"Scrubs"....no one talks about it anymore

Well, it certainly looks like NBC is pushing this series out the door,

Mike...

Is Scrubs still on the air? Are you sure?

but does anyone else think the series is probably having its best
season, at least in terms of storytelling?

Ronnie...

They're showing double episodes every week, and that connotes pushing it
out the door?

Taylor...

Oh, they wouldn't have bothered to have even aired it this year (spring)
if they hadn't already shot the series. They didn't even want it this
year at all.

SoHillsGuy...

When a show is held off the fall schedule, then put on a double-run

David...

NBC was having big problems and by now it was obvious that "Scrubs"
wasn't going to be the answer so they thought they'd be better off
with new shows. And, given that "My Name Is Earl" and "The Office"
took off, they were right.

schedule, it's more likely to be seen as a "burning off" process. If

karl...

But that "double run" is one new show and one re-run. They are not burning
off two episodes a week. In fact given that they are featuring the re-run as
various cast members' favourites along with podcast commentaries. It is more
like they are trying to attract a larger audience.

SoHillsGuy...

Yes, now it's one new/one rerun, but the double-run of fresh episodes
ran for the first six weeks.

I'm not saying conclusively it's a burn-off, but it could be seen that
way.

Taylor...

Yeah. It's all just gimmicks, gimmicks much like the failed, yet
long-running Drew Carey show doing live episodes, improv episodes,
spot-the-errors episodes. It's what mediocre shows in terms of quality
w/ a small, but loyal audience do in order to attract attention. Yet,
Scrubs was never mediocre. It was quirky and good and occasionally very
funny.

David...

They have to double-run the episodes or the season wouldn't have ended
before July.

NBC really had any future plans for it, they'd be moving it into some
of the voids on Thursday for the stretch run, such as in the
newly-vacated "Four Kings" slot.

karl...

I think that would be a good idea too but I imagine they are employing some
circular reasoning: They want a show with bigger ratings for Thursday but it
isn't getting the bigger ratings without moving to Thurs.

David...

Something has to air on Tuesday, and the fact that it leads off a key
hour and is even allowed to air reruns means that NBC is behind it.

I hope I'm wrong, though. I'd still give it a 50/50 chance of
returning next year.

karl...

Given NBC's lack of hits I think it's chances are a little better than
that - maybe 2 in 3.

David...

There was a mention in the Hollywood Reporter that ABC may be
considering it since it's a Disney production. I guess how it's doing
on dvd and selling in syndication will play a big factor.

Scott P...

I thought I read that if NBC cancels, ABC is a lock to take it over
because the guy who developed it now heads their programming. I could
be wrong though.

Rob Jensen...

I wouldn't be surprised if ABC were to pick it up -- the net's sibling
company, Touchstone, produces it. And ABC is hurting for sitcoms.

-- Rob

karl...

If true it could explain why it got such a rough scheduling. Often departed
person's projects are given the short shrift because they are departed.

Taylor...

Ugh, so they want another 'Hop & Faith' and 'Less Than Perfect' middling
series and worse, one on its absolute last leg?! Perhaps dump it on CW
this Fall.

David...

The emphasis put on ratings isn't what it was 5 years ago, which is
good for people will less mainstream tastes and for creating variety.
Just look athe primetime schedule for the 2000-2001 season and you'll
see how mostly generic and bland it is.

David...

Whether it comes back or not, a 5-year run for a show that was never
popular, didn't win any major awards, and wasn't talked about much by
the critics is impressive and NBC deserves credit for keeping it on.

Taylor...

You said that beautifully, David in a way I was thinking, but couldn't
have said so accurately.

ANIM8Rfsk...

Second episode is a rerun.

The last three or four in particular have been outstanding, though alas
it seems no one is noticing.

Steve Maser...

Most people don't really say much about shows that are just
consistently good.

Zombie Elvis...

True. Most of the posts I have seen about Scrubs are from people
complaining that it isn't good anymore.

Apart from one episode this season (in which all the gags fell flat --
the one about the staff picture, I think) -- this season has been as
top-notch as the rest of them.

With Arrested Development gone, Scrubs is the only comedy I look
forward to on a regular basis.

Zombie Elvis...

Although I'm also fond of My Name is Earl and The Office, I otherwise
agree with this remark.

- Steve

karl...

I was thinking the same thing: probably the best sitcom on TV. They had the
guy who plays Turk on KTLA morning news show yesterday.

While NBC did make it hard on the show moving it constantly and not putting
it in the fall lineup they do seem to be giving it a chance with the double
run on Tuesday.

Personally I think it should start the Thursday night lineup. It would fit
in well with Earl and the Office.

Taylor...

Oh, they're just burning it off this season since it was a show that's
concept is meant to have a very small, but loyal audience w/ a 5 or 6
year run tops. It's not meant to be a Seinfeld or Everybody Loves
Raymond getting 9 years and 20-35 million viewers. Yeah, they moved it
around too often, but they've given it a fair enough shot during its run.

karl...

Ya. What network wants every show to be a Seinfeld or ELR.