Zach Braff ledScrubs' ensemble cast throughout most of the sitcom’s run, but his character of John “JD” Dorian wasn’t a completely original creation. AlthoughJD’s exploits were largely fictionalized, Braff was actually tasked with playing someone inall nine seasons ofScrubswho was based on a real person outside the world of the show. However, the figure in question was also heavily involved with the medical sitcom’s production.
Although theScrubsrevivalhas yet to be officially confirmed, comments from the original cast and crew make the show’s comeback seem like an imminent inevitability. So,there remains a strong possibility that Braff will be afforded the opportunity to reprise his most famous rolefor the first time sinceScrubswas canceled in 2010 after a failed ninth season. The man on whom JD was based served as the rough template for only Braff’s character, but the show’s vital behind-the-scenes figure went on to guide the story ofevery doctor inScrubs.
Zach Braff’s Scrubs Character Is Loosely Based On Dr. Jonathon “Jon” Doris
The Real JD is still a practicing cardiologist
Dr. Jon Doris is a college friend ofScrubsshowrunner Bill Lawrence, with the real-life doctor serving as a jumping-off point for Braff’s character during the writing process.Lawrence folded some of Doris' genuine experiences into JD’s life, allowing them to flesh out the authenticity ofScrubs' leading man and his career at the fictitious Sacred Heart Hospital. Of course, Braff also had a hand in creating the character who shared such a similar name to his real-life counterpart, and his zany performances as JD became just as important.
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Doris is still a practicing physician to this day. According toKaiser Permanente, he works at Los Angeles Medical Center and specializes in cardiology. Interestingly, Dr. Jon Doris' place of employment is not too far fromthe hospital that was used asScrubs' main setin the first eight seasons - the North Hollywood Medical Center. The latter building was demolished in 2011 but was an active hospital until 1998 before eventually being taken over as a TV set.
Dr. Doris Was A Medical Advisor On Scrubs
Bill Lawrence made full use of his friend’s expertise
Doris was actively involved in howScrubswas made, and he remained part of the crew even during the show’s divisiveMed Schoolera - despite Braff himself being gradually phased out.He is credited as a medical advisor on almost everyScrubsepisode, and he has spoken about his contributions to the show on the official rewatch podcast -Fake Doctors, Real Friendswith Zach Braff and Donald Faison. As well as revealing that Doris' nickname on set was “Real JD” to avoid confusing him with Braff’s character, he described how his role changed as the show went on.
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Although he now specializes in cardiology, Dr. Doris was still in the earlier stages of his career whenScrubsfirst began. As such, he dealt with a vast array of conditions and illnesses. However, as the show went on, so did Doris' career. As he started to specialize in cardiology,more of the patients inScrubsstarted to be diagnosed with and treated for heart issues, as these were what Doris was mainly working with at the time. The non-heart-related conditions don’t vanish, but the ratio certainly shifts.
The Real JD’s Involvement Proves Scrubs Was More Than Just A Sitcom
Scrubs' medical accuracy is perhaps unexpected from a sitcom
As a show that was primarily a comedy,Scrubscould easily have phoned in the show’s medical accuracyand focused instead of making the audience laugh. Thankfully, Bill Lawrence clearly wasn’t content with that approach. Instead, he heavily consulted Dr. Doris so they could make an authentic medical show that also just happened to be a sitcom with random cutaways to JD’s musings. Making a purely comedic medical show would have resulted in a very different project if not for Dr. Doris' expert input. He allowed the characters to face real peril thanks to conditions rooted in reality.
Not only did the medical accuracy help highlight some of the more emotional moments, but it also juxtaposed brilliantly with some of the trippier jokes inScrubs.
Even though most of theScrubsviewership will lack any kind of medical expertise, there is an expectation for shows set in hospitals to be filled with impressive-sounding medical jargon - some of which can become common knowledge and therefore easier to parse.Scrubsclearly paid attention to this and used Dr. Doris to enable the show to meet its full potential. Not only did the medical accuracy help highlight some of the more emotional moments, but it also juxtaposed brilliantly with some of the trippier jokes inScrubs.
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.
