''Scrubs'': Love it or loathe it?

LOVE IT

I can’t believe we’re even having this discussion. Scrubs is still the go-to sitcom for sweet, cool, nutty goodness, like so much Peanut Buster Parfait performance art. Take the verging-on-genius story arc in which J.D. (Zach Braff, he of the — ahem — Golden Globe nomination) knocks up Dr. Briggs (Elizabeth Banks), whom he’s only been dating long enough to…well, they say it only takes one time. Their romance is awkward and cute — in other words, real. Not that the show neglects its supporting cast. Dr. Cox (John C. McGinley) nicely tweaked House a few shows back, and this week he and the other theater geeks get their Sondheim on in a musical episode. No, it’s not Scrubs‘ best, but ”Guy Love,” a duet with Braff and Donald Faison about straight-dude friendship, is genuine and genuinely funny — no easy trick. (Just ask Studio 60.) —Alynda Wheat

LOATHE IT

”Hey, there! I’m J.D. Dorian and I give more annoying voice-over than all those cuties on ABC combined. Speaking of cuties, I’m awfully adorable too, especially when I’m earnestly mugging for the camera while plots that have been done better on other shows, like House, Ally McBeal, and Seinfeld, unfold around me. Did I say Grey’s Anatomy? Well, I meant to. We totally played that ‘How to Save a Life’ song…second! Next week, we’re doing something no one — not even Buffy the Vampire Slayer or The Simpsons — has ever done before in prime time: an all-musical episode. I’m even going to sing about poo. (Hee, hee, hee, I’m so daring. I said ‘poo.’) Let’s face it: Excrement is uncharted territory for television — even the guys on South Park won’t touch it. That’s my Scrubs: First in medical waste!” —Henry Goldblatt