I'm back in full force this week after last weekend's computer meltdown. There was a distinct burning in the air to be sure. I get paranoid every time I smell burning. I think I'm about to have a seizure. I think back to that Canadian Heritage commercial where the woman smells burnt toast before having a seizure leading a Canadian brain surgeon to conclude the section of her brain that needs operating on is the section of her brain that makes her smell ... you guessed it ... burnt toast. A computer meltdown didn't seem so bad by comparison.

Childhood paranoias aside, this week I'm reviewing SCRUBS!



This is a quirky sitcom about a medical resident, J.D. (Zach Braff), who ponders about life inbetween the bizarre and often tragic turns it takes at Sacred Heart Hospital. I know it sounds rather serious, but mostly it's just wacky, goofy, slapstick-y goodness. Sometimes it's like watching a live-action cartoon. When The Janitor becomes coffeeshop manager, he keeps a puppet muffin (or is that muffin puppet?) in with the rest of the muffins to taunt his former boss, making him believe he's hallucinating. I wish I thought of that in my old Tim Hortons days.



There's definitely no lack of creativity. In a previous episode, J.D. stays in one night to catch The Fugitive, only to discover The Janitor played a cop in the movie! Actor Neil Flynn did indeed play a cop in The Fugitive which the writers incorporated into the show. Here's hoping they can do the same with Dr. Cox and snag John C. McGinley's 1994 appearance on American Gladiators!



Scrubs definitely finds the balance between being "cabbage-tastic" (as J.D. would say) and genuinely heartfelt. One moment, resident surgeon and new father, Turk, throws tennis balls at people to test their reflexes before they get to hold his baby girl, the next moment he's confiding in J.D. about his fear of not being able to support his new family. It's these tender moments that reveal beneath all of its ridiculousness Scrubs has a heart of gold.



Currently in its sixth season, there's been talk that this is the last season of the show, mostly due to Zach Braff becoming a major player after his two films, Garden State and The Last Kiss. Garden State, written and directed by Braff, went a long way to keep him from being typecast as strictly a goofball comedian. (See left photo and think Jim Carrey.) Don't be surprised if some intense dramatic scenes are written into this season now that the world knows just how versatile an actor Braff is. (See right photo and think Tom Hanks.)



I highly recommend checking out this show while you can. It has a competitive timeslot at 9pm on Thursdays, but it's definitely worth watching. You won't be disappointed. Say it with me now:

Cabbage-tastic!

The TV Guyde