Scrubbed away
Zach Braff quits Scrubs
Zach Braff is to leave American hospital comedy Scrubs at the end of the next series.But creator Bill Lawrence says the show, which transfers to the ABC network this year after seven years on NBC, could easily go on without the star.
Braff, who is forging a career as a star and director of independent films, said he would consider returning to the sitcom as a guest star, or to direct episodes.
‘My sense is this is my last year,’ said Braff, who plays the lead character, JD.
‘The end of the show will be about JD leaving the hospital,’ Lawrence added. ‘When you leave, it’s about holding on to your relationships.’
He said the show was ‘ER as a comedy’, so could adapt to an ever-changing cast. ‘We brought in some younger people into the show,’ he said. ‘You can’t kill this show.’
At the same press conference launching the new series, Braff joked about the comedy’s network move: ‘Next year we'll be on CBS.’
ABC is giving the show a hefty promotional push to publicise the transfer, including commissioning six short webisodes.
Published: 17 Jul 2008
