Medical comedy “Scrubs” never got to have its finale on its home of seven years, NBC, but it will make its eighth season premiere on ABC this fall – and the cast and crew promise laughs as good as ever.

The cast and crew of the much appreciated but poorly rated “Scrubs” were in high spirits Wednesday at the Television Critics Assn. Summer Press Tour in Beverly Hills, Calif., with show creator Bill Lawrence quipping, “You can’t kill this show.”

Indeed “Scrubs” has had to weather some cloudy conditions, what with the show receiving limited promotion from NBC, its time slot varying along the years and then that stormiest of conditions, being cancelled after the 100-day writers’ strike.

While no one said this would be the show’s final season, it was confirmed that star Zach Braff would exit the series at its end, reports Variety. “My sense is this is my last year,” Braff said.

The actor said he was willing to return as a guest star, as well as to direct. “I’d love to come back, and maybe direct some...and help with craft services if they need that.”

While maintaining the mystery level high, Lawrence also hinted that “Scrubs” may end once Zach Braff’s character, J.D. Dorian, leaves Sacred Heart Hospital. “The end of the show will be about J.D. leaving the hospital. When you leave, it’s about holding on to your relationships.”

Zach Braff meanwhile has been attached to direct indie movie “Open Hearts,” in which he also appears and whose script he is to write. Much like his successful directorial debut “Garden State,” in 2005.
The eighth season of “Scrubs” is scheduled to premiere on ABC midseason.

Back in May, when ABC presented its fall schedule, ABC Entertainment President Stephen McPherson revealed he had faith in the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning sitcom and defended the comedy’s modest ratings saying it went through 17 different time slots during its tenure at NBC and received little promotion.

Braff also posted an explanation in a MySpace bulletin at the time, confirming the move to ABC “for its final season.”

“We are currently filming the 8th and final season. The true finale of the show will air on ABC in the fall.”

It remains to be seen how close we really are to that finale.