Why Scrubs Is the best medical show on television

15 Reasons Why Scrubs is the Best Medical Show on Television

These run in no particular order. Just as they came to me. And a few don't have YouTube videos to further exemplify it, mainly because I either couldn't find clips that did the reason justice, or the point is proven in previously shown videos. Either way, there are plenty of clips to keep you folks more than satisfied.

1. Music: This show really was the trend setter for the use of music at the end of the show. By my count, many shows do it, but Scrubs started it. And they do it best because it's not "Hey, cool little song to play out at the end of the episode." They actually make it a part of the show. From JD's fantasies, to the song pics, to the cast performances. Music is just as much a part of the show as the medicine or the gags. They really make it work. What's more is that the cast hand picks the music they use.
   
   

2. Comedy: They do a mixture of all types of comedy on the show. Slapstick, non-sequiters, witty rapport, one-liners, zany characters and clever quips. I don't think I've ever not laughed at an episode of Scrubs. And that's a testament to it's genius, that it's consistent.
   
   

3. Drama: Because it's a medical show, they can really get you in your heart with their drama, sometimes even better than most dramas. It's a comedy show, that isn't afraid to bare it's soul.
   
   
   

4. Comedy/Drama: I know what you're thinking, "He already did comedy and drama, I think he's just beefing up the list." Well, you sir or ma'am, are mistaken. It's how well the mix the seriousness and levity, the sublime and the ridiculous. It's a perfect amalgamation.
   
   
   

5. Guest Stars: I think I'll just list them: Dick Van Dyke, Barry Bostwick, Michael J. Fox, Colin Farrell, Brenden Fraser, Heather Graham, Heather Locklear, Mandy Moore, Elizabeth Banks, Julianna Margulies, Matthew Perry, Michael McDonald, John Ritter, Tom Cavanagh, Markie Post, R. Lee Ermy, Cheryl Hines, Tara Reid, Freddy Rodriguez, D.L. Hughley, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Scott Foley, Keri Russell, Amy Smart, Ryan Reynolds, Eric Bogosian, William Daniels, Clay Aiken, Colin Hay, Cary Brothers, Polyphonic Spree.
   
   
   

6. Dr. Cox: Would not be the same if it wasn't John C. McGinley playing it. He, above anyone else, brings the balance of the aforementioned comedy/drama dynamic. In the same episode he can go off on his funny rants he does so well, but then show some emotion toward someone/thing and this intimidating image of him is shattered by how fragile he is. He's really one of the more interesting characters on television, and McGinley plays him to perfection.
   
   
   

7. Janitor: Neil Flynn has timing. The one undeniable truth about Janitor is that he's not their for so called comedic relief, as the whole show is the comedic relief. But he initially didn't exist in any other capacity than tormenting JD. As the show progressed, so did his character. He's such a curiously strange and mysterious character that even when he's being serious, there's a twinge in the back of your head that thinks he's BS-ing you. And the dead-pan delivery of his lines is just spot on perfect.
   
   
   

8. Medical accuracy: Push thrombolitics. Sounds professional. It isn't. It's medically impossible. It's fake. And the writers know this. They have no less than three doctors on hand as technical supervisors, making sure everything is medically accurate. And many doctors have claimed that Scrubs is the most medically accurate show on television. Back to the whole "push thrombolitics" thing, the writers try to include that whenever they can, just because they know it drives the consultants crazy.
   
   
   

9. Minor characters: In addition to the great lead cast they put together, the show would be nothing without it's minor, re-curring characters. There's Ted, the hospital's sad-sac lawyer, seasoned Nurse Roberts, The Todd, Dr. Doug aka Nervous Guy, Snoop Dogg resident, Dr. Beardface, Lonnie the speed metal freak delivery guy, Rowdy the stuffed dog, Dr. Cox's ex-wife Jordan, hypochondriac Harvey Korman.
   
   
   

10. JD: I couldn't make this list without including JD, because without JD, there would be no Scrubs. He's at times both poignant and irreverent. He's relatable. I liken him/Zach Braff to John Cusack 20 years ago. He's got that everyman charm to him. But where the character really stands out is in his earnest goofiness. At one point Turk tells him that the reason he likes him, is because he isn't afraid to just be himself. And that makes JD all the more likable.
    
    
    

11. Acting: Everything I've mentioned, from the characters to the mixture of comedy/drama, would be nothing without the acting ability of the entire cast. It's a true testament to their ability to handle the multiple styles of comedy, and the heavy drama they throw at you. NO CLIP.

12. Character development: The characters have grown. Watch an episode from the first season, then watch an episode from the 6th season (or better yet, watch new episodes, Thursdays at 9:30 EST on NBC, and I'm not being paid to say that). The characters have grown/changed and are at where you'd think they'd be at. JD's biggest dilemma isn't medical related anymore, he's now worried about his pregnant girlfriend and his perennial back-burner relationship with Elliot. Turk and Carla have gone from puppy love dating to married with a kid. Cox and Jordan, well, they're Cox and Jordan, but it's undeniable that as they've experienced certain things (an official divorce, two kids, the fact that they're still together) has altered and strengthened their relationship, and as much as they hate each other, they love each other even more now than they did when we first met them. NO CLIP
    

13. Writing Staff: When formulating this list, I spoke with many friends who also enjoyed Scrubs and got their opinion on why it's a great show. And when conversing with my cousins, Elizabeth came up with perhaps the best argument against other shows: algebraic writing. Scrubs lets the characters progress, where-as on Grey's Anatomy and ER the writers want the characters to do something, so they write their scripts to get the characters to do so. Even if it doesn't make sense for the characters to do it. Scrubs lets the characters get to where they need to be. NO CLIP
    

14. Carla/Turk dynamic: I just love their relationship. I want a relationship like theirs. Theirs is one of the best TV relationships I've ever seen. Fuck you Ross and Rachel. That's all I've got.
    
    
    

15. They tell you why: See, here's the thing, it's not enough that they prove they're better than any other medical show on TV, they actually physically tell you they are. This one warrants 2 clips.
    
    FIRST ABOUT HOUSE, M.D.
    
    
    NOW GREY'S ANATOMY