Scrubs Creator Details New Premise, Characters

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For a majority of last season, Scrubs was planning to say goodbye in May. It even aired one of the best finales in recent memory.

But the show received a surprising ninth season pick up, one that forced creator Bill Lawrence to devise a new premise for the sitcom.

With series regulars such as Zach Braff only making the occasional appearance, Lawrence came up with a new plan: Dr. Cox and Dr. Turk would take charge in a new medical school setting.

Denise and J.D.

Earlier this week, Lawrence expounded on his plans for season nine during an interview with TV critic Alan Sepinwall. We've recapped the highlights below:

  • The new, uncast female lead, Lucy, will narrate;
  • Denise (Eliza Coupe, pictured with Braff) will grow close to Turk;
  • A new lecture hall has been constructed on set, in which Cox will often lecture students;
  • A year has gone by between the May finale and season nine premiere;
  • Lawrence is "trying to find a laconic Bill Murray type of guy who can stand up to Dr. Cox" for the new male lead.

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.

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Scrubs Quotes

Turk: All right, Elliot, at the presentation I was wondering, can I do the ending? Because I really love the ending of our paper.
Elliot: Do you think I'm cut out to be a doctor?
Turk: Okay, fine, you can do the ending. I just want to say, "Thanks, folks! We've been great!"
Elliot: I'm serious. Do you think this is what I really want to do?
Turk: Elliot, I don't know.
Elliot: You can tell me. I can take it.
Turk: No, Elliot, I'm saying I don't know because I really don't know. What the hell is going on here? Why have all women gone crazy?

Ah, checking Mr. Countertop's heart rate. (Slams a pack of paper on the countertop, hurting Keith's ears) Memories. Do you know that once, Dr. Cox made me give every air conditioning unit in this hospital a pap smear? The wacky thing is room 403 did have some yeast issues.

</i> J.D.