Zach Braff’s Scrubs Reboot Update Sounds Better Than The Original Concept, But I’m Still Skeptical

ABC is proceeding with the Scrubs reboot, and Zach Braff’s update sounds better than the original concept description.

I was worried that the classic sitcom might try to recreate the magic with doctors who are supposed to be well into their careers now cosplaying as interns.

Fortunately, that’s not happening, though I’m still not sold on the idea of this reboot.

The New Show Won’t Be A Reboot — It’ll Be A Sequel

According to Deadline, series creator Bill Lawrence sees the reboot as partially catching up with legacy Scrubs characters and partially following new characters who are interns.

This is a better concept than having Braff and his co-stars try to recreate their roles as interns 15 years after Scrubs ended!

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That wouldn’t have made any sense. The actors are in their 50s now, and their characters should be well into their careers.

Still, the point of Scrubs was to show JD’s (Braff) journey through his medical education, and I’m not convinced it’ll work with him in an attending role.

By now, JD should have grown up, and he likely is mentoring new interns rather than clinging to Dr. Cox (who should have retired or be close to it) and trying desperately to seek his approval.

I’m not sure how a daydreaming 50-something JD would work, and a daydreaming new intern would feel like a desperate attempt to repeat history with a new character.

Braff Signing On Is Still A Big Deal

The Scrubs reboot wouldn’t be worth watching if the original actors didn’t sign on and new actors played the legacy roles.

Braff’s inclusion was apparently non-negotiable; Deadline says negotiations had reached an impasse earlier in the year that threatened to derail the entire reboot.

But it’s not just that the new show wanted Braff that impresses me. He’s a successful actor who doesn’t necessarily need to return to the series that made him famous to continue his career.

When actors are successful enough that they can be picky about what projects to pursue, the fact that they’re passionate enough about something to fight to work on it on their own terms is a great sign.

Negotiations broke down because Braff wanted the show to be filmed in Los Angeles rather than Toronto, likely so that he can continue to work on other projects in LA.

But he didn’t give up, so he must have a strong desire to do this reboot.

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That makes me more inclined to give it a chance.

While I can’t see into Zach Braff’s head to understand exactly why he wanted to do this project, I would like to believe that he saw something positive in it.

Stars can be wrong or can do projects for the wrong reason, but it still feels like an endorsement that Braff chose to do this reboot and seems excited about it.

Even With Zach Braff Signed On, How Can Scrubs Overcome Its Season 8 Finale Problem?

The Scrubs Season 8 finale, which was supposed to be the series finale, featured a montage of scenes from the future, followed by JD saying:

Who’s to say that isn’t how it happens? Who’s to say that my fantasies don’t come true this one time?

Technically, the new series can circumvent the problem of the future being written into the finale by claiming that it was just JD’s fantasy and comparing what came true to what he wanted as a younger man.

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That could be poignant if done correctly.

50-something JD probably has different dreams and desires than he did when he was first starting his career, and it would be emotional to learn not only what dreams came true but what he realized he didn’t want anymore.

Still, it’s hard to shake the feeling that anything that comes after that finale is trying to get more mileage out of a series that ran its course a long time ago.

What Do You Think, Scrubs Fanatics?

Agree? Disagree? Have a theory?
Let us know in the comments, or share this article with someone who will want to argue about it with you. That’s what makes it fun.

And keep checking back — we’ll update you on the plans for the Srubs reboot as more info becomes available.

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