Sure, we’re in an period of over-nostalgia, one wherein each different canceled IP will get introduced again in some type. The variety of community TV sitcoms which were resurrected from the lifeless, together with “Murphy Brown,” “Will & Grace,” “Frasier,” and plenty of extra, has been a outstanding phenomenon to behold. The vast majority of them really feel creatively bankrupt, a method to make cash off a recognized property, one thing that individuals have at all times been interested in of their leisure. The identical purpose that many of the prime 20 movies of the 12 months are based mostly on hit books or sequels to hit movies is why TV producers preserve going again to the identical wells: Individuals love the acquainted. The reality is that for the most effective of those revivals, it’s not simply familiarity, it’s consolation. In a chaotic world, it’s good to see characters that really feel like previous pals.
Fortunately, ABC’s revivals of “Scrubs” largely falls on that facet of the ledger. As somebody who detests the poorly-written commercials that use two of the celebrities of this present, the considered a full model of that despatched shivers down my backbone, however the 2026 model of “Scrubs” is a reasonably stable piece of escapism, a return that feels virtually like what the present would seem like now if it by no means left the air.
DAVID GRIDLEY, AVA BUNN, JACOB DUDMAN
A little bit of historical past: “Scrubs” premiered virtually 25 years in the past (I do know, I do know), just some weeks after 9/11. It was a stable hit with a loyal fan base on NBC for a lot of the 2000s, canceled by the Peacock Community after seven sturdy seasons, however instantly picked up by ABC for what was supposed to be its ultimate season. The eighth season even ended with an episode known as “My Finale,” which proved to be a little bit of a lie when ABC reversed course and thought that possibly they may do with “Scrubs” what that they had performed with “Gray’s Anatomy,” preserve it going regardless of dropping the unique solid. They created a type of hybrid ninth season, titled “Med College,” that was meant as a handoff from the unique solid to a brand new one. It went out.
One of many attention-grabbing issues in regards to the 2026 model of “Scrubs” is that a number of the core concepts of “Med College” stay. Importantly this time, creator Invoice Lawrence (having an insane 12 months with “Shrinking,” this, HBO’s upcoming “Rooster,” and the fourth season of “Ted Lasso” in manufacturing) anchors the present to a lot of the unique solid, utilizing the brand new faces as supporting gamers, at the very least for now, as an alternative of pushing them to the middle just like the 2009 model (which barely had any Zach Braff). A minimum of to start out this tenth season, the lead is undeniably J.D. (Braff) once more, now in additional of the Dr. Cox (John McGinleywho seems solely within the premiere) position at Sacred Coronary heart.
DONALD FAISON, SARAH CHALKE, JUDY REYES
Within the premiere, it’s revealed that J.D. has been working as a high-priced concierge physician who returns to Sacred Coronary heart to examine on certainly one of his sufferers who has been admitted there. We additionally uncover that the character of the connection between J.D. and Elliott (Sarah Chalke) has modified for the reason that final time we noticed them and that Turk (Donald Faison) and Carla (Judy Reyes) are fortunately married with 4 children. The premiere facilities on Turk’s growing burnout; he wants his BFF again to make the stress of the healthcare business extra bearable. Lastly, there’s an array of latest faces, together with a fantastic flip from Joel Kim Booster as J.D.’s new nemesis, and a job for “SNL” vet Vanessa Bayer because the administrator over everybody’s shoulder, ensuring there aren’t any HR violations. Oh, and Dr. Todd is again (Robert Maschio) is again. Nostalgia 5!
Sure, quite a lot of the 2026 “Scrubs” hinges on lingering affection for the unique, however the present doesn’t actually lean on references as a lot as act as if it by no means left the air. And with the recognition of Lawrence’s culture-referential and self-deprecating humorousness within the 2020s, the timing appears extra pure than a regular money seize. The brand new solid is enjoyable, the previous solid slides again in the place you left them, and the laughs come extra often than many of the latest community TV sitcoms.
It’s humorous how a lot “Scrubs” feels prefer it matches in an period of community TV comedy hits like “Abbott Elementary,” one other office comedy with social messaging below even the goofiest hijinks. And, like that present, one can really feel the love among the many ensemble members, returning not simply to get a paycheck however as a result of they really adore these characters. Don’t be shocked when you keep in mind that you do, too.
4 episodes screened for overview. Premieres on February 25, 2026 on ABC with two episodes, out there the following day on Hulu.