Fake Doctors, Real Friends Podcast: 10 Things We Learned From Bill Lawrence In Episode Three
9. Bill Was Convinced The Show Would Fail
While Zach Braff came into the world of Scrubs still waiting tables and waiting for his big break, Bill Lawrence had already worked on a TV show called Spin City. The show was a huge success, starring the likes of Michael J. Fox, Charlie Sheen, Heather Locklear, and Richard Kind.
This put Lawrence in a strong position of both professional and financial security when pitching Scrubs, meaning he could technically afford for the show to fail. In fact, he was so convinced that it was going to fail anyway, he ignored any and all suggestions from the studio and kept to his original vision.
Whereas a younger, less experienced creator may have caved to the pressure of being asked to add an element of Dr. Cox's home life in a sitcom style, Bill stood firm and said if it's going to be made, it's going to be made his way. Thankfully, the show stuck around for nine years, and was certainly better for staying loyal to Bill Lawrence's unique original vision.