Full Breakdown
ABC Locks In Renewals for Scrubs Revival and Shifting Gears, Leaves R.J. Decker on the Bubble
5/2/2026, 4:59:35 AM
Renewal Decisions for 2026-27
ABC confirmed that the Scrubs revival will return for a second season and Shifting Gears for a third season in the 2026-27 schedule. Episode counts were not disclosed, though industry sources suggest the Scrubs order will be ten episodes, matching its first-season size. The only scripted series without a renewal is the freshman drama R.J. Decker, whose odds are described as 50-50.
Ratings Performance
Scrubs’ premiere was the highest-rated comedy telecast this season among adults 18-49, drawing over 11 million viewers across platforms in its first 35 days (Nielsen) and 9 million in the first week. Shifting Gears was ABC’s top-rated comedy in linear viewership, averaging 5.4 million live viewers and about 7 million after a week of streaming. R.J. Decker lagged in linear ratings but regularly appeared in Hulu’s Daily Top 10.
Show Background and Production
Scrubs, created by Bill Lawrence, returns as a hospital comedy with original stars Zach Braff, Donald Faison, Sarah Chalke and additional alumni such as Judy Reyes, John C. McGinley and Ken Jenkins slated to appear. Lawrence also executive-produces with Jeff Ingood, Liza Katzer and the lead cast; Aseem Batra serves as showrunner. Shifting Gears, a multi-camera sitcom starring Tim Allen as widower Matt Parker, follows his auto-restoration shop and the arrival of his estranged daughter Riley, played by Kat Dennings. Allen executive-produces with a team of producers; both series are produced by 20th Television, a Disney Television Studios unit. Both series will air on ABC’s Wednesday schedule.
Official Statements
Aseem Batra told Deadline that the upcoming Scrubs season will feature returning alumni Judy Reyes, John C. McGinley and Ken Jenkins, with other original cast members on a “wish list.” ABC’s renewal pattern—confirming all three comedies while leaving only one drama undecided—highlights a focus on comedy performance for the next schedule.
Criticism and Budget Concerns
Analysts note that R.J. Decker’s linear ratings trail those of its Tuesday companions Will Trent and High Potential, contributing to its 50-50 renewal chance. Budget constraints may force ABC to cut drama episode orders if it adds a new series such as The Rookie: North.
Conflicting Reports
Sources differ on prior episode counts: one cites nine Scrubs episodes and ten Shifting Gears episodes in season 1, another notes thirteen episodes in Shifting Gears season 2. No official episode count has been released for the upcoming seasons, and the final decision on R.J. Decker remains pending.
Future Outlook
ABC must decide whether to renew R.J. Decker, order The Rookie: North, or cut drama budgets. Pilot evaluations and budgeting reviews will shape the network’s 2026-27 scripted slate.
