Scrubs
8:30 P.M. THURSDAY, NBC
RATING: 3 EXCLAMATION POINTS
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I’m going to miss “Scrubs” when it ends its seven-year run.
Zach Braff’s screw-up J.D., John C. McGinley’s put-down king Dr. Cox, Ken Jenkins’ crabby Dr. Kelso. Even Robert Maschio’s deluded The Todd!
When the hospital comedy debuted in 2001, its wacky story-telling gave it a fresh, never-before-seen feel. Strange single-camera comedies have overtaken TV since, but still the doctors and nurses — and the crabby janitor — at Sacred Heart Hospital paved the way.
The series may be fanciful and silly, but the characters are real and relatable. We all know people like these — although they may be a little less bizarre.
But enough with the philosophical crap. I love this show because it always cracks me up.
Thursday’s season premiere is no exception. It picks up where last season ended, with J.D. and Elliot (Sarah Chalke) once again about to rekindle their on-again, off-again romance because, as J.D. says, they are “both on the verge of making giant commitments” to other people.
J.D. is living with his pregnant-after-their-first-date girlfriend Kim , while Elliot plans to marry Keith Dudemeister.
The commitment crisis gives J.D. and Turk (Donald Faison) a chance to analyze J.D.’s past flings with gals such as Mo Butt, Tina Two Kids, Rumple Fugly and Gift Shop Girl.
Dr. Cox, always eager to rain on someone’s parade, is quick with the name-calling as always. He creates his first-ever Who-Cares-ies Awards, nominating “Barbie” Reid (Elliot), “Dame Judi” Dorian (J.D.), “Ghandi-idiot” (Turk) and The Todd for various reasons.
Who wins? Viewers do, with the start of another season of laughs.
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cwwagner@tribune.com
