TV's Scrubs brought back to life

Medical comedy series Scrubs has been renewed for a ninth series, despite predictions it had come to an end.

The show, which stars Zach Braff, wrapped up earlier this year with an episode called "My Finale", which resolved several ongoing storylines.

The series had seen low ratings after moving from NBC to rival network ABC and Braff, who plays Doctor John "JD" Dorian announced he was leaving.

But ABC says the show will continue - with Braff returning for six episodes.

He is expected to hand over to a new line-up, including several regular cast members and some of the medical interns introduced in the most recent series.

According to trade paper Hollywood Reporter, actress Sarah Chalke (Dr Elliot Reid) has also been approached to work on the transitional episodes.

Returning regulars include Donald Faison (Dr Turk), John C McGinley (Dr Cox) and Neil Flynn, whose character is known simply as The Janitor.

ABC has also commissioned three new comedies, including a new vehicle for Frasier star Kelsey Grammer, who will play the lead in Hank, about a high-flying executive who finds himself out of work.

Sci-fi surprise

Meanwhile Fox has surprised critics and fans alike by ordering a second series of struggling sci-fi series Dollhouse.

The Joss Whedon-scripted drama stars Eliza Dushku as a secret agent whose mind has been wiped so she can be imprinted with any personality her handlers require.

It suffered near-disastrous ratings, and many assumed it would suffer the same fate as its creator's previous series, Firefly, which was pulled after just 11 episodes.

But, according to The Hollywood Reporter, executives took into account Firefly's longevity - it has continued to sell well on DVD and spawned a big-screen movie, Serenity - when deciding Dollhouse's fate.

Producers are also reported to have promised budget cuts to secure a second series.

The show premieres in the UK this week on the Sci-Fi Channel.

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