'Scrubs' to undergo plot transformation

LOS ANGELES, June 20 (UPI) -- Producer Bill Lawrence says his U.S. TV series "Scrubs" will undergo a significant transformation when it comes back for its ninth season.

Lawrence said instead of focusing on the comedic side of hospital life, the ABC sitcom will be primarily focused on stars John C. McGinley and Donald Faison serving as teachers at a medical school, Entertainment Weekly reported online Friday.

"It's going to be a different show, Lawrence said of his series, which shifted from NBC to ABC for its eighth season. "It'll still be life-and-death stakes, but if the show is just 'Scrubs' again in the hospital with a different person's voice-over, it would be a disaster and people would be mad."

The new season will also see the introduction of new characters as "Scrubs" stars Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke and Judy Reyes and others will only make guest appearances.

"Med students in their first three years have to spend anywhere from 10 to 50 percent of their time at a hospital," Lawrence said of the plot shift. "And that's when you'll see some of the (original cast members)."