LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) Despite the frequent flights of fancy -- dance numbers, non-sequitur Carrot Top cameos and the like -- on "Scrubs," creator Bill Lawrence has always insisted that the show be grounded in real-life experience.
Which explains why one of the cast regulars may be shipping off at the end of the season.

"We try really hard not to be one of those shows that it's like, everybody goes to high school for 11 years," Lawrence says. "In medicine, if you try to stay true to it at all, this is the year -- because of the way they progress from intern to resident, people would have to go out and get new jobs and not always at the hospital they work in."

So as the fourth season of "Scrubs" comes to a close on Tuesday, May 17, "one of our main group takes off."
"And we don't know, it could be forever," star Zach Braff adds.

His burgeoning movie career aside (he's set to film a movie called "The Last Kiss" on his hiatus), Braff's J.D. isn't likely to be the one leaving, and Lawrence isn't dropping any further clues yet as to who will. He does say, though, that the transition theme will continue into next season (NBC has already renewed "Scrubs" for 2005-06).

"People's lives change, they take jobs elsewhere, move in and out, and eventually they have to go," Lawrence says. "So I think the general thrust of next year will be that it's really the year that feels like the characters aren't kids learning things anymore. We can only do 'J.D.'s scared about some medical thing and then gets a big lesson from Dr. Cox' so much."

The change could also lead to some new cast members coming in, which puts Lawrence in an advantageous position over any star whining about his or her character arc. "It's a great thing," he deadpans. "Any cast member gives me that fifth-year lip, they just walk out the door and a new one walks in."

Chances are it is Turk or Carla....I am hoping that it is Carla. As long it is not Jd or Dr Cox, I'll be happy. I still want Ted and the Janitor around either

Elliot is the one to be shipped off. It's be tough to ship both Carla and Turk off in one fell swoop.

It would probably be Carla OR Turk...and with the current arc it seems they are opening the possibility. I would most definitely hate to see blonde doctor leave.

While I hate to see any of them leave, Turk would be the hardest to replace successfully.

According to that Bill Lawrence article, who would care if a nurse went to another hospital, it will be a doctor/surgeon that leaves "naturally" in the course of their career, and I'd hate it if they broke up Turk and JD, Elliot is more expendable, and replaceable.

He didn't specifically say that it was one of the core group. What if The Todd became Chief of Surgery somewhere. It's both funny and shows that people are moving around

Logically it would make the most sense to get rid of Elliot or Turk. They are both interns who could get jobs somewhere else. You'd think Elliot would be the most expendable character. If they take away Turk that'd be a huge mistake because his and JD's relationship is a vital part of the show.

Elliott is a the co-chief Resident with J.D. and I think Turk is a resident. This doesn't absolve either one, but it makes it harder to choose one to leave.

What if Kelso finally retires? I can't see them breaking up the duo that is JD and Turk - if any of the young three leaves it will probably be Elliot to be replaced by another female. Maybe they will bring Dr. Molly back as a regular? It will be either Kelso, Elliot or Carla w/ the odds on Elliot.

Please let Dr. Molly replace whoever leaves. Please, please, please,please...

Nobody besides JD, Turk or Elliott need to leave. I'd be sad to see Turk go, but I think he will be the one. The Turk and JD storyline will run out of steam sooner or later IMO (not that I want it to!).