Scrubs will have another final season on ABC, confirmed by Dr Cox!
By fred | March 12, 2008
Yes, it was previously reported that Scrubs could move to the Alphabet to end its run, but then NBC seemed not to be willing to let that happen, even though that didn’t mean they wanted to order more episodes. Yes, we all hate NBC. But it seems that the show will move to ABC after all, if you trust Dr. Cox !
Let’s recap: Scrubs is a really great & funny sitcom tha airs on NBC and has done so for about seven years now. This season was supposed to be the last one of the show, it was planned before it eve started and the creative minds behind the show knew it and were planning it. Only, as we all know, this was a very unusual season because in the middle of it came the infamous writers’ strike, and then all plans had to be adjusted, for about every show.
Scrubs was no exceptions, because not all episodes could be done. Only 11 out of the 18 episodes originally ordered were completed, meaning that there was no real ending for the series. A situation that fans wouldn’t like, and that they wouldn’t have to since creator Bill Lawrence wasn’t going to let it happen, ready to end the series on episodes released directly on DVD if he had to.
But then ABC let him know that he may not have to. Scrubs is produced by ABC Studios (formerly Touchstone), and is a “personal favorite” of ABC President Steve McPherson, who helped develop the show while he was at Touchstone and has already been courting the show before. And ABC is willing to have ABC on their schedule next year, for a full final season of no less than 18 episodes !
When the news first broke, NBC soon let everyone know that they were still in a “first negotiation period” — a period of exclusive negotiations — with ABC Studios. Seemed as if the Peacock was willing to fight for the show, but yet refused to give it any more episodes to end its run. Apparently though, a deal could be worked out.
According to John C. McGinley, the show will go to ABC : “I’ve been told to show up at work on March 24, and the 18 episodes we’re going to do starting that day will be on ABC next fall.” NBC will still air the 5 remaining episodes they have left, probably even trying to sell them as the last ones ever, like it was going to be the series finale, but others will follow, just not on NBC.
“When they’re done, there’s no wrap-up, cliffhanger or anything. It’s a show that will all of a sudden stop in the middle of its season on NBC, which is kind of a drag, but if we’re switching to ABC, I don’t really care. Steve McPherson, the guy who runs ABC, greenlit the thing when he was over at Touchstone, so it was his baby to begin with. I couldn’t be more excited.”
Of course I’m as thrilled as McGinley, this is some really great news for all fans of the show. Really proves NBC are a bunch of morons, too, but there’s nothing new there. I could even dream that next season would only be the first of many on ABC, but it is unlikely. Though I’m sure I’m not the only one who’d love that… “The fanatical fan base we have is the only reason we’re still on. It’s unbelievable. It’s the show you can’t kill, and I’m happy for it. I’d love to do it forever,” said McGinley.
NBC will air the last five episodes of this season starting April 10.
SCRUBS FOREVER! I love this show so damn much its rediculous. Everything about it is a home run. SCRUBS! SCRUBS! SCRUBS!
Fred, I love Scrubs so thanks for the update. But seriously, if you’re going to be a blogger/reporter, you should consider taking a refresher course in grammar. Or at the very least proofread before you submit.