ABC Looking To Pick Up Scrubs

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 executives are said to have been caught off guard by the development. 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.

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. 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.

NBC has five original episodes left of “Scrubs,” which the network plans to air starting April 10.