Will 'Scrubs' get scrubbed? Maybe, maybe not

By Barry Garron

TCA--Conventional wisdom was that the coming season of "Scrubs," which moves to ABC midseason from NBC, would be the last. In fact, given its modest ratings and the number of time slots it occupied on NBC, it seemed incredible that the show would reach its eighth season.

But don't plan any funeral for "Scrubs." Not yet.

What is certain is that this will be the last year for Zach Braff, who plays the central character, J.D. Still, said showrunner Bill Lawrence, the series could go on without him. In fact, Lawrence gave several reasons why it might:

--It's not expensive. "It is by far the cheapest single camera comedy made," he said.

--It was originally conceived as a comic version of "E.R.," which has successfully weathered several cast changes. Like "E.R.," "Scrubs" has added new and younger cast members.

--Lawrence, though personally financially healthy, would love to keep cast and crew gainfully employed. "We've got a family and a crew of people in a landscape that is not friendly," he said.

--At ABC, the show enjoys more support than it felt at NBC. From the beginning, the show has been a Disney production, so it's all in the family.

In any event, though, a final episode has been written. Given the insecurity the series faced on NBC, "the finale for the show has been written for the last four and a half years," Lawrence said.

But when it's over, it may not be over. Lawrence said if he can come up with a continuation or spinoff of "Scrubs" that was creatively solid, the show may once again find new life.