WithScrubsseemingly on the verge of a comeback, the medical sitcom is almost sure to be short of a side character who appeared in 49 episodes, as the actor who played him has moved on to a completely different career. Despite the original cast and crew being vocal on the topic of aScrubsrevival,Disney has yet to greenlight the show’s return. However, showrunner Bill Lawrence has stated thata deal to make more episodes ofScrubsis “so very close” to completion.
While most of the main cast is likely to return, one of the best side characters will, in all likelihood, be absent from the reunion. He was present in almostall nine seasons ofScrubsand had a surprisingly complete and artful story that also carried with it a darkly comedic sensibility. His roles outside the show are limited, and they ended suddenly in 2009 when he stepped away from acting altogether. Ofall the doctors inScrubs, his character was probably the least skilled in a traditional manner, but also one of the funniest.
Doug Murphy Actor Johnny Kastl Retired From Acting In 2009 To Become A Lawyer
Kastl appeared in one more show after he left Scrubs
Johnny Kastl debuted as Doug inScrubsseason 1, episode 2, “My Mentor,” and was one of the many side characters to dip in and out of the show throughout most of its run. His transition from one of the worst and most mistake-prone doctors into a naturally talented pathologist completely transformed Kastl’s character, asDoug found his confidence in one of the least professional ways possible. After leavingScrubsin 2009, Kastle snagged one more role, appearing as Todd Jaracki in 6 of the 13 episodes ofThe Beastbefore retiring as an actor and becoming a lawyer instead.
John C. McGinley’s Dr. Cox gave Doug the nickname of “Nervous Guy.”
Despite his relatively short acting career, Kastl’s increased profile caused by his time onScrubsallowed him to make small appearances in other movies and TV shows before 2009. For instance, he appeared as a soldier in both 2003’sHulkand 2005’sWar of the Worlds. Slightly more prominently,he played Wes Floyd in a 2006 episode ofCold Caseand also appeared in a single installment as Eddie Nettles inVeronica Marsin 2007.
Bill Lawrence’s Scrubs Season 10 Plans Means There May Not Be Room For Doug Anyway
The Scrubs showrunner will likely replace Doug with a newer character
Despite the largely negative reception ofScrubsseason 9 altering the show’s formula so drastically, Bill Lawrence seems determined to replicate one key aspect of theMed Schoolera. In short, theScrubsshowrunner wants to combine members of the original cast with new characters, but this was a big reason whyMed Schoolflopped so badly. Quality of the idea aside, Lawrence’s plan sounds as thoughScrubsseason 10 could turn into a pretty crowded affair, so bringing back a relatively minor character like Doug will likely not be a priority.
That being said, a cameo from Johnny Kastl in the show’s revival would still be welcome, if the actor is willing to briefly come out of retirement.
What’s more important is that more prominent characters, likeZach Braff’s John “JD” Dorian, are given the screen time they need to makeScrubs' comeback worthwhile. Then, the newer characters will need to be accurate representations of what it means to be a doctor in the modern day. Doug was a greatScrubscharacter, but he would pretty much be surplus to requirements if Lawrence’sScrubsseason 10 plan became reality. That being said,a cameo from Johnny Kastl in the show’s revival would still be welcome, if the actor is willing to briefly come out of retirement.
Scrubs Has Already Proven It Can Work Without Kastl’s Presence
The final run of Scrubs' main era barely featured Doug
Doug appeared far less inScrubsseason 8, featuring in just one minor storyline in the “My Soul on Fire” two-parter. So, although he did star in every season of the show’s most successful era, Kastl never returned forScrubsseason 9 - the run which was softly rebranded asScrubs: Med School. It would be nice to discover that Doug was still the pathologist at the new Sacred Heart Hospital, butScrubsseason 9 never confirms or denies this.
Scrubs' Revival Must Overcome 1 Behind-The-Scenes Problem That Hurt Season 9
Showrunner Bill Lawrence’s promise of a Scrubs comeback needs to navigate a problem that’s arisen since the sitcom’s original ended in 2010.
AlthoughMed Schoolisn’t the best example of how a Doug-less version of the show can thrive(because it didn’t), it would be disingenuous to blame the sitcom’s final season on Kastl’s absence. However, Doug’s scarcity inScrubsseason 8, proves the sitcom’s true swan song worked without him before it was reworked ahead of the ninth and final season. So, while it would have been nice to have Kastl come back forScrubsseason 10, his new role as a lawyer probably preventing that shouldn’t create too much cause for concern.
Scrubs
Cast
Scrubs is a Sitcom and Medical Comedy/Drama created by Bill Lawrence that follows a group of medical students throughout their daily lives at the Sacred Heart Teaching Hospital. The series stars Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke, and Donald Faison, as they work their way up from Medical Interns while juggling all sorts of hospital shenanigans.
