Revisiting Scrubs: Unveiling the Bitter Truth 22 Years Later

Article Overview

Scrubs strikes a unique balance between absurd humor and the sobering realities of hospital life, making it a timeless and dynamic sitcom.

The show's rapid and irreverent humor is a standout, but not every joke hits its mark, creating a viewing experience that combines both laughter and discomfort.

The final season of Scrubs is widely considered a misstep, as alterations to the main cast and setting diminish the reputation of the cherished earlier seasons.

Despite being considered one of the best sitcoms of the 2000s, Scrubs, after 22 years, now presents flaws that are becoming increasingly difficult to overlook. Originally airing in 2001, this hospital-based sitcom immediately stood out due to its perfect blend of witty humor and the harsh realities of hospital life. Its innovative approach to storytelling was ahead of its time, earning praise from real doctors for its accurate portrayal of medical situations. Even today, the show's exceptional cast and intelligent writing make it worth revisiting, but subsequent viewings reveal some hard truths.

Like any sitcom, Scrubs encountered its fair share of challenges, and its willingness to take risks exposed it to even greater potential pitfalls. Surprisingly, however, the majority of these risky decisions paid off, allowing the show to remain relevant and engaging to this day. Nonetheless, it is essential to acknowledge the show's shortcomings. Some of these stem from external factors like network pressure and industry politics, while others are simply the natural missteps that occur when a show continuously strives to keep itself fresh.

Scrubs’ Absurd Humor Is Hit-or-Miss

The Show's Surreal Jokes Sometimes Fall Flat

The quick and absurd humor of Scrubs contributes to its greatness. The constant flow of jokes, filled with irreverence, balances the serious subject matter that Scrubs tackles, which is often considered too dark for sitcoms. However, this relentless and heightened humor comes with a downside - not every joke lands successfully. The high-concept nature of Scrubs' humor means that when a joke falls flat, it is quite noticeable, leading to a viewing experience that can alternate between laughter and cringing.

JD Is Often Hard To Like

Scrubs' Protagonist Can Be Shockingly Selfish

Scrubs stands out in various aspects, including its protagonist. While many sitcoms rely on a "straight-man" character, someone detached, sensible, and sarcastic, for their lead role, Scrubs takes a different approach. JD, the main character, is one of the goofiest and most ridiculous characters in the show. However, this portrayal can become tiresome after eight full seasons with JD in the spotlight. Moreover, his immaturity often leads to infuriatingly selfish choices, particularly in his treatment of Elliot, which is a low point in the series. Nonetheless, the internal monologue employed in the show helps to maintain the viewer's support for JD.

Scrubs’ Final Season Was A Mistake

Scrubs Season 9 Aired From 2009-2010

Following a satisfying conclusion in season 8, where JD's storyline reached a perfect culmination, the show decided to venture into uncharted territory with a ninth season. Unfortunately, Scrubs season 9 fell flat due to several reasons. The decision to relegate beloved characters like JD, Turk, and Dr. Cox to supporting roles was not well-received by fans. Additionally, the shift in setting to the less intense world of medical school added to the disappointment. Had the series been presented as a distinct spin-off, as intended by creator Bill Lawrence, the reaction may have been less negative. Instead, viewers were given a final season that sadly tarnished the legacy of the beloved eight seasons that came before it.

Jokes About JD’s Masculinity Don’t Age Well

Dr. Cox gives JD 5 "Man Cards" in Season 5 Episode 1, "My Intern's Eyes"

Although many elements of Scrubs stand the test of time, certain jokes in the show perpetuate outdated social attitudes. JD frequently becomes the target of jokes about his masculinity, often from Dr. Cox. Whether it's Cox calling JD names typically associated with girls, writing him a prescription for "two testicles," or even bestowing him with "man cards" which can be taken away for behaving in an "unmanly" manner, these moments reinforce toxic notions of masculinity. Additionally, the constant gay jokes about JD and Turk's close friendship only serve to uphold the belief that ridicule is the appropriate response to anything that deviates from the extremely limited boundaries of masculinity in the 2000s.

Turk & Carla’s Marital Troubles Are Contrived

Turk And Carla's Relationship Issues Are A Main Plot Point in Scrubs Season 4

While Scrubs has a commendable approach of maintaining consistent storylines throughout its seasons, not all of these narratives feel natural. A prime example of this is seen in the marital troubles faced by Turk and Carla during season 4. Although the show's efforts to tackle a serious topic that most sitcoms shy away from is laudable, the execution of the storyline itself feels contrived. The lowest point of this arc is witnessed in the episode titled "My Lips Are Sealed," where JD and Carla share a drunken kiss after a night out. This specific moment is completely out of character for the two and appears to be an artificial means of intensifying the conflict.

Scrubs Does Blackface (Multiple Times)

Scrubs Season 5 Features 2 Prominent Blackface Scenes

As recently as the 2000s, blackface was a common occurrence in popular sitcoms. Two episodes of Scrubs exemplify this problematic trope, which were eventually removed from streaming platforms in 2020 due to a growing awareness of its offensiveness. In the first instance, Turk convinces JD to don blackface as a prank, resulting in immediate backlash. In the second episode, JD fantasizes about Elliot and Turk merging into one person, leading to actress Sarah Chalke portraying Elliot with a bald cap and full blackface. This portrayal is particularly distressing as it is presented without any sense of irony and solely exists to deliver a lackluster punchline, reducing a White character to a caricature of a Black individual.

Laverne Should Never Have Been Killed Off

Laverne Dies In Scrubs Season 6 Episode 15, "My Long Goodbye"

Laverne is undoubtedly one of the most compelling secondary characters in Scrubs. With her straightforward demeanor, love for gossip, and profound religious beliefs, she brings an added depth to every scene she graces. The untimely death of Laverne in Season 6 of Scrubs delivers a poignant and thought-provoking two-part episode, delving into themes of faith and profound loss. However, the absence of Laverne's presence throughout the rest of the show leaves a noticeable void. It is speculated that the show's writers might have assumed Scrubs was reaching its end, leading them to not think twice about bidding farewell to Laverne a bit earlier. Yet, Scrubs unexpectedly continues for another three seasons. Eventually, Aloma Wright, the talented actress who portrays Laverne, returns to Scrubs as a different character named Nurse Shirley. Though her return is appreciated, it simply cannot recreate the same magic that Laverne brought to the show.

JD And Elliot’s Will-They-Won’t-They Doesn’t Work

JD's Romance With Elliot Begins In Scrubs' Pilot, "My First Day"

The practice of will-they-won't-they is a common trope in sitcoms, providing an easy way to maintain viewer engagement throughout multiple seasons. However, as a show continues to delay the resolution of its central pairing, the reasons for keeping them apart often feel forced and contrived. In the case of Scrubs, JD's mistreatment of Elliot over eight seasons creates a sense that he doesn't deserve her at all. While creator Bill Lawrence initially didn't intend for the characters to get together, the network insisted on it. Lawrence eventually yielded to the pressure in season 8, but since the show wasn't always building towards this union, the resulting payoff is ultimately unsatisfying.

Dr. Kelso Should Have Stayed A Villain

Kelso Steps Down As Chief Of Medicine In Scrubs Season 7, Episode 9, "My Dumb Luck"

Throughout its eight main seasons, the central characters of Scrubs undergo a transformation, as their abrasive qualities soften and they develop a greater fondness and tolerance for each other. This evolution is particularly evident in Bob Kelso, the chief of medicine, whose once prominent mean streak gradually diminishes with each passing season. While it is heartening to witness the character's growth and humanity, the absence of a noteworthy antagonist slowly erodes the show's inherent struggle, thereby diluting the satisfaction derived from its hard-earned victories. As Kelso becomes more empathetic, Scrubs veers closer to the safe and conventional sitcoms it has always rejected, thereby losing its bittersweet edge.

The Writers’ Strike Made For An Uneven Season 7

Scrubs Season 7 Aired From 2007-2008

The 2007 writers' strike had a significant impact on the show Scrubs. Originally, Bill Lawrence intended for season 7 to be the concluding season, but due to the strike, only 11 episodes were completed. As a result, Lawrence had to postpone the proper send-off until season 8. Additionally, the airing of episodes out of order led to continuity errors and disrupted the flow of ongoing storylines, which were already constrained by the forced brevity. While the season does include some strong episodes, it is generally regarded as the weakest out of the show's first eight seasons.

Scrubs is a witty and captivating Sitcom and Medical Comedy/Drama by Bill Lawrence. It takes us into the eventful lives of a group of medical students at the esteemed Sacred Heart Teaching Hospital. With Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke, and Donald Faison in the lead roles, we witness their journey from being Medical Interns while managing a myriad of comical hospital misadventures.

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

Genres: Comedy, Drama

Seasons: 9

Editor's P/S

Scrubs, the once-beloved sitcom that graced our screens in 2001, has now reached the ripe old age of 22. And like any aging celebrity, it's starting to show its wrinkles. While Scrubs will always hold a special place in my heart, I can't help but feel a little disappointed by the way it's aged.

One of the biggest issues with Scrubs is its humor. The show was always known for its quick wit and offbeat sense of humor, but it seems like the writers were trying too hard to be funny in the later seasons. The jokes became more and more forced and the show started to lose its charm. Additionally, Scrubs was never afraid to push the boundaries of good taste, but some of the jokes in the later seasons were just plain offensive.