Even though ABC picked up NBC cast-off Scrubs for an eighth season, the future of Sacred Heart Hospital is up in the air as the main character, played by Zach Braff, won’t be coming back for a ninth season. Season 8 of the hit sitcom begins in January and has made a jump from NBC, where it been a staple, and garnered Emmys for NBC, since 2001, to ABC. The season is in the can and Braff, Judy Reyes (Carla Espinoza) and the show’s creator Bill Lawrence have decided not to return for a ninth season.
Actor ZACH BRAFF has confirmed his exit from TV comedy SCRUBS, confessing he feels free now that he’s quit his role as DR. JOHN ‘J.D.’ DORIAN.
And Braff can’t wait to branch out of TV and try new movie roles, because he always felt restricted while contracted to the programme.
He says, “(I left Scrubs because) there’s so much I want to do with my life. (It was) the most amazing experience of my life, but when you work on a television series, they own you.”
[From Contact Music]
Zach has made a pilgrimage to Tel Aviv, Israel and earned his pilot’s license since finishing the show, both things he wasn’t able to do before for insurance reasons. He appears to be loving the new found freedom and expanding his horizons, which you can’t fault anyone for. I bet, too, though, the freedom to do movies has alot to do with the decision as well.
My family are all extreme Scrubs fans. Quotes from the show are peppered into our day-to-day conversation all the time, even inappropriately by the youngest of us. And as such huge fans, I took a poll as to whether the show should even try to go on without Braff and it was a consensus, without JD, there is no Scrubs, and without Carla, there isn’t even a Sacred Heart. It’s always a shame when the spark is taken out of a show and the networks try to drag them out a few more seasons. It ruins the magic of the show forever. I really hope ABC brought the series to a close befitting the much loved show with Season 8 and they don’t try to drag Donald Faison and John C. McGinley into something embarrassing for both of them.
Zach Braff is shown on 10/18/08 at the “Oceana’s 2008 Partners Award Gala” in Pacific Palisades, CA. Credit: Dimitri Halkidis / WENN
Hey Ceilidh – just a head’s up… the on page comments are closed on the Baldwin/tattoo thread.
I agree about Scrubs… without Zach, it’s nothing. The producers should just let it go. I had forgotten Scrubs was even on outside of re-runs. We watch the re-runs all the time, but I rarely catch the show in prime time anymore. If the primary character leaves… no one else will either.
John Ritter has risen from the dead.
Shane, actually Ritter played Braff’s dad on the show. The more time passes, the more they look alike. That’s amazing.
Scrubs is such a great show, i don’t know if i want it to go on without those three talented people. I sure will miss it, it’s undoubtedly my favourite tv show ever.
He’s never going to be a successful leading man (too goofy looking) He really should have ridden Scrubs to the end. Some people don’t make a good transition to the big screen and end up going back to their TV roots, I see him being one of them.
He has the gayest mouth ever.
it is time for scrubs to end. since season 6 things have gone downhill. i mean just how long are they going to be residents? even surgical residents are done after 5 or 6 years. good thing zach is jumping the scrubs ship before it sinks in season 9.
When did anyone say they were doing a ninth season? The interview with Bill Lawrence on Zach Braff’s myspace made it sound like abc was only planning on the one season. They asked how many episodes they needed to finish it, Bill said 3, and then they asked if they could do (I think) 18, any they said yes. But I do agree, as much as it pains me since it is by far my favorite show of all time, that it should not go on without Zach, Judy, and Bill.
As far as I knew, everyone knew this was the last season. But seriously, no Carla? No way.
As for Braff, hasn’t he been whining about being on the show for ages – he reminds me of David Duchovny back in his X-Files heyday, getting paid more than everyone else but always finding something to be unhappy about.
I love JD on Scrubs but I’ve always found Braff a little on the skeevy side for some reason.
It would be great if it could go on but without Bill Lawrence? That’s crazy.
oh he’s in israel 4 the last 2 weeks.. hope he is having fun here .. 🙂
I didn’t know someone could have a gay mouth.
I’m beginning to think this show will never end.
I thought Scrubbs was canceled on NBC and had been gone. Then I thought I heared they wanted to do it again and it’s being moved to ABC? I’m confused…
Kristin: Consider yourself enlightened. 😀
He and Daly should have a staring contest
I do not see how they could even consider going on to 9 w/o the creator and two MAIN characters. No way, not a repeat of “That 70’s Show” when Ashton Kutcher and Topher Grace left. Let it die in peace. I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the show. Best ever, laugh out loud good. Scary, but really funny especially if you are in med. field or dated someone. Shit Happens.
He can take the show with him.
Sort of John Ritter meets Bronson Pinochet…which is sad because I like John Ritter. Oh well.
baho and mojoman, i totally agree.
I have always found this man hard to look at. I hate to say it, but so it is.
He is brilliant on Scrubs, though, and I have had so many good chuckles because of his work there.
I wish him success. I really do. But…man. He’s just not leading man material. Perhaps he will find a niche in comedy somewhere.
I think he is by far the weakest member of the cast. Also strikes me as very full of himself. Classic hipster-itis.
what’s the point without j.d. and carla? i mean how can you have a show without the main character?! wtf..
It’s like watching Married with Children without Al Bundy, even though that’s a terrible show. Just get the simile, who could possibly replace him?
In my opinion These three are talented persons. They shouldn’t go to leave this show. We miss them a lot.