As someone who has stuck with SCRUBS from episode one, last night’s back-to-back return was for lack of a better word: A massive disappointment. That said, having the utmost respect for creator Bill Lawrence and his wish to have a-go at SCRUBS: THE NEW CLASS if only so that hundreds of hard working writers, crew members and actors didn’t find themselves out of a job during this unfortunate economic downturn, this TV Addict thought — rather than take the easy way out by proclaiming the new SCRUBS D.O.A — we’d offer up a few helpful suggestions on what needs to be fixed.
Zach Braff needs to go, and stat!
When we first met the character of John Dorian eight years ago, his incessant need to be loved and never-ending attempt to win Dr. Cox’s approval was both endearing and funny. Yet after season after seasons of watching JD devolve into an overgrown man-child with a penchant for hugging and a propensity for “guy love,” the joke is waaaaaay past its best before date. So much so that we found ourselves actually feeling bad while watching this impending fictional father-to-be continue to so desperately seek the approval of others. Sure, on paper, having JD help launch this new class of SCRUBS might have seemed like a good idea — but in reality — it did nothing more than depress us. And worse…
… Remind us that Kerry Bishe is no Zach Braff.
Bishe, who has the unenviable task of stepping into Braff’s shoes as neurotic narrater/newcomer Lucy Bennett simply didn’t show that she has what it takes to carry a series on her own. After-all, as loyal fans of SCRUBS might recall, the series in the beginning was truly about JD’s journey. A journey whose success and failure pretty much hinged on the immense likability of a then young, excitable and very marketable Hollywood “It” Boy. Only later would the series evolve into the live-action equivalent of THE SIMPSONS as season after season allowed for the addition of a whole slew of characters that comprised Sacred Heart…
… Which brings us to this cast of characters.
Although crutches and hospitals traditionally go hand-in-hand, last night’s season premiere relied far too heavily on them. And by that we mean, if SCRUBS version 2.0 is really ever going to stand on its own two feet, it’s going to have to do so by relying far less heavily on familiar faces such as Turk, Dr. Cox, and Kelso. Whose stories, are not only tired (Seriously, after eight seasons do we really need to see Dr. Cox give another med student a hard time?), but take away valuable screen time from the new crop of Med students who are, through no fault of their own, so forgettable we only remember them by their clichés (see: Damaged, jock, Crazy neurotic blonde, and Richie Rich.)
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