TV
Everything we know about the Scrubs Reboot
After months of speculation, with fans salivating over dropped hints on social media; we have it confirmed! The Scrubs reunion is definitely happening! Scrubs creator Bill Lawrence has been quoted as saying: “We’re gonna do it because people still care about it and we enjoy spending time with each other” (Independent.co.uk, 2024).
Scrubs was a sitcom staple that ran from 2001 until 2010. Eight seasons with the original cast followed by a somewhat ill-fated ninth season with a mix of original and new characters. Starring Zach Braff as John Dorian ‘JD’, a daydreaming young doctor and king of the non-sequitur due to his various bizarre fantasies. The series follows JD as he progresses from an intern to an accomplished resident under the tutelage and biting sarcasm of his reluctant mentor, senior doctor, and fan favorite; Dr Cox (played by John C McGinley). JD’s friendships, romances, and multiple embarrassments have been immortalized through reruns and thousands of diehard fans.
In recent years entertainment has been enriched with various reboots and reunions from 90’s – early 00’s TV shows (Friends, Sex and the City, and Frasier to name but a few). Fans have been teased with the possibility of a Scrubs reboot for years by the cast themselves.
In July 2023, Christa Miller who not only played series regular ‘Jordan’, is also married to Bill Lawrence, posted a picture on her Instagram. The picture includes Braff, McGinley, and Lawrence, Miller quips about a Scrubs reboot. Both Miller and McGinley simultaneously posted the same picture in April ‘24, when the majority of the cast met up for a ‘pizza party’. McGinley posted the photo on X (formerly Twitter) including his comment “…getting the band back together”.
McGinley has since confirmed exclusively to Thatsmye.com, not only that there will be a reboot but also his involvement:
“…we all were in agreement that: as long as Billy (Lawrence) is at the helm of this reboot? We would all dive-in, with reckless abandon!”
This proclamation will surely send fans into a frenzy speculating just what a Scrubs reboot will look like.
Braff himself was asked during an interview with Screen Rant what he thought JD would be up to these days. Braff reminds the audience that JD is a “grown a** man now” (according to the show’s timelines JD would now be 50) and would probably be more in the Dr Cox position. Braff has an interesting pitch of present JD yearning to return to the “innocence of his youth”(Screen Rant, 2024). Over thirty years in medicine would wear anyone’s positivity down. Braff would like to see a jaded JD trying to recapture some of the joy from his youth.
And what of JD’s snarky mentor? Dr Cox would now be 65, the average age US physicians retire. Would a character as committed to his job as Dr Cox be able to retire completely? It would be ironic if Dr Cox, after getting some distance from modern health care, becomes the positive one of the dynamic. Would Dr Cox return the favor of years previous and help JD find joy in helping people again? However, would this be staying true to the misanthropic, ranting attending that the fandom fell in love with?
Fans have also discussed the possibility of a reboot including the character’s canonical children in the original series run. Dr Cox’s and Jordan’s son, Jack, would now be 21. JD’s own son, Sammy, would be 17. Izzie, the daughter of JD’s best friend Turk (played by Donald Faison) and his wife Carla (played by Judy Reyes) would be 18. Will this new generation play a big part in the reboot? Some fans suggested Jack would be following his father’s dream of being an ice hockey player and that Izzie would be following in her parent’s footsteps into medicine.
It’s all fun to speculate what the Scrubs gang would be doing with the backdrop of 2024/25. However, it cannot be denied that the cultural landscape has changed since the 00s. Shows such as Friends and Sex and the City have met a reckoning of sorts for their lack of diversity and their portrayal of certain minority groups. Past sitcoms look very different under the lens of the ‘20s, particularly after the historic events of recent years.
Scrubs has faced its own share of criticism over its comedic use of blackface. In the context of the show, the use of blackface is when JD is imagining himself or other cast members as his African American best friend Turk. Scrubs episodes are punctuated by JD’s outlandish daydreams. In the wake of the BLM protests over the summer of 2020, Braff and Faison used an entire episode of their Scrubs rewatch podcast ‘Fake Doctors, Real Friends’ (available on Spotify) to discuss the use of blackface in the TV series.
The podcast episode is titled; ‘Our Difficult Past: Blackface on Scrubs’ was originally aired on June 29th 2020 and ran for around 42 minutes. The episode included Bill Lawrence and actress Sarah Chalke, who played ‘Elliot’. Three episodes of the TV show included blackface ‘gags’.
Lawrence takes full responsibility for the content, although all four members took accountability and offered their sincere apologies. Lawrence didn’t want to make excuses but elucidated the reasoning of his past self. The showrunner blamed it on “the arrogance that comes with success” (Braff, 2020). He thought they had a “free pass” as they had created such a diverse show both in front of and behind the cameras. For the era, Scrubs was extremely progressive, with a diverse main cast, an interracial couple starring in the show, and a varied age range among the stars.
The episodes in question were immediately pulled from Disney+ under Lawrence’s instruction. At the time of this publication, the episodes are still removed from Hulu, and two of the three are from Amazon and iTunes. Lawrence has also received criticism from the other side of the cultural divide; that the situation is another example of PC culture ruining art. However, Lawrence is steadfast in his belief that art is better for it. When doors are opened for people of different backgrounds and experiences to tell their stories, it can only enrich and diversify storytelling.
Being accepting of one’s own mistakes makes us more understanding and compassionate which ultimately makes us better storytellers. Lawrence and the rest of the cast will take these experiences and lessons when creating what is sure to be a fantastic reboot. Unlike other reboots such as ‘Sex and the City’ which tried to course-correct after the criticisms that the original series wasn’t diverse enough in its casting. The reboot seems to overcompensate by quickly adding a plethora of new characters who are POC, disabled, and non-binary. Even with the best intentions, this comes across as tokenism. Scrubs already had a diverse cast for a mainstream show.
Lawrence told Joe.co.uk that we can expect a reboot in “six months to a year” (Joe.co.uk, 2024). Whatever a reboot will look like, fans will eagerly await it and speculate just what a ‘20s Scrubs will include. With Lawrence’s passion, Braff’s unique insight, and McGinley’s enthusiasm it will sure to be an exciting addition to a classic show.
Sweetpea is a new dark comedy series created by Kristie Swain and adapted from a novel series by CJ Skuse. The series stars the ethereal goddess that is Ella Purnell (Fallout, Yellowjackets) using her actual English accent!
Purnell plays a young woman whose name is not actually Sweetpea, though she is very much a wallflower. Though even Wallflower might have too much gravitas, Rhiannon (Purnell) is treated by those around her like a weed. She is stepped on and ignored by everyone except her dad and pet chihuahua. Many have argued that Purnell is just ‘too pretty’ to be that abjectly ignored by everyone. However, Purnell is an amazing actress who plays the washed-out, doe-eyed, shrinking ‘sweetpea’ so convincingly.
Rhiannon was bullied heavily in school which led to her developing trichotillomania (a hair-pulling disorder) which ultimately caused bald patches on her scalp. She still keeps an unconvincing brunette wig in a drawer in her bedroom. Rhiannon’s dad is constantly encouraging Rhiannon to stand up for herself. Unfortunately (light spoiler!) Rhiannon’s Dad dies from his illness in the first episode, leaving her alone in the world.
Rhiannon returns home to the large empty house she once shared with her dad. After yet another tragic incident Rhiannon looks at her life, her thirst for revenge is obvious. Particularly against her main school bully Julia Blenkingsopp (Nicôle Lecky).
Rhiannon sees Julia as having a perfect life and didn’t peak in high school “like bullies are supposed to do!”. When Rhiannon returned to work as an admin assistant for a local paper, not only did none of her colleagues notice her absence but they didn’t acknowledge her return. The only person who appears to talk to her is her boss Norman played by Jeremy Swift (Ted Lasso) who condescendingly calls her “sweetpea” and demands tea.
Rhiannon’s mental state declines enough for her to finally confront Julia in a club. Julia and her friends laugh at Rhiannon which brings memories of school back and anxiously tugging at her hair. This leads Rhiannon to commit a horrifying yet liberating crime when leaving the club leading to a whole new way of expressing herself.
What I Liked:
I enjoyed watching Rhiannon’s confidence grow throughout the series. Purnell herself spoke about the production of subtlety added makeup to subconsciously influence the change in her. Rhiannon transformed from a shrinking girl to a hip-swaying, go-getting career woman. Yet its clear there is a lot of mental turmoil within Rhiannon. Purnell (2024) jokes that she actually “got kinda jacked” due to the tension she held in her body whilst suppressing Rhiannon’s rage. Purnell also comments on how freeing it was to let it all out which Rhiannon does many times and is just as satisfying for the audience!
Initially, I found every character rather one-dimensional and stale compared to Purnell. However, as the show progresses most characters become multifaceted, particularly Julia. The narrative of the show really makes you question your own morals and sense of justice. You find yourself making excuses for Rhiannon and almost cheering her on when you really, really shouldn’t.
I also enjoyed how the show explores the victim complex. Is Rhiannon really a victim or has she taken on this mantle and lived her life accordingly? Sweetpea expertly plays with the shades of grey in the ideas of what makes someone a bully and what makes someone a victim.
Sweetpea fits in perfectly in the genre of British black comedy. Scenes like when Rhiannon is clearing out her chest freezer and then climbs in herself to see if it could potentially fit a body. The door of the freezer almost closes on her but she catches it just in time. This scene perfectly captures just what kind of character Rhiannon is.
I also liked how the character’s houses were used as metaphors for their lives. The home Rhiannon shared with her father is messy and cozy yet in desperate need of TLC and repair much like Rhiannon herself. You can tell it’s a well-loved home with a long history much like Rhiannon and her father’s relationship. In stark contrast to Julia’s fiercely stylish and minimalistic home which she shares with her fiancé. It’s sleek and modern yet ultimately empty with little sign of love.
The opening credits and music choices are also fire.
What Could Be Improved:
Like many others, I didn’t quite believe someone as beautiful as Purnell would be completely ignored by the general public. It did look at times like they were relying on drab clothing and too light foundation to make her look mousey. However, as stated, Purnell’s performance does save it.
The main ‘love triangle’ (if could even call it that) was a bit forced. Calam Lynch’s portrayal of Rhiannon’s colleague ‘AJ’ was a bit too enamored with Rhiannon with no real build-up. However, I found myself really enjoying Jon Pointing’s portrayal of ‘Craig’ and wishing his arc had been explored more.
I really wanted the show to lean more into the exploration of ‘abuser’ and the ‘abused’ and take it to a deeper level. Maybe in series 2?
All in all, I enjoyed this traverse through Sweetpea’s world. I am interested to see where they go with it in the future.
Three and a half stars.
If you’re a horror fan, Bruce Campbell needs no introduction. Best known for his iconic role as Ash Williams in Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead franchise, Campbell returned to his beloved role in Ash vs Evil Dead, a bloody, gory, and hilarious continuation of the series. Running for three seasons from 2015 to 2018, Ash vs Evil Dead is a fan-favorite show that blends slapstick humor with spine-chilling horror. For Bruce Campbell fans, here are the top five episodes from all three seasons that showcase his legendary performance as the wisecracking, chainsaw-wielding anti-hero, Ash.
1. Season 1, Episode 1: “El Jefe”
The series premiere “El Jefe” brings Ash Williams back into the spotlight after 30 years of living a quiet life. When the Necronomicon accidentally releases the Deadites again, Ash reluctantly steps back into his role as humanity’s savior. This episode does a great job of reintroducing us to Ash’s brash, arrogant, but lovable personality, while setting the tone for the mayhem to come. Full of gore, humor, and over-the-top action, this episode is a perfect mix of nostalgia and modern horror.
2. Season 2, Episode 2: “The Morgue”
Widely regarded as one of the best episodes in the series, “The Morgue” is a gory, gross-out extravaganza. Ash and Pablo infiltrate a morgue to retrieve the Necronomicon from a cadaver, leading to one of the most memorable scenes in horror television. Without giving too much away, Ash’s battle with a corpse in this episode is both hilarious and disgusting in a way that only Evil Dead could pull off. Campbell’s physical comedy and fearless approach to the bizarre is on full display here.
3. Season 3, Episode 10: “The Mettle of Man”
The series finale, “The Mettle of Man,” delivers on everything fans love about Ash vs Evil Dead—epic Deadite battles, blood-splattered action, and Bruce Campbell being the ultimate hero. As Ash confronts the Dark Ones and an apocalypse-level Deadite invasion, he makes the ultimate sacrifice to save humanity. This finale is bittersweet, providing plenty of epic moments for Ash while leaving fans wanting more. It’s a perfect end to a wild and thrilling series, with Campbell at his very best.
4. Season 2, Episode 9: “Home Again”
In “Home Again,” Ash is forced to confront his past by returning to the iconic cabin in the woods, where the Evil Dead saga first began. This episode is packed with nostalgia for long-time fans, bringing back all the familiar chills and thrills of the original Evil Dead films. The episode also features a strong emotional core, as Ash comes face-to-face with the memories of his friends and family who were lost to the Deadites. Bruce Campbell delivers a more layered performance in this episode, blending his usual snark with genuine pathos.
5. Season 1, Episode 8: “Ashes to Ashes”
“Ashes to Ashes” takes Ash back to the cabin for the first time in the series, where he must deal with his own demonic doppelgänger, Evil Ash. This episode plays with the classic Evil Dead themes of possession and madness, delivering a blend of psychological horror and dark comedy. The showdown between Ash and his evil twin is a series highlight, full of blood-soaked action and classic one-liners. Campbell’s dual performance as both hero and villain makes this episode a standout.
Why Horror Fans Love Ash vs Evil Dead
Bruce Campbell’s portrayal of Ash Williams is a large part of what makes Ash vs Evil Dead such a beloved show among horror fans. His ability to combine humor, physicality, and sheer badassery into one character has solidified his place as a horror icon. Whether he’s decapitating Deadites with his chainsaw or delivering snarky one-liners, Campbell’s Ash is always the highlight of any episode. His performance elevates the show from standard horror-comedy fare into a cult classic.
For fans of Bruce Campbell and the Evil Dead franchise, Ash vs Evil Dead is a must-watch series that honors the legacy of the films while pushing the boundaries of horror-comedy. These top five episodes showcase the very best of Ash’s wild, gory, and hilarious adventures. Whether you’re in it for the splatter, the laughs, or Campbell’s unbeatable charm, these episodes are essential viewing.
TV
Top 5 Stan Against Evil Episodes for John C. McGinley and Horror Fans: A Must-Watch List (Seasons 1-3)
Stan Against Evil, starring John C. McGinley, has become a cult favorite among horror-comedy fans, blending supernatural scares with sharp humor. Set in the cursed town of Willard’s Mill, this IFC series ran for three seasons (2016-2018) and follows the cantankerous former sheriff Stan Miller, played by McGinley, as he battles evil forces alongside Sheriff Evie Barret. If you’re a fan of McGinley or love horror with a comedic twist, here are the top five episodes from Stan Against Evil, showcasing the best of the series.
1. Season 1, Episode 1: “Dig Me Up, Dig Me Down”
The series premiere is an essential watch, setting the tone for the supernatural hijinks to come. After his wife’s sudden death, Stan is forced into early retirement, but he soon discovers that she was secretly battling evil forces in their small town. John C. McGinley’s perfect portrayal of the grumpy, no-nonsense Stan Miller makes this episode a great introduction to the character and the show’s blend of horror and humor. The opening moments are filled with laugh-out-loud moments and genuine frights, making it one of the strongest premieres in the horror-comedy genre.
2. Season 2, Episode 8: “A Hard Day’s Night”
In this thrilling and hilarious season 2 finale, Stan and Evie are thrust into a time loop, forced to relive the same night over and over while being hunted by a demonic creature. This episode delivers on both horror and humor, showcasing McGinley’s comedic timing as his character’s frustration grows with each repeated event. It’s a highlight in terms of pacing and creativity, with eerie atmosphere and a fun twist on time-travel horror.
3. Season 3, Episode 3: “Larva My Life”
A fan favorite, this episode combines body horror with humor as Stan gets infested with a parasitic demon larva. McGinley’s physical comedy and exaggerated reactions make this episode especially fun to watch. The creature design and practical effects are top-notch, making it a standout for horror enthusiasts who appreciate grotesque transformations. The episode manages to balance humor with gross-out horror, a signature of Stan Against Evil.
4. Season 1, Episode 8: “Level Boss”
The season 1 finale is one of the most intense episodes, pitting Stan and Evie against a powerful witch who seeks vengeance on the town. Filled with action, tension, and dark humor, this episode ups the stakes for our heroes. McGinley shines in moments of both vulnerability and anger, proving that his character is more than just a curmudgeonly sheriff—he’s a reluctant but determined hero. The final showdown is a must-watch for fans of horror showdowns.
5. Season 3, Episode 7: “Intensive Scare Unit”
One of the creepiest episodes in the series, “Intensive Scare Unit” sees Evie and Stan trapped in a haunted hospital. The atmosphere is pure horror, with eerie hallways, ghostly doctors, and sinister patients. McGinley delivers some of his best deadpan humor as Stan faces off against terrifying spirits. The setting and scares in this episode make it a standout, and the mixture of horror tropes with Stan Against Evil’s unique comedic flair elevates it to one of the top episodes.
Why Horror Fans Love Stan Against Evil
John C. McGinley’s portrayal of Stan Miller is a large part of why Stan Against Evil resonates with fans. His gruff, curmudgeonly attitude, paired with moments of genuine vulnerability, brings depth to a show that could easily be just a horror-comedy romp. His comedic timing, honed from years on Scrubs, meshes perfectly with the show’s quirky tone. At the same time, the horror elements are not diluted—there are plenty of scares, creepy creatures, and dark magic to satisfy even the most hardcore horror fans.
“It’s like Scooby-Doo meets the Exorcist” says McGinley.
Whether you’re in it for the laughs, the scares, or John C. McGinley’s brilliant performance, Stan Against Evil is a must-watch series for horror fans. These five episodes represent the best of the show’s unique blend of supernatural horror and dark comedy. Binge these episodes for a perfect introduction to the world of Willard’s Mill, and get ready for a mix of laughs, frights, and one very cranky former sheriff.
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