Steve Carell's HBO Show 'Rooster' Filmed at University of the Pacific Steve Carell’s new HBO series, Rooster, features a fictional college named Ludlow, but the real-world location for much of the show’s filming is the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. The university’s McCaffrey Center and other campus buildings served as backdrops for scenes involving the protagonist, Greg Russo, a visiting professor navigating family dynamics and academia. The production spent two weeks on campus in June 2025, with exteriors shot almost entirely there. One of the most memorable scenes involves Carell’s character climbing a building to steal a weathervane, a tradition at Ludlow. This sequence was filmed on the University of the Pacific’s McCaffrey Center, with a makeshift roof added for the shoot. Ashley Williams, the university’s director of strategic initiatives, described the process as “entertaining to watch close up,” noting the physical demands of the scene, including wind machines simulating challenging conditions. The series follows Greg Russo, a beach read author played by Carell, as he becomes a visiting professor at Ludlow to spend more time with his daughter, Charly Clive. Her character is in a complicated relationship with another professor, portrayed by Phil Dunster, an alum of Ted Lasso. The cast also includes Danielle Deadwyler, John C. McGinley, and Lauren Tsai. The show was created by Bill Lawrence and Matt Tarses, known for Spin City and Scrubs. The idea stemmed from a shared experience of parenthood, as all three creators had daughters in their early 20s transitioning into adulthood. Lawrence described the project as a reflection of their desire to connect with their children during this period.#steve_carell #university_of_the_pacific #mccaffrey_center #phil_dunster #bill_lawrence
Warner Bros. Discovery’s First Post-Merger Premiere Sparks Laughter with Comedy Rooster Warner Bros. Discovery’s first major premiere since its $111 billion merger with Paramount was a comedy, marking a significant moment for the merged entertainment giant. The show, Rooster, co-created by Bill Lawrence—known for hits like Ted Lasso and Scrubs—debuted on HBO, becoming one of the network’s first half-hour series in years. The premiere, held on Sunday, drew a packed audience and generated widespread enthusiasm, particularly for its ensemble cast and sharp humor. The screening, held at a New York venue, was met with explosive laughter, with Steve Carell and the supporting cast delivering standout performances. Attendees were particularly moved by the show’s opening credits, which featured HBO’s iconic “static angel” sequence, prompting a hearty ovation. Lawrence, who opened the event with lighthearted remarks, acknowledged the challenges of the industry’s current climate while expressing gratitude for the team’s dedication. “It’s not a normal feeling for me,” he said, adding, “I’m feeling joyful… at a time when it’s kind of hard to feel joyful.” Lawrence’s comments subtly referenced the ongoing upheaval in Hollywood, including the merger’s impact on the industry. He praised the cast and crew, emphasizing the collective effort behind the project. “I’m proud of everyone in here and everyone couldn’t make it that worked on the show,” he said, acknowledging the emotional weight of the moment. The after-party at The Pool reflected the broader mood within Warner Bros. Discovery as executives navigate the complexities of the merger. One senior executive, speaking candidly, noted the uncertainty of the situation: “I just keep showing up. When my phone stops working, that’s how you’ll know.#bill_lawrence #steve_carell #hbo #warner_bros_discovery #the_pool
After A Scrubs Fan Hated On J.D. And Elliot's Revival Reveal, The Creator Responded The long-awaited revival of Scrubs has sparked mixed reactions among fans, particularly after the season premiere revealed that J.D. and Elliot had split up years earlier, despite having a daughter together. Creator Bill Lawrence explained that the decision was a deliberate choice to reflect the complexities of real-life relationships, even though it disappointed some viewers. Fan J.A. Bryden expressed frustration on social media, calling the plot twist a "ruin" for the show’s legacy. He compared the disappointment to his experience with Supernatural’s season 6, suggesting he might stop watching the revival. While he acknowledged the show’s nostalgic appeal and Bill Lawrence’s skill, the split of the central romantic duo left him feeling let down. Lawrence addressed the backlash in a response that balanced empathy with explanation. He acknowledged the emotional impact of the decision, noting that the characters’ relationship had never been stable for more than a few weeks. He also highlighted the inevitability of change in storytelling, using examples like Friends’ Ross and Rachel to illustrate how viewers often misremember the duration of on-screen relationships. The creator’s comments seemed to soften the fan’s stance, with Bryden later admitting the decision was “a valid point” and expressing hope that the revival could still succeed. The second episode of the revival leaned into the divide between J.D. and Elliot, now that J.D. has taken over as Chief of Medicine following Dr. Cox’s exit. While some fans remain skeptical, the revival continues to draw attention, with Scrubs airing weekly on ABC.#bill_lawrence #scrubs #j_d #elliot #j_a_bryden
Scrubs Revival Returns with Original Cast and New Characters Donald Faison, reprising his role as Turk, described stepping back into the character’s shoes as feeling like “riding a bike.” The actor, alongside Zach Braff as J.D. and Sarah Chalke as Elliot, is back for a revival season of Scrubs, which premiered on ABC. The new season features familiar faces, including John C. McGinley as Dr. Cox and Judy Reyes as Carla, with creator Bill Lawrence returning as an executive producer. Lawrence, known for shows like Shrinking and Ted Lasso, helped shape the revival’s first episode and contributed to the season’s direction, emphasizing the show’s blend of humor and heartfelt moments. The revival, which launched on Wednesday, mirrors the original series’ structure but updates the characters and setting. J.D., now divorced from Elliot, takes over as chief of medicine at Sacred Heart Hospital, while Dr. Cox retires. The show’s creators, including showrunner Aseem Batra, have chosen to ignore the ninth season, effectively treating it as a spinoff. This allows the revival to explore J.D.’s growth as a 50-year-old father and teacher, balancing his goofy personality with maturity. Braff noted the challenge of portraying this duality, stating, “I was just trying to figure out what the 50-year-old father, excellent teacher version of J.D. is and have it be real, while still being a guy who’s sort of goofy and silly like I think I am in real life.” The enduring bromance between Turk and J.D. remains a cornerstone of the series. Braff and Faison, who are close friends off-screen, have collaborated on projects like T-Mobile commercials and the podcast Fake Doctors, Real Friends.#bill_lawrence #scrubs_revival #donald_faison #zach_braff #sarah_chalke
Scrubs: Christa Miller Discusses Jordan Sullivan's Return and Season 10 Update Christa Miller, known for her role in Shrinking, shared details about the return of fan-favorite character Jordan Sullivan on ABC’s Scrubs revival. During an appearance on The Daily Show, Miller provided insights into the production of season 10, which she also oversees as music supervisor. The conversation touched on the differences between working on network television and streaming platforms, as well as the impact of Bill Lawrence’s sitcoms on her career. Miller described the experience of filming the finale of Shrinking, noting the contrast between the show’s format and Scrubs. “You have to remember, with Shrinking, you got no commercials, and we can go over a half hour. You go in [on Scrubs], and it’s 21 minutes, that show. It’s on network TV, so to go in with the pace, and to play with everyone, and also I know that character so well…we had a blast,” she said. The host, Desi Lydic, shared a personal connection to Scrubs, recalling her early career as an extra on the show. “I got my SAG card from doing extra work, and one of the shows I did extra work on was Scrubs. At one point, I played a featured extra named ‘Nurse Buttaface,’” Lydic explained, prompting Miller to laugh and express disbelief. Lydic promised to provide proof of her role, adding a lighthearted moment to the discussion. Miller also reflected on her journey in comedy, starting with her role as Kate O’Brien in The Drew Carey Show and her collaborations with Bill Lawrence on projects like Scrubs, Clone High, and Cougar Town. Her current work on Shrinking and the Scrubs revival highlights her continued growth as an actress and her deep ties to the sitcom genre.#bill_lawrence #christa_miller #jordan_sullivan #the_daily_show #scrubs
