The inspiration for this website hit me at around 3 am in an Iowa City hotel room just prior to the start of my second year of law school at the University of Colorado. Having consumed our fair share of adult beverages that night, several friends and I had retired for the evening. While flipping through channels, we came across an episode of Scrubs (though unfortunately, I can’t for the life of me remember which episode… Shame). As I began quoting most of the lines, someone asked me which episode was my favorite. The question was completely perplexing. I mean, you can't ask a parent to choose their favorite child! So how was I supposed to choose my favorite episode of a show that I had enjoyed for most of eight seasons? (Note: I’m not counting the atrocious ninth season that “was,” but wasn’t really Scrubs… No JD=Not Scrubs)
It was an impossible question.
But I made a note in my phone that night to consider the question again in a more stable state of mind. When I found this note, I realized that the only way I could really figure out my favorite episode was to re-watch all 168 episodes and then rank them all, from 168 all the way to 1 (okay, this probably wasn’t the only way to decide. But is certainly the way that will provide me with the most enjoyment). So that’s what this site will be for the next several months. I must admit that this is a pretty daunting endeavor, especially with the prospect of doing this while at the same time trying to pass my second year of law school. I’m committed though, and unlike a lot of other things in my life, I’m not going to quit this. It might take me six months (after all, I have to watch all eight seasons before I can even start ranking them), but I will get this done.
Scrubs to me
Unlike a lot of Scrubs fans, I actually watched this show when it first aired on NBC starting in 2001 (I apologize, that sounds super hipster. As someone who has found many shows in syndication, I don't think watching a show's first run makes me superior). My mom and I both did, for the better part of the first couple seasons. But unfortunately, we were in a small group and as such, NBC seemed to constantly be shifting when it would air its new comedy. After awhile, I lost track completely. Occasionally I’d catch an episode here or there, but by and large, the show fell out of mind. Then in 2006 (my first year at the University of Iowa), Comedy Central picked the show up for syndication. The rest, as they say, is history. Not only was I able to catch back up on a show that I had previously enjoyed to a great degree, but the reruns also introduced Scrubs to a whole new group of fans. Watching the show on Slater 3 after dinner at Hillcrest that year became a nightly activity for many of my neighbors in my residence hall.
I can’t understate the impact that Scrubs had on me at the time. Feeling overwhelmed, 1,000 miles from home, watching a show about young doctors stumbling through their daily lives trying to figure out what they’re doing hit home. From dealing with serious professional (or in my case, educational) issues to family crises to relationships and, most importantly, friendships, Scrubs meant something to me in a way that no other show had before. While I could never see myself in the exact over-the-top scenarios as presented on the show (or as a doctor, for that matter), it was nonetheless easy to relate. I suspect that many of my peers at the time felt similarly.
Plus it had a great soundtrack. Almost every episode has at least one song worth buying on iTunes.
When the show ended in 2009, it was a strange moment. Though it’s best years were unquestionably behind it (to be fair, the final season made a strong push to be discussed in the conversation with those early few), it was still a funny and often touching show. Don't get me wrong, I have no grievance with the way Scrubs ended. The finale was everything a fan of the show could've asked for. But it’s still hard to believe that I’ll never spend another half hour with John Dorian and company. There won’t be any new quotes or jokes to discuss with friends. Scrubs inspired so many great moments, gags, and lines to constantly quote with my friends. Brinner, the high-five snap, “boom city” text messages, dead stuffed dogs, sex gongs, naming vehicles “Sasha,” the phrase “doozie of a twosie,” and so much more. Ultimately, I’m just grateful that a show was able to create so much lasting humor in my life.
This site, in addition to taking my mind off of law school so that my brain doesn’t completely explode, is my personal tribute to my all-time favorite TV show. I don’t expect to gain much of a readership (in fact, I’ll be happy if I can even get one or two people to read this). After all, the show has been off the air for a significant amount of time at this point, so it’s not the most timely project I could’ve undertaken. And it wasn’t exactly a ratings dynamo. No question that Scrubs has an incredibly enthusiastic fan-base, but there’s a reason that it faced cancellation on multiple occasions. Still, for anyone who is reading this, thank you. I hope you enjoy this list. I have a ton of Scrubs to watch before I can even begin ranking the episodes. I’ll do my best to occasionally update my progress through the episodes, and I have a couple ideas for some mini-lists regarding other aspects of the show that I’ll write from time to time. Please be patient. Again, I will get this done.
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