Regardless of how well the upcoming eighth season of Scrubs does–which is moving over from NBC to ABC–show lead Zack Braff says it’ll be his final season.
Show creator, Bill Lawrence said the following at the TCA press tour:
“I think it’s Zach’s last year on the show,” Lawrence says. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that would be it for the series.
“When I created this show, Steve McPherson [was] president of the studio,” Lawrence explains. “… He was really supportive when I pitched it as this show possibly being like ‘ER’ as a comedy, with some revolving cast members and, you know, putting new blood in.”
On that end, Braff said he thinks this is his last season, but is open to returning on a guest-basis:
“The sense is that we thought we were ending, and then thanks to [McPherson], this has been a bonus, amazing year. We’re having a blast doing this,” Braff says. “My sense is this is my last year. If the show does continue like he’s saying, like an ‘ER’ kind of thing, I would love to come back and visit and definitely direct some — and do craft service if they need some help.”
Scrubs season eight is scheduled to premiere on ABC in early 2009.