In 2026, not screwing up a beloved sitcom revival counts as a genuine achievement. Scrubs returned to ABC with Zach Braff and Donald Faison back at Sacred Heart Hospital, and critics are cautiously optimistic: they didn't ruin it.

The revival scored a 74 on Metacritic, which translates to "generally favorable reviews"—the TV equivalent of a solid B+. For a show returning after years off the air, that's actually impressive. Most revivals either pander shamelessly to nostalgia or try so hard to update for modern audiences that they lose what made them special. Early reviews suggest Scrubs found a middle path.

According to viewer discussions, the show maintains the original's blend of comedy and sincere emotion—the thing that separated it from standard hospital sitcoms. Braff's J.D. and Faison's Turk still have chemistry, which matters more than any script.

The key to successful revivals: understanding what made the original work and not overthinking it. Scrubs was never about elaborate plotting or topical commentary. It was about finding humor and heart in the daily grind of medical work, anchored by a core friendship that felt genuine.

Does the world need more Scrubs? Probably not. But if we're going to keep reviving everything—and we are, because Hollywood is terrified of original ideas—at least this one seems to understand its assignment. Make the fans happy, don't embarrass anyone, and get out before overstaying your welcome.

Whether the show can sustain this goodwill remains to be seen. But for now, Scrubs has accomplished something rare: a revival that doesn't make you wish they'd left well enough alone. In 2026, that's practically visionary.