It's official: Zach Braff has left 'Scrubs' - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 11-26-2008, 11:50 AM

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1040290.html

He left "Scrubs" because "there's so much I want to do with my life." But he prefaces his remarks with calling the series "the most amazing experience of my life" and says he is very grateful. Then he adds: "But when you work on a television series, they own you" - a reference that wraps up the studios, the network, the show and the insurance company that insures the actor. "I don't think they'd let me come here," he says. And he has just gotten his pilot's license. As a TV star, "they wouldn't let me take flying lessons."

Braff says that at 33, he wants his life to be about other things. "I want to take piano lessons, I want to study at university, I want to travel, I want to do other parts, make another movie. So it was time for me to branch out and start a new chapter."

His departure from the series, and that of its creator, Bill Lawrence, does not mean it's coming to an end. (Reruns of the fifth and sixth seasons are airing on Star World on cable TV.) The series recently changed hands, going from NBC to ABC, where the eighth season will be aired in the U.S.

"To be a hit in the U.S. - and everyone knows that at times it's two different countries, as you can see in the elections - you have to find a way to appeal to everybody, and 'Scrubs' found its niche. It's a specific comedy and style. So we found that audience and it was enough to keep us alive. But it was never a hit." Yet Braff was nominated for an Emmy.

He will part on screen from his good friend, Donald Faison, who plays Turk, his best friend on "Scrubs." The two met in filming the series and became real friends, just like on the show. "It's amazing. What I love about Donald is that we couldn't be more different - he's a black guy from Hell's Kitchen in Manhattan, I'm a Jewish kid from the suburbs. We couldn't be more different in personality. He's a big athlete, an alpha male, and I like being a dork. We couldn't have less in common and yet we have the exact same sense of humor, we crack up at the exact same stuff. No one can make me laugh the way he can."

So a lot of things seep into the show from real life?

"Oh yeah. After eight years you can be sitting at dinner with Bill, telling him something that really happened in your life, and the next day it's in the script."

Braff adds: "Me and Donald joke that we're as gay as two guys can be without being gay."

There are people he admires: "Ricky Gervais, I think, is a genius. He's someone I really look up to. I love everything he does. You know, you see people that can make you laugh, and then there are people that you go 'wow!' I think Sasha Cohen is another example. I love [TV hit] '30 Rock.' I think it's the funniest thing on."

He also offers a tribute to the late John Ritter: "When I was a kid, our parents were exposed to Chaplin and Buster Keaton. For me it was John Ritter on 'Three's Company.'" He calls the show "the funniest thing I've ever seen" and says of Ritter: "The man could fall over a couch like nobody else." One of Ritter's last roles was playing Braff's father on "Scrubs."

Tony Goldwyn, who directed Braff in "The Last Kiss" said he has the qualities of an "everyman" and reminded him of Tom Hanks when he was younger.

Braff comments: "Whenever a young actor who's not stunning-looking has a hit, people say 'oh, he's a young Tom Hanks.' I think when you see Brad Pitt, you say, 'wow, that's a really handsome man.' I've never seen anyone in my life that looks like that, and there are some actors, like myself, who you think, 'wow, I went to high school with that kid. I know that guy. He was in my Hebrew school class.'"

Chocolate Moose · 11-26-2008, 01:17 PM

I hope he saved his money.

Buffyboy323 · 11-26-2008, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

His departure from the series, and that of its creator, Bill Lawrence, does not mean it's coming to an end. (Reruns of the fifth and sixth seasons are airing on Star World on cable TV.) The series recently changed hands, going from NBC to ABC, where the eighth season will be aired in the U.S.

Can Scrubs really continue without it's lead star...and without it's creator?

gotsmart · 11-26-2008, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buffyboy323

Can Scrubs really continue without it's lead star...and without it's creator?

There is no way the show can last without Zach and Bill, I really hope it doesn't get picked up for a 9th season. The last episode that Zach filmed is called "My Finale", so I'm sure it will act as a series finale. And according to some articles I've read Judy Reyes (Carla) also may not be returning if the show gets picked up for season 9.

robyrob · 11-26-2008, 08:07 PM

I wish him well and hopes he finds his "Hello, Larry"

TJL · 11-26-2008, 08:15 PM

As much as i love the entire Scrubs ensemble, J.D. is the lead. He holds the show together.

It's not like this is a big surprise. Zach Braff said a while back that he was done with the show after this new season airs on ABC.

R.jsheedy · 11-30-2008, 02:38 PM

OH, I'll miss him. It won't be the same without Zac!

Scoobiedoo30 · 11-30-2008, 07:10 PM

Zach will be missed

comedyfreak · 12-03-2008, 11:54 AM

I guess J.D. and Elliott won't stay together. If I were Zach I'd hang in there for one more season cause, it has to be the shows last. The show is starting to get worn out.

imo · 12-25-2008, 02:28 AM

While I think Zach will never get away from his role as JD, and never really get to another pleateu... I also think it's a wise decision as Scrubs is a fastly sinking ship. It went from groundbreaking and being one of the best comedies of all time... to becoming a horrible shell and parody of itself since seasons 6-7. The show needs Old Yeller treatment, as it's already tainted its overall legacy.

11-26-2008, 11:50 AM	#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	It's official: Zach Braff has left 'Scrubs' http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1040290.html He left "Scrubs" because "there's so much I want to do with my life." But he prefaces his remarks with calling the series "the most amazing experience of my life" and says he is very grateful. Then he adds: "But when you work on a television series, they own you" - a reference that wraps up the studios, the network, the show and the insurance company that insures the actor. "I don't think they'd let me come here," he says. And he has just gotten his pilot's license. As a TV star, "they wouldn't let me take flying lessons." Braff says that at 33, he wants his life to be about other things. "I want to take piano lessons, I want to study at university, I want to travel, I want to do other parts, make another movie. So it was time for me to branch out and start a new chapter." His departure from the series, and that of its creator, Bill Lawrence, does not mean it's coming to an end. (Reruns of the fifth and sixth seasons are airing on Star World on cable TV.) The series recently changed hands, going from NBC to ABC, where the eighth season will be aired in the U.S. "To be a hit in the U.S. - and everyone knows that at times it's two different countries, as you can see in the elections - you have to find a way to appeal to everybody, and 'Scrubs' found its niche. It's a specific comedy and style. So we found that audience and it was enough to keep us alive. But it was never a hit." Yet Braff was nominated for an Emmy. He will part on screen from his good friend, Donald Faison, who plays Turk, his best friend on "Scrubs." The two met in filming the series and became real friends, just like on the show. "It's amazing. What I love about Donald is that we couldn't be more different - he's a black guy from Hell's Kitchen in Manhattan, I'm a Jewish kid from the suburbs. We couldn't be more different in personality. He's a big athlete, an alpha male, and I like being a dork. We couldn't have less in common and yet we have the exact same sense of humor, we crack up at the exact same stuff. No one can make me laugh the way he can." So a lot of things seep into the show from real life? "Oh yeah. After eight years you can be sitting at dinner with Bill, telling him something that really happened in your life, and the next day it's in the script." Braff adds: "Me and Donald joke that we're as gay as two guys can be without being gay." There are people he admires: "Ricky Gervais, I think, is a genius. He's someone I really look up to. I love everything he does. You know, you see people that can make you laugh, and then there are people that you go 'wow!' I think Sasha Cohen is another example. I love [TV hit] '30 Rock.' I think it's the funniest thing on." He also offers a tribute to the late John Ritter: "When I was a kid, our parents were exposed to Chaplin and Buster Keaton. For me it was John Ritter on 'Three's Company.'" He calls the show "the funniest thing I've ever seen" and says of Ritter: "The man could fall over a couch like nobody else." One of Ritter's last roles was playing Braff's father on "Scrubs." Tony Goldwyn, who directed Braff in "The Last Kiss" said he has the qualities of an "everyman" and reminded him of Tom Hanks when he was younger. Braff comments: "Whenever a young actor who's not stunning-looking has a hit, people say 'oh, he's a young Tom Hanks.' I think when you see Brad Pitt, you say, 'wow, that's a really handsome man.' I've never seen anyone in my life that looks like that, and there are some actors, like myself, who you think, 'wow, I went to high school with that kid. I know that guy. He was in my Hebrew school class.'"
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11-26-2008, 01:17 PM	#2
Chocolate Moose Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 21, 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 4,903	I hope he saved his money.
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11-26-2008, 08:07 PM	#5
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,203	I wish him well and hopes he finds his "Hello, Larry"
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11-26-2008, 08:15 PM	#6
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	As much as i love the entire Scrubs ensemble, J.D. is the lead. He holds the show together. It's not like this is a big surprise. Zach Braff said a while back that he was done with the show after this new season airs on ABC.
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11-30-2008, 07:10 PM	#8
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	Zach will be missed
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11-30-2008, 02:38 PM	#7
R.jsheedy Member Senior Member Join Date: Nov 06, 2008 Posts: 1,035	OH, I'll miss him. It won't be the same without Zac!

12-03-2008, 11:54 AM	#9
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,061	I guess J.D. and Elliott won't stay together. If I were Zach I'd hang in there for one more season cause, it has to be the shows last. The show is starting to get worn out.
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12-25-2008, 02:28 AM	#10
imo Legendary Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 20, 2008 Location: S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters Posts: 171	While I think Zach will never get away from his role as JD, and never really get to another pleateu... I also think it's a wise decision as Scrubs is a fastly sinking ship. It went from groundbreaking and being one of the best comedies of all time... to becoming a horrible shell and parody of itself since seasons 6-7. The show needs Old Yeller treatment, as it's already tainted its overall legacy.