Scrubs for Summer
Here’s a show that’s been completely snubbed by Channel 7 and is probably the funniest and best-written series on TV right now. I can’t believe I didn’t watch this show earlier (it was first screened in 2001 and is about to start its 5th season!) but now I’m completely addicted. My mate’s girlfriend lent me the first season on DVD and I’ve already asked her to pay for the rehab. Yes, it centres on a group of interns at a hospital but this is no E.R. The best thing about the show apart from the excellent, witty dialogue has to be John C McGinley. Those of you who aren’t cinefiles will probably remember him most as either the over-the-top FBI boss of Keanu Reeves ‘Johnny’ Utah in Point Break or Sgt. Red O’Neill in Platoon. Either way, the part he plays in Scrubs as the Dr Perry Cox is perfectly tuned for McGinley’s mannerisms. Every time he launches into one of his prolonged comical speeches, I’m in stitches. This is arguably his best role to date. But the rest of the cast are also excellent including Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke, Donald Faison, Judy Reyes and Neil Flynn.
Watching this series, you can see where Braff drew his inspiration for Garden State even though this series is much lighter in tone. In fact I would expect that many of the Scrubs crew worked on Garden State. But the show isn’t entirely a comedy either. There are moments when it gets serious but creator Bill Lawrence (who previously penned on Spin City and Friends) executes the perfect mix of drama and comedy in nearly every episode. So if you’re looking for something of quality to watch over the summer (because let’s face it, summer TV really sucks) then rent or buy this series on DVD and get addicted. I guarantee you’ll love it!
Note: You have to watch this series in order as there are story arcs so don’t even bother watching it on free-to-air Australian TV. Get the DVDs instead!
2 Responses to “Scrubs for Summer”
Like you, I’ve only recently discovered this program. My friend has been recommending it to me for years, but thanks to Ch7, never got around to seeing it with any consistency. Now I’m into Season 2 and am loving it. I can’t help but think of McGinley’s ‘Bob’ from Office Space whenever I watch it, though.
Yeah in Office Space he’s classic although I wonder how many people have seen it? That movie is so on the ball it’s scary.
I’m on season 2 now actually and I’ve heard from others the second half of the season becomes a little routine. But then the 3rd season picks up again.