Scrubs (season 1)
Encyclopedia
The first season of the American comedy-drama
television series Scrubs
premiered on NBC
on October 2, 2001 and concluded on May 21, 2002 and consists of 24 episodes. Scrubs was created by Bill Lawrence
who wrote the pilot as well as 3 other episodes in the season. Adam Bernstein
directed the pilot as well as 4 other episodes. Sarah Chalke
, Judy Reyes
and Donald Faison
each signed a five year deal. John C. McGinley
and Ken Jenkins
each signed a seven year deal, this was done by NBC
as they thought they might leave and do other films. Zach Braff
signed a four year deal because Lawrence only had a four year contract. Neil Flynn was only a guest star in the first season, although he appeared in every episode of the season. Bill Lawrence said if the show had been cancelled at the end of the first season, he would have made the Janitor
a figment of J.D.'s imagination.
The first season follows J.D. (Zach Braff
) and his best friend Turk (Donald Faison
) in their first year out of medical school as interns at Sacred Heart Hospital. J.D. quickly meets his reluctant mentor, Dr. Perry Cox (John C. McGinley
); a young woman (and fellow intern) named Elliot
(Sarah Chalke
), on whom he has a crush; the hospital's janitor
(Neil Flynn
), who goes out of his way to make J.D.'s life miserable; the Chief of Medicine, Dr. Bob Kelso
(Ken Jenkins
), who is more concerned about the budget than the patients; and Carla Espinosa
(Judy Reyes
), the head nurse and Turk's new girlfriend, who puts Turk through the trials and tribulations of being in a serious relationship. The characters face romances and relationship issues, family obligations, overwhelming paperwork, and a tremendous number of patients. The first season also introduces recurring supporting characters such as "The Todd" (Robert Maschio
), a boorishly lascivious surgeon; Ted
(Sam Lloyd
), the hospital's hapless, milquetoast
lawyer; Laverne (Aloma Wright
), fellow nurse and mentor to Carla; Jordan Sullivan (Christa Miller
), Dr. Cox's caustic administrator ex-wife, and Doug Murphy (Johnny Kastl
), a nervous young doctor who often accidentally kills patients.
Comedy-drama
Comedy-drama is a genre of theatre, film and television programs which combines humorous and serious content.-Theatre:Traditional western theatre, beginning with the ancient Greeks, was divided into comedy and tragedy...
television series Scrubs
Scrubs (TV series)
Scrubs is an American medical comedy-drama television series created in 2001 by Bill Lawrence and produced by ABC Studios. The show follows the lives of several employees of the fictional Sacred Heart, a teaching hospital. It features fast-paced screenplay, slapstick, and surreal vignettes...
premiered on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
on October 2, 2001 and concluded on May 21, 2002 and consists of 24 episodes. Scrubs was created by Bill Lawrence
Bill Lawrence (producer)
William Van Duzer Lawrence IV is an American screenwriter, producer, and director best known as the creator of Scrubs and co-creator of Cougar Town. Lawrence is married to the actress Christa Miller whom he cast in both television series; they have three children together...
who wrote the pilot as well as 3 other episodes in the season. Adam Bernstein
Adam Bernstein
Adam Bernstein is an American film, music video and television director and screenwriter. He was born in Princeton, New Jersey...
directed the pilot as well as 4 other episodes. Sarah Chalke
Sarah Chalke
Sarah Chalke is a Canadian-American actress known for portraying Dr. Elliot Reid on the NBC/ABC comedy Scrubs, "Second Becky" Conner Healy on Roseanne, and Stella Zinman in the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother...
, Judy Reyes
Judy Reyes
Judy Reyes is an American actress of Dominican heritage. She is best known for her portrayal of nurse Carla Espinosa on the TV comedy Scrubs.-Early life:...
and Donald Faison
Donald Faison
Donald Adeosun Faison is an American actor, comedian, and voice actor best known for his role as Dr. Chris Turk in the ABC comedy-drama Scrubs and as Murray in the film Clueless and the subsequent television series of the same name.Faison has also co-starred in the films Remember the Titans ,...
each signed a five year deal. John C. McGinley
John C. McGinley
John Christopher McGinley is an American actor, most notable for his roles as Perry Cox in Scrubs, Bob Slydell in Office Space, Sergeant Red O'Neill in Oliver Stone's Platoon and Marv in Stone's Wall Street. He has also written and produced for television and film...
and Ken Jenkins
Ken Jenkins
Ken Jenkins is an American actor, best known for his role as Dr. Bob Kelso, the Chief of Medicine on the American comedy Scrubs....
each signed a seven year deal, this was done by NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
as they thought they might leave and do other films. Zach Braff
Zach Braff
Zachary Israel "Zach" Braff is an American actor, screenwriter, producer, comedian, and director. Braff first became known in 2001 for his role as Dr. John Dorian on the television series Scrubs, for which he was nominated for an Emmy Award and three Golden Globe Awards.In 2004, Braff made his...
signed a four year deal because Lawrence only had a four year contract. Neil Flynn was only a guest star in the first season, although he appeared in every episode of the season. Bill Lawrence said if the show had been cancelled at the end of the first season, he would have made the Janitor
Janitor (Scrubs)
The Janitor is a fictional character, played by actor Neil Flynn in the American comedy-drama Scrubs.Neil Flynn was originally billed as a recurring guest star throughout Season 1, although he appeared in all 24 episodes of that season. He was promoted to a series regular beginning with Season 2...
a figment of J.D.'s imagination.
Plot
Zach Braff
Zachary Israel "Zach" Braff is an American actor, screenwriter, producer, comedian, and director. Braff first became known in 2001 for his role as Dr. John Dorian on the television series Scrubs, for which he was nominated for an Emmy Award and three Golden Globe Awards.In 2004, Braff made his...
) and his best friend Turk (Donald Faison
Donald Faison
Donald Adeosun Faison is an American actor, comedian, and voice actor best known for his role as Dr. Chris Turk in the ABC comedy-drama Scrubs and as Murray in the film Clueless and the subsequent television series of the same name.Faison has also co-starred in the films Remember the Titans ,...
) in their first year out of medical school as interns at Sacred Heart Hospital. J.D. quickly meets his reluctant mentor, Dr. Perry Cox (John C. McGinley
John C. McGinley
John Christopher McGinley is an American actor, most notable for his roles as Perry Cox in Scrubs, Bob Slydell in Office Space, Sergeant Red O'Neill in Oliver Stone's Platoon and Marv in Stone's Wall Street. He has also written and produced for television and film...
); a young woman (and fellow intern) named Elliot
Elliot Reid
Dr. Elliot Reid is a fictional character played by Sarah Chalke in the American comedy-drama Scrubs. She has appeared in every episode during the first eight seasons except two Season 8 episodes, "My Last Words" and "My Lawyer's in Love"....
(Sarah Chalke
Sarah Chalke
Sarah Chalke is a Canadian-American actress known for portraying Dr. Elliot Reid on the NBC/ABC comedy Scrubs, "Second Becky" Conner Healy on Roseanne, and Stella Zinman in the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother...
), on whom he has a crush; the hospital's janitor
Janitor (Scrubs)
The Janitor is a fictional character, played by actor Neil Flynn in the American comedy-drama Scrubs.Neil Flynn was originally billed as a recurring guest star throughout Season 1, although he appeared in all 24 episodes of that season. He was promoted to a series regular beginning with Season 2...
(Neil Flynn
Neil Flynn
Neil Richard Flynn is an American actor and comedian, known for his role as Janitor in the medical comedy-drama Scrubs. He currently portrays Mike Heck in the ABC sitcom The Middle.-Early life:...
), who goes out of his way to make J.D.'s life miserable; the Chief of Medicine, Dr. Bob Kelso
Bob Kelso
Robert "Bob" Kelso, M.D. , is a fictional character played by Ken Jenkins in the American comedy-drama Scrubs....
(Ken Jenkins
Ken Jenkins
Ken Jenkins is an American actor, best known for his role as Dr. Bob Kelso, the Chief of Medicine on the American comedy Scrubs....
), who is more concerned about the budget than the patients; and Carla Espinosa
Carla Espinosa
Carla Espinosa, RN is a fictional character in the American comedy-drama Scrubs, portrayed by Judy Reyes.Carla has appeared in every episode during the first eight seasons except three Season 8 episodes, "My Happy Place", "My Cookie Pants" and "My Full Moon"...
(Judy Reyes
Judy Reyes
Judy Reyes is an American actress of Dominican heritage. She is best known for her portrayal of nurse Carla Espinosa on the TV comedy Scrubs.-Early life:...
), the head nurse and Turk's new girlfriend, who puts Turk through the trials and tribulations of being in a serious relationship. The characters face romances and relationship issues, family obligations, overwhelming paperwork, and a tremendous number of patients. The first season also introduces recurring supporting characters such as "The Todd" (Robert Maschio
Robert Maschio
Robert Maschio is an American actor. He is known for playing Dr. Todd 'The Todd' Quinlan in the American comedy-drama Scrubs.-Career:...
), a boorishly lascivious surgeon; Ted
Ted Buckland
Theodore "Ted" Buckland, Esq., most commonly referred to as Ted Buckland , is a fictional character played by Sam Lloyd in Bill Lawrence series Scrubs and Cougar Town, and the only character to appears in both series.Created for Scrubs, Ted is the depressive, suicidal and incompetent lawyer of the...
(Sam Lloyd
Sam Lloyd (actor)
Samuel "Sam" Lloyd, Jr. is an American actor and musician, perhaps best known for his portrayal of beaten down lawyer Ted Buckland on the American comedy-drama Scrubs....
), the hospital's hapless, milquetoast
Milquetoast
A milquetoast is a weak, ineffectual or bland person. The word is derived from the character Caspar Milquetoast from the 1924 comic strip The Timid Soul.Milquetoast may also refer to:...
lawyer; Laverne (Aloma Wright
Aloma Wright
Aloma Wright is an American actress. She was born in New York and raised in California.- Career :Wright was cast as Laverne Roberts for Scrubs. After six seasons, her character was killed off in My Long Goodbye. She returned in season seven playing a new character, Nurse Shirley...
), fellow nurse and mentor to Carla; Jordan Sullivan (Christa Miller
Christa Miller
Christa Miller is an American actress who has achieved success in television comedy. Her foremost roles include Kate O'Brien on The Drew Carey Show and Jordan Sullivan on Scrubs . She has also appeared on Seinfeld and CSI: Miami...
), Dr. Cox's caustic administrator ex-wife, and Doug Murphy (Johnny Kastl
Johnny Kastl
Johnny Kastl is an American actor, best known for his role as Dr. Doug Murphy on the medical dramedy Scrubs. He has since made cameo appearances in several Hollywood productions and played other parts on television including the role of Todd Jaracki on The Beast with Patrick Swayze.-Early life:Born...
), a nervous young doctor who often accidentally kills patients.
Main cast
- Zach BraffZach BraffZachary Israel "Zach" Braff is an American actor, screenwriter, producer, comedian, and director. Braff first became known in 2001 for his role as Dr. John Dorian on the television series Scrubs, for which he was nominated for an Emmy Award and three Golden Globe Awards.In 2004, Braff made his...
as Dr. John "J.D." Dorian - Sarah ChalkeSarah ChalkeSarah Chalke is a Canadian-American actress known for portraying Dr. Elliot Reid on the NBC/ABC comedy Scrubs, "Second Becky" Conner Healy on Roseanne, and Stella Zinman in the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother...
as Dr. Elliot ReidElliot ReidDr. Elliot Reid is a fictional character played by Sarah Chalke in the American comedy-drama Scrubs. She has appeared in every episode during the first eight seasons except two Season 8 episodes, "My Last Words" and "My Lawyer's in Love".... - Donald FaisonDonald FaisonDonald Adeosun Faison is an American actor, comedian, and voice actor best known for his role as Dr. Chris Turk in the ABC comedy-drama Scrubs and as Murray in the film Clueless and the subsequent television series of the same name.Faison has also co-starred in the films Remember the Titans ,...
as Dr. Chris TurkChristopher TurkChristopher Duncan Turk, M.D., is a fictional character played by Donald Faison on the American comedy-drama Scrubs. Turk has appeared in every episode except three Season 8 episodes, "My Saving Grace", "My New Role" and "My Lawyer's in Love". Donald Faison is the only original cast member,... - Ken JenkinsKen JenkinsKen Jenkins is an American actor, best known for his role as Dr. Bob Kelso, the Chief of Medicine on the American comedy Scrubs....
as Dr. Bob KelsoBob KelsoRobert "Bob" Kelso, M.D. , is a fictional character played by Ken Jenkins in the American comedy-drama Scrubs.... - John C. McGinleyJohn C. McGinleyJohn Christopher McGinley is an American actor, most notable for his roles as Perry Cox in Scrubs, Bob Slydell in Office Space, Sergeant Red O'Neill in Oliver Stone's Platoon and Marv in Stone's Wall Street. He has also written and produced for television and film...
as Dr. Perry Cox - Judy ReyesJudy ReyesJudy Reyes is an American actress of Dominican heritage. She is best known for her portrayal of nurse Carla Espinosa on the TV comedy Scrubs.-Early life:...
as Nurse Carla EspinosaCarla EspinosaCarla Espinosa, RN is a fictional character in the American comedy-drama Scrubs, portrayed by Judy Reyes.Carla has appeared in every episode during the first eight seasons except three Season 8 episodes, "My Happy Place", "My Cookie Pants" and "My Full Moon"...
Recurring roles
- Neil FlynnNeil FlynnNeil Richard Flynn is an American actor and comedian, known for his role as Janitor in the medical comedy-drama Scrubs. He currently portrays Mike Heck in the ABC sitcom The Middle.-Early life:...
as The JanitorJanitor (Scrubs)The Janitor is a fictional character, played by actor Neil Flynn in the American comedy-drama Scrubs.Neil Flynn was originally billed as a recurring guest star throughout Season 1, although he appeared in all 24 episodes of that season. He was promoted to a series regular beginning with Season 2...
(24 episodes) - Aloma WrightAloma WrightAloma Wright is an American actress. She was born in New York and raised in California.- Career :Wright was cast as Laverne Roberts for Scrubs. After six seasons, her character was killed off in My Long Goodbye. She returned in season seven playing a new character, Nurse Shirley...
as Nurse Laverne Roberts (17 episodes) - Robert MaschioRobert MaschioRobert Maschio is an American actor. He is known for playing Dr. Todd 'The Todd' Quinlan in the American comedy-drama Scrubs.-Career:...
as Dr. Todd Quinlan (15 episodes) - Sam LloydSam LloydSam Lloyd may refer to:*Samuel T. Lloyd III, dean of Washington National Cathedral*Sam Lloyd, recurring guest character on several television shows including Scrubs and Desperate Housewives-See also:...
as Ted Buckland (11 episodes) - Charles ChunCharles ChunCharles S. Chun is an American actor who has appeared in television shows such as Scrubs, Everybody Loves Raymond, Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide....
as Dr. Phillip Wen (7 episodes) - Johnny KastlJohnny KastlJohnny Kastl is an American actor, best known for his role as Dr. Doug Murphy on the medical dramedy Scrubs. He has since made cameo appearances in several Hollywood productions and played other parts on television including the role of Todd Jaracki on The Beast with Patrick Swayze.-Early life:Born...
as Dr. Doug Murphy (7 episodes) - Christa MillerChrista MillerChrista Miller is an American actress who has achieved success in television comedy. Her foremost roles include Kate O'Brien on The Drew Carey Show and Jordan Sullivan on Scrubs . She has also appeared on Seinfeld and CSI: Miami...
as Jordan Sullivan (6 episodes)
Guest stars
- Scott FoleyScott FoleyScott Kellerman Foley is an American actor. He is known for roles in television shows such as The Unit and Felicity, and in films such as Scream 3...
as Sean Kelly (2 episodes) - Brendan FraserBrendan FraserBrendan James Fraser is a Canadian-American film and stage actor. Fraser portrayed Rick O'Connell in the three-part Mummy film series , and is known for his comedic and fantasy film leading roles in major Hollywood films, including Encino Man , George of the Jungle , Dudley Do-Right , Monkeybone ,...
as Ben Sullivan (2 episodes) - Michael McDonald as Mike Davis (2 episodes)
- Masi OkaMasi OkaMasayori "Masi" Oka is a Japanese-American actor and digital effects artist.He has performed in numerous feature films and TV series, most prominently as Hiro Nakamura in the NBC TV series Heroes from 2006 until its cancellation in May 2010. He resides in Los Angeles, California.-Early life:Oka...
as Dr. Franklyn (2 episodes) - Sean HayesSean Hayes (actor)Sean Patrick Hayes is an American actor and comedian. He is widely known for his role as Jack McFarland in the NBC sitcom Will & Grace, for which he won an Emmy Award, four SAG Awards, one American Comedy Award, and six Golden Globes nominations.He also portrayed comedian Jerry Lewis in the...
as Nick Murdoch (1 episode) - John RitterJohn RitterJonathan Southworth "John" Ritter was an American actor, voice over artist and comedian perhaps best known for having played Jack Tripper and Paul Hennessy in the ABC sitcoms Three's Company and 8 Simple Rules, respectively...
as Sam Dorian (1 episode)
Writing staff
- Bill LawrenceBill Lawrence (producer)William Van Duzer Lawrence IV is an American screenwriter, producer, and director best known as the creator of Scrubs and co-creator of Cougar Town. Lawrence is married to the actress Christa Miller whom he cast in both television series; they have three children together...
– executive producer/head writer - Eric WeinbergEric WeinbergEric Weinberg is an American television producer and screenwriter best known for his work on the television series Scrubs.Weinberg has served as co-executive producer on Scrubs for over a hundred episodes since 2002, and is credited as supervising producer and writer for an additional twenty...
– supervising producer (episodes 2–14) / co-executive producer (episodes 15–24) - Matt Tarses – consulting producer (episodes 2–14) / co-executive producer (episodes 15–24)
- Neil Goldman and Garrett DonovanNeil Goldman and Garrett DonovanNeil Goldman and Garrett Donovan are a television writing team who have worked on television comedies Family Guy and Scrubs. Their most recent project was the television pilot Nobody's Watching, which they created and wrote with Scrubs creator Bill Lawrence.The character on Family Guy named Neil...
– co-producers - Gabrielle Allan – co-producer
- Mike SchwartzMike SchwartzMike Schwartz was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and was raised in Compton, California. He has lived in Compton for several years, pursuing a career as an actor and a writer in the entertainment field. He was a writer and co-executive producer on the NBC/ABC television comedy drama Scrubs from 2001...
– story editor - Debra FordhamDeb FordhamDeb Fordham served as an Emmy-nominated writer and producer for the American situation comedy Scrubs. She wrote sixteen episodes, two of which, "My Life in Four Cameras" and "My Musical", are considered to be among the best Scrubs episodes...
– staff writer - Mark Stegemann – staff writer
- Janae BakkenJanae BakkenJanae Bakken is an American television producer and screenwriter best known for her work on the television series Scrubs....
– staff writer
Production staff
- Bill Lawrence – executive producer/showrunner
- Randall Winston – producer / co-producer (pilot)
- Liz Newman – associate producer
- Danny Rose – associate producer
- Mychelle Deschamps – producer (pilot)
Directors
Includes directors who directed 2 or more episodes- Adam BernsteinAdam BernsteinAdam Bernstein is an American film, music video and television director and screenwriter. He was born in Princeton, New Jersey...
– 5 episodes (including pilot) - Michael SpillerMichael SpillerMichael Alan Spiller is an American cinematographer and television director.Spiller has directed on numerous series and has also served as a cinematographer prior to directing and worked frequently with Hal Hartley. He was a regular director on the HBO series, Sex and the City where he also served...
– 4 episodes - Lawrence TrillingLawrence TrillingLawrence Trilling is a television director who has worked on many popular shows, including Alias, Felicity, Invasion, Monk, Pushing Daisies, Scrubs, Roswell, and Parenthood.-Directing credits:*Felicity** 1.15 The Fugue...
– 4 episodes - Marc BucklandMarc Buckland- Filmography :*Love Bites - Director, executive producer*My Name is Earl - Director, executive producer*Ed - Director, executive producer*The Jake Effect - Director, executive producer...
– 4 episodes - Matthew DiamondMatthew DiamondMatthew Diamond is an American film and television director, producer and choreographer.He was nominated for an Academy Award in 1999 for directing the documentary film The Dancemaker...
– 2 episodes
Episodes
| Series # |
Season # |
Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Production code |
|---|