tv/scrubs-rewatch-podcast-zach-braff-donald-faison-fake-doctors-real-friends/ |title=Exclusive: Scrubs stars Zach Braff and Donald Faison have officially launched their rewatch podcast Fake Doctors, Real Friends |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |first=Omar |last=Sanchez |date=March 31, 2020 |access-date=January 22, 2021}}</ref>

==Reception==
[[File:Zach Braff 2011 Shankbone.JPG|left|thumb|175px|Zach Braff's portrayal as J.D. received critical acclaim, earning him one [[Emmy Award|Emmy]] and three [[Golden Globe]] nominations for his performance.]]

===Critical reception===
====First eight seasons====
Throughout its original run, ''Scrubs'' received critical acclaim, with many critics praising its cast, characters, and humor (especially J.D.'s fantasy sequences).<ref name="EW.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1146075,00.html |title=Scrubs Review |website=[[EW.com]]|date=January 10, 2006 |access-date=November 5, 2011|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120411184110/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C1146075%2C00.html|archive-date=April 11, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="CommonSense">{{cite web|url=http://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/scrubs|title=Scrubs – Television Review|website=[[Common Sense Media]]|date=January 7, 2011|access-date=November 5, 2011}}</ref><ref name="TTAN">{{cite web|url=http://www.truthaboutnursing.org/media/tv/scrubs/review.html|title=Scrubs television series review|website=The Truth About Nursing|date=December 3, 2006|access-date=November 5, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110225015914/http://www.truthaboutnursing.org/media/tv/scrubs/review.html|archive-date=February 25, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref> In 2006, ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''{{'}}s website [[Entertainment Weekly#Website|EW.com]] gave the overall series (the review was made early after the [[Scrubs season 5|fifth-season]] premiere) a grade of "A−", with the author saying "''Scrubs'' is the trickiest comedy on TV [...] A likable, daffy, buoyant series that would be a big annoying mess if it weren't done just right, ''Scrubs'' is the very definition of nimble".<ref name="EW.com"/> [[IGN]] gave the first season a perfect score of 10. The seven following seasons were rated, respectively, 9, 9, 9, 8, 7.5, 8.3 and 7.5.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tv.ign.com/objects/825/825095.html|title=Scrubs – TV|website=IGN|access-date=November 5, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007015127/http://tv.ign.com/objects/825/825095.html|archive-date=October 7, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

The Truth About Nursing, which checks the realism of the medical series, gave ''Scrubs'' a "Nursing rating" of 1.5 out of 4 stars, but an "Artistic rating" of 3 out of 4 stars, praising that "despite the nasty and surreal elements, its characters are not above learning or growing, as they try to cope with the very real stresses of life and death at the hospital". However, the reviewer stated, "The show's portrayal of nursing has been less impressive".<ref name="TTAN"/>

Review aggregate [[Metacritic]] only assigned an average score to the [[Scrubs season 8|eighth]] and [[Scrubs season 9|ninth seasons]], with the eighth season scoring 79/100, based on four reviews only (all positives), indicating "Generally favorable reviews".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/scrubs/season-8|title=Scrubs: Season 8|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=November 5, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829060948/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/scrubs/season-8|archive-date=August 29, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
[[File:Donald Faison.jpg|thumb|175px|The ninth season's new characters were heavily criticized. However, the performances of original cast members (including Donald Faison, pictured) were praised.]]

====Ninth season====
The [[Scrubs season 9|ninth and final season]] received mixed reviews, with many critics heavily criticizing the new cast; it received a score of 64/100 on Metacritic, indicating "Generally favorable reviews".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/scrubs/season-9|title=Scrubs: Season 9|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=November 5, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830164628/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/scrubs/season-9|archive-date=August 30, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref> An [[IGN]] editor gave it a positive score of 7 out of 10, stating "even though this was not the best season, I'll always have fond memories of the show".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tv.ign.com/articles/107/1079616p1.html|title=Scrubs: Season 9 Review|first=Jonah|last=Krakow|website=[[IGN]]|date=March 24, 2010|access-date=November 5, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613031240/http://tv.ign.com/articles/107/1079616p1.html|archive-date=June 13, 2010|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

''USA Today'' reviewer Robert Bianco wrote a negative review, stating "The result is a deadly, deal-driven mistake that takes a network that has made great sitcom strides forward one unfortunate step back". He also noted that the presence of a few members of the original cast (Braff, Faison, and John C. McGinley) "only makes it harder for the new characters to take hold" (despite his additional criticism of Braff's performance).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/columnist/criticscorner/2009-11-30-critics-corner_N.htm|title=Critic's Corner Tuesday: 'Scrubs' scrapes bottom|first=Robert|last=Bianco|work=USA Today|date=December 1, 2009|access-date=November 5, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925173739/http://www.usatoday.com/life/columnist/criticscorner/2009-11-30-critics-corner_N.htm|archive-date=September 25, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref> [[Blogcritics]] gave it a mixed review, criticizing the new cast, but praising the performances by the original cast members.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogcritics.org/video/article/dvd-review-scrubs-the-complete-and/|title=DVD Review: Scrubs: The Complete And Final Ninth Season|website=[[Blogcritics]]|date=September 27, 2010|access-date=November 5, 2011}}</ref>

===Awards and nominations===
{{Further|List of awards and nominations received by Scrubs}}
[[File:JudyReyesApr2011.jpg|thumb|left|175px|[[Judy Reyes]] was nominated for four [[ALMA Awards]], winning two.]]

''Scrubs'' received 17 [[Emmy Award|Emmy]] nominations, in categories such as casting, cinematography, directing, editing, and writing, winning only two.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.emmys.com/shows/scrubs |title=Scrubs |website=Emmys.com |access-date=January 22, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122041203/http://www.emmys.com/shows/scrubs |archive-date=January 22, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Its fourth season earned the series its first nomination for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series|Outstanding Comedy Series]]. Zach Braff was also nominated that year for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series|Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series]]. The series was nominated again the following year for Outstanding Comedy Series, and won its first Emmy, for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Picture Editing for a Multi-Camera Comedy Series|Outstanding Picture Editing for a Multi-Camera Comedy Series]], for "[[My Life in Four Cameras]]" . At the [[59th Primetime Emmy Awards]], the episode "[[My Musical]]" was nominated for five awards in four categories: [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series|Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series]] (Will Mackenzie), Outstanding Music Direction (Jan Stevens) and Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics ("Everything Comes Down to Poo" and "Guy Love"); and won its second Emmy (co-winner with ''[[Entourage (American TV series)|Entourage]]''), for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (Half-Hour) and Animation|Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (Half-Hour) And Animation]] (Joe Foglia, Peter J. Nusbaum, and John W. Cook II).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2007/07/19/the-59th-primetime-emmy-awards-and-creative-arts-emmy-awards-nominees-are--24989/20070719atas01/ |title=The 59th Primetime Emmy(R) Awards and Creative Arts Emmy(R) Awards Nominees Are... |website=The Futon Critic |publisher=The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences|date=July 19, 2007|access-date=February 22, 2011}}</ref>

Braff was nominated for the Golden Globe award for [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy|Best Actor in a Television Series, Comedy or Musical]] in 2005, 2006, and 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hfpa.org/browse/?param=/member/30786 |title=Zach Braff |website=hfpa.org |publisher=The Hollywood Foreign Press Associations |access-date=February 22, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219033025/http://www.hfpa.org/browse/?param=%2Fmember%2F30786 |archive-date=February 19, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

The show won the 2002, 2008, and 2009 [[Humanitas Prize]], an award created for rewarding human dignity, meaning, and freedom. It also won a [[Peabody Award]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.peabodyawards.com/award-profile/scrubs |title=Scrubs (NBC) |website=peabodyawards.com |publisher=The Peabody Awards |date=May 2007 |access-date=September 23, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117195004/http://www.peabodyawards.com/award-profile/scrubs |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
{{clear}}

==References {{Anchor|Notes}}==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{notelist}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote|Scrubs (TV series)|Scrubs}}
{{commons category|Scrubs (television programme)|Scrubs}}
* {{IMDb title|0285403|Scrubs}}

{{Scrubs}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:2000s American comedy-drama television series]]
[[Category:2000s American medical television series]]
[[Category:2000s American single-camera sitcoms]]
[[Category:2000s American workplace comedy television series]]
[[Category:2001 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:2010 American television series endings]]
[[Category:2010s American comedy-drama television series]]
[[Category:2010s American medical television series]]
[[Category:2010s American single-camera sitcoms]]
[[Category:2010s American workplace comedy television series]]
[[Category:American television series revived after cancellation]]
[[Category:American English-language television shows]]
[[Category:Metafictional television series]]
[[Category:Peabody Award–winning television programs]]
[[Category:Scrubs (TV series)| ]]
[[Category:Television series by ABC Studios]]
[[Category:Television series created by Bill Lawrence (TV producer)]]
[[Category:Television shows set in California]]
[[Category:American Broadcasting Company sitcoms]]
[[Category:NBC sitcoms]]
[[Category:Television series set in hospitals]]