Scrubs - Scrubs is moving to ABC!!

mcdreamylover · 02-28-2008, 07:47 PM

I thought this deserved its own thread. Hope you don't mind mods!

From NBC sitcom "Scrubs" moving to ABC - Yahoo! News

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NBC sitcom "Scrubs" moving to ABC By James Hibberd
56 minutes ago

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Longtime NBC comedy "Scrubs" is heading to rival network ABC.

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Sources say ABC is in negotiations to pick up 18 episodes of the show from Disney corporate sibling ABC Studios, which has produced the series for NBC since 2001.

A broadcast show switching networks, though often discussed during contract renewals, is a rare event. Previous network jumpers include "JAG" (NBC to CBS) and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (The WB to UPN).

The writers strike cut short NBC's 18-episode final-season order for the Zach Braff medical comedy to 12 episodes. Sources say the network has been reluctant to order additional episodes for next fall, citing the fact that it already has some fresh episodes in the can. NBC reportedly floated various end game scenarios to producers, including ordering one final episode, or producing the remaining episodes direct to DVD.

Details of the ABC deal are still being hammered out as contracts for most cast members and writers have not been picked up beyond the current season.

After struggling in recent years to launch a hit comedy, ABC scored this season with Christina Applegate freshman "Samantha Who?" The "Scrubs" pickup will give ABC another half-hour title with a built-in audience, and it makes financial sense for Disney.

It's been a rocky ride for "Scrubs" on NBC. The network has repeatedly shifted the critically praised but modestly rated show around its schedule. For the past two seasons, NBC also waited until the 11th hour to pick up the comedy series with partial season orders.

Most recently, "Scrubs" has aired as part of NBC's Thursday night lineup along with "The Office," "My Name Is Earl" and "30 Rock," where the medical comedy was often the lowest-rated of the bunch.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

WOOOOO HOOOOOO!

**Ellipsis** · 02-28-2008, 10:10 PM

I just saw that on LJ..AWESOME.

Does this mean the show might have another season? Or just for the last one?

Even if it is just for the last one, I'm happy. Atleast it'll get a proper send off!!

I can't find Dancing Dumbledore!!!

I think this thread is okay. It is a pretty big change, so for it to have it's own thread that's fine.

hannahbanana · 02-28-2008, 11:10 PM

I have no words!

feehilyishot · 02-29-2008, 03:59 AM

Brajavio · 02-29-2008, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxcozmicstar (View Post)

Does this mean the show might have another season? Or just for the last one?

I highly doubt it'll mean another season, because Zach and other cast members want to move onto other things.

Great news tho!!

mcdreamylover · 02-29-2008, 07:00 AM

From Watch with Kristin - Breaking: <i>Scrubs</i> May Head to ABC!

Quote:

Breaking: Scrubs May Head to ABC!
Categories: scrubs
Please oh please oh please!

That's all that can be said about the latest buzz whipping through Hollywood today regarding NBC's notoriously underappreciated comedy, Scrubs.

Inside sources at ABC confirm to us that the "wheels are in motion" to bring Scrubs to the Alphabet network, and one highly placed insider says it is looking "very likely" that the move from NBC to ABC will go down.

Say it with me now: Holler!

Word is, although Scrubs honcho Bill Lawrence had planned to wrap up the series at the end of this season, the prospect of a new network—one which appreciates and actually promotes the series—has made him willing to produce...wait for it...18 episodes for a very solid eighth season next year over at ABC.

Even better news? Word inside the Sacred Heart inner circle is that Zach Braff—and all the key players—are also on board with an 18-episode run on ABC.

Obviously, this is jaw-droppingly good news for us fans, who have been deeply concerned there would be no proper ending to Scrubs, which was halted six episodes before finishing out what was to be its final season on NBC. Peacock-net insiders say the options NBC had offered Lawrence to close out the series were "disappointing" and "just not enough," including one final episode to wrap up the storyline or a straight-to-DVD finale.

Just last week at the Independent Spirit Awards, Zach Braff had this to say about Scrubs' status: "The network is figuring out how many they want. The studio is figuring out how much they want so…this is the last season. It’s over but we’re not exactly sure how many more they’re doing." Well, Z.B., how about 18 more on a network that will love you?! How's that sound?

Scrubs, which is produced by ABC Studios (formerly Touchstone), has been courted by ABC before and is a personal favorite of ABC President Steve McPherson, who helped develop the show while he was at Touchstone, alongside Lawrence (with whom he remains good friends).

Last May, when NBC announced it was picking up Scrubs (so ABC could not have it) McPherson told me: "I am bummed. Bill and I developed that show together, and we had a beer early last week and we were hoping it would work out. But I'm happy for those guys that they got another year. It's such a great show."

Clearly.

So, what do you all think of a Scrubs move to ABC? Pretty freaking outstanding, is it not? Comment below and convince all parties involved to make this thing a go!

(A request for comment from NBC has not yet been returned. We'll let you know if we hear anything more.)

—Additional reporting by Korbi Ghosh

mcdreamylover · 02-29-2008, 07:13 AM

Apparently NBC isn't letting Scrubs go without a fight. Why? They sure as hell haven't wanted it so why fight?
From 'Scrubs' skirmish - Entertainment News, TV News, Media - Variety

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'Scrubs' skirmish
NBC says show not moving to ABC
By MICHAEL SCHNEIDER
NBC has moved Zach Braff sitcom “Scrubs” around primetime sked 17 times.

NBC is crying foul over reports that "Scrubs" is on the move from the Peacock to ABC.
Alphabet net is said to be close to picking up an 18-episode season from sibling ABC Studios of the critically acclaimed Zach Braff laffer.

But if that's true, NBC Entertainment/Universal Media Studios co-chair Marc Graboff said ABC Studios would be in breach of contract - and would take appropriate legal action.

"NBC has a license agreement with ABC Studios, which includes a right of first negotiation and first refusal to extend the series term beyond this season," Graboff said. "We're living under the terms of this license agreement, and we expect ABC Studios to do the same."

Meanwhile, ABC Studios execs were scrambling Thursday to respond to rumors that a deal had already been done. Studio hasn't commented on rumors that discussions have commenced between the Alphabet and its sister studio.

NBC, on the other hand, believes that it is still in talks with ABC Studios to decide how to resolve the seventh - and what was believed to be the final - season of "Scrubs."

"Scrubs" produced 12 episodes before the writers strike put things to a halt; seven have already aired, with five more slated for this spring. That leaves six remaining segs under this season's 18-episode order.

Peacock and ABC Studios had been negotiating whether the net would go ahead and air all remaining six segs, or air some of those episodes, with the rest going to DVD.

NBC execs were also in talks with ABC Studios over whether the net would commit to a big series finale on the air. Peacock wanted assurances, before spending that money, that "Scrubs" wouldn't wind up squeezing out an other season on ABC.

ABC Studios and NBC have rarely seen eye-to-eye on "Scrubs." Studio has complained that "Scrubs" never got its due from a marketing standpoint, and also suffered through countless scheduling moves.

"Scrubs" has indeed been a workhorse on Peacock's sked, bowing in Oct. 2001 on Tuesday nights, and ultimately moving a whopping 17 times between Tuesday and Thursday (and once, on Wednesday) slots during its seven seasons on the air.

Also, for the past several years, NBC has entered the May upfront season with "Scrubs" on the bubble - and every year, conventional wisdom has put ABC as the likely benefactor should the Peacock decide to pull the plug. But so far, "Scrubs" has received a last-minute order from NBC - until now.

As for this year, writers on the show recently returned to work, giving the impression at one point that "Scrubs" would indeed return to NBC's airwaves this spring.

But with no deal in the offing, ABC has once again entered the picture. Network entertainment president Steve McPherson developed "Scrubs" as the head of ABC Studios, then known as Touchstone TV. McPherson remains a fan of the quirky comedy, and has expressed interest in adding the show to the Alphabet's lineup - giving the net an instant comedy franchise.

Should "Scrubs" continue, it would be with the entire cast - including star Braff. Thesp signed a rich deal with ABC Studios last spring that made him one of the top-paid actors on TV. Show's seventh season was originally expected to be its last - and NBC has marketed it as such.

Bill Lawrence created and exec produces "Scrubs," which revolves around the world of medical resident J.D. (Braff). Donald Faison, Sarah Chalke, John C. McGinley, Neil Flynn, Ken Jenkins and Judy Reyes also star.

"Scrubs" received Emmy noms for outstanding comedy series in 2005 and 2006, and has also won the Humanitas Prize.

In TV history, NBC shows that have hopped to ABC include "Diff'rent Strokes" and "Something So Right."

ETA I've changed the title of the thread a little.

Brajavio · 02-29-2008, 07:25 AM

What the hell is going on!!!

(ps: that was written teribbly and they should sack that journalist

)

**valeposh** · 02-29-2008, 09:00 AM

OMG. I just read...

Could this be true? I mean, could we get another whole season??? I can't believe this...

Fingers crossed about ABC winning the show to NBC!!

I think BL will have another chat over at NBC forum soon.

ETA: Ausiello's talking about it as well.

Quote:

Breaking: Scrubs Moving to ABC?!

Scrubs courtesy Paul Drinkwater/NBCThe real-life drama surrounding the fate of my beloved Scrubs just took another wild turn.

Sources are confirming a story in The Hollywood Reporter that ABC is in talks to pick up as many as 18 episodes of Scrubs.

The move came after negotiations between NBC and ABC Studios, which produces Scrubs, broke down. The two sides had been trying to hash out a deal that would've allowed the show to have a proper send-off in May.

Now, a couple of big questions:

• Would an ABC pickup mean Scrubs would end next season? Answer: yes. "The episodes will be shot right away," whispers an insider, "and will be ready to air in the fall."

• Will Zach Braff be in any of them, considering his deal expires this season? Answer: "The cast is all onboard," maintains the source. "And that includes Zach."

• Will NBC air the five pre-strike episodes as scheduled beginning April 10? And, just to screw with ABC, will they bill the fifth one as the series finale? Answer: yes to the first question, and not sure about the second — although I wouldn't put it past them!

• Is this whole thing a negotiations ploy on ABC's part? Answer: perhaps. "We've gone through this every year for the past two seasons," says one source, "and then NBC ends up picking the show up."

• What does all this mean for Dr. Kim's insanely irresistible obstetrician? Answer: Eighteen more opportunities to return! Woo-hoo!

Scrubs Moving to ABC?! - Ausiello Report | TVGuide.com

irishghost · 02-29-2008, 09:26 AM

Is there a smiley for running around in circles with your jaw hanging open? Because that's what I did when I first heard the news at E! Online.

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What the hell is going on!!!

My question exactly!

Whether Scrubs ends this season or next, knowing ABC is supporting the show makes me so happy.

mcdreamylover · 02-29-2008, 09:35 AM

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I think BL will have another chat over at NBC forum soon.

Please let us know when it is if you find out.

**valeposh** · 02-29-2008, 10:03 AM

Sure I will!

talking_cookie · 02-29-2008, 01:21 PM

Now this is very interesting, but I'm not quite sure what to make of it.

I think I'll wait until everything is officially confirmed before I start on the happy dance.

**Ellipsis** · 02-29-2008, 05:28 PM

Oh..stupid NBC. Must ruin absolutely everything for everyone.
Let it goo!! You clearly don't want it!!

I'm a little confused.

Oh, please please PLEASE let it move!!

Brajavio · 02-29-2008, 07:42 PM

Its all a bit silly. So like 12 episodes of season 7 are shown on NBC, then season 8 picks it up 2/3rds of the way thru what season 7 should be. So basically they are chopping season 7 up, putting the last part with more episodes on ABC.

Ok, so its 8 seasons. Maybe I was wrong about Zach moving on, but from the end of season 6 I thought he wanted to make this his last season

MY HEAD HURTS!!!!