 [Larger view] | Scrubs - The Complete First Season
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| Why isn't everyone watching this show?!!! | |
| I became a fan of Scrubs halfway through the first season. The show is amazing. Everything is beautifully acted, written, and directed. It's not only a show about people learning to be doctors but also about coming of age. There are episodes where I am laughing so hard I'm crying and even a couple where I'm crying because I'm just plain touched. | |
| The best show on television finally comes to DVD! | |
| If you missed out on the first season of Scrubs or if you're a devout fan such as myself, you should get this DVD. Scrubs is an underappreciated show, despite critical praise, and it's an affront to talent, vision, wit and humor that wastes such as American Idol and Two and a Half Men beat it in the Nielsens (Never mind Grey's Anatomy which basically ripped off the format and upped the drama).
I have a theory why: Scrubs is too smart and too touching; people can't handle it. I think it's the closest this generation has come to M*A*S*H* (and in my personal opinion, Scrubs surpasses that legendary show). Scrubs is able to juggle comedy of all kinds: slapstick, nonsense, parody, running jokes, sexual, racial and visual while balancing complex and thoughtful storylines. The characters develop and age over time; story arcs can take weeks to play out. This is less true in the first season, but you can see the seeds being planted. Never mind that plots can hit like a hammer blow: when guest star Brendan Fraser's character is mistakenly(?) diagnosed with leukemia, it is not dealt with in a cutesy jokey way; the characters tackle it head-on over two episodes, and we see complex and intricate developments that sitcoms and reality shows can't handle. In fact, I would argue that this show depicts reality better than those shows. When Turk (Donald Faison) becomes worried about his appearance, he sacrifices everything else to please his girlfriend, Carla (Judy Reyes), who ironically made him concerned about his weight. You have J.D. (Zach Braff) who desperately wants validation and acceptance from his mentor, Dr. Cox (John C. McGinley), but the Doctor constantly belittles J.D., who just returns for more (according to the commentary, this scenario also played out in real life between veteran actor McGinley and the younger Braff). Or when all the interns show up for the first day, the fear and awkardness is paralyzing for them, but eventually they come around to have confidence and find their place. These are things everyone goes through in some fashion, and the actors pull it off smashingly. Of course, the comedy is what makes the show flow. The actors are allowed to improve and riff, and the free-flowing and natural lines reflect that -- this also makes for stellar deleted scenes and outtakes. Dr. Cox's rants are priceless; Turk and J.D.'s exploration of racial humor jokes deconstructs the nature of political correctness and stereotypes (J.D.:I have a question. If I'm singing along with a rap song, and they say the n-word, am I allowed to-- Turk: No.). Zach Braff is able to pull off some fantastic physical comedy, as when Brendan Fraser spins him around, J.D. squeals in glee, then tumbles into a pile of children's blocks. The Todd (Robert Maschio) cannot see women beyond their sexual body parts, and he is so obnoxious and over the top, you can't help but laugh. And there's the menacing Janitor (Neil Flynn), who's sole objective is to torment J.D. ("You look unhapppy. I like that."). THe Todd and Janitor are just one of several side characters who give the show flavor and flair. They're not just joke props for the main players as might be found in most sitcoms, but rather are given some of the top material; they're also developed, with unique personalities that play out further in later seasons. You have Doug, the perpetually nervous and bumbling intern; Ted, the broken-spirited hospital lawyer; LaVerne, the powerful, independent nurse whom everyone seems afraid of, including the caustic Chief of Medicine Dr. Kelso (also a devilish delight). It almost echoes The Simpsons in terms of a supporting cast. I could go on for pages lauding Scrubs. It's a refreshing blast on intelligence, heart and humor in an entertainment wasteland. I can no longer watch sitcoms; they seem trite and played-out (save for a very few, such as Frasier and Seinfeld). I hope that peoplw will come around and discover the magic of this show. The first season's DVD release is the perfect way to do so. Buy this: your life will be better for it (except for all the summer days you'll lose staying inside and watching it). | |
| This show is pure genius! | |
| I bought this from Best Buy which included the Bonus DVD. I must have watched at least 2 hours of extras that night. The cast is great at coming up with alternate lines in the show. The first season is really well written with great doctor/patient and doctor/doctor relationships. If you've never seen Scrubs, watch it once and you'll be hooked! This is a must have for the true Scrubs fan. |
