Summary
AScrubsrevival is in the works, but recent teases hint that new episodes will be a tad darker than the series we remember. The original long-running sitcom was full of slapstick humor with a touch of drama, providing a surprisingly realistic look at the inner workings of hospitals through surrealism and outrageous daydreams. JD (Zach Braff) was the eternally optimistic protagonist, and this was a significant part ofScrubs' success. However, based on the premise of the upcoming revival, the newScrubsseries may have a harder time managing the emotional balance of its predecessor.
Fans ofScrubs(myself included) have been requesting a reboot series for years, which makes the news that one is finally on the way pretty darn exciting. While the project isn’t officially confirmed, creatorBill Lawrence is confident that aScrubsrevival will happen, and star Braff has said that if Lawrence is in, so is the rest of the cast. All that is needed before a script is underway is an official pitch, which Lawrence and Braff seem to have already worked out. Both showrunner and star have teased their hoped angle for theScrubsrevival, which may end up leaning on the darker side.
The Scrubs Revival: Confirmation, Cast, Story & Everything We Know
A revival of Scrubs has been in high demand since the show went off the air in 2010, and now it’s moving forward.
The Scrubs Revival Will Confront Today’s Medical Challenges
Scrubs May Have A Rather Serious Start
Lawrence noted that he is eager toconfront today’s medical challenges in theScrubsrevival, explaining that it’s been a “tough road” for medical personnel lately and that they are “very heroic” to him. Though Lawrence didn’t get into any more detail,the first thing that comes to my mind when considering today’s medical challenges is the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the deaths of over 1 million people in the United States alone. This tragedy turned hospitals all over the world upside down, so there is certainly a lot for theScrubsrevival to explore here.
COVID-19 is a fresh wound in medical history, so the revival exploring such a topic could be controversial, especially in the political sense.
Scrubsoften confronted tricky subjects, but a global pandemic was almost unimaginable back in the early 2000s when the series aired. COVID-19 is a fresh wound in medical history, so the revival exploring such a topic could be controversial, especially in the political sense. Of course, this isn’t to say that I think Lawrence’sScrubscould steer clear. Exploring how COVID-19 affects hospitals and medical workers through character liks JD, Turk, Karla, and Elliot could be impactful and memorable. Still,it’s hard to imagine such a series matching the tone of theoriginalScrubs.
Original Scrubs Star Teases Big Changes For JD’s Character
Zach Braff’s Hopes For JD Line Up With Lawrence’s Idea
Lawrence isn’t the only one who has shared some subtle teases regarding theScrubsrevival. Braff, who played Dr. John Dorian (JD), might not have the final say regarding the script, but he has expressed (viaScreen Rant) some hopes for his character. Braff pointed out that, in the 14 years sinceScrubsended in 2010,JD would be a seasoned doctor who might have lost some of the fantastical optimismhe had when he was younger. So, theScrubsrevival might explore what JD’s new professional world looks like as he aims to reclaim that old sense of wonder:
Well, I think that… You know, JD is a grown a** man now, and so Scrubs would still have his imagination. But I think he’s more in the Dr. Cox position these days. He’s the senior doctor to the hospital.
I think it would be interesting to find him yearning for some of the innocence of his youth, and finding ways to sort of get back to the character that everyone fell in love with. To me, that would be interesting, seeing him having lost some of his joy, and going in search for finding some of the joy of his youth.
Braff’s idea certainly makes sense, and it’s an excellent foundation for a revival series. However, there’s something tragic about JD having “lost some of his joy,” especially when considering his position in combination with Lawrence’s idea.Modern medical challenges like COVID-19 have taken a very real toll on medical professionals, and understandably, JD would need to work to regain some of the optimism of his youth. Still, it’s a bleak way to begin a comedy series.
TheScrubsrevival is only in talks, so a solid pitch, script, and confirmation are still a ways off.
Scrubs Always Balanced Emotion With Comedy (But Can The Revival Manage?)
A More Serious Start To The Scrubs Revival Could Be Great
While it seems like theScrubsrevivalwill begin on a darker note than where the original series left off, this could potentially be a good thing. In this day and age, reboots and revivals are a dime in a dozen, and most fail before they even make it off the ground. Nostalgia for old characters can only carry an audience for so long, so a series that hopes to have any sort of longevity needs a stronger hook. Lawrence’s idea of exploring challenges in today’s medical field could certainly be this—but it will have to come with a whole lot of heart and laughs.
While a topic as fresh as COVID-19 might be a little harder to manage, the Scrubs revival has the perfect opportunity to inspire viewers with a powerful message.
Scrubsmay have been slapstick and nonsensical, butthe series had a unique way of looking at emotional or important topics with a healthy amount of fun. While a topic as fresh as COVID-19 might be a little harder to manage, theScrubsrevival has the perfect opportunity to inspire viewers with a powerful message. The United States and the rest of the world are still recovering from the pandemic, and the medical field, especially, is feeling the strain. However, as JD recovers his optimism, perhaps the world can join him. TheScrubsrevival can be a reminder that comedy and imagination can see us through.
Scrubs
Cast
Scrubs is a Sitcom and Medical Comedy/Drama created by Bill Lawrence that follows a group of medical students throughout their daily lives at the Sacred Heart Teaching Hospital. The series stars Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke, and Donald Faison, as they work their way up from Medical Interns while juggling all sorts of hospital shenanigans.
