"From Scrubs to Lasso: How One Medical Comedy's DNA Shaped Modern TV's Greatest Hits"
Paul Riverbank, 1/12/2025This article explores the lasting influence of "Scrubs" on modern television, highlighting shows like "The Good Place," "Ted Lasso," and "Shrinking." It examines how these series capture the essence of humor and heartfelt storytelling that made "Scrubs" a cultural phenomenon, resonating with contemporary audiences.
In an era where streaming platforms continuously seek to replicate the success of beloved classics, a fascinating trend has emerged connecting modern television shows to the beloved medical comedy-drama "Scrubs." The phenomenon reflects a deeper yearning among audiences for content that masterfully balances humor with profound human experiences.
The landscape of contemporary television has produced several spiritual successors to Bill Lawrence's groundbreaking series — each carrying distinct elements that made Scrubs a cultural touchstone. Among these, "The Good Place" stands out as a particularly compelling parallel, despite its seemingly divergent premise of philosophical exploration in the afterlife.
"The ability to make viewers laugh out loud and cry, sometimes in the same scene," emerges as a common thread between these shows. This delicate balance of emotions — a hallmark of Scrubs — finds new expression in unexpected places, from the halls of Brooklyn's 99th precinct to the quirky environs of a big-box store in "Superstore."
The influence of Bill Lawrence's creative DNA is perhaps most evident in recent offerings like "Ted Lasso" and "Shrinking." These shows — while carving their own distinct identities — maintain that essential Scrubs-like quality of finding light in life's darker moments. Ted Lasso, in particular, channels the same optimistic spirit that made J.D.'s journey through medical residency so compelling.
"Shrinking" — co-created by Ted Lasso's Brett Goldstein — demonstrates how the Scrubs formula can be effectively translated to different professional contexts. The show's exploration of grief and healing through the lens of psychotherapy bears striking similarities to how Scrubs approached mortality in a hospital setting.
Perhaps most intriguingly, the mockumentary "St. Denis Medical" represents the clearest contemporary attempt to capture the essence of medical comedy-drama. While it adopts a different stylistic approach, the show's examination of an underfunded hospital's daily struggles echoes Scrubs' ability to find humor in healthcare's challenges.
The connection extends beyond mere thematic similarities — many of these shows employ narrative techniques pioneered by Scrubs. Internal monologues, fantasy sequences, and the strategic use of music all find new life in series like "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend," which takes the musical elements that Scrubs occasionally employed and makes them central to its storytelling approach.
What's particularly noteworthy is how these spiritual successors have adapted Scrubs' formula for contemporary audiences while maintaining its core appeal. The shows demonstrate that the fundamental elements that made Scrubs successful — authentic character relationships, balanced tone, and heart — remain powerful tools for storytelling across various genres and settings.
As we await the confirmed Scrubs revival, these shows offer more than mere entertainment — they provide evidence of how influential the original series' approach to storytelling has become. They demonstrate that in an increasingly complex television landscape, the ability to make audiences both laugh and think deeply remains a winning formula.
The success of these spiritual successors suggests that television audiences continue to crave content that doesn't shy away from life's complexities while maintaining a sense of humor and hope — a balance that Scrubs mastered and these shows admirably strive to achieve.
