Scrubsended in 2010 after its divisiveMed Schoolrun, but the overall show has a lost installment that never saw the light of day. So, althoughall nine seasons ofScrubsamount to 182 total episodes, that figure could easily have been 183 if things had gone a little differently. Thankfully, theconfirmedScrubsrevivalmeans a 183rd episode (and beyond) will be made over a decade after the sitcom ended, but it won’t be the same as the lost installment from the original run. Instead,the upcomingScrubsseason 10 will take the story forward.
Although it still has a cult following,Scrubswas never guaranteed to be renewed at the end of each season. Its viewing figures and ratings were inconsistent, so the cast wasn’t ever sure if they’d be back for another run. As a result,Scrubstechnically has three finales, and all for different reasons. However,Scrubs' lost episode happened for reasons beyond the production’s control.
“My Commitment” Was Supposed To Be A Scrubs Season 7 Episode
Only 11 of the 18 ordered Scrubs season 7 episodes were ever made
Scrubswas one of the manyshows that suffered due to the 2007-2008 Hollywood writers' strike. The industry’s writers downed tools in the name of fair payment, and it happened whileScrubsseason 7 was in active production. ABC had ordered 18 episodes from creator and showrunner Bill Lawrence, but only 11 were completed before the strike brought things to an abrupt halt.The twelfth episode was set to be called “My Commitment,“but it had to be abandoned during filming due to the strike.
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Due to the writers' strike,Scrubsseason 7 ultimately ended up being the show’s shortest run- but only just.Scrubsseason 9’s softly-rebootedMed Schoolepisodes only totaled 13 installments, so it was saved the shame of last place by season 7. Regardless, theMed Schoolis still widely regarded as the show’s worst effort, so it stands as evidence that more episodes don’t necessarily mean a season will be better. Having said that, it’s difficult to see a world whereScrubsseason 7 was finished in its entirety, and it was worse thanMed School.
Scrubs' Abandoned Episode Went On To Form The Basis Of Season 8’s “My Nah Nah Nah”
The work on “My Commitment” didn’t go to waste
In a post on theABCwebsite in 2009, Lawrence discussed “My Commitment,” and the incomplete episode’s fate isn’t quite so miserable after all. Rather than the footage shot for the season 7 episode going to waste, it was repurposed a year later forScrubsseason 8, episode 11, “My Nah Nah Nah.” Per the showrunner’s explanation, “50% of it was shotover a year ago.” Given the themes in “My Nah Nah Nah” revolving around issues with Dr. Cox’s relationship with Jordan (and the Janitor’s with Lady), it would appear"My Commitment” had an understandably fitting title.
The parts of “My Commitment” that were shot were done so without the presence of Bill Lawrence and the otherScrubswriters, due to the strike.
Interestingly,Scrubsseason 7 was the show’s final run to be shot in a 4:3 ratio.Scrubsseason 8 was the first to switch to 16:9, so the picture filled a widescreen TV.Lawrence has discussed on the officialScrubsrewatch podcast that all episodes were shot in 16:9, but most only ever aired in 4:3. So, “My Nah Nah Nah” is special because it’s the only installment to include 4:3 footage fromScrubs' earlier years, converted for the new 16:9 format. Thankfully, it’s impossible to notice without prior knowledge.
The 2007-2008 Writers' Strike Massively Affected Scrubs Season 7
Scrubs' final run on ABC ended weirdly
As well as the show’s hugely truncated run,Scrubsseason 7 suffered many other negative side effects of the strike that caused “My Commitment” to be abandoned. These issues largely stemmed from the same source, and that was the fact thatparts ofScrubsseason 7 were aired out of order. This resulted in continuity issues that the show couldn’t possibly have addressed in the scripts. For example, Ken Jenkins' Dr. Bob Kelso is suddenly the Chief of Medicine again in some episodes, despite his character having already retired earlier in the season.
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The reason forScrubsseason 7’s running order being toyed with was that ABC was working with limited tools to give the run a more natural flow. Perhaps most saliently,“My Princess” was moved to be the show’s finale. It was never intended to wrap up the season, but its cinematic and fantastical qualities seemingly made it the most eligible to end what could easily have been the sitcom’s final run of episodes. Ultimately,Scrubsstuttering to a stop did result in ABC dropping the show, and the final two seasons were produced by NBC instead before its cancelation.
Scrubs
Cast
Scrubs is a Sitcom and Medical Comedy/Drama created by Bill Lawrence that follows a group of medical students throughout their daily lives at the Sacred Heart Teaching Hospital. The series stars Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke, and Donald Faison, as they work their way up from Medical Interns while juggling all sorts of hospital shenanigans.
