Scrubs poised for awkward shuffle to ABC

As the dust settles from the scuffle between NBC and ABC over the series, Scrubs prepares to take its exit from NBC. After seven years with the network, the final episode airs next week in a decidedly un-hyped fashion. The downplayed finale is part of a deal between NBC and ABC that sees Scrubs moving to the latter, negotiations of which ceased to remain secret for long.

Under the long-pending deal, ABC is set to pick up 18 episodes of Scrubs for next season. Although production has been going on for weeks, ABC has aimed to keep things quiet with plans to confirm the move publicly next month. Relations were a bit testy between the two networks when word first leaked about the acquisition. NBC claimed the show’s producer ABC Studios had violated NBC’s right of first negotiation and even though things have since smoothed over, ABC is treading lightly.

For NBC, promoting a Scrubs finale is slightly uncomfortable as the show moves on with ABC. Thus, the network is calling the close to the veteran series a “season finale” rather than a “series finale.” The critically praised yet modestly rated show has endured repeated moves around NBC’s schedule. It remains to be seen how it fares on ABC.

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