Scrubs

Scrubs is getting quite the royal treatment at ABC, something the show has missed during its seven-year run on NBC.  For one thing, the comedy's production will be upgraded to High Definition for its eighth season. Additionally, the network has also commissioned six webisodes to give the program some promotional boost.

While the future of Scrubs appears brighter as it arrives on its new home network, some changes are bound to happen that will drastically affect the future of the show.  One of those changes is the departure of lead star Zach Braff.

The eight season of Scrubs will be Braff's last, according to show creator Bill Lawrence, who revealed the news at Wednesday's Television Critics Association press tour panel.  Although there was no announcement if the upcoming season would be the show's last, Braff in particular says he's likely headed for an exit.  On the other hand, the 33-year-old actor, who has been playing John "J.D." Dorian on the sitcom since 2001, remains open to the possibility of appearing on the series as a guest star.  He also welcomes the option of serving as a director to the show.

Braff is current attached to work on an indie movie called Open Hearts, a project he has dropped other roles for.  In this film, he will serve as actor, writer and director.

Meanwhile, Scrubs is likely to carry on without Braff as there might be a way to keep the comedy going with the new cast members, a la NBC's long running medical drama ER.

"We do think that it will not hopefully be a one-season situation," ABC Entertainment president Steve McPherson said.  "We do think there's an opportunity after that -- talking to Zach, talking to Bill -- and whether all of the cast is a part of that, I still think there's a great amount of growth there."



-Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: ABC
(Image courtesy of NBC)