ABC Announces Scrubs Timeslot

Scrubs survives to see its eighth season. ABC announces the medical sitcom will debut Jan. 6 starting at 9 p.m eastern time. Fans will get double episodes for two weeks until ABC settles on which show will receive its 9:30 p.m. slot.

This is the first season Scrubs will air on ABC. Through seven seasons on NBC, fans watched as medical interns John Dorian (J.D.), Christopher Turk (Turk), and Elliot Reid became fully-fledged attending physicians at the not-so-glamorous Sacred Heart Hospital. Its unique sense of humor, largely driven by each character's flaws (and J.D.'s random daydreams), captured a segment of dedicated fans. That segment, however, was not large enough for NBC, and Scrubs dodged cancellation threats year after year.

Its seventh season appeared to be Scrub's last until a writer's strike interrupted its filming. Not enough episodes were filmed to resolve the major storylines, and the series finale was an ordinary episode that aired out of order. Fans complained that the seventh season didn't hold up to past seasons and were especially disappointed with the conclusion. But NBC refused to pick up another season, and ABC stepped in to air the eighth season.

Creator Bill Lawrence notes the recent fan discontent and promises to fix it in the eighth season. The diagnosis? Too much relationship drama, not enough light-hearted zany humor, and a general lack of closure. The cure? Going back to the show's original roots.

Writer Joel Keller on the TV Squad received a sneak peak at two episodes: "My Jerks" and "My Last Words." His verdict? Lawrence is making good on his promise. In particular, he notes a return to the show's classic goofy humor and more hospital-centered stories.

But whether or not the show gets stellar or mediocre ratings, season eight may be Scrub's last. With key actors Zach Braff (J.D.) and Judy Reyes (Nurse Carla) leaving, Scrubs may face its end or a major rehauling of the show. The series may even continue on by focusing on a new batch of interns.

Scrubs, Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 9 p.m. Eastern on ABC

Sources: Adalian, Josef. "ABC slots Scrubs, solidifies winter schedule." TV Week. http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/11/abc_slots_scrubs_solidifies_wi.php; Keller, Joel. "Scrubs season eight-an early look." TV Squad. http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/11/11/scrubs-season-eight-an-early-look/