Four months after ABC stole Scrubs away from NBC, absence apparently has made the Peacock’s heart grow…Wait, no. It’s actually grown smaller than the Grinch’s on Christmas Eve!
For the death-defying comedy’s likely series finale on ABC, which was shot last week for a probable spring airing, series creator Bill Lawrence gathered all of the significant guest stars from the past eight years for a jaw-dropping scene that’ll rival the mass reunion in Seinfeld’s sendoff. But two actors currently appearing on NBC programs — Heroes‘ Masi Oka and Chuck’s Sarah Lancaster — weren’t permitted to participate.
“They both wanted to do it, but NBC said they weren’t allowed to,” explains Lawrence, who, as you know, has never been shy in calling out his old network for its lack of Scrubs promotion and constant time-slot changes. “Typical classy stuff.”
Although networks tend to frown on letting their stars fraternize with the enemy, things have been loosening up in recent years. For instance, ABC gave Scrubs leading lady Sarah Chalke the OK to continue her recurring gig on CBS’ How I Met Your Mother this season. In turn, the Eye loaned out The Unit’s Scott Foley for Scrubs‘ penultimate episode. Even NBC has been known to play nice on occasion: The net is allowing its newest Law & Order: SVU ADA, Michaela McManus, to revisit her alma mater, The CW’s One Tree Hill, this season.
Natch, the double standard is not lost on Lawrence, who suggests that the slight is almost certainly sour grapes over Scrubs‘ defection. “But [Masi and Sarah] should not have been part of that fight,” he sighs. “It felt kind of petty to me.”
Well, despite the NBC dis, the scene in question — which featured such Scrubs grads as Tom Cavanagh, Amy Smart, and Nicole Sullivan — “turned out awesome,” tattles one spywitness. “It was very emotional. It should be an incredible finale.”
And before you ask, yes, that was the scene I was invited to appear in — and would have appeared in had “forces beyond my control” not intervened. (Someone was going to ask, right?)
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How disappointing
I loved Franklyn.
NBC’s been pulling spiteful things like that ever since Kevin Reilly took over in 2004 (surely people noticed the new creative direction Scrubs took after season 3, and surprise that was the last season the Scrubs got a writing Emmy nom). And It looks like Ben Silverman’s regime is keeping the fire lit.
That’s upsetting. Problem is NBC knows it’s not going to hurt their ratings to have a bad reputation because they have shows people love (like Heroes and Chuck).
Will Tara Reid be back too?
Yup, petty just about sums it up. NBC has been failing to meet its own standards for years now, the same goes off screen too apparently. Hats off, Reilly.
That stinks… grr. Just as long as the Blanks are there, I’m good.
On another note, if Nicole Sullivan’s going to be there and her character is dead does that mean Brendan Fraser is going to show up too?
NBC is just trying to steal the bastard crown from FOX.
“they have shows people love”
Really? NBC, the network consistently in fourth place, the weakest they have been in years? Even a show like Heroes is way down in the ratings from its first season, NBC doesn’t have much left that’s worth watching at all.
Bummer no Masi Oka, I have been hoping for a return cameo since Heroes started.
Ummm ABC didn’t steal Scrubs. NBC cancelled it, and only then did ABC pick it up. Makes NBC look even worse for not letting them make the appearance.
Why is the show going to ABC for one season and then ending? That seems kind of pointless. Wasn’t it going to continue without Zach Braff? I was actually thinking of watching it! haha.
Petty and really makes no sense! What exactly is NBC afraid of? Since we’re talking about a series finale, it’s not like it’s pulling anything away from NBC consistently. I would think that any exposure that their stars get on something that is likely to gain a lot of viewers is good. Someone could see Masi Oka and say “I loved that guy on Scrubs, I should check out Heroes and see what he’s doing…” Right?
Does this mean we’ll finally find out the Janitor’s name?
Glad to see Dan back though. Love him.
Bob,
From what I’ve read, not only is Braff leaving, but so is Bill Lawrence, the series creator, and Judy Reyes, an actress on the show. As it mentioned above, the finale is the “likely” series finale. I don’t think it’s been set in stone yet (and would you expect anything less since last year was supposed to be the end of the series?), but with so many key players leaving, it seems probable that the show won’t continue.
you would think that NBC would realize that this could HELP them in promoting their shows. This is indicative of their failure to produce bona fide hits in recent years, save Heroes and the odd game show
Someone needs to learn to share. And the head honchos at NBC wonder why no one watched their lame network…
wasn’t scrubs ratings last season about the same as 30 rock yet nbc does everything in their power promote 30 rock and cancells scrubs finale season which is sure to draw viewers keep up the good work guys or gals.
Guess that means no Christopher Meloni reprising his role either — one of the best Scrubs guest shots ever.
Masi Oka would be cool but the two best guest stars were Ryan Reynolds and Heather Graham. I really really hope they come back for an appearance
Yeah, DGH. I may be off a bit but if I remember correctly, Scrubs’ ratings were slightly better than 30 Rock’s, and that’s without all the promo! I think the fact that Steve MacPherson is so invested in the show and because the show is produced by ABC Studios, Reilly and now Silverman want to strike it down to thwart MacPherson and minimize the success of the studio. All surely to make room for shows produced by NBC Universal (like 30 Rock) and Reveille Productions (who produce The Office and quality NBC program American Gladiators, and the Upcoming Kath & Kim).
NBC year after year looks more and more like FOX before the American Idol phenomenon hit.
Oh, what’s wrong, NBC? Afraid of getting a good reputation???
NBC continues to disappoint me. It would have been nice to see Franklin & Gift Shop Girl, again. On the upside, I’m happy that Dan (Tom Cavanagh) will be returning. I love him. I’d love to see Private Brian Dancer (Michael Weston) & Ryan Reynolds come back, too.
NBC MISTREATED ANOTHER SHOW THAT AIRED ITS FIRST EPISODE 42 YEARS AGO TONIGHT. YOU MIGHT KNOW IT. THEY CALLED IT STAR TREK.
Love Scrubs no matter where it is at. Please let JD and Elliott find their love. It gives us hope that all good will come. Don’t leave us…it is too funny…like original Will and Grace
Love Scrubs no matter where it is at. Please let JD and Elliott find their love. It gives us hope that all good will come. Don’t leave us…it is too funny…like original Will and Grace
I love this show!!!!! Hopefully ABC will keep it on the same night for a change… NBC who? Such a disappointment. Anyway, wouldn’t it be cool if all the charachters who had past on (died) over the years, come back and haunt JD and Dr.Cox simutaneously. Like JD and Elliot are finally about to get it on, and Brenden Frazier’s charachter pops into JD’s wack brain that she is too good for him. Or Lorraine the nurse haunting another nurse for leaving an unlabeled urine sample out in the open on the nurses station. Or even Nicole sullivans charachter come back and “I told you so” Dr.Cox to death! HAHA!! I can’t friggin wait!! I live for this show!!! Maybe turk and carla could win the lottery and get all ghetto-licious. So many ideas so little time!
NBC is really going to feel stupid if Scrubs goes to ABC and they manage to turn it into a hit.
I’m not sure where this Ausiello guy came from, but does anyone else find him irritating and annoying? He seems completely full of himself and incapable of not injecting himself somewhere in his reviews and articles. The focus of these pieces are the reviews and the commentary, not the reviewer and commentator. I miss my old EW.
Uhm…Ausiello basically has a cult following
oh yeah, I wanted to comment about how laaame it is that gift shop girl and franklin don’t get to be there for the end… poor franklin