The Scrubs Revival Must Deal With One Season 6 Story That Shouldn’t Have Happened

With Scrubs on the cusp of an exciting comeback, the revival won’t be able to move forward without addressing a powerful storyline from the show’s sixth season. Despite not being officially greenlit, Scrubs season 10 would seem to be an inevitability after showrunner Bill Lawrence announced he’s “Definitely going to do it.” However, the Scrubs reunion won’t all be plain sailing, as there are some narrative quirks set in motion by Scrubs season 6 that will first need to be dealt with.

The partially confirmed Scrubs revival will mark the first new episodes of the medical sitcom since it was canceled in 2010. Scrubs season 9 was very different from the previous eight, with the changes contributing to the show’s end shortly after. Hopefully, the comeback can redeem Scrubs‘ divisive final season and make it so every available main cast member can return. One actor in particular’s potential reunion with the others will be very confusing for those who didn’t pay close attention to Scrubs‘ original run.

Laverne’s Scrubs Season 6 Death Only Happened Because Bill Lawrence Thought The Show Was Ending

Lawrence was wrong & Scrubs season 7 was greenlit

Scrubs season 6, episode 15, “My Long Goodbye,” featured the death of Laverne Roberts. The poignant installment was built around the premise of the other employees at Sacred Heart Hospital taking the time to bid farewell to their comatose colleague. Showrunner Bill Lawrence wasn’t in the habit of killing off main characters, so Laverene’s passing was a big moment. However, Lawrence only included the story because he was under the impression that Scrubs season 6 would be the sitcom’s final outing, and he wanted to include an impactful storyline to mark the occasion.

The showrunner has spoken about the error in judgment on the Scrubs rewatch podcast, Fake Doctors, Real Friends. Unfortunately for Laverne actor Aloma Wright, Scrubs season 7 was greenlit. Lawrence’s creative choice ultimately meant that the cast was down a member when the sitcom returned for another run of episodes. As a result, the upcoming Scrubs revival also won’t feature Nurse Roberts. Wright did briefly reprise the role before the show ended, but only in a flashback.

Laverne Actor Aloma Wright Can Still Appear In Scrubs Season 10

Wright was recast as Nurse Shirley in Scrubs season 7

Scrubs could make creative use of flashbacks to include Aloma Wright in the reunion, but the cast is much older now, so there would be a timeline issue to consider if this avenue is explored. Interestingly, there is actually a much easier way Aloma Wright can return in Scrubs season 10. After Scrubs season 7’s renewal, Lawrence’s regret at killing off Laverne led the showrunner to offer Wright a new part. In the season after Laverne’s death, Wright returned as Nurse Shirley – who looked, acted, and sounded just like Laverne – although she did have a new hairstyle.

Wright’s return was played for laughs, with no one but Zach Braff’s John “JD” Dorian able to see the striking resemblance between their late colleague and the hospital’s new addition to the nursing staff. After declaring it was like, “Looking at Laverne again,” JD gave her the clumsy nickname of, “Laverneagain,” which no one but Braff’s character liked. So, if Aloma Wright does come back for the Scrubs revival, playing Shirley is her most realistic option. It may not be ideal, but it’s better than not having the actor involved at all.

The Scrubs Revival Will Need To Explain Aloma Wright’s New Character For Casual Fans

Shirley’s presence in Scrubs 10 could be disorientating for those who didn’t closely follow the sitcom

A reunion of available Scrubs cast members wouldn’t be complete without Aloma Wright, even if she isn’t playing Laverne. What’s concerning is the meta nature of her return to the show could be confusing for those who were aware of Scrubs‘s original run but perhaps weren’t devoted viewers. They may recognize Wright, but not understand why she has a different name or why only JD is aware of the shared faces of Laverne and Shirley. So, Scrubs 10 will need to find a way to clearly explain that Aloma Wright isn’t reprising her role of Laverne, but the lesser-known Shirley.

Within the world of Scrubs, Shirley has no ties to Laverne – familial or otherwise. The creative casting move is a little bizarre, even for a zany sitcom like Scrubs. However, it’s now been established as part of the world’s canon, so retconning Shirley’s backstory would feel like something of an easy way out. With so little information about the show’s revival, it’s unclear to what extent the cast will reunite. Hopefully, all the main and secondary actors are involved, which would include Aloma Wright playing her obscure Scrubs character.