ABC and NBC in "Scrubs" scrap
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Veteran comedy "Scrubs" is caught in a tug-of-war between NBC and ABC. ABC is in negotiations to pick up 18 episodes of the series from Disney corporate sibling ABC Studios, which has produced the comedy for NBC since 2001.
NBC brass are said to have been caught off guard when the Hollywood Reporter broke the story earlier on Thursday.
A network insider said NBC is still in "first negotiation period" -- a period of exclusive negotiations -- with ABC Studios and hasn't given the studio official consent to take the series elsewhere.
ABC Studios chose not to respond.
Given the history between NBC and ABC Studios, which have been at odds over the quirky medical comedy since it premiered in 2001, industry observers are preparing for an ugly battle over a series considered to be on its final lap.
A broadcast series switching networks, though often discussed during contract renewals, is a rare event. Recent network jumpers include "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (the WB Network to UPN) and "JAG" (NBC to CBS).
The Hollywood writers strike cut short NBC's 18-episode final-season order for the Zach Braff medical series to 12 episodes. Sources said the network has been reluctant to order additional episodes for the fall, citing the fact that it already has fresh episodes in the can. NBC reportedly floated various endgame scenarios to producers, including ordering one final episode or producing the remaining episodes direct to
DVD.
Details of the ABC deal are still being hammered out as contracts for most cast members and writers have not been picked up beyond the current season.
After struggling in recent years to launch a hit comedy, ABC scored this season with the Christina Applegate freshman "Samantha Who?" The "Scrubs" pickup will give ABC another half-hour title with a built-in audience. It also makes financial sense for Disney.
It has been a rocky ride for "Scrubs." NBC repeatedly has shifted the critically praised but modestly rated show around its schedule. For the past two seasons, NBC also waited until the eleventh hour to pick it up with partial season orders.
Most recently, "Scrubs" has aired as part of NBC's Thursday night lineup along with "The Office," "My Name Is Earl" and "30 Rock," where the medical comedy often was the lowest-rated of the bunch.
NBC has five original episodes left of "Scrubs," which the network plans to air starting April 10.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
