Zach Braff says some Scrubs jokes are ‘way too un-PC’ to be aired today
Sitcom has been criticised for using homosexuality as a punchline
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Scrubs star Zach Braff has said the beloved sitcom is “way too un-PC” for modern audiences.
The actor and his co-star Donald Faison have launched a new podcast, Fake Doctors Real Friends, in which they re-watch old episodes of the show and reminisce on what they were like to film.
Discussing the experience of revisiting a series that first came out almost 20 years ago, Braff told the BBC: “Some of it is way too un-PC, I’m sure, for now. We often cringe and go, 'Okay, you definitely couldn’t do that joke today.'
“Sometimes even at the time things would get censored because the creators were trying to push things as far as they could on network television.”
While Braff didn’t refer to which of the jokes could alienate modern audiences, Scrubs has been criticised in recent years for its perceived misogyny, and for using homosexuality as a punchline and stereotyping BAME characters.
Faison, however, said the show’s subject matter keeps it relevant to today’s viewers. "With this whole pandemic going on, right now we should shine a light on all of the people in the medical profession,” he said.
"So I definitely think Scrubs still holds up. For the simple fact that there are still people in the medical profession who're going through the same things."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments