Category Archives: Scrubs

March 13, 2007 · 11:40 am

On the Bubble – The Shows in Danger of Cancellation

As I’m headed off to deal with some family business, here’s something to tide you over until that point. Variety has released their shows which they view as “on the bubble” at each of the main networks; it’s usually a pretty darn good indicator of things, so take a look.

Variety – Shows Face Their Zero Hour

Some things of note:

– 30 Rock appears to be somewhat safe, along with Friday Night Lights, all thanks to the precedent set by The Office. This is good news.

– Scrubs may be moving to ABC? That would be in everyone’s best interest, in my book; licensing fees are scaring away NBC, and since it’s owned by Touchstone anyways it would be a nice and easy transition to a network (ABC) searching desperately for a successful comedy.

– Jericho started so strong at CBS, and now it finds itself struggling…which is not good news for a show on CBS. With so many CSIs which could rerun in any timeslot to great success, you need to stay strong.

– The CW has the same problem as last season, really; no slam dunk drama pilots, nothing is really succeeding anywhere, and this might save a show like Veronica Mars. Contract talks with Gilmore Girls will prove quite interesting, but I’m disappointed to see no mention of One Tree Hill being canceled in the article. The idea of Veronica Mars being canceled and One Tree Hill remaining on the air hurts my brain.

So, which of your favourite shows that have struggled in the ratings are you looking to save for next season? Studio 60? Medium? Feel free to comment.

Why NBC Needs to Cancel ‘Scrubs’ and Save ’30 Rock’

This week, Touchstone Entertainment (Producers of ‘Scrubs’) gave Zach Braff a contract extension which, should Scrubs enter into its 7th season, would make him one of the highest paid actors in television along with Charlie Sheen on Two and a Half Men. This is, of course, contingent on NBC renewing the series for next year, which is still somewhat up in the air. While My Name is Earl and The Office are both renewed already, the other half of ‘Comedy Night Done Right'(‘Scrubs’ and Tina Fey’s ’30 Rock’) is still on the bubble. And, I’m here to prove to NBC why it needs to cancel ‘Scrubs’ and keep the lower-rated ’30 Rock’.

Scrubs has been at a creative low point since its third season or so after they ran the J.D./Elliot relationship possibility into the ground in a very short period of time. It was a show operating as if each season could be its last, and it exhausted a great deal of its potential storylines during that period of time. These characters and their relationships with one another were what really made Scrubs interesting, whether it was Dr. Cox’s guidance to J.D. in times of crisis or everyone rallying for a cause. There seemed to be purpose to these characters, and they seemed to gain a sense of independence in their actions which had consequences and the like. Continue reading →

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Filed under 30 Rock, Scrubs

March 2, 2007 · 12:48 pm

It’s All About the Benjamins: Clip Shows and TV’s Financial Realities

[Editor’s Note: Tonight on ABC (April 12th), Ugly Betty and Grey’s Anatomy aired Clip Shows. I figure this is a good time to focus on this piece, which explains why a Clip Show is a television reality, and why we’re waiting until next week to see new episodes of ABC’s hit Thursday Dramas. While written about an episode of Scrubs, this applies to all shows. – Myles]

Now, everyone, last night was certainly a slower night than usual when it comes to Thursday Night TV Club, which is really quite sensible considering that it’s now no longer the coveted February Sweeps period; as a result, I’m going to put it on a one week hiatus, maybe more if nothing’s on next week as well. And yet, I have a lot to say about last night’s television, specifically the episode of Scrubs: “My Night to Remember.” This was actually quite a literal title, because the show took 22 minutes to remember some of its “best” moments of the past 2 and a half seasons. I was very much disappointed to learn it was a clip show, but I think this is a good opportunity to discuss something fairly important. Because, I want to call a special meeting right now about the reality of the clip show and the financial reality of network television.

Link – Wikipedia: “Clip Show”

Shows go clip shows for only one reason, and it wasn’t the tongue-in-cheek reason found within the episode itself; rather than being a lack of creativity, it is purely for budget reasons that such episodes are constructed. It’s really quite pragmatic, as with the number of episodes these shows have in a season some will no doubt be more complicated and, therefore, more expensive than others. Continue reading →

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Filed under Battlestar Galactica, Grey's Anatomy, Lost, Scrubs, Television, Ugly Betty