Scrubs (season 9)

Scrubs (season 9)
Scrubs Season 9 DVD art
Country of origin	United States
No. of episodes	13
Release
Original network	ABC
Original release	December 1, 2009 – March 17, 2010

The ninth and final season of the American comedy television series Scrubs (also known as Scrubs: Med School) premiered on ABC on December 1, 2009 and concluded on March 17, 2010 and consists of 13 episodes. This season marked a major change in the series; it takes place at a different location^[1] and only three of the seven main characters from the first eight seasons remained as regular main characters. The rest of the cast is made up of new recruits, including Lucy, played by Kerry Bishé, who is also the show's new narrator. Former star Zach Braff returned for six episodes of the season.

The new season focuses on students at a med school at the fictional Winston University, rather than interns at a hospital. Doctors Perry Cox and Christopher Turk, played by John C. McGinley and Donald Faison respectively, returned as teachers. The show's filming location moved from the North Hollywood Medical Center to sets at Culver Studios. The series takes place at the new Sacred Heart Hospital, located on the Winston University campus.

The season takes place over a year after the events of the last episode of the eighth season, "My Finale", which was expected to be the last episode and ended many of the series' long-running storylines. However, Bill Lawrence was approached concerning more episodes, and as a result, the show entered its ninth season.

Review aggregator Metacritic found critical reception to the new format to be "generally positive" and assigned an average score of 64/100, though reviews were varied, with the Chicago Sun Times calling the season "promising", but USA Today dismissing it as a "deal-driven mistake".^[2] The season nonetheless saw Scrubs receive its lowest-ever ratings, with an average of 3.79 million tuning in,^[3] down from 5.61 million the previous season (though the show's overall ranking had improved).^[4]

Zach Braff announced on March 22, 2010 via Facebook that it appeared that Scrubs would not be renewed for a tenth season.^[5] On May 14, 2010, ABC announced the show was canceled.^[6]

Background

The eighth season was expected to be the last for Scrubs, but in May 2009, ABC announced that the series had been renewed for an additional 13 episodes.^[7] John C. McGinley and Donald Faison signed one-year deals and were the only cast members to stay on as regulars. Zach Braff appeared in six episodes to assist in transitioning the show, while Sarah Chalke signed on to guest star in four episodes throughout the season. Ken Jenkins appeared in nine episodes, and Neil Flynn, who was also busy with his new show The Middle, appeared in a single scene in the season's first episode. Judy Reyes was the only original cast member to not return,^[8] after declining to appear in a recurring guest role as she only wanted to return full-time.^[9] Eliza Coupe, who portrayed Denise Mahoney beginning in season eight, became a series regular, along with new cast members Kerry Bishé, Michael Mosley and Dave Franco.^[10]

Lawrence considered the eighth season to be the end of the show Scrubs, going so far as to ask ABC if he could change the name to Scrubs Med.^[7] ABC declined, but Lawrence still advised fans to treat it as a new show, even putting a caption under the "Created By" on the X-ray in the opening sequence saying [Med School].

Plot

Season 9 focuses on the unique point of view of Lucy Bennett (Kerry Bishé), an impressionable med student, sharing narration duties with (for the first five episodes) Dr. John "J.D." Dorian (Zach Braff). After leaving for a job at another hospital, J.D. returns to Sacred Heart to teach at its medical school alongside Christopher Turk (Donald Faison), Perry Cox (John C. McGinley), Denise Mahoney (Eliza Coupe) and Bob Kelso (Ken Jenkins). Together they serve as professors (and inspiration) to a brand new class of med students, including Lucy, former med school drop out Drew (Michael Mosley), and cocky, entitled Cole (Dave Franco). J.D. is now married to Dr. Elliot Reid (Sarah Chalke), and the happy couple are expecting their first child.

Cast and characters

Main cast

• Zach Braff as Dr. John "J.D." Dorian
• Donald Faison as Dr. Chris Turk
• John C. McGinley as Dr. Perry Cox
• Eliza Coupe as Dr. Denise Mahoney
• Kerry Bishé as Lucy Bennett
• Michael Mosley as Drew Suffin
• Dave Franco as Cole Aaronson

Recurring roles Ken Jenkins as Dr. Bob Kelso Nicky Whelan as Maya Robert Maschio as Dr. Todd Quinlan Windell D. Middlebrooks as Captain Melvis Duncook Matthew Moy as Trang Steven Cragg as Lieutenant Frank Underhill Sarah Chalke as Dr. Elliot Reid

Guest stars Neil Flynn as The Janitor Sam Lloyd as Ted Buckland Kate Micucci as Stephanie Gooch Christa Miller as Jordan Sullivan Sonal Shah as Dr. Sonja "Sunny" Dey

Production

Show creator Bill Lawrence wanted to change the name of the show to Scrubs Med, but ABC did not allow this. The setting shifted from the original hospital building to a new Sacred Heart medical school and university campus, with shooting locations moving to Culver Studios.^[7] Executive producers Neil Goldman and Garrett Donovan, and Bill Callahan departed from the series and were replaced by Jonathan Groff, Zach Braff, and Josh Bycel, who also served as the co-showrunner, alongside creator/executive producer Bill Lawrence who was doing double duty at the time with both Scrubs and his new show Cougar Town.

Every writer from previous seasons departed from the show with the exception of Lawrence and Andy Schwartz. Sean Russell returned to write a freelance episode, just as he had done previously in season 6.

Writing staff Bill Lawrence – executive producer/co-head writer Josh Bycel – executive producer/co-head writer Corey Nickerson – supervising producer Kevin Etten – supervising producer Jonathan Groff – executive producer (episodes 1–4, 6) / consulting producer (episodes 5, 8–13) Steven Cragg & Brian Bradley – consulting producers David Walpert – consulting producer (episodes 5, 8–13) Prentice Penny – co-producer Andy Schwartz – executive story editor Leila Strachan – staff writer Lon Zimmet & Dan Rubin – staff writers Production staff Bill Lawrence – executive producer/co-showrunner Josh Bycel – executive producer/co-showrunner Zach Braff – executive producer Randall Winston – co-executive producer Liz Newman – producer Danny Rose – co-producer

Directors Includes directors who directed 2 or more episodes, or directors who are part of the cast and crew Michael Spiller (3 episodes) John Putch (2 episodes) Michael McDonald (2 episodes) Rick Blue (editor) (1 episode)

Episodes

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date	Production code	U.S. viewers (millions)
170	1	"Our First Day of School"	Michael Spiller	Bill Lawrence	December 1, 2009	901	4.63[11]
Set one year after the finale of Season 8; J.D., Turk, Cox, Kelso and resident Denise return to Sacred Heart to teach med school while new med students Lucy, Drew and Cole are put through the wringer on their first day of school. Final Scrubs appearance of: Neil Flynn as The Janitor
171	2	"Our Drunk Friend"	Michael McDonald	Josh Bycel & Jonathan Groff	December 1, 2009	902	4.43[11]
Lucy learns a hard lesson about what it takes to be a doctor. Meanwhile J.D. and Turk spot a potential love connection between Denise and the new med student Drew, as they play matchmakers with a little bit of help from Dr. Kelso.
172	3	"Our Role Models"	Gail Mancuso	Steven Cragg & Brian Bradley	December 8, 2009	903	5.44[12]
J.D. and Drew learn a tough lesson in mentoring when Dr. Cox and Lucy show them that sometimes the student is the teacher. Meanwhile, Lucy decides to shadow Denise.
173	4	"Our Histories"	Ken Whittingham	Corey Nickerson	December 15, 2009	904	4.22[13]
J.D. and Turk show up in costume at a med student's party. Meanwhile, Kelso bids a fond farewell to Ted and Gooch. Also, if Cole, Lucy, and Drew and the gang want to go to the med student party, they have to perform a 'final interview' on a dying soldier before that. Final Scrubs appearance of: Sam Lloyd as Ted
174	5	"Our Mysteries"	Michael Spiller	Steven Cragg & Brian Bradley	December 22, 2009	909[14]	3.55[15]
J.D. still clamors for Dr. Cox's approval as he approaches his final day of teaching at Sacred Heart, Lucy searches within herself for the courage to perform a basic medical procedure on a real human, and Denise and Drew make things official.
175	6	"Our New Girl-Bro"	Michael McDonald	Kevin Etten	January 1, 2010	906	3.53[16]
While Turk struggles to find a replacement best friend, Elliot offers some sound advice and guidance to an over-worked and exhausted Lucy. Also, Cole finds out he could fail med school.
176	7	"Our White Coats"	John Putch	Andy Schwartz	January 5, 2010	907	3.86[17]
Before receiving their white coats, the med students of Winston University must figure out why they want to be doctors, and Denise gets a little relationship help from Elliot. Also, Cole reveals a secret Drew has been hiding.
177	8	"Our Couples"	Chris Koch	Prentice Penny	January 5, 2010	908	3.05[17]
Lucy finds couplings, dysfunctional or not, throughout the hospital. Meanwhile, Turk is angered after Perry makes him operate on an old friend.
178	9	"Our Stuff Gets Real"	John Putch	Leila Strachan	January 12, 2010	905[14]	2.72[18]
The reality of having a baby begins to settle in for both J.D. and Elliot while Lucy struggles with the reality of operating on people. Also, Perry doesn't know if he's ready to sign a will. Final Scrubs appearance of: Zach Braff as J.D., Sarah Chalke as Elliot, Christa Miller as Jordan
179	10	"Our True Lies"	Michael Spiller	Lon Zimmet & Dan Rubin	January 19, 2010	910	3.34[19]
A case of guilty conscience plagues the med school when a student cheats on an exam and Dr. Cox takes it out on the entire class. Meanwhile, Drew reveals he was married and Denise makes a startling admission of her own.
180	11	"Our Dear Leaders"	Peter Lauer	Corey Nickerson & Kevin Etten	January 26, 2010	911	3.30[20]
Lucy takes her new assignment as hell week "team leader" a bit too seriously. Perry challenges Drew to stay away from his friends, and Dr. Turk feels threatened when an internationally renowned surgeon pays a visit.
181	12	"Our Driving Issues"	Eren Celeboglu	Alessia Costantini & Prentice Penny	March 10, 2010	912	4.31[21]
When Cole and Kelso both get negative results back after a few routine tests, they learn the hard way to put their egos in check in order to rein in the support of their so-called friends. Meanwhile, Denise and Perry put Drew in the middle of their fight. Final Scrubs appearance of: Ken Jenkins as Kelso
182	13	"Our Thanks"	Rick Blue	Sean Russell	March 17, 2010	913	3.45[22]
In the series finale, the med students of Winston University finally find something to be thankful for when Cole identifies his true calling in surgery, but he annoys Turk by shadowing him. Meanwhile, Drew realizes who the love of his life is after Denise decides to move in. Lucy finds the inspiration to become a doctor, after a former patient's son comes to say his final words to his deceased father.

References

1. "Creator: New 'Scrubs' not set in hospital". DigitalSpy.com. Retrieved June 21, 2009.
2. "Scrubs Season Nine reviews". Metacritic.com. Retrieved April 25, 2010.
3. Gorman, Bill (June 16, 2010). "Final 2009-10 Broadcast Primetime Show Average Viewership". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved June 19, 2010.
4. "Season Program Rankings". ABC Television Network. May 27, 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2009.
5. "Scrubs Cancelled – Zach Braff". Zach Braff. March 22, 2010. Retrieved March 22, 2010.
6. "ABC Cancels Scrubs, FlashForward, Romantically Challenged and Better Off Ted". TV Guide. May 14, 2010. Retrieved May 14, 2010.
7. "'Scrubs' creator previews next season - Sepinwall on TV". NJ.com. Retrieved August 13, 2009.
8. "Bill Lawrence: Judy Reyes won't appear in season nine, and other Scrubs news". TVSquad.com. Retrieved October 16, 2009.
9. Hernandez, Lee (December 1, 2009). "Judy Reyes Turns Down An Offer to Guest Star on "Scrubs"". Latina.com. Retrieved April 25, 2012.
10. "ABC Announces the Season Premieres of "Scrubs" and "Better Off Ted"" (Press release). ABC. October 30, 2009. Retrieved January 4, 2011.
11. Seidman, Robert (December 2, 2009). "Tuesday Broadcast Finals (minus Presidential address)". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved December 2, 2009.
12. Seidman, Robert (December 9, 2009). "Broadcast Finals: Better Off Ted doesn't improve...or decline". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved December 9, 2009.
13. Seidman, Robert (December 16, 2009). "Tuesday Broadcast Finals: Ted, Not Any Better Off; NCIS still rules night". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved December 16, 2009.
14. Brian Bradley (November 13, 2009). "Twitter / BrianDBradley: Spent all day working on E ...". Twitter. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
15. Gorman, Bill (December 23, 2009). "TV Ratings: CBS Repeats Win Slow Tuesday; Scrubs, Ted Ratings Keep Falling". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved December 23, 2009.
16. Seidman, Robert (January 2, 2010). "TV Ratings: Bowl Games Win Big; Better Off Ted Not Much Better Off With Rose Bowl Lead-In". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 2, 2010.
17. Gorman, Bill (January 6, 2010). "TV Ratings: Biggest Loser Weighs In Huge; NBC Edges NCIS Lead CBS; Orange Bowl Up". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 6, 2010.
18. Gorman, Bill (January 13, 2010). "Tuesday Broadcast Finals, Plus American Idol Demo Ratings Breakdown". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 13, 2010.
19. Gorman, Bill (January 20, 2010). "TV Ratings Tuesday: American Idol Up vs. Last Year, Biggest Loser Jumps". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 20, 2010.
20. Gorman, Bill (January 27, 2010). "TV Ratings Tuesday: Fox, American Idol Win As Most Shows Fall; NCIS:LA Bounces Back". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 27, 2010.
21. Seidman, Robert (March 11, 2010). "TV Ratings: American Idol Down, But Still Dominates; Modern Family Rebounds". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 11, 2010.
22. Seidman, Robert (March 18, 2010). "Wednesday Broadcast Finals: Ugly Betty, Gary Unmarried Inch Up". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 18, 2010.

General references

• "Scrubs Season 9 episodes". TV Guide. Retrieved December 22, 2009.
• "Shows A-Z - scrubs on ABC". the Futon Critic. Retrieved December 22, 2009.

External links

• List of Scrubs episodes at the Internet Movie Database
• List of Scrubs season 9 episodes at TV.com