Summary
With theScrubsshowrunner confirming the show is going to be revived, I can’t help but get excited about the return of my favorite sitcom, but there’s a piece of trivia surrounding Dr. Percival “Perry” Cox that will also make me feel ancient whenScrubseventually returns to screens.John C. McGinley played the troubled but brilliant physicianinall nine seasons ofScrubs, so I’m almost certain he’ll be part of the coming revival. He was easily the most skilled ofall the doctors inScrubs, as proven by his eventual ascension to Chief of Medicine in season 8.
The show was canceled afterScrubs9’s failed reimagining of its formulain 2010. So, by the time of the sitcom’s return, I think it’s safe to say that at least fifteen years will have passed since the final episode aired. Thesemi-confirmedScrubsrevivalwill obviously need to account for this time jump, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the lives of all the characters have progressed in that time. What I’m not anticipating with quite so much joy is confronting my age when the new stories begin.
All 7 Scrubs Episodes Directed By Zach Braff, Ranked
Zach Braff directed some of the most memorable Scrubs episodes during his time on the show and is responsible for some of the most iconic moments.
Scrubs' Dr. Cox Will Be Older In The Revival Than Dr. Kelso In The Original Show’s Pilot
John C. McGinley is in his mid-60s
WhenScrubsfirst aired in October 2001,Dr. Bob Kelso actor Ken Jenkins was 63 years old. At the time, I saw him as an old(ish) man, but partly because his experience massively outweighed everyone else’s at Sacred Heart Hospital. At the same time, John C. McGinley was 42, so I’d imagine Dr. Cox was roughly the same age. My perception of time took on a new understanding when I realized that whenScrubsreturns, Dr. Cox will be even older than Kelso was when the sitcom began.
The revival could still be a few years away, which would make me even more aware of the Kelso/Cox age comparison whenScrubseventually resumes.
McGinley is now 65, which means Dr. Cox’s age will also be roughly in line with that when McGinley inevitably reprises the role. Despite showrunnerBill Lawrence confirming he’s “Definitely going to” reviveScrubs, he hasn’t provided a definitive timeline. For argument’s sake, ifScrubsseason 10 were to begin a year from now, then that would place Dr. Cox even more firmly into his mid-sixties. However, the revival could still be a few years away, which would make me even more aware of the Kelso/Cox age comparison whenScrubseventually resumes.
Ken Jenkins is currently 83 years old but hasn’t acted since 2019.
Dr. Cox’s Age Opens The Door For Scrubs' New Perfect Ending
Cox could retire as Chief of Medicine in the Scrubs revival
I always wantedScrubsto end with JD as the Chief of Medicine and Turk as the Chief of Surgery. I loved watching them rise through the ranks together, so it felt like a natural conclusion to their intertwined friendship and professional dynamic. AlthoughTurk endsScrubs' original run as the Chief of Surgery, JD leaves the hospital altogether. I accepted it for what it was, as Dr. Cox had only just become Chief, and he definitely deserved the title. Thankfully, the massive time jump that’s on the way sets up the finale I always wanted.
I can’t imagine a universe where McGinley isn’t brought back to bring Dr. Cox to life again, but the fact remains that his character will already be the same age as Kelso was when he retired as Chief of Medicine.
I can’t imagine a universe where McGinley isn’t brought back to bring Dr. Cox to life again, but the fact remains that his character will already be the same age as Kelso was when he retired as Chief of Medicine. So,Cox’s time as the Sacred Heart boss may be short-lived in theScrubsrevival. Depending on how longScrubs' comeback lasts, McGinley’s character could step down as Chief, meaning JD could inherit the role. Even if Braff’s character still isn’t working at Sacred Heart in the revival, this would surely be enough to bring him back for good.
Another Scrubs Timeline Detail Highlights How Long The Show Has Been Off The Air
All the kids in Scrubs will now be teenagers
I’d be surprised ifScrubsseason 10 didn’t align itself with the real-world timeline. If so, then 15+ years will have passed for the characters as well as the audience. Because they’re not in every episode,I often forget about JD’s childrenand Turk’s as well. Both characters' firstborns have already appeared inScrubsas very young babies, butScrubs9confirms Turk has had a second child, and Elliot is pregnant with JD’s second - although neither new baby makes an appearance. Terrifyingly, all four infants will be at least in their mid-teens inScrubsseason 10.
Scrubs' Revival Must Overcome 1 Behind-The-Scenes Problem That Hurt Season 9
Showrunner Bill Lawrence’s promise of a Scrubs comeback needs to navigate a problem that’s arisen since the sitcom’s original ended in 2010.
I want to see how the kids have grown and the young people they’ve become, but it’s still another unsettling reminder of how long it’s been sinceScrubswas last an active sitcom.It’ll also be interesting to see the parents JD and Turk have grown intosince I saw them last. To mention Dr. Cox again, his children will also be of a similar age, and I can’t wait to see how they all interact in theScrubsrevival and whether their parents' relationships with one another will influence their various dynamics.
Scrubs
Cast
Scrubs is a Sitcom and Medical Comedy/Drama created by Bill Lawrence that follows a group of medical students throughout their daily lives at the Sacred Heart Teaching Hospital. The series stars Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke, and Donald Faison, as they work their way up from Medical Interns while juggling all sorts of hospital shenanigans.
