One 2016 theory links Nickelodeon's Scrubs by theorizing that the Nickelodeon character actually grows up to be JD. Jim Jinkins' Doug ran from 1991 to 1999 on Nickelodeon and ABC, while Bill Lawrence's equally zany Scrubs enjoyed a nine-year run on NBC and ABC beginning in October 2001. Yet while on the surface, Doug and Scrubs are two very different shows, one theory posted to Reddit believes they may be linked.
Doug follows the early adolescence of Doug Funnie (Billy West) as he experiences the average ups and downs of young life within his new hometown of Bluffington - with these everyday situations usually exacerbated by Doug's active imagination. Similarly, Scrubs follows the perpetually childish but talented doctor John "JD" Dorian (Zach Braff) as he progresses through his medical career, with JD also prone to bouts of vivid daydreaming that interrupt his waking moments.
In this way, the idea that JD from Scrubs could be an adult version of Doug's eponymous protagonist isn't entirely without merit. Despite apparent obstacles to the possibility of the theory, there are also several clear similarities between Doug and JD. The two characters' personalities are notably compatible, with both possessing a number of the same specific quirks (like both keeping diaries), and though the theory may seem ridiculous at a glance, it's certainly fascinating and deserves greater exploration.
Doug's Daydreaming Is Just Like JD's
One of the key similarities that perhaps indicates that Doug and JD may be the same character is their shared tendency to lose themselves in fantasies. Although it may seem circumstantial, both Doug and Scrubs rely heavily on their protagonist's fantasy sequences for narrative and comedic purposes. In fact, the recurring use of the respective protagonists' overactive imaginations is so central to both shows that it's perhaps the best evidence that JD and Doug may be one and the same.
Both Doug and Scrubs used their fantasy sequences for slightly different reasons. Doug's were often used as the title character's way of making decisions by weighing up potential best and worst-case scenarios, whereas Scrubs' fantasy sequences were almost entirely used for comedic purposes. In line with the theory, this could mean that as Doug grew into JD, he learned to let go of his anxious approach and allow his imagination to be an escape from the mundane nature of his existence. In fact, one dark Doug theory believes the character may be schizophrenic due to how he acts out his own daydreams, something which JD is also shown to do on occasion, although without the same dark implications.
Doug's Fear Of Failure Mirrors JD's Own Insecurities
One of Doug's key themes is its title character's fear of failure. Often, Doug's dilemmas revolve around his trying to avoid embarrassment or humiliation, which perhaps indicates the personal pressure the character puts on himself. This is very much in line with JD's own self-deprecation and insecurities, who, as a doctor, is especially hard on himself whenever he makes a mistake.
As a result, the Doug and JD theory speculates that Doug's fear of failure is actually what prompted him to become a doctor. The idea that Doug's fear drives him to achieve makes sense, and the same can be said of JD, whose sense of humor and heavily-motivated nature make him one of Scrubs' best characters. The theory further posits that Doug's fear of failure is instrumental in his decision to become the doctor who serves as Scrubs' protagonist - with the JD seen in Scrubs' final seasons, a man far more at ease with himself.
Doug And JD Share A Taste In Women
In Doug, Doug's sole love interest is Patti Mayonnaise (Constance Shulman), a blonde-haired, ultra-competitive but kind-hearted young woman. Throughout the show, Doug's crush on Patti is an integral part of a number of stories. However, it also offers additional insight into the character that this fan theory believes further links Doug to JD.
In Scrubs, JD's primary love interest is Elliot Reid, a blonde-haired, kind, and competitive young doctor. In this way, it is clear that the similarities between Patti and Elliot seem to be evidence that Doug and JD both have the same type (which also happens to be very specific). JD and Elliot's romance made up one of the show's longest-lasting storylines, starting with Scrubs' perfect comedy pilot and culminating in the pair eventually marrying and having children. As a result, the theory claims that Patti's characterization may also prove that Doug grew up to marry the very similar Elliot.
Both Doug And JD Self-Sabotage Their Love Lives
The links between Doug and JD's love lives don't stop with their apparent shared taste in women. In fact, the Doug and JD fan theory also posits that how both characters interact with their respective love interests indicates further similarities between them. While Doug's love life is decidedly simpler than JD's due to his age, he's still seen to actively sabotage his chances with Patti due to his fear of embarrassment.
Throughout the show, JD has romances with a number of the of Scrubs' cast. While Elliot is the most obvious of these, he's also seen pursuing relationships with many other female characters throughout the show's run, and one of the most common themes in these relationships is how JD self-sabotages. JD is repeatedly shown creating obstacles or being indecisive about his love life, which the theory believes may be the natural progression of Doug's hesitance to actively engage in a relationship with Patti.
Could Doug Really Be JD's Younger Self?
The idea that Doug could grow into JD is somewhat ridiculous. The two characters' hometowns and backstories are decidedly different - Doug has a sister while JD has a brother - making the theory's plausibility slim. However, the two characters share enough similarities that, with a few leaps of logic, the theory holds its own. Of course, Scrubs has lent itself to many strange theories over the years, and this one is no more or less likely than the rest on current evidence. The chances of these narrative or thematic similarities being deliberate are relatively slim, but there are enough interesting parallels to allow the theory to have some merit. The chances that Doug's main character could grow to be Scrubs' JD may seem ridiculous, but it certainly isn't impossible given both characters' zany worlds.