Full Breakdown
ABC Secures Two Comedy Renewals for the 2026-27 Season
5/1/2026, 3:53:35 PM
Core Renewal Decision
ABC announced that the “Scrubs” revival will return for a second season—its 11th overall—and that the multi-camera sitcom “Shifting Gears” will move into a third season. Both series are slated for the 2026-27 broadcast schedule, joining other renewed titles such as “Abbott Elementary,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” and “The Rookie.” The network simultaneously passed on the comedy pilot “Do You Want Kids?” and left the freshman drama “R.J. Decker” without a confirmed fate.
Background & Context
“Scrubs” resurfaced on ABC after a 16-year hiatus, reuniting original leads Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke, and Donald Faison, with additional alumni in recurring roles. The revival’s first episode amassed 11 million cross-platform viewers within 35 days, becoming ABC’s top-rated comedy among adults 18-49 in linear ratings. “Shifting Gears,” created by Julie Thacker Scully and Mike Scully, debuted in early 2025. It follows widower Matt (Tim Allen) whose life is upended when his estranged daughter Riley (Kat Dennings) moves in with her two children. The series was ABC’s most-watched comedy on linear TV this season.
Key Figures & Production Teams
- Bill Lawrence – creator of the original “Scrubs,” executive producer of the revival via Doozer Productions.
- Aseem Batra – showrunner and executive producer of “Scrubs.”
- Jeff Ingold & Liza Katzer – executive producers on “Scrubs.”
- Tim Allen – lead actor and executive producer of “Shifting Gears.”
- Kat Dennings – co-lead and producer on “Shifting Gears.”
- Michelle Nader – executive producer on “Shifting Gears.”
- Rachel Bloom & Dan Gregor – co-creators and executive producers of the scrapped pilot “Do You Want Kids?”
All productions are handled by 20th Television, a Disney Television Studios unit.
Viewership Data & Ratings
- “Scrubs” revival: 9 million viewers in the first seven days, rising to 11 million in the 35-day, all-platform Nielsen tally.
- “Shifting Gears”: 5.4 million live viewers (linear), 7 million after seven-day DVR playback, and roughly 7 million total viewers after a week.
- The series topped ABC’s comedy lineup in both linear and multiplatform metrics, while “R.J. Decker” lagged in linear ratings but performed strongly on Hulu’s Daily Top 10.
Official Statements & Network Actions
ABC’s programming announcement confirmed the two comedy renewals and noted that the “Do You Want Kids?” pilot will not proceed. The network also indicated that decisions on “R.J. Decker” and the “The Rookie North” spinoff remain pending, with budget considerations likely influencing final outcomes.
Criticism & Opposition to the Scrapped Pilot
Industry observers reported mixed reactions to “Do You Want Kids?” at the network level, describing its odds as roughly 50-50. The pilot’s sliding-door premise—exploring life with and without a child—failed to secure sufficient confidence for a series order, prompting ABC to retain its existing comedy slate.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Episode counts for the renewed seasons have not been disclosed; prior seasons featured 9 (Scrubs) and 10-13 (Shifting Gears) episodes.
- “R.J. Decker” renewal odds are reported as 50-50, with no definitive decision announced.
- The status of “The Rookie North” remains “in contention,” leaving the drama lineup’s final composition uncertain.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Jesse’s talent and their chemistry made us pivot,” — Michelle Nader, Showrunner, *Shifting Gears*
- “I have no idea where this goes, which is the exciting part.” — Michelle Nader
- “I have no idea where this goes, which is the exciting part. I think that’s what’s exciting to the audience, too.” — Michelle Nader
- “We worked really hard on it, and we’re immensely proud of it,” — Rachel Bloom & Dan Gregor, Creators, *Do You Want Kids?*
What’s Next
ABC will finalize the status of “R.J. Decker” and evaluate the “The Rookie North” pilot during the upcoming scheduling cycle. Production schedules for the second season of “Scrubs” and the third season of “Shifting Gears” are expected to be announced later this spring, with episode orders likely remaining limited.
