Scrubs (Released 2001)

About Scrubs

Scrubs is an American sitcom that premiered in 2001. It is a unique concoction of surreal comedy and serious drama, masterfully blended to narrate the life of young staff members at Sacred Heart Hospital. The series provides a vivid portrayal of the light, as well as the dark side of the medical world, through the eyes of the central character, Dr. John Dorian (JD).

Making / Production

The creative force behind Scrubs is Bill Lawrence, who developed the show. The series was shot in a real-life defunct hospital, the North Hollywood Medical Center, to lend authenticity to the setting. It often broke the fourth wall and introduced an abstract narrative style, using JD's narration, dream sequences and comic fantasies.

Actors

• Zach Braff as Dr. John Dorian (JD): The series' protagonist, JD is a young medical intern learning the ropes at the hospital, bringing Braff's charm and comic timing alive.
• Sarah Chalke as Dr. Elliot Reid: A fellow intern and JD's love interest, Chalke plays the role of the ambitious, anxious and quirky Elliot with brilliant panache.
• Donald Faison as Dr. Chris Turk: Faison plays JD's best friend and confident surgeon Turk, embodying the character’s athleticism and humor).
• John C. McGinley as Dr. Perry Cox: The tough, borderline abrasive, but deeply insightful mentor, Dr. Cox's character is brought to life by McGinley's dynamic acting.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The janitor’s character was originally supposed to appear only in the first season. However, his popularity with the audience led to him becoming a regular character.
• Many of the stories told in the series were based on real experiences shared by actual doctors with the show's production team.
• JD and Turk's iconic bromance was actually inspired by the real-life friendship between actor Zach Braff and Donald Faison.

Awards

The series received considerable critical acclaim, bagging 17 Emmy nominations during its nine-season run. It also won the prestigious Peabody Award in 2006 for its unique ability to blend drama and comedy.

Quotes

• "I can't do this all on my own. No, I know, I'm no Superman." - JD
• "The only way to be seen as a great surgeon is to actually be a great surgeon." - Dr. Cox
• "It looks like a stuffed animal from a crane game." - Dr. Elliot Reid, talking about the plush face of Rowdy, their resident Dog Cadaver

Music, Soundtrack

• The theme song, "Superman" by Lazlo Bane, mirrors JD's struggle and aspiration throughout his medical career.
• The soundtrack of Scrubs is peppered with a mix of pop, rock, and indie music, contributing significantly to the overall appeal of the series.
• Apart from the captivating musical scores, the series employed sound effects to complement the narrative's comic and surreal moments like the iconic "Eagle" yell.