‘Scrubs’ Season Nine News

***SPOILER ALERT: I discuss the finale of Scrubs season eight and general casting news and ideas being thrown around by ABC for season nine.***



Okay, so ABC did officially renew Scrubs for a ninth season yesterday. I’m torn because I’m bummed since there is a large chance they could fuck the show up royally and, like I’ve said before, turn it into something that resembles Saved By the Bell: The Sucky New Class. Plus, I’ve already said my goodbyes and I was completely prepared for this to be the end. But I love Scrubs and the writing and the characters, so a part of me is excited to see it continue.

But how will it continue? At the end of the season eight finale, which we all thought was the series finale (perhaps including show creator Bill Lawrence as he directed and penned this episode and called it “My Finale”), J.D. had left Sacred Heart and taken a job at a hospital in another town so he could live closer to his son. There was a nice “this is what could happen to all of your beloved characters!” montage, and then the credits rolled. Now that we know that wasn’t the end for the actual show though, it appears that was just the end for J.D.

ABC is looking to focus on the new class of interns that came in this season, which HOPEFULLY includes Lee Thompson Young’s character (surgical intern Derek), in order to move the show forward and most likely to cut costs (new actors, lower salaries). Zach Braff and Sarah Chalke have both signed on for the first six episodes of the season to perform some sort of “transition” while Donald Faison and John C. McGinley are contracted to play series regulars. Judy Reyes is not currently under contract to appear in the ninth season, but will most likely perform as a “regular” guest star of sorts.

There is also much talk of changing the format of the show from single-camera to perhaps a multi-camera setup, but no official word has been given. Furthermore, regarding the format, Bill Lawrence has not discussed what will happen with the narration of the series now that J.D. is no longer the main character on the show.

I’m genuinely interested to see how this is all going to turn out, but you can understand my apprehension based on the fact that the show is going to have to undergo a multitude of changes in order to proceed.

Whether it sinks or floats, Scrubs will be back in 2010 airing Mondays at 9:00pm.

UPDATE 8:16am 24 May 2009:

This update is official AND it references Frasier. Zach Braff took to his Myspace blog to clear up any confusion regarding Scrubs season 9. Here's what ZB had to say:

To clear up the confusion:
Scrubs will be coming back, but in a new incarnation. Scrubs as we've all known it is over. That chapter is closed. But as there are so many fans of the characters and writing of the show worldwide, the powers that be have decided to try and keep them alive a little longer (in the spirit of "Frasier" being a new chapter of "Cheers".)

I will be in the first 6 episodes of this new incarnation to help transition the show into what it will become. And then I will be off to work on some new projects that I'm very excited about/ write my new movie/continue to learn how to fly airplanes. :)) As to what the new show is? That's only clear in the mind of Bill Lawrence at this time.

I know many of you will have very strong opinions on this topic. And I respect them all. But first and foremost, if any of you were in a position to put about 200 people whom you really loved back to work in this economy, you would do it in a second. That has always been in the back of Bill's and my mind; we just didn't imagine ABC would ever give us the opportunity to keep it going.

If anyone can find an interesting new shape for the show it's Bill. Don't hate it until you see what he comes up with. Once its up and going there will be plenty of time for you to decide whether you love it or hate it.

Hope this clarifies a few things. That's all the info there is on that right now... I hope this finds you smiling,
love,
zb

Hilariously enough, I called him ZB before I had seen the end of the blog where he had signed it as such. TWINSIES?!?!