| Scrubs season 9 | |||
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Scrubs Season 9 DVD art |
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| Country of origin | United States | ||
| No. of episodes | 13 | ||
| Broadcast | |||
| Original channel | ABC | ||
| Original run | December 1, 2009 – March 17, 2010 | ||
| Home video release | |||
| DVD release | |||
| Region 1 | September 28, 2010[1] | ||
| Season chronology | |||
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| List of Scrubs episodes | |||
The ninth and final season of the American comedy-drama television series Scrubs (also known as Scrubs: Med School) premiered on ABC on December 1, 2009 and concluded on March 17, 2010 and consists of 13 episodes. This season marked a major change in the series; it takes place at a different location[2] and only three of the seven main characters from the first eight seasons remained as regular main characters. The rest of the cast is made up of new recruits, including Lucy, played by Kerry Bishé, who is also the show's new narrator. Former star Zach Braff returned for six episodes of the season.
The new season focuses on students at a med school at the fictional Winston University, rather than interns at a hospital. Doctors Perry Cox and Christopher Turk, played by John C. McGinley and Donald Faison respectively, returned as teachers. The show's filming location moved from the North Hollywood Medical Center to sets at Culver Studios. The series takes place at the new Sacred Heart Hospital, located on the Winston University campus.
The season takes place over a year after the events of the last episode of the eighth season, "My Finale", which was expected to be the last episode and ended many of the series' long-running storylines. However, Bill Lawrence was approached concerning more episodes, and as a result, the show entered its ninth season.
Review aggregator Metacritic found critical reception to the new format to be "generally positive" and assigned an average score of 64/100, though reviews were varied, with the Chicago Sun Times calling the season "promising", but USA Today dismissing it as a "deal-driven mistake".[3] The season nonetheless saw Scrubs receive its lowest-ever ratings, with an average of 3.79 million tuning in,[4] down from 5.61 million the previous season (though the show's overall ranking had improved).[5]
Zach Braff announced on March 22, 2010 via Facebook that it appeared that Scrubs would not be renewed for a tenth season.[6] On May 14, 2010, ABC announced the show was canceled.[7]
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The eighth season was expected to be the last for Scrubs, but in May 2009, ABC announced that the series had been renewed for an additional 13 episodes.[8] John C. McGinley and Donald Faison signed one-year deals and were the only cast members to stay on as regulars. Zach Braff appeared in six episodes to assist in transitioning the show, while Sarah Chalke signed on to guest star in four episodes throughout the season. Ken Jenkins appeared in nine episodes, and Neil Flynn, who was also busy with his new show The Middle, appeared in a single scene in the season's first episode. Judy Reyes was the only original cast member to not return.[9] Eliza Coupe, who portrayed Denise Mahoney beginning in season eight, became a series regular, along with new cast members Kerry Bishé, Michael Mosley and Dave Franco.[10]
Lawrence considered the eighth season to be the end of the show Scrubs, going so far as to ask ABC if he could change the name to Scrubs Med.[8] ABC declined, but Lawrence still advised fans to treat it as a new show, even putting a caption under the "Created By" on the X-ray in the opening sequence saying [Med School].
Season 9 focuses on the unique point of view of Lucy Bennett (Kerry Bishé), an impressionable med student, sharing narration duties with (for the first five episodes) Dr. John "J.D." Dorian (Zach Braff). After leaving for a job at another hospital, J.D. returns to Sacred Heart to teach at its medical school alongside Christopher Turk (Donald Faison), Perry Cox (John C. McGinley), Denise Mahoney (Eliza Coupe) and Bob Kelso (Ken Jenkins). Together they serve as professors (and inspiration) to a brand new class of med students, including Lucy, former med school drop out Drew (Michael Mosley), and cocky, entitled Cole (Dave Franco). J.D. is now married to Dr. Elliot Reid (Sarah Chalke), and the happy couple are expecting their first child.
Recurring roles
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Guest stars
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Show creator Bill Lawrence wanted to change the name of the show to Scrubs Med, but ABC did not allow this. The setting shifted from the original hospital building to a new Sacred Heart medical school and university campus, with shooting locations moving to Culver Studios.[8] Executive producers Neil Goldman and Garrett Donovan, and Bill Callahan departed from the series and were replaced by Jonathan Groff, Zach Braff, and Josh Bycel, who also served as the co-showrunner, alongside creator/executive producer Bill Lawrence who was doing double duty at the time with both Scrubs and his new show Cougar Town.
Every writer from previous seasons departed from the show with the exception of Lawrence and Andy Schwartz. Sean Russell returned to write a freelance episode, after he previously did in season 6.
Writing staff
Production staff
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DirectorsIncludes directors who directed 2 or more episodes, or directors who are part of the cast and crew
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| Series # |
Season # |
Title | Directed by | Written by | U.S. viewers (millions) |
Original air date | Production code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 169 | 1 | "Our First Day of School" | Michael Spiller | Bill Lawrence | 4.63[11] | December 1, 2009 | 901 |
| Set one year after the finale of Season 8; J.D., Turk, Cox, Kelso and resident Denise return to Sacred Heart to teach med school while new med students Lucy, Drew and Cole are put through the wringer on their first day of school. | |||||||
| 170 | 2 | "Our Drunk Friend" | Michael McDonald | Josh Bycel & Jonathan Groff | 4.43[11] | December 1, 2009 | 902 |
| Lucy learns a hard lesson about what it takes to be a doctor. Meanwhile J.D. and Turk spot a potential love connection between Denise and the new med student Drew, as they play matchmakers with a little bit of help from Dr. Kelso. | |||||||
| 171 | 3 | "Our Role Models" | Gail Mancuso | Steven Cragg & Brian Bradley | 5.44[12] | December 8, 2009 | 903 |
| J.D. and Drew learn a tough lesson in mentoring when Dr. Cox and Lucy show them that sometimes the student is the teacher. Meanwhile, Lucy decides to shadow Denise. | |||||||
| 172 | 4 | "Our Histories" | Ken Whittingham | Corey Nickerson | 4.22[13] | December 15, 2009 | 904 |
| J.D. and Turk show up in costume at a med student's party. Meanwhile, Kelso bids a fond farewell to Ted and Gooch. Also, if Cole, Lucy, and Drew and the gang want to go to the med student party, they have to perform a 'final interview' on a dying soldier before that. | |||||||
| 173 | 5 | "Our Mysteries" | Michael Spiller | Steven Cragg & Brian Bradley | 3.55[14] | December 22, 2009 | 909[15] |
| J.D. still clamors for Dr. Cox's approval as he approaches his final day of teaching at Sacred Heart, Lucy searches within herself for the courage to perform a basic medical procedure on a real human, and Denise and Drew make things official. | |||||||
| 174 | 6 | "Our New Girl-Bro" | Michael McDonald | Kevin Etten | 3.53[16] | January 1, 2010 | 906 |
| While Turk struggles to find a replacement best friend, Elliot offers some sound advice and guidance to an over-worked and exhausted Lucy. Also, Cole finds out he could fail med school. | |||||||
| 175 | 7 | "Our White Coats" | John Putch | Andy Schwartz | 3.86[17] | January 5, 2010 | 907 |
| Before receiving their white coats, the med students of Winston University must figure out why they want to be doctors, and Denise gets a little relationship help from Elliot. Also, Cole reveals a secret Drew has been hiding. | |||||||
| 176 | 8 | "Our Couples" | Chris Koch | Prentice Penny | 3.05[17] | January 5, 2010 | 908 |
| Lucy finds couplings, dysfunctional or not, throughout the hospital. Meanwhile, Turk is angered after Perry makes him operate on an old friend. | |||||||
| 177 | 9 | "Our Stuff Gets Real" | John Putch | Leila Strachan | 2.74[18] | January 12, 2010 | 905[15] |
| The reality of having a baby begins to settle in for both J.D. and Elliot while Lucy struggles with the reality of operating on people. Also, Perry doesn't know if he's ready to sign a will. | |||||||
| 178 | 10 | "Our True Lies" | Michael Spiller | Lon Zimmet & Dan Rubin | 3.34[19] | January 19, 2010 | 910 |
| A case of guilty conscience plagues the med school when a student cheats on an exam and Dr. Cox takes it out on the entire class. Meanwhile, Drew reveals he was married and Denise makes a startling admission of her own. | |||||||
| 179 | 11 | "Our Dear Leaders" | Peter Lauer | Corey Nickerson & Kevin Etten | 3.30[20] | January 26, 2010 | 911 |
| Lucy takes her new assignment as hell week "team leader" a bit too seriously. Perry challenges Drew to stay away from his friends, and Dr. Turk feels threatened when an internationally renowned surgeon pays a visit. | |||||||
| 180 | 12 | "Our Driving Issues" | Eren Celeboglu | Alessia Costantini & Prentice Penny | 4.31[21] | March 10, 2010 | 912 |
| When Cole and Kelso both get negative results back after a few routine tests, they learn the hard way to put their egos in check in order to rein in the support of their so-called friends. Meanwhile, Denise and Perry put Drew in the middle of their fight. | |||||||
| 181 | 13 | "Our Thanks" | Rick Blue | Sean Russell | 3.45[22] | March 17, 2010 | 913 |
| In the series finale, the med students of Winston University finally find something to be thankful for when Cole identifies his true calling in surgery, but he annoys Turk by shadowing him. Meanwhile, Drew finds the love of his life after Denise decides to move in. Lucy finds the inspiration to become a doctor, after a former patient's son comes to say his final words to his deceased father. | |||||||
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