Porno Parody Profile - Scrubs

Now that the Top TV Themes of the 1980s is over, our longest running feature (not including “Your Comedy Moment,” of course) is the “Porno Parody Profile.” Today’s feature? Scrubs: A XXX Parody.

What strikes me odd with all of these parody porno’s is that even though they’re written and directed by the same guy (Lee Roy Myers), the design of the trailers is not always the same.  What I’m getting at with this criticism is namely how they didn’t even attempt to replicate the Scrubs theme in this one while doing a great job in last week’s That 70s Show parody.  Myers seems to understand that it’s the little things that count in creating these wacky pornos, so not even attempting to get the theme right is disappointing.

Still, the trailer indicates that some of the direction is quite admirable.  Take for instance the effort to try and recreate the Scrubs walking with an x-ray intro.  It’s an extremely tough shot to get as the camera work has to be just perfect (and in the parody its certainly not), but it’s still nice that they tried to do it.  A shot so recognized with Scrubs belongs in the porno parody version of the show, thus I was happy to see it in the trailer.  Similarly, the shot of “Turk” yelling is also right out of an episode of the show.

More kudos to the director for getting the Scrubs hospital set down pretty well.  Sure, the hospital is relatively non-descript; but that works and is in-line with the actual set of the show.  Additionally, they nailed the font-type used in the credits.

Unfortunately, that’s about all the positives I have in me for this parody as the rest of the trailer just doesn’t do it for me (aside from Ashlynn Brooke of course).   Here’s a rundown of where this trailer falls short:

•      The casting of “J.D.”  The J.D. character is the lynchpin that makes Scrubs work.  Say what you will about Zach Braff, but he nails the main role in the actual show and brings both humor and the occasional dramatic turn when called upon.  James Deen (okay, that name is funny) lacks the ability to carry this porno parody on his shoulders. He’s no Zach Braff; he’s not even a Tom Cavanagh.
•      Following in the same vein, “Turk” simply doesn’t work either.  Though some stereotypes believe differently, not all black people look a like… not even all bald, black people look alike.  Shane Diesel may be black and bald, but he also looks about 15 years older than Donald Faison.  Together, both he and Deen seem to have zero comedic chemistry between themselves and with others.  Fail.
•      Another bad sign for the parody is how little “Dr. Cox” is featured in it.  Usually the consistently funniest member of the cast, John C. McGinley rules every episode with his acerbic wit and sarcasm.  No such luck with Jack Lawrence who has all of two lines in the trailer and sounds like a wimp in both.  The only good thing he has going for him is that his “wife” in this parody is played by an actress that looks  somewhat like Leighton Meester.
•      And because I’m sure no one else is reading anymore, huge boo’s for the casting of The Janitor.  Guy looks nothing like him, doesn’t say anything funny, just screws a random nurse.   I expected more from New Sensations; hopefully, they can redeem themselves next week.