
In what The Hollywood Reporter is calling one of the worst-kept secrets in TV history, the NBC comedy "Scrubs" is moving to rival ABC. The deal is done, according to THR, and though cast and crew have been told to keep mum, production is already underway.
NBC came out swinging when news of the series' move to ABC first leaked, accusing producer ABC Studios of violating NBC's right of first negotiation. The parties have since patched things up, but a premature celebration by ABC could inflame the situation.
That leaves NBC in the similarly odd position of promoting a farewell to a longtime series that's headed across the dial.
A network spokesperson said NBC will run promos for the final "Scrubs" episode and gamely bill it as "a season finale" rather than "a series finale."
The final NBC "Scrubs" episode airs next week.
» In the screenshot: The cast of "Scrubs" as seen on hollywoodreporter.com