Is this the season that will kill lots of fans’ fond memories of Scrubs? It could be.
Last night’s back-to-back new episodes showed us how the new Scrubs will work. Or not. The hospital has been replaced by a university campus, where J.D., Turk, and Dr. Cox, among others, teach. For the moment. (Zach Braff is only committed for six episodes, for example.)
Filling up time and space are new young students, most prominently Lucy (Kerry Bishe), a young, intimidated, slightly dim woman — oh, let’s just say it: she’s like the earliest incarnations of J.D. or Sarah Chalke’s Elliot, and as such is both wan and verging on irritating. So far. These things can/might change/improve. And I don’t blame Bishe, who does the best she can with the material she’s been handed.
I snickered once during the first episode: when Cox referred to Lucy as “91″ — a snap at House‘s “13″ — but also his ranking of Lucy, whose numbers only went further down on his scale as the half-hour proceeded. (The title of this review is, of course, the way Dr. Cox greeted his new students.)
In the second episode, it became clear that J.D.’s wacky-voiceover narration will be joined and soon replaced by Lucy’s wacky-voiceover narration. I laffed (that’s inside-my-head laughing) two times during these 30 minutes: at the way new character Cole (played by Dave Franco, the younger brother of some guy who’s guest-starring on General Hospital) puffs up his inflated ego and calls himself “King” Cole, and at the way Eliza Coupe’s Denise, now promoted to major-character status, referred to her waning sex-drive by saying, “I’m losin’ wood.” (Hey, I like such crudeness when it’s quick and emanates from an unexpected source… )
Not so funny: the two campus security guards, cliche bumblers, one of whom refers to his tranquilizer gun as “Megan Fox.” These guys would seem more at home in Paul Blart: Mall Cop II.
Now, creator Bill Lawrence has said he wanted to use a different title for this version of the show. My TV-historical suggestion would have been AfterScrubs, but apparently he had to settle for ABC allowing him to call it Scrubs [Med School]. (Is this is first time a network show has used brackets in its title? In any case, it’s not as though Lawrence is not aware that he’s engaging in a tricky transition, trying to please long-time Scrubs fans while fashioning a new series. So far, I’d say Lawrence’s writers will get a season out of this, and then join Lawrence in the now-juicier bagatelle that is Cougar Town.
In Jennifer Armstrong’s preview-post about Scrubs‘ premiere, a lot of commenters expressed the wish that Scrubs had just ended after its finale last season. That’s how a lot of you wanted to see it go out: on top, creatively, according to a lot of posters.
Now that you’ve seen the new Scrubs, what do you think?
I think Lucy is an earlier version of JD and not Elliot.
James Franco’s brother, thanks for that, I was thinking who is that guy????
What happened to Carla?
It was a good beginning.
Re: Carla… Judy Reyes offered to come back full time, but the PTB turned her down, so now she’s not interested in guesting. Bummer. As for me, I was hoping to pretend that AfterScrubs didn’t exist, but I’m tres curious about Franco’s little bro, so I might check it out on Hulu.
He’s the most annoying character so far. I was just wishing Denise would punch him in the face.
Seriously, I kept looking at that guy thinking “who is he? why does he look so familiar?” Now I totally see the resemblance to James Franco.
And Brody, it wasn’t so much that they turned Judy Reyes down. I think they still wanted her to be part of the show. But apparently she wanted to either be full time or nothing, and they really couldn’t figure a way for her to be full time and have it make sense. Why would a nurse be at a med school all the time?
I didn’t think it was the worst, not the best either, but my son and myself love watching it together so I will give it a chance
Here are a few thoughts from a fan of the original show.
1. The new cast members are too good looking/bland. They could have stepped out of any catalog, very forgettable especially….
2. The Joel McHale wannabe. Not only did he have McHale’s bed head style down to a T, his flunk out chance at redemption cool guy character is close to a direct rip off of McHale’s Community Character.
Now give me more of Chalke and those expanding fun bags and I’m in.
Exactly what I was thinking! I knew he looked like my favorite talking head!
I didn’t think it was horrible, but I didn’t love it either. I’ll give it a while to see if it finds its footing. Btw, Scrubs is actually [Scrubs]. So yes, brackets have been used before.
Oh almost forgot..I thought some of the funniest moments last night were with Dr. Kelso trying to get some action!! Loved it!!
Made it through exactly 7 minutes of the first episode before I started searching the DVR for something else to watch. Like the last season of the X-Files, I’m just going to pretend this season never happened.
You were late to the party – I started pretending around season 6 of the X-Files.
The X-Files had more than 6 Seasons? I call shenanigans…
I love Scrubs but they should have ended it last season. Their finale was one of the best and summed up the whole show.
I was actually sort of dreading watching it, but I was quite happy with it after watching. I had a lot more laughs than you did Ken, although I’m not sure how I’ll feel once Zach’s 6 episodes are done. It was nice to see Elliot was pregnant (I wish she was in it more), but somehow I think now that I’ve seen how everyone moved on, the show may wear thin. Hmmm, I guess I’m waiting to give my final judgement after I’ve seen a few more episodes.
Episodes were good, not great. Better than a lot of other crap on tv. Tuesday was always a dedicated Netflix night for me, but not any more.
It was all right. I’m more worried about the new character’s depth. Will we find anything under Cole’s ego once it’s (inevitably) broken? Will we care about what’s-his-name (Denise’s fling) once we learn why he failed out of med school? I have my doubts.
I’m kind of the same way. I thought Cole was really funny (this might be because I’m such a fan of the Francos…), but I don’t want him to develop into a “the Todd” character.
It was ok. The blond JD is annoying but may settle down. Still love Turk and JD but they need to grow up just a bit -Come on. Miss Carla. Could like the new #1 if he continues to not go too far over the top. Denise is always good. And Dr. Cox – still love him. But I don’t think it will last more than one season.
Oh, and HAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTE the Cole guy. UGH. Please make him flunk out.
He is funny and really really really irritating at the same time. Agree…lose him now.
aww i kinda liked it. for a tuesday night, when the only viable options i have found are 90210 and melrose place, i’d gladly watch scrubs before tuning into the good wife.
oops i forgot lost will be on tuesdays. sorry good wife. you will be replaced.
I don’t understand people’s desire for the things they love to “go out on top.” It’s like aging sports stars…who cares if they play “past their prime,” it doesn’t diminish their accomplishments or tarnish their legacy (trust me, I’m a Favre guy). Scrubs is the same way. Even if this season turns out bland, and not up to the level of the original “version” of Scrubs, who cares? It’s not going to remove the fond memories I have of the early episodes, or the wonderful moments of last season. If you don’t want to watch the new season, then don’t, no one is forcing you. But to say that the show should have ended last year is just ludicrous. I’d rather have this version of Scrubs any day over some of the other crap that pollutes our (digital) airwaves. Stay classy (and positive), San Diego.
I think the vast majority of people will disagree with you. Especially when the finale was so perfect. The show had gotten particularly bad there for a little bit, and announcing its end kind of gave it new life. I just feel like it will be watching the same show again from the beginning.
Have to love this anecdotal evidence – hey, the vast majority agrees with me!
Jon, I couldn’t agree more. I’m growing weary of the hypocrites. These are the same guys that wanted to keep it going, but now that it is, they wish it didn’t. Sure Scrubs isn’t the same without Carla, Elliot, Laverne/Shirley, the Janitor, and the peons. But I’ve given them 8 seasons… I owe them at least a few more episodes. I’d like to think they’ve earned that.
I really liked the bit about the Janitor just up and leaving after JD left – I could TOTALLY see that happening! But what of Ted? And is The Todd going to be sticking around more often? And why did no one even MENTION Carla or Jordan? And are we ever going to find out WHY JD came back? Or why everyone was suddenly OK with become professors?
And I really like Dave Franco’s character. And Drew too.
I think Jon has a point. Does anyone love MASH less because of AfterMASH?
that would be well and good if it hadn’t actually had an end show, where everything was wrapped up and resolved. Most of the cast has other shows now, and I will watch, but it really does unravel a finished sweater.
Was kind of disappointed. I don’t like the new set up, or the characters. I also didn’t like them throwing information at me and ended it (JD and Elliot are married now?! Enid died?! What else am I gonna find out, Jordan left Cox?!)
Only great part… explaining why the Janitor is not there. I lost it when he just walked away because JD was gone. Classic Janitor
You did find out that they were married on the series “finale” in the flash forward. I too loved the Janitor’s leaving. I read that Neil Flynn wrote that himself (leaving it somewhat open for him to come back every now and again).