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Why I Love…Scrubs

The cast of Scrubs
  • Posted at 2:33pm
  • 11 April 2008
  • by admin
  • 5 comments

I think there's always a point in the life of sitcoms when the creators are faced with a choice. It's the point where a show moves from just being a successful series into franchise territory. They can then go down two paths; either forsake most of the show's laughs in favour of giving the characters storylines offering more longevity like Friends. The second option is to try to ignore the onset of sitcom middle age and keep the status quo, risking staleness as a result.

Remarkably, the creators of Scrubs have straddled both paths and let the sitcom evolve while maintaining a high laugh count. Now Scrubs is gearing up for its eighth season, more people watch it than ever, and you know what? I absolutely love it!

For those of you unlucky to have missed out so far, the show tells the story of several young doctors in Sacred Heart, a hospital with such incompetent staff that if it ever existed in real life, it would have a such a high death rate that it would be statistically better to leap from the top of the Empire State Building with lead weights tied to your arms.

To me, the best thing about Scrubs is its characters in all their eccentric glory. Zach Braff's JD encapsulates the best qualities of any antihero. He's useless at love, constantly out of his depth in the hospital and spends most of his time in a world of his own. Best friend Turk and on/off love interest Elliot are equally hopeless, lurching between lauding over JD how successful their respective relationships are and being brought crashing down to earth while he stands there laughing.

Yet the supporting characters are the show's true strength. There's the cynical Doctor Cox and his brilliant put-downs; the janitor's continual torment of JD, which produces the show's best slapstick moments; evil hospital overlord Doctor Kelso with his deliciously wicked turns of phrase and his pathetic sidekick Ted, who challenges Tony Robinson's Baldrick for the crown of best sitcom loser.

Like all good series, Scrubs has also taken on a plethora of serious issues. The hospital has treated Iraq veterans, debated the battle between profit and patient health and seen countless patients die, including two of the cast's parents. But even as I feel some of the storylines tugging on my overworked heartstrings it still throws enough gags and quickfire wit to have me rolling around before I know it.

Scrubs also has a secret weapon in its bringing to life the daydreams of its characters. As someone who frequently has bizarre fantasies of his own, being able to watch JD eating a chocolate Turk, a disturbing insight into Doctor Kelso's relationship with his wife and Elliot's werewolf allergic reaction to birth control pills allows me to breathe a sigh of relief that everyone daydreams and often in the weirdest way possible.

In the end the reason why I really love Scrubs is the complete ineptitude of its characters. Turk, JD and co are going to be screwing up till the day they die, which makes watching both hilarious and, ultimately, extremely comforting.

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Comments

  • Posted on 02 October 2008
  • at 4:22pm
  • by breakdancer

Love this show. I watch it in a onesie just like JD wears

  • Posted on 26 June 2008
  • at 5:02pm
  • by Lily

I was followings the sitcom series of Scrubs and sometimes they intrigued me with their zany jokes & fantasy frolics. However I don't like so much some of the pals there. Of course JD is the greatest of all and jingle and giggle too *____* all too fictional nevertheless...Am I missing something there?

  • Posted on 26 June 2008
  • at 3:13pm
  • by gaz

I love it! Great scripts. From real comedy scenes to "true to life" hospital scenarios acted out by "great" actors who know how to entertain. Love all the characters, story lines, especially guest appearances. Favourites? Doc. Cox (and Jordan) with Elliot (the lovely Sarah Chalke) close second. Agreed All Hail the staff of Sacred Heart, long may it continue? cos all I want from a show is to be entertained.

  • Posted on 19 May 2008
  • at 7:56pm
  • by JohnoUK

Why I love Scrubs...

Well where to begin with really sums up why it is such a fantastic show I've ever seen come from America! The ability to keep views encapsulated week after week is a testimonial to the shows crew.

I stumbled across the show late one night when I was flicking through the channels late one night after work, and the scene stills is in my head.

JD was just walking out of the hospital after his first shift as an intern and walked into the door, I laughed out loud at this as it was done so perfectly, but was disappointed as the shows credits rolled. But the saving grace was it was a double bill, and the rest as they say is history.

Watching the characters evolve week by week is such a great buzz to witness.

All hail the staff of Sacred Heart!

  • Posted on 01 May 2008
  • at 1:23am
  • by shonamr

Scrubs is the best comedy show in a long time. As series go on, it's remaining clever and witty, not turning to crap like some others!

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