Reviews by Matt

There once was a show called “Scrubs.” It aired on NBC in 2001 and lasted through 2008. NBC never really got behind the show. It was barely advertised and had many timeslot changes in its seven-year run. Last year NBC said they were not going to renew the show for an eighth season. The show got modest ratings and even beat “30 Rock,” a show NBC does more to promote, in the ratings. Still NBC seemed determined to kill off the show. Creator Bill Lawrence told them that he could wrap up the series in a few episodes if the network would let him. They said no. The show seemed doomed to end on an episode never meant to be the season or series finale. ABC, who owns the studio that produces “Scrubs,” picked it up and gave it new life.

That brings us to today (or the last two Tuesdays).

From the beginning “Scrubs” has been about John “J.D.” Dorian (Zach Braff) and his life at Sacred Heart Hospital. He is joined by his best friend Christopher Turk (Donald Faison), Turk’s girlfriend turned wife Carla (Judy Reyes), on again/off again girlfriend Elliot Reid (Sarah Chalke) and Dr. Cox (John C. McGinley), the doctor J.D. sees as a mentor and does whatever he can to win his affection.

What I love about the show is the amazing ability to be both hilariously funny and intensely dramatic. They can do the most outlandish things, case and point are J.D’s daydreams. One perfect example is floating head doctor, where J.D imagines what he would be able to do if his head and his body were detached. The comedy can be just plain odd, but it is always funny. They even had a brilliant musical episode. (More on that later)

It is in the drama where they stand out. They have dealt with death a lot and some of those episodes are tearjerkers. The episode in season three where a character dies and Dr. Cox has a hard time dealing with it is an amazing thing to watch. Michael J. Fox came in for a few episodes to play Dr. Kevin Casey; a doctor with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder. The most amazing part of the show is the ability to shift tone on a dime. It can be incredibly funny and become touching and sad in the same scene.

So many episodes stick out as I sit here and type this. “My Way Home” was modeled after “The Wizard of Oz,” “My Old Lady” looked at occurrences of death in the hospital, “My Life is Four Cameras” was filmed as most sitcoms (four cameras, live studio audience, bright lights) and “My Best Friend’s Baby’s Baby and My Baby’s Baby” which brought Turk and Carla’s daughter to the show. None can compare to “My Musical.”

It was an absolutely brilliant episode. They even kept it medically accurate, to a point. While the condition would not cause the person to hear singing but they could hear music. The staff sings their way through the episode as they figure out what is the matter with the patient. The songs are amazing and are influenced by classic musical numbers. Some of the songs used are tributes or parodies of other musicals. Dr. Cox’s "The Rant Song" resembles "I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major General" from Pirates of Penzance. "When the Truth Comes Out" pays tribute to "One Day More" from Les Misérables. "You're Going to Be Okay" and "Will I" from Rent are very similar both in music and lyrics., "Friends Forever" is a lot like "We Go Together" from Grease.

“Scrubs” is a show you should be watching. There are rumors that this is the final season; some of the cast are leaving and show creator Lawrence will take a smaller role in the show should it continue. There has been talk of a spin-off with the interns introduced this season. Either way I will watch loyally until the bitter end.

Check out “Scrubs” every Tuesday at 9 p.m. on ABC