One Scrubs On-Set Rule That Could Have Saved Community All the Drama
It’s both easier and harder than you would think.
Unfortunately, the genre of the show doesn't necessarily dictate the relationships between the cast and crew on set. While comedies are supposed to be more upbeat, there is no shortage of stories about the cast of the most popular sitcoms having the nastiest drama imaginable.
One sitcom that has managed to stay away from all that, however, is Scrubs. Running for nine years from 2001 to 2010, the show was as funny and entertaining as it was problem-free, and the cast was able to pinpoint the exact reason why. All the credit for the most non-toxic workplace environment should go to Bill Lawrence, the show's creator.
John C. McGinley, the one and only Dr. Cox, recalls that the mastermind behind the sitcom once enforced a simple rule that saved everyone a lot of mental anguish. McGinley shared this story during the group interview with The Independent for a Scrubs: An Oral History article:
“After the pilot, when the show was picked up, Billy got everybody – the grips, make-up, hair, actors, drivers – together in what was the cafeteria and articulated that there was a “no a**hole” policy on set. All he meant was, it’s not that you have to come to work and walk on pins and needles, but you do have to come to work and be nice,” the actor explained.
The policy worked wonders on the set. According to Sarah Chalke, who portrayed Elliot Reid, even after long 16- to 17-hour shoots, some cast and crew members found themselves hanging out and drinking their Friday beers together. This was a clear indication of a very healthy environment where everyone had a chance to be heard.
Not only did it ensure that there were no conflicts that could become scandals and kill the show, but it also gave everyone working together on set a lifelong lesson in positive attitudes. This one rule can go a long way in any environment. And many sets today could use a rule like that.
If you want to re-watch Scrubs and enjoy the drama-free sitcom in all its glory, you can stream it on Hulu, Disney Plus, or Amazon Prime Video.
Source: The Independent