My Life in Four Cameras

Season 4, Episode 17, Aired

Episode Summary

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9.0
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EPISODE RATING: Superb
311 votes
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When J.D. meets a former writer from his all time favorite TV show "Cheers", he begins to picture his life at the hospital as a bland, multiple camera sitcom, where everything is perfect and wraps up nicely. Back in reality, Dr. Cox is relunctant to fire an amiable cafeteria worker, while Turk and Carla struggle to keep their promise of constant romantic affection afloat.moreless
  • You could either love or hate this episode, I unfortunately am undecided.

    7.6
    "Good"
    There is a lot of reasons people might dislike this epsiode. The fact they had to jam in Clay Aiken for no good reason. He didn't win American Idol people! Or the fact that this episode was just completely different than all the other episodes, people don't like change. They get confused and automatically dislike the episode. There are also many reasons why people would fall in love with this episode: The nice tie in with all the plots by the end, mirroring fantasy and realism, or by making an inside joke since Scrubs is technically a situational comedy minus the laugh track. I know what this episode did do though, by the end, it made me have a good feeling all over, and it made me smile. I just felt as though the "sitcom fantasy" wasn't as enjoyable as posed. I also wasn't a big fan of Clay Aiken's appearance. I liked this episode because of it's analysis of sitcoms: All the girls are eye candy, problems are resolved in 30 minutes, there is laugh track even when something unfunny happens. By the end, Scrubs managed to beat the cliches with all the plots they had, which made this episode in some ways outstanding, but of course that was just the tie in of the end of the episode. You can't forget the flaws, which brought the rating down. So an okay episode from Scrubs, with outstanding points, and unmistakable flaws.moreless
  • A completely outstanding episode.

    10
    "Perfect"
    I cannot believe that a majority of these reviewers are completely superficial. This episode is quite prominent compared to other episodes of season 4 and it is in fact similar to that of "My Butterfly" because it portrays two parallel worlds, even though the other dimension is obviously implausible. Still, the episode only shows how JD wanted to alter reality, not for some stupid provincial reason. This episode, I believe, reveals another side of JD which makes him a very unique character. Even though, in reality, JD knows that Ken Lerner's faith is destined to be inevitablely, death. He seems to be able to become optimistic even when indulged with circumstances where success seems to be too good to be true. It is amazing how this episode shows the actuality of life. How "sitcoms" arn't exactly what happens in a hospital; or how things that may seem simple turn out to be amazingly hard. Ultimately, this episode ,"My Life in Four Cameras", has been thoroughly an amazing exemplification of real life. Whereas things do not usually go the way we perceive them to be. Therefore, this is, indeed, one of the best episodes of scrubs.moreless
  • One of my favourite eps ever!

    9.2
    "Superb"
    This is a good picture of how Scrubs would have ended up if it were to be taped in front of a live audience like a more traditional sitcom; we all know it wouldn't have worked (how would we experince J.D.'s fantasies then?), nonetheless it was nice to see how it would have turned out.
    I don't really know why I liked this episode in particular so much. Maybe it was the fact that J.D.'s fantasies had gone up to a really different level. I honestly cannot think of another episode in any other show that can compare to the uniqueness of the plot, but it's so characteristic of the kind of thing you'd usually find in Scrubs; that level of overly excessive and perhaps even insane daydreaming.moreless
  • Not my favorite episode, but it's not that bad.

    8.0
    "Great"
    The first half of this episode, nearly 13 minutes, takes place in real life and is actually entertaining and well written, like a regular Scrubs episode. It's only when it becomes a sitcom that it becomes boring. The idea is interesting, but seeing nearly an entire episode of Scrubs as a lame sitcom got really old. It's as if the writers were trying to say "Hey, our sitcom's better, it's more realistic and it's minus the laugh track!" All this is true, but when the writers have to point this out to us it cheapens the show a little.

    Season 4 is all gold, to me. This is the weakest episode in the season, but all scenes in reality are fine.moreless
  • JD has a sitcom fantasy.

    9.4
    "Superb"
    Turk and Carla try to help their marraige when they become jealous of JD and Kylie. Dr. Cox tries to stop Kelso from firing someone and Kelso tells him if he can make up the profit he wont have to. When Turk and JD meet the writer of Cheers and learn he has lung cancer, JD's life goes into a sitcom. In the sitcom the writer dude lives when it turns out his chart was switched, Carla and Turk make up, and Kenny wins a talent show and doesnt have to leave. JD realizes that wasnt right. The writer dies, Turk and Carla have to work on their marrige and Cox winds up having to fire Kenny.moreless
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  • TRIVIA (10)

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    • During the sitcom sequence, Neil Flynn (Janitor) and Clay Aiken (Kenny) were the only actors that were applauded when they first appeared.

    • Sitcom World: In the "sitcom world" of J.D.'s fantasy, most of the female characters, including Elliot, Carla, Jordan and the nurse standing behind the nurses' station, are wearing low-cut blouses and short skirts. Elliot is also wearing high heels and her famous push-up bra. In addition, when the janitor walks in, a man can be seen at the nurses' station who is wearing shorts and no shirt.

    • In the fantasy talent show, Eliot is reciting a German translation of the "Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo" speech from "Romeo and Juliet".

    • Dr. Cox had made a comment about turning the word really into a six syllable word, but he changed it into seven syllables.

    • When the Janitor comes in on his trolley, and he is then talking to Elliot and J.D., his trolley moves from one side to the other and back again.

    • When Elliot and J.D. are talking about Mr. James and his cough being something giving reason to take an x-ray, they are both wearing the same color (dark blue) scrubs. In the next scene with them, where they are looking at the x-rays and talking about the lung cancer, Elliot's are suddenly lighter blue.

    • This episode contains the series' longest daydream.

    • Elliot's fluency in German was first mentioned in "My Interpretation".

    • Featured Music: "Cheers Theme" by Colin Hay "Let's All Go to the Lobby" (sung by Turk) "Sanford & Son Theme" (sung by Turk) "Isn't She Lovely" (sung by Kenny/Clay Aiken)

    • While J.D. is crowdsurfing the mob outside the hospital, a couple of people can clearly be seen carrying him the whole way down the ramp. They look out of place, since everyone there is supposedly trying to get in the hospital.

  • QUOTES (43)

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    • J.D.'s narration: Unfortunately, around here things don't always end as neat and tidy as they do in sitcoms. Relationships aren't always magically fixed in thirty minutes - you have to work on them.

    • Dr. Kelso: Okay, Perry! That's it, it's over. The only act left to see is you firing that guy.

    • J.D.: And if any of you cows, goats, or ducks have any questions, don't be afraid to ask me! I'm just like all of you, only giant and human!... Thank you. I hope you enjoyed our production of World's Most Giant Doctor Goes to the Farm.

    • Janitor: Oh, brother. Look, I, uh... either start laughing or I start unplugging your machines.

    • Elliot: Oh, Romeo, Romeo, Warum bist du Romeo? Verleugne deinen Vater und entsage deinem Namen. Oder wenn du das nicht willst, so SCHWÖRE hier. Carla: Gesundheit.

    • Dr. Cox: All right, talent show's about to start. Mr. James: Talent show? I'd love to see it, but I'm too tired to get out of bed. J.D.: That sucks for you!

    • Mr. James: What an amazing day! A balloon ride! Lunch by the beach! And my first carnival! Elliot: Yeah. Sorry you missed out on getting your face painted. Mr. James: Well, they only had time to paint one more face, so I let the kid behind me go, make him stop crying. J.D.: That was awesome!

    • Carla: You know, you're wrong about Turk - he has many, many talents. Yeah, he's really good at not finding five seconds to kiss his wife. Turk: Wow! That's interesting, because you're really good at that, too!

    • Dr. Cox: Newbie! Almost forgot about you! J.D.: You know what, save your breath! I'm about to get in a hot-air balloon and get Evil Knievel on my own ass! Come on, Elliot! Let's go French kiss the sun!

    • Dr. Cox: All right, knuckleheads! I need one of you to win this talent show! Elliot: I can do Shakespeare in German!... In college I double majored in theatre and classic languages. J.D.: Does that degree come with headgear and allergies?

    • Dr. Cox: You thinkin' what I'm thinkin'? Jordan: Yeah! That-that-ohhhh! That we invite Muscles, here, to hang a banner in our bedroom that says "It takes three to party"?

    • J.D.: Besides, I defy you to find one other thing that I'm afraid of! Janitor: Mopping time! Mopping time! It's mopping time! (The audience whoops and cheers) Janitor: Yes, it's mopping time, my friend! And as you know, I always like to start in the exact spot you're standing. Let's get to work.

    • Dr. Cox: Hold your horses. Just tell me who the last person hired was, would you please? Kenny: Looks like you folks could use a little refresher! Serving people like you who save lives every day, makes me happier than a kitten chasing a leaky cow! God bless ya! God bless ya. Dr. Cox: I have to fire Opie, don't I? Jordan: You think?

    • Dr. Kelso: What do you want, Perry? Dr. Cox: Bob, enough of the stinking budget cuts, already! Dr. Kelso: Noted. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to fire someone. Dr. Cox: Oh, baloney, old man!

    • Turk: My wife's name's Carla. J.D.: Yeah! Turk: Yeah! Like Carla from the show. J.D.: Just like it. Mr. James: Wow...I've never actually met anyone who had the same name as a character on the show. J.D./Turk: Really? Mr. James: No. J.D.: Oh, well, that's understandable... Turk: Yeah. J.D.: I mean, there's a lot of Sams... Turk: There's probably a lot of Carlas...

    • J.D.: Okay, then, Mr. James, you're free- Wait a second, Charles James? I was watching the "Cheers" DVD the other night - are you Charles James the writer? Mr. James: Yeah, that's me. J.D.'s narration: Just. Stay. Calm. J.D.: Uh, Elliot, I need to take this gentleman upstairs for some more, uh, tests. Elliot: J.D., don't leave me here. J.D.: This is very important! He may even need a surgical consult.

    • J.D.: Ahh. Kylie's in class all day and she bartends at night, and I'm still working sixteen-hour shifts, so we try to make sure we kiss at least once a day. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, she takes a cab over here; Tuesdays and Thursdays, I scooter to my baby! Turk: Honey. I haven't foofied in bed in like a week!

    • Dr. Cox: Hey, Kenny, once again I'm...I'm real sorry. Dr. Kelso: Welcome to my world. Now, imagine going home to my wife.

    • Elliot: Wait a second! This chart isn't for Charles James, it's for James Charles! He's the one who has cancer, not you! J.D.: And who cares about him! He's anti-Semitic!

    • Carla: Uh, Turk and I are gonna go home and spend some time together. Some GOOD TIME! Turk: And by "good time" she means bumping uglies!

    • Janitor: Hey, I'm wondering, what's the story with steel wool? I mean, is it steel or is it wool? Make up your mind, steel wool. Are there iron sheep hopping around in Scotland?

    • Carla: Are you humming the "let's all go to the movies" song? Turk: Is that not our song? Carla: It's sung by hot dogs!

    • Dr. Cox: Let's take a look at our other options. Gandhi? You appear to be a man that is utterly without talent. Unless, of course, you wanna count the fact that you are the twentieth-best basketball player in a predominately white hospital? Jordan, your only skill is illegal in twenty-six states. Jordan: It's twenty-seven. Arkansas buckled. Dr. Cox: Carla, that makes you my girl. Hell, we could crank up the humidity and watch your hair explode, that'd be terrific.

    • Dr. Cox: Why? Why am I having such a hard time with this? Jordan: Because apparently you have girl parts!

    • Dr. Kelso: Perry? Why the hell is he still here? When I go back down to the cafeteria, there had better be only three workers there! Unless Margaret spits out another kid - that woman's like a Catholic bunny.

    • Dr. Cox: Hell yeah, I wanted to see you. I wanted to tell you that I... I think you're doing a great job. Boy, that meatloaf today, it was-it was virtually hairless. Kenny: I took off the gloves and... it makes the hair a lot easier to... pick out.

    • J.D.: Is that my new sweater? Janitor: No, this is my new sweater mop. J.D.: It went dynamite with my beige cords! Janitor: You mean my beige cord sponge?

    • J.D.: A hot-air balloon seems kind of dangerous, I mean, he could get hurt. Elliot: What's he gonna do? Bruise one of his giant malignant tumors? J.D.: Safety is always important, Elliot. Elliot: Oh, my God. You're afraid of balloon rides, aren't you! J.D.: It's floating wicker propelled by fire!

    • Jordan: Oh, for God's sake, Perry! Adjust your bra, man up, and fire the one with the least pathetic story! Dr. Cox: Do you really think I know any of these people's stories? Janitor: Well, let me fill you in. First we have Hank - four kids, trying to make it on a dishwasher's salary. Next one is Mike - lost half his leg in a motorcycle accident. And then there's Judy - been here thirty years, just two away from retirement. Jordan: You're...you're friends with all these people? Janitor: You kidding me? I read their files. I read everybody's files, Ms. Manic-Depressive, Dr. Drinks-A-Lot.

    • Elliot: I can't believe you left me all alone for a stupid T.V. writer. J.D.: Oh, like that is any different from the time you spent all night hanging out with your favorite weatherman from channel 4!

    • Dr. Kelso: I have to cut twenty-seven thousand dollars from the cafeteria budget! And my idea of getting it all back by charging a hundred bucks for a piece of cake went right out the window when Fat Frank decided to go on that power diet! Fat Frank: I lost over two hundred-thirty pounds so far!

    • Dr. Kelso: Okay, listen up, everyone. For budgetary reasons, we are turning the bathrooms on even-numbered floors into patients rooms. To sum up, floors two and four are no longer for one or two. Actually, there's still a bathroom on two, but then my joke wouldn't've worked.

    • Carla: Whoa-ho! What are you doing? No tongue before ten. Turk: Baby, J.D. and Kylie can make time for that stupid appointment kiss once a day - we should be able to do it twice a day! Carla: Love is not a competition. Turk: Okay. Carla: Make it three times.

    • Dr. Cox: I see that. It seems you two have worn the same outfit. Barbie, if it's of any consolation, it looks slightly better on you. Elliot: No, I'm talking about... Thank you!

    • J.D.'s narration: Things were amazing with Kylie. But before I could get more emotionally invested, I needed answers to some questions that were very important to me. J.D.: Name three spin-offs of the sitcom 'Happy Days'. Kylie: "Mork & Mindy", "Laverne & Shirley" and "Joanie Loves Chachi". Turk: You marry her. You marry her now! You marry her! J.D.: Okay, okay, we passed Section One - "Sitcoms about or involving Asian-American diner owners." Now on to Section Two - "Fat, tubby T.V. husbands and the crazy-hot women that would never actually be married to them."

    • Carla: Are you just going to roll over like that? Jordan: That's weird. I asked him the same thing last night Carla: Where’s the outrage, the anger, the hate? Jordan:Again last night Carla:You’ve gone soft Jordan: Oh! Okay now its getting spooky.

    • Dr. Kelso: If there is one thing I have learned it is that you can’t schedule love. Dr. Cox: I think your credit card statement would beg to differ.

    • Dr. Cox: As a parting gift I will tell you this. Narrow it down to two symptoms: vomiting and diarrhea, because it's just not ecoli unless its firing out of both exits.

    • Jordan: Perry, if you don't do what she says, I'll stop having sex with you and start making love to you. Dr. Cox: Where is that bastard?! KELSO!

    • Dr. Cox: Unless all of you want to see me turn a two syllable word into a six syllable word I re-he-he-he-heally think that we should keep looking.

    • J.D.: What the hell are we supposed to do? Dr. Cox: Loretta, relax. I've been involved in every ridiculous TV-induced panic there is. Poison pills, SARS, West Nile, North Face, South Fork, East River, Monkey Pox, Pop Rocks, Toilet Snakes, Madcow, Birdflu, Swineflu, and quite frankly, every other flu that you could really only catch if you're actually fornicating with the animal it's named for.

    • Elliot: (Angrily) Excuse me, J.D., I just spent the last three hours interviewing two HUNDRED and twelve hypochondriacs, half of whom don't speak any English. Do you have any idea how embarrassing it is to mime "diarrhea"?

    • Dr. Cox: Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to present: "Man Not Caring". (Points to himself and makes an uninterested face)

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  • ALLUSIONS (4)

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