WithScrubsseason 10 looking more and more likely, the buzz around the medical sitcom’s comeback is made even more prominent by the workload of key figures associated with the show. The various actors, writers, directors, and producers fromScrubs' original run have gone on to work on other projects since the sitcom was canceled in 2010, butone person in particular will be especially primed to return to Sacred Heart Hospital. While aScrubsrevivalhasn’t yet been officially greenlit,showrunner Bill Lawrence has declared that the sitcom’s return is “so very close.”
All nine seasons ofScrubsare not viewed as equal, as the final run of episodes - the softly rebootedMed Schoolera - included drastic changes and was not well received. AlthoughLawrence has confirmed he once more wants to combine the originalScrubscast with new characters, the updated formula will surely not be a carbon copy of the failed ninth season. In fact,the showrunner will have learned how to improve aScrubsrevivalin ways that go far beyond the lessons he experienced due toMed Schoolcrashing and burning.
Bill Lawrence’s Extensive Experience & Success Since Scrubs Ended Is Great For The Sitcom’s Return
The Scrubs showrunner has branched out a lot since 2010
TheScrubsshowrunner used the sitcom’s success to continue an incredibly impressive career. Immediately afterScrubsended,Bill Lawrence went on to make six seasons ofCougar TownwithFriendsstar Courtney Cox in one of the starring roles. After a few less triumphant projects like 2016’sRush Hourshow and 13 episodes of 2019’sWhiskey Cavalier, Lawrence embarked on the densest period of his career withTed Lassoseason 1 in 2020.
Even the huge success ofTed Lassois impressive in isolation, but Lawrence has since gone on to serve as the creator and showrunner of other Apple TV+ shows alongside some of the biggest names in Hollywood.
Eventhe huge success ofTed Lassois impressive in isolation, but Lawrence has since gone on to serve as the creator and showrunner of other Apple TV+ shows alongside some of the biggest names in Hollywood. As well as 2023 allowing Lawrence to assemble an amazingShrinkingcast, consisting of acting legends like Harrison Ford and Jason Segal, theScrubscreator also adapted a 2016 Carl Hiaasen novel with Vince Vaughn leading theBad Monkeycast. Among all that, Lawrence also found time to revive his 2002 animated sitcomClone High, for a 2023 comeback season.
Dr. Cox’s Scrubs Revival Return Will Make Me Feel Old For 1 Very Specific Reason
I can’t wait to see John C. McGinley bring Dr. Cox to life again when Scrubs is revived, but it will make me feel incredibly ancient at the same time.
Lawrence’sScrubsformula was already great the first time around, but his knowledge and experience have been enormously added to since the show ended - especially in recent years. As such,there is no better time for Bill Lawrence to bringScrubsback. He’s on a roll both creatively and professionally, and that is great news for the sitcom’s revival. Although his ongoing ties to Apple TV+ have been an issue, Lawrence has been very vocal about the negotiations that would also allow him to work with Disney at the same time and make more episodes ofScrubs.
How Scrubs Served As The Bedrock For Bill Lawrence’s Other Comedy Shows
Scrubs' blend of comedy and drama has been reworked and applied to Lawrence’s other projects
Although it strongly engages with almost all the classic sitcom tropes,Scrubsdoesn’t shy away from devastatingly emotional moments. In fact, many ofScrubs' best episodes are also the saddest installments. Because of this, it wouldn’t be entirely inaccurate to describe the show as a dramedy rather than a traditional sitcom. The blend of comedy and drama is very close to being a 50/50 split, which makes it stand out among its sitcom contemporaries likeFriendsandEverybody Loves Raymond.
Lawrence’s post-Scrubscareer has allowed him to toy with this ratio quite a bit, especially in his Apple TV+ shows.
Lawrence’s post-Scrubscareer has allowed him to toy with this ratio quite a bit, especially in his Apple TV+ shows. If he hadn’t been able to experiment so much withScrubs, projects likeTed Lassolikely wouldn’t have had moments with such emotional gravitas. The same can be said forShrinking, which follows very closely inTed Lasso’s footsteps. EvenBad Monkey, a dark crime comedy, has recognizable elements of Lawrence’s signature approach to showrunning.
Bill Lawrence’s Other TV Shows Also Run The Risk Of Hurting Scrubs Season 10
The first time around,Lawrence was able to apply himself pretty much entirely toScrubs. Now in the throes of his golden era, the showrunner has arguably spread himself a little too thin to recapture the magic of the show’s original run. Although he has developed additional storytelling tools to bringScrubsback in a form that could be better than ever, he may not be able to be available to ensure they’re properly applied. Hopefully, his schedule allows him to pay theScrubsrevival the attention it deserves.
I’m Happy We’re Getting Scrubs Season 10, But I’d Have Loved To See Where Med School Was Headed
Scrubs: Med School was a bold new direction for the long-established sitcom, but I think it could have thrived under different circumstances.
The respective futures of Lawrence’s various Apple TV+ shows all look promising.Shrinkingseason 3 has been confirmed, and at this point,it would be very surprising ifTed Lassoseason 4 didn’t happen, along withBad Monkeyseason 2. There is even talk of a collaboration with Steve Carell for a new HBO show. With aScrubsrevival thrown into the mix, it becomes unclear when Lawrence will find the time to helm the show, and when he does, how committed his substantial workload will enable him to be.
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.
