End of line for ‘Scrubs,’ the lil’ show that could - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 10-23-2007, 09:00 PM

Don’t look now — and, judging the ratings, not many people have — but NBC’s stalwart sitcom “Scrubs” returns for its seventh and final season on Thursday.

The little comedy that could is gearing up for a final 18 episodes that will cap an improbable run in which the show remained on the air despite a lack of heavy promotion over the years, some years with little or no support from other sitcoms on the schedule and generally lackluster ratings that left its future in peril at the end of practically every TV season.

“I think this is the year that ‘Scrubs’ really becomes a big hit,” creator Bill Lawrence told a roomful of critics at the annual TV Critics Association press tour in July. “We had always kind of geared our plan towards peaking in the seventh year.”

He said it for a laugh, which he got resoundingly, but he might actually be onto something. While it would be silly to expect that the show will suddenly recoup the audience it had in its heyday (15.9 million viewers in its second season compared to 6.1 million last season), there’s good reason to believe that fans who have stuck it out this long will be rewarded with a memorable send-off.

“Scrubs” (NBC, 9:30 p.m. Thursdays) is merely following in the tradition established by many a long-running sitcom in which the second-to-last season is generally regarded as its worst, the one in which only a handful of episodes rise to the level of quality that once defined it. “Friends,” “Sex and the City” and, dare I say, “Seinfeld,” all fell into the familiar pattern, as do many comedies. And it makes sense. When a show starts to show signs of wear, it becomes apparent that the end is near, and then all the stops are pulled out in an effort to give the show a proper farewell final season.

“I think there's something really cool about knowing it's your last season,” “Scrubs” star Zach Braff said, sitting next to Lawrence in July. “I mean so many times, you know, by the time you get to the seventh season or what could be the last season, you don't know (it’s the end), and there's something really invigorating about going ‘All right. We've got 18 more.’ I think it's really going to excite the crew and the cast. … I think to go in for the final 18 knowing we're going out with a bang, we're going out with the way Bill wants to end the show, I think, I'm really, really excited to do it.”

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21250968/

catlover79 · 10-23-2007, 09:13 PM

Has Scrubs really been on that long?? Wow...kudos to the cast and crew.

Carrie · 10-24-2007, 09:33 AM

I'm looking forward to seeing what happens in season 7. I'm sorry this is the last season, but great things have to end eventually. I've enjoyed watching Scrubs and I'm glad it was on for 7 years.

Scoobiedoo30 · 10-25-2007, 01:26 PM

I know that Scrubs will be missed

Chocoholic · 10-25-2007, 07:01 PM

As much as I love Scrubs, I really think this should be its last season. It's not as funny as the first couple of seasons. I think it's about time for JD and Co. to grow up.

Still better than anything else on though.

coffield3 · 10-26-2007, 04:16 AM

I'll miss it though when it ends.

Chocoholic · 10-26-2007, 03:22 PM

Is it just me, or is Kim the most annoying woman JD has dated? Oh wait, I just remembered Jordan's sister. She was the worst.

JulieSomoski · 10-26-2007, 04:04 PM

Does anyone know the ratings the season 7 premiere got? I DVR'd it, so I'll probably watch tonight.

Carrie · 10-29-2007, 08:15 AM

It had around 6.95 million viewers. More info can be found here.

10-23-2007, 09:00 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	End of line for ‘Scrubs,’ the lil’ show that could Don’t look now — and, judging the ratings, not many people have — but NBC’s stalwart sitcom “Scrubs” returns for its seventh and final season on Thursday. The little comedy that could is gearing up for a final 18 episodes that will cap an improbable run in which the show remained on the air despite a lack of heavy promotion over the years, some years with little or no support from other sitcoms on the schedule and generally lackluster ratings that left its future in peril at the end of practically every TV season. “I think this is the year that ‘Scrubs’ really becomes a big hit,” creator Bill Lawrence told a roomful of critics at the annual TV Critics Association press tour in July. “We had always kind of geared our plan towards peaking in the seventh year.” He said it for a laugh, which he got resoundingly, but he might actually be onto something. While it would be silly to expect that the show will suddenly recoup the audience it had in its heyday (15.9 million viewers in its second season compared to 6.1 million last season), there’s good reason to believe that fans who have stuck it out this long will be rewarded with a memorable send-off. “Scrubs” (NBC, 9:30 p.m. Thursdays) is merely following in the tradition established by many a long-running sitcom in which the second-to-last season is generally regarded as its worst, the one in which only a handful of episodes rise to the level of quality that once defined it. “Friends,” “Sex and the City” and, dare I say, “Seinfeld,” all fell into the familiar pattern, as do many comedies. And it makes sense. When a show starts to show signs of wear, it becomes apparent that the end is near, and then all the stops are pulled out in an effort to give the show a proper farewell final season. “I think there's something really cool about knowing it's your last season,” “Scrubs” star Zach Braff said, sitting next to Lawrence in July. “I mean so many times, you know, by the time you get to the seventh season or what could be the last season, you don't know (it’s the end), and there's something really invigorating about going ‘All right. We've got 18 more.’ I think it's really going to excite the crew and the cast. … I think to go in for the final 18 knowing we're going out with a bang, we're going out with the way Bill wants to end the show, I think, I'm really, really excited to do it.” http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21250968/
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10-23-2007, 09:13 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Has Scrubs really been on that long?? Wow...kudos to the cast and crew.
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10-24-2007, 09:33 AM	#3
Carrie Dreamin' of Jeannie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 09, 2004 Location: Cocoa Beach Posts: 1,768	I'm looking forward to seeing what happens in season 7. I'm sorry this is the last season, but great things have to end eventually. I've enjoyed watching Scrubs and I'm glad it was on for 7 years.
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10-25-2007, 01:26 PM	#4
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	I know that Scrubs will be missed
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10-26-2007, 04:16 AM	#6
coffield3 <3 Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 23, 2006 Location: England Posts: 7,379	I'll miss it though when it ends.
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10-25-2007, 07:01 PM	#5
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	As much as I love Scrubs, I really think this should be its last season. It's not as funny as the first couple of seasons. I think it's about time for JD and Co. to grow up. Still better than anything else on though.

10-26-2007, 03:22 PM	#7
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	Is it just me, or is Kim the most annoying woman JD has dated? Oh wait, I just remembered Jordan's sister. She was the worst.

10-26-2007, 04:04 PM	#8
JulieSomoski Roseanne Reboot - March 27! Forum Veteran Join Date: Nov 06, 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 7,558	Does anyone know the ratings the season 7 premiere got? I DVR'd it, so I'll probably watch tonight.
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10-29-2007, 08:15 AM	#9
Carrie Dreamin' of Jeannie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 09, 2004 Location: Cocoa Beach Posts: 1,768	It had around 6.95 million viewers. More info can be found here.