Old Friends, New Beginnings

Ah, the sweet joy of long-lasting friendships! Bill Lawrence and Dr. Jonathan Doris have been buddies since their college days, which seems like several lifetimes ago now! Their connection began at the College of William & Mary nearly four decades ago and gave rise to the iconic show Scrubs back in 2001. For fans of the show, it’s heartwarming to see how the real-life bond inspired that legendary friendship between J.D. Dorian (played by the ever-charming Zach Braff) and Chris Turk (the hilarious Donald Faison). Spoiler alert: Their friendship is still influencing the wacky world of television comedy even 25 years later!

Pickleball, Aging, and Chuckles

Now, if you thought your middle age meant you’re stuck whining about your back every morning, think again! Bill Lawrence humorously shares that at their age (let’s just say mid-50s, because why not?), he and Doris are now pickleball aficionados. Lawrence jokes that it’s a law to play! Recently, he reflected on Doris’ career and noticed how much it takes out of them—teaching and surviving in the medical world can be tough! At this stage in life, he recognizes there’s still more fodder for hilarity and heartfelt storytelling, especially as we all awkwardly skate near the end of our careers.

Welcome Back, J.D.!

Fast forward to the present where J.D. is back at Sacred Heart not as a newbie intern, but as a friendly visitor! However, things have changed. His once-mentor, the cantankerous Dr. Cox (John C. McGinley), is still holding court but has become a bit grumpier with age. And hey, time doesn’t stand still for anyone, not even for our beloved Turk, Dr. Elliot Reid (Sarah Chalke), or Nurse Carla Espinosa (Judy Reyes). It’s a totally surreal family reunion!

A Generational Shift in Medicine

This revival of Scrubs is a delightful mix of nostalgia and fresh faces. Aseem Batra, who started as an intern on the original show, is now steering the ship as showrunner. She’s even kept Doris on as a medical consultant. So, what’s changed in the med world? According to Batra, not much—just a bit of nifty technology sprouting here and there! Apparently, the younger interns get treated better than before, but burnout remains a hot topic, much like our unending enthusiasm for coffee during early morning shifts.

Dr. Cox’s Tough Love

Ah, the classic tough-love mentoring approach! Remember how Dr. Cox used to roast J.D. with a torrent of cheeky nicknames? McGinley clears the air about that: he didn’t come up with the wild names on the fly; they were penned by none other than Bill Lawrence! He also admits that Dr. Cox is still dishing out a mix of love and grumpiness in the new series—it’s like his personality just won’t quit!

A New Era for Nurses

Carla Espinosa has donned her superhero cape and transformed into the matriarch of Sacred Heart. Reyes sweetly shares that Carla’s taken on a leadership role, showing the younger generation the ropes, while also facing her own challenges with aging. It’s like high school all over again, but with more scrubs and medications! Reyes is thrilled the show will confront the realities of aging in the nursing profession while keeping the laughter alive!

A Little Gallows Humor Goes a Long Way

Lawrence reminisces about how the original idea for Scrubs emerged from deep conversations with Doris about the serious nature of medical dramas like ER. Doris’ wisdom imparted that a sprinkle of dark humor and the joy of small moments with friends gets you through the chaos of life and work. The new series will continue this lighthearted yet poignant approach, with cheeky nods to pop culture references that keep us laughing out loud!

In With the Old, And the New

Don’t miss out on the delicious blend of nostalgia and fresh talent! With mentions of everything from The Pitt to Bridgerton flicking around in their conversations, J.D. and Turk absolutely live in today’s pop culture. This revival of Scrubs promises to quench our thirst for laughter while navigating life’s messier moments. Who’s ready for some more heartfelt, laugh-out-loud moments from Sacred Heart?

The Heart of Scrubs

Ultimately, Scrubs resonates because it reminds everyone that choosing to enter the medical field isn’t about cash and careers—it’s about a sincere desire to help others. Lawrence stresses that the stereotype of entering medicine just for the riches is a thing of the past. Everyone who hops into this world does it out of a love for service, especially in the realm of a teaching hospital!

When Does It Air?

Mark your calendars: Scrubs returns on Wednesday, February 25, at 8 PM on ABC! Get ready for some good old-fashioned hilarity, heartwarming moments, and maybe a few pickleball matches between episodes!