107 Fun Facts About Scrubs

In Scrubs, what is the full name behind the initials of narrator J.D.?

John Michael Dorian was loosely based on Dr. Jonathan Doris, a college friend of creator Bill Lawrence who also served as the show's medical adviser.

What are the rarely used first and middle names of J.D.'s reluctant mentor, Dr. Cox?

Dr. Cox's full name is Percival Ulysses Cox, a fact Jordan and J.D. both needle him about; he goes almost exclusively by Perry and was played by John C. McGinley for the whole run.

J.D. and his best friend were undergraduate roommates at which Virginia school?

The Virginia college is where the pair's friendship began, and series creator Bill Lawrence is a William and Mary graduate who later confirmed the Janitor's real name in a speech there.

What is the name of the fictional teaching hospital where the series Scrubs is primarily set?

Sacred Heart is an inner-city teaching hospital where J.D. and Turk start as first-year interns.

Who created Scrubs, drawing on a college friend's medical residency?

Bill Lawrence created Scrubs around the internal-medicine residency of his college friend Jonathan Doris, who went on to serve as the show's medical adviser.

On which television network did 'Scrubs' originally premiere?

Scrubs premiered on NBC on October 2, 2001 and stayed there through 2008; ABC picked the show up in January 2009 and aired it until the 2010 finale.

Where were the first eight seasons of Scrubs filmed?

Scrubs shot its first eight seasons inside the North Hollywood Medical Center, a closed hospital on Riverside Drive in Los Angeles that also housed the writers and production offices.

What is the name of Dr. Cox's ex-wife, a recurring character who sits on the hospital's board?

Jordan is played by Christa Miller, the real-life wife of series creator Bill Lawrence. She first appears as J.D.'s patient and seduces him before he learns whose ex-wife she is.

Which broadcasting honour did Scrubs receive in 2006?

Scrubs received a Peabody Award in 2006 for blending comedy with honest portrayals of hospital life; it was nominated twice for the Outstanding Comedy Series Emmy but never won it.

Which character took over as narrator in the show's ninth season?

Lucy Bennett, the horse-loving medical student played by Kerry Bishé, took over the voice-over narration in season nine after the show moved from Sacred Heart to a med-school campus.

In the season eight finale, what name did the Janitor reveal to J.D. before an orderly called him something else?

In 'My Finale' the Janitor tells J.D. his name is Glenn Matthews, only for a passing worker to greet him as 'Tommy'; Bill Lawrence later confirmed Glenn Matthews was the real name.

In Scrubs, Dr. Cox most often needled J.D. by calling him what?

Girls' names such as 'Tiffany' or 'Carol', alongside 'Newbie', were Cox's standard greeting for the protégé he would never admit to mentoring.

In Scrubs, what was Carla Espinosa's job at Sacred Heart hospital?

Head Nurse Carla is the interns' mother figure; she starts dating Turk in the show's second episode and later marries him.

Which song by Lazlo Bane serves as the main theme for the TV series Scrubs?

'Superman' by Lazlo Bane, from the band's album All the Time in the World, opened the show from its 2001 pilot and appears on the 2002 Scrubs soundtrack.

Who played Dr. Bob Kelso, Scrubs' Chief of Medicine?

Ken Jenkins played Bob Kelso, the budget-obsessed chief of medicine, for the first eight seasons; after retiring, Kelso resurfaces in season nine teaching at the new medical school.

How many seasons did the original run of Scrubs air before it ended in 2010?

The original run of 'Scrubs' aired for nine seasons, from 2001 to 2010. The first seven seasons aired on NBC, and the final two original seasons (8 and 9) aired on ABC.

The unnamed city in Scrubs is described by cast and crew as a blend of which three California cities?

The show never names its city; on DVD commentaries the cast and crew call it 'San DiFrangeles', a portmanteau of San Diego, San Francisco and Los Angeles meant to cover most of California.

Who is J.D.'s best friend and surgical colleague throughout most of Scrubs?

Christopher Turk rises from surgical intern to Chief of Surgery over the series, and his 'guy love' with J.D. is the show's real romance.

Which Scrubs episode, the show's 100th, did Zach Braff direct?

'My Way Home', the show's 100th episode, was directed by Zach Braff as a Wizard of Oz homage: J.D. just wants to get home, Turk needs a heart, Elliot courage and Carla a brain.

According to Bill Lawrence, why do almost all Scrubs titles begin with 'My...'?

Season nine switched to 'Our...' titles as the focus moved to a new group of medical students.

Season nine of Scrubs moved the setting to which fictional medical school?

Season nine relocated the show to Winston University, a medical school whose students trained at a rebuilt Sacred Heart; J.D., Turk and Cox taught there.

Which future star played the arrogant, wealthy medical student Cole Aaronson in season nine?

Dave Franco played Cole Aaronson, the cocky student whose family paid for the new Sacred Heart; Franco went on to 21 Jump Street and the Now You See Me films.

Which actress played Kim Briggs, the urologist who becomes pregnant with J.D.'s son Sam?

J.D. later has a second son, Ollie, with Elliot before their eventual divorce.

What affectionate nickname does Carla use for J.D.?

Carla dubs J.D. 'Bambi' in the pilot, a nod to how wide-eyed and wobbly the new intern is, and keeps using it; 'Newbie' stays Dr. Cox's name for him.

Which real a cappella group plays Scrubs' Worthless Peons, or Ted's Band?

The Blanks, Sam Lloyd's real a cappella group, were written in as Ted's band after performing at a cast party; on the show they are billed as the Worthless Peons.

Which musician played the busker who follows J.D. around in 'My Overkill'?

Colin Hay, the Men at Work singer, played the street musician who trails J.D. singing 'Overkill' throughout the season two premiere 'My Overkill'.

The sixth-season episode 'My Musical' guest-starred Stephanie D'Abruzzo, a Tony nominee for which show?

Stephanie D'Abruzzo earned a 2004 Tony nomination for Avenue Q, where she originated Kate Monster and Lucy; in 'My Musical' she plays Patti Miller, the patient who hears everything as song.

Which lyric of the Scrubs theme by Lazlo Bane alludes to the characters' fallibility?

'I'm no Superman' is the theme's hook, a line the show treats as an admission that its doctors are fallible; Lazlo Bane's full song 'Superman' appeared on the first Scrubs soundtrack.

Zach Braff's 2004 directing debut, shot in New Jersey for $2.5 million, was which film?

Garden State, Zach Braff's 2004 writing-directing debut, was shot in his native New Jersey on a $2.5 million budget; its soundtrack won a Grammy for Best Compilation Soundtrack.

Before Scrubs, Donald Faison had his breakout role as Murray in which 1995 film and its TV spin-off?

Donald Faison played Murray in the 1995 film Clueless and reprised the role in its 1996–1999 TV series; he later played Petey Jones in Remember the Titans.

Sarah Chalke, who played Elliot Reid, was born in which Canadian city?

Sarah Chalke was born in Ottawa in 1976 and raised in North Vancouver; before Scrubs she was the second Becky on Roseanne, and she later voiced Beth on Rick and Morty.

John C. McGinley (Dr. Cox) first found film success as Sgt. Red O'Neill in which war film?

He was spotted while understudying John Turturro on stage; he later played Bob Slydell in Office Space.

In season two, Dr. Cox dates a pharmaceutical rep named Julie, played by which Melrose Place star?

Heather Locklear, Melrose Place's Amanda Woodward, played drug rep Julie Keaton in season two; Dr. Cox drops her once he learns his ex-wife Jordan is pregnant with his child.

In season two, Elliot dates a male nurse named Paul Flowers, played by which former child star?

That season J.D. falls for Jamie (Amy Smart), the wife of one of his coma patients.

The show's title, Scrubs, is a play on surgical scrubs and a slang term for what?

Besides the surgical clothing, a 'scrub' is slang for a low-ranking person or nobody, which fits a show whose leads begin as the hospital's lowest-ranking interns.

Which actor plays J.D.'s charming, underachieving older brother Dan Dorian?

Tom Cavanagh, star of NBC's Ed, played Dan Dorian, J.D.'s bartender older brother, who first visits in the season two episode 'My Big Brother'.

In season three, J.D. dates Jordan's sister Danni, played by which actress?

Tara Reid, of the American Pie films, played Danni Sullivan, Jordan's younger sister, whom J.D. dates in season three while his feelings for Elliot resurface.

Elliot's intern boyfriend and later fiancé, played by Travis Schuldt, has what memorable surname?

Keith Dudemeister arrives as an intern in season five and later gets engaged to Elliot, who calls off the wedding in the season seven premiere; J.D. never hides his dislike of him.

What was the title of the webisode series that ran alongside Scrubs' eighth season?

Scrubs: Interns, a run of season-eight webisodes following the newest doctors at Sacred Heart, used 'Our...' titles, a convention the ninth season then adopted.

Which surgeon, played by Bellamy Young, arrives in season three and considers Turk sexist?

Grace Miller, the surgeon Bellamy Young played in season three, clashes with Turk over what she sees as his sexism; Young later became famous as Mellie Grant on Scandal.

Which American Idol runner-up sang 'Isn't She Lovely' in the multi-camera episode 'My Life in Four Cameras'?

Clay Aiken, runner-up on American Idol's second season, sings 'Isn't She Lovely' as a hospital worker in 'My Life in Four Cameras', the episode staged as a laugh-tracked sitcom.

Which Scrubs writer-producer also played Lloyd the Delivery Guy?

Mike Schwartz, a writer and producer on Scrubs from its first season, also played Lloyd the Delivery Guy, the metalhead courier who keeps turning up at Sacred Heart.

In 'My Malpractice Decision', Turk's new vanity phone number starts with which area code?

Turk's number 916-CALL-TURK uses 916, the Sacramento area code, even though the show never names its city; the production set it up as a real working line for fans to call.

J.D. describes himself as a 'sensi', short for what?

He enjoys acoustic alternative music and hugs.

Which hospital does J.D. leave Sacred Heart to join as Residency Director?

J.D. leaves at the end of season eight for St. Vincent, a hospital closer to his son Sam, where he becomes Residency Director; season nine brings him back part-time to teach.

After retiring, Bob Kelso haunts the coffee shop because of what perk?

Kelso keeps turning up at Coffee Bucks because, as a retired chief of medicine, he gets free muffins for life; freed from running the hospital, he even warms to the staff.

What is The Todd's signature move?

The Todd, the leering surgeon played by Robert Maschio, punctuates every innuendo with a high five, often with a themed name such as the 'self five'.

Which 'outspoken and brutally honest' season-eight intern becomes a season-nine regular?

Eliza Coupe's Denise dates med student Drew Suffin.

Which season-nine med student is diagnosed with skin cancer and then chooses surgery?

His family's donation built the new Sacred Heart, so he thinks he is untouchable.

Which comedian plays Turk's brother Kevin in season two?

D. L. Hughley, one of the Original Kings of Comedy, played Turk's brother Kevin in season two, the same season that introduced J.D.'s brother Dan.

Which actress plays Jamie, the coma patient's wife J.D. falls for in season two?

Amy Smart played Jamie Moyer, the married woman J.D. dubs 'Tasty Coma Wife' while her husband lies in a coma in season two; Smart was also in The Butterfly Effect.

Which actor plays Sean Kelly, Elliot's SeaWorld-employed boyfriend?

Scott Foley, of Felicity and later Scandal, played Sean Kelly, the SeaWorld dolphin trainer Elliot dates; a six-month stint in New Zealand tests their long-distance relationship.

Why does Turk miss his own wedding in the season three finale?

The season had followed their engagement and planning.

Which psychiatrist played by Heather Graham arrives in season four?

Molly Clock, the upbeat psychiatrist Heather Graham played in season four, was named after Dolly Klock, one of the show's real medical advisers.

Which Friends star plays new chief of medicine Taylor Maddox in season eight of Scrubs?

Courteney Cox's three-episode arc ended with Dr. Cox, no relation, replacing her as chief of medicine.

In season eight of Scrubs, whom does the Janitor marry?

Lady, played by Kit Pongetti, marries the Janitor, whose own name stays a running joke.

Which four interns feature in Scrubs' season-eight webisodes?

The season-eight webisodes followed the new interns Sunny Dey, Denise Mahoney, Katie Collins and Howie Gelder, with Ted's band the Worthless Peons singing the theme.

After how many episodes does J.D. leave season nine as a lead?

He returns as a secondary character in 'Our Stuff Gets Real'.

Which studio produced Scrubs, despite it airing on rival NBC for seven seasons?

Touchstone Television, Disney's studio, produced Scrubs even though NBC aired it for seven seasons, which is why the show could jump to Disney-owned ABC when NBC dropped it in 2008.

Which song sends Turk into his signature dance?

'Poison' by Bell Biv DeVoe is Turk's jam: the song sets off his signature dance whenever it plays, a routine Donald Faison kept reprising long after the show ended.

Instead of trailers, where did the Scrubs cast retreat between takes?

They received a small allowance to decorate them; McGinley sometimes slept in his.

Which studio hosted season nine's filming after the move from North Hollywood?

Exteriors used the lot's historic office bungalows.

What was wrong with the chest X-ray in the Scrubs title sequence for most of the first five seasons?

It was hung backwards for most of five seasons until Kim Briggs finally flips it in 'My Urologist', saying it had bugged her for years.

Which artist performed the new version of 'Superman' for season nine's titles?

WAZ recorded the new, slower take on 'Superman' used over season nine's titles, replacing the Lazlo Bane original that had opened the first eight seasons.

How many season-seven episodes were finished when the 2007 writers' strike began?

ABC Studios had non-WGA members finish episode 12.

Which show did NBC announce would replace The Office and Scrubs during the strike?

NBC announced that The Celebrity Apprentice would take over the Thursday slot held by The Office and Scrubs while the 2007–08 writers' strike halted production.

Sarah Chalke compared J.D. and Elliot to which famous sitcom couple?

Sarah Chalke likened J.D. and Elliot's on-off romance to Friends' Ross and Rachel; the pair finally get back together for good early in season eight.

What was the title of the season nine finale, which aired March 17, 2010?

Braff announced the end on Facebook five days later, joking about 'Scrubbier'.

Which cast member picked so much of the music that writers bypassed Lawrence for her?

Christa Miller, who played Jordan, became the show's de facto music supervisor, so writers took song ideas to her rather than to her husband Bill Lawrence; she pushed the acoustic singer-songwriter sound.

What is the name of Dr. Kelso's never-seen wife?

Enid, Kelso's wife, is endlessly insulted by him but never appears on screen; Kelso also has a son, Harrison, whom he refuses to accept is gay.

In which category did Scrubs win its first Emmy?

Scrubs' first Emmy was for Outstanding Multi-Camera Picture Editing for a Series in 2005, for 'My Life in Four Cameras', the episode shot like a traditional laugh-tracked sitcom.

Which two 'My Musical' songs were Emmy-nominated for Original Music and Lyrics?

'Everything Comes Down to Poo' and 'Guy Love' were both nominated for the Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics Emmy in 2007; 'My Musical' itself won for sound mixing.

Which 1993 film did Neil Flynn really appear in, a credit the Janitor brags about?

Neil Flynn played a Chicago transit cop in The Fugitive, and the Janitor claims the same credit in 'My Friend the Doctor', with J.D. refusing to believe him.

In which 2002 film did the Scrubs cast cameo trying to reanimate Miss Piggy?

In It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie, a 2002 NBC TV film, the Scrubs cast appear as Sacred Heart doctors working on Miss Piggy, one of several NBC crossovers in the movie.

Ted Buckland turned up in Hawaii in the season two finale of which other Lawrence show?

Sam Lloyd's Ted surfaces in Hawaii in Cougar Town's season two finale, having drifted away from Sacred Heart after his girlfriend the Gooch left him; Bill Lawrence created both shows.

What is the name of Zach Braff and Donald Faison's Scrubs rewatch podcast, launched in 2020?

Fake Doctors, Real Friends launched with iHeartRadio on March 31, 2020, as the two rewatched the show episode by episode.

In 'My Old Lady', which patient of J.D.'s chooses to die rather than start dialysis?

Mrs. Tanner, played by Kathryn Joosten, declines dialysis and dies in 'My Old Lady', the episode in which all three of J.D., Turk and Elliot's patients die at once.

In which Ohio suburb of Dayton did J.D. grow up?

J.D. grew up in Trotwood, a suburb of Dayton, Ohio, the hometown he names on the show; his father Sam was a travelling office-supplies salesman.

Which late sitcom legend played J.D.'s father Sam?

Sam's death was announced in 'My Cake' with a double-layer fudge cake.

Cox's habit of touching his nose is an homage to Robert Redford in which film?

Dr. Cox's nose touch is lifted from The Sting, where Redford and Newman's con men use the gesture as a signal; McGinley has said he borrowed it from the film.

In Scrubs, which Australian actor does Dr. Cox rant about hating throughout the series?

Hugh Jackman is the target; John C. McGinley suggested Bill Lawrence simply envies Jackman's talent.

Which NHL team's jersey does Dr. Cox occasionally wear?

Dr. Cox's Detroit Red Wings jersey carries Chris Chelios's name; John C. McGinley is a close friend of the defenceman, who played for Detroit from 1999 to 2009.

What is Jack Cox's first full sentence?

Jack Cox's first full sentence, 'Daddy drinks a lot', is a running joke about Perry's scotch habit; Cox and Jordan later also have a daughter, Jennifer Dylan.

In which city did Perry Cox grow up in an Irish-American family?

Perry Cox grew up in Pittsburgh in an Irish-American family with an alcoholic, abusive father, a background the show uses to explain his armour of sarcasm.

Which fellowship does Elliot land at the start of season four?

Elliot takes an endocrinology fellowship in season four, the first step in a career that later takes her into private practice alongside Sacred Heart.

Elliot's closeted brother was sent by their parents to what?

Elliot's parents shipped her gay brother Barry off to a 'hetero camp', one of many details showing how cold and image-obsessed the Reids are.

Who wrote 'My Musical', also penning most of its lyrics?

Debra Fordham wrote 'My Musical' and most of its lyrics, with Broadway songwriters Jeff Marx and Robert Lopez among those who helped compose the music.

What causes Patti Miller to hear everyone singing in 'My Musical'?

Patti Miller hears everyone singing because of a gigantic aneurysm pressing on her brain; the episode ends with her wheeled into surgery as the cast sings 'What's Going to Happen?'.

Which season three episode marked Brendan Fraser's final appearance as Ben?

'My Screw Up' marks Brendan Fraser's last appearance as Ben Sullivan, Jordan's brother; Cox spends the episode talking to Ben before J.D.'s 'Where do you think we are?' reveals they are at Ben's funeral.

What did Bill Lawrence say he'd have made the Janitor if Scrubs ended after season one?

Bill Lawrence has said that had Scrubs ended after season one, the Janitor would have been revealed as a figment of J.D.'s imagination, which is why no one else interacts with him that season.

Ted Buckland took the bar exam in which state because it was easier?

Ted Buckland took the bar exam in Alaska because he believed it was easier to pass there, a detail that fits the hospital lawyer's chronic lack of confidence.

Nurse Laverne Roberts dies in season six after what?

Laverne dies after a car crash in season six; she is brought in comatose and the staff say goodbye in 'My Long Goodbye', with Aloma Wright later returning as look-alike nurse Shirley.

Jordan Sullivan first appears in which season one episode, as J.D.'s patient?

Jordan debuts in 'My Bad', the sixth episode, as a board member J.D. treats and sleeps with, learning only afterward that she is Dr. Cox's ex-wife.

What is the full name of J.D. and Kim's son?

J.D. and Kim's son is Sam Perry Gilligan Dorian: Sam after J.D.'s late father and Perry after Dr. Cox, whom J.D. never stops trying to please.

Ben Sullivan, played by Brendan Fraser, worked as what?

He was Jordan's brother and Cox's best friend, diagnosed with leukemia.

Which Dorian family tradition accompanies bad news?

The Dorians deliver bad news with a double-layer fudge cake, so when Dan turns up with one in 'My Cake', J.D. knows before a word is said that their father has died.

What does J.D. call his scooter?

Sasha is the name J.D. gives his scooter, which he rides to Sacred Heart throughout the series and talks about like a girlfriend.

Which 2009-2018 ABC sitcom starred Neil Flynn as Mike Heck?

Neil Flynn played Mike Heck, the laconic father on ABC's The Middle, from 2009 to 2018, which is why the Janitor sat out Scrubs' ninth season.

What is the name of the stuffed dog J.D. and Turk keep in their apartment?

Rowdy, a stuffed yellow Labrador, is the 'pet' J.D. and Turk keep in their apartment and bring along whenever they move; Turk eventually gets a second one, Steven.

Bill Lawrence's production company Doozer is a play on what?

Doozer, Bill Lawrence's production company, is a play on his middle name: he is William Van Duzer Lawrence IV; the banner also made Ted Lasso and Shrinking.

Which 2014 Zach Braff film was partly funded through Kickstarter?

Garden State's soundtrack had won him a Grammy in 2005.

Which Scrubs actress played Zoila Diaz on Lifetime's Devious Maids?

She later starred in Claws and High Potential.

Before playing Jordan Sullivan, Christa Miller was Kate O'Brien on which ABC sitcom?

Christa Miller played Kate O'Brien on The Drew Carey Show from 1995 to 2002 before Jordan; she later played Liz on Shrinking, another show from her husband Bill Lawrence.

Denise 'Jo' Mahoney actress Eliza Coupe went on to play Jane Kerkovich-Williams on which ABC comedy?

Eliza Coupe played the type-A Jane Kerkovich-Williams on ABC's Happy Endings (2011–2013) after Scrubs; she later starred as Tiger on Hulu's Future Man.

Season-nine narrator Kerry Bishé later played Donna Clark on which AMC period drama?

Kerry Bishé played engineer Donna Clark across all four seasons of AMC's Halt and Catch Fire (2014–2017); she also appeared in the Oscar-winning Argo as one of the six hidden diplomats.

The actor who played lawyer Ted Buckland was the nephew of which Back to the Future star?

Sam Lloyd, who played Ted, was the nephew of Christopher Lloyd, Back to the Future's Doc Brown; Sam studied at Syracuse and died in 2020 at 56.

Laverne actress Aloma Wright played Gretchen Bodinski on which USA Network legal drama?

Aloma Wright played Gretchen Bodinski, Louis Litt's unflappable secretary, on USA's Suits; she also played nurse Maxine Landis on Days of Our Lives.