Now, even more than two decades since its pilot dropped, Scrubs -- for the most part -- holds up. It's difficult to find that in any TV show, but especially a comedy, and yet somehow, the Bill Lawrence-created sitcom is still a funny and enjoyable watch all these years later. Earlier this month, it was announced that Lawrence was spearheading a reboot that would not only introduce new players to the medical staff at Sacred Heart, but blend them with a handful of legacy characters. In the weeks since the big reveal, audiences have been waiting for more information, and now, thanks to Collider's Christina Radish, who tossed in some Scrubs-related questions while chatting with Lawrence about the Shrinking Season 2 finale, we have a much better idea of how the reboot will take shape, and we've gotta say -- it sounds incredible.
For starters, Lawrence has an incredibly clear idea about where he wants the next chapter to pick up, not only for the characters but about how their field of expertise has shifted in the more than decade since Scrubs went off the air.
"With the creative side, the show's not going to pick up a day later. It can't. I'm interested in where these characters are, that many years later. I always remember the finale of Scrubs, in Season 8, with J.D. saying he has a dream of how things would go and, 'Tell me my fantasies won't come true, just this once.' I never said that's what happened. I'm interested, not only creatively, in where they'd be now and who they are, but also under the umbrella of what's happened to the medical world and how that looks now. And one step past that, I love stories where the students become the teachers, and that would be what has to happen in this type of world."
On a personal level, Lawrence is beyond excited to get back onto the set with his pals. He says that in the years since the show ended, the team has remained incredibly tight-knit, with everyone more than willing to return to their posts in whatever capacity that might mean.
"The cool thing about Scrubs is that people see us on social media and in real life together, all the time. Zach [Braff] hosted the Paley Center panel the other night. I hang out with John C McGinley. Sarah Chalke is coming into town. Of course, I'll see Judy [Reyes]. [Neil] Flynn is on Shrinking. We're all friends, but we're also all friends with the crew. I can start rattling off different people that have worked with and for me there, for years and years, and the writing staff.
There are two things about that reboot that are interesting to me. One is, we're all workers for hire. I'm very lucky. We're in a period right now where Hollywood isn't necessarily making tons of stuff. The opportunity, if someone says, 'Hey, would you guys be interested in making more Scrubs?,' the good thing for the show, not the greatest thing for the industry, is that so many super talented people - actors, actresses, writers, directors, etc. - that worked on that show, some of them for eight years, are available. There's a lot of excitement for us to get to do it again, and it's also cool to think of the new people that you would add in. It makes me feel old, but we meet with younger writers who are like, 'Scrubs made me want to be a comedy writer.' I'm like, 'Shut the fuck up. I'm not that old.' But I am. So, that's the business side."
And, even though some folks might be busy, Lawrence still hopes to get the entire family back together, even if that means only in a cameo capacity.
"I would be bummed if we didn't get a chance to see everybody. I'm even talking about my wife (Christa Miller). Other people have other gigs, but I think that the show would only work with a nice core of super beloved, hopefully, regulars that drive the show mixed with a bunch of new actors."
Bill Lawrence Is Ready for the Reboot Challenge Close
There's no way to sugarcoat it -- reboots are divisive. Hitting that perfect mix of something new that also pays homage to the past is a difficult balance, but Lawrence says he's up to the challenge. He told Collider:
"As far as reboots go, I'm doing it because we all wanna do it. I think it'll make us super happy, on a human level, to spend time with each other. As far as how it's going, I like the pressure of feeling nervousness from fans wanting it to be something they would like because it will make us try harder. I'm a huge TV fan. If a reboot of a show I love is coming on, I'm gonna watch it. If it's good, I'm going to be so happy. I'm just gonna watch it and enjoy it. And if it's bad, I'm going to enjoy badmouthing it to my friends because we talk about TV all day. Either way, it will be fine. But I think we're gonna nail it. My fingers are crossed. I'm hopeful."
As for the place where it all went down over the show's nine-season run, like everything else in life, time has massively changed the face of the hospital that stood in for Sacred Heart, with Lawrence revealing:
"And plus, the hospital we used to shoot out on Coldwater [Canyon in North Hollywood] is now a bunch of condos. So, even that, I would probably take a shot of that and be like, 'Oh, look, that's where Sacred Heart used to be.' That would be funny. By the way, my son knows someone that lives there and says it's nice."
Stay tuned to Collider for more information about the Scrubs reboot and stream the original series now on Peacock. And don't miss the rest of Radish's conversation with Lawrence.
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Scrubs ComedyDrama
In the unreal world of Sacred Heart Hospital, intern John "J.D." Dorian learns the ways of medicine, friendship and life.
Release Date October 1, 2001 Cast John C. McGinley , Robert Maschio , Donald Faison , Christa Miller , Neil Flynn , Judy Reyes , Aloma Wright , Zach Braff , Sarah Chalke , Sam Lloyd , Ken Jenkins Seasons 9 Story By Bill Lawrence Writers Bill Lawrence Network ABC , NBC Streaming Service(s) Hulu , Prime Video Directors Bill Lawrence Showrunner Bill Lawrence Expand
Watch On Peacock