Claire Dawson
The popular medical sitcom Scrubs was primarily shot in California, depicting the fictional Sacred Heart Hospital. The first eight seasons were filmed on location at the North Hollywood Medical Center, a decommissioned hospital located at 12629 Riverside Drive in the Valley Village neighborhood of Los Angeles. The hospital set-up was so convincing that real patients would sometimes arrive at the set, seeking medical treatment. While the hospital no longer stands, having been demolished in 2011, Scrubs fans can still visit other filming locations throughout Southern California, including popular landmarks and attractions such as Universal Studios Hollywood, Griffith Park, and Dodger Stadium.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Filming location | North Hollywood Medical Center, a decommissioned hospital |
| Address | 12629 Riverside Drive, Valley Village, Los Angeles |
| Year of operation | 1952 to 1998 |
| Year of demolition | 2011 |
| Year of filming | 2001 to 2008 |
| Other filming locations | Paramount Pictures Studio Lot in Hollywood, various locations in Southern California |
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What You'll Learn
The show was filmed in California
The show Scrubs was primarily shot in California, with the fictional Sacred Heart Hospital located in Greater Sacramento. The first eight seasons were filmed on location at the North Hollywood Medical Center, a decommissioned hospital located at 12629 Riverside Drive in the Valley Village neighbourhood of Los Angeles. The hospital set was extensively reworked to be more production-friendly, with larger, more open spaces and more glass walls and windows.
The North Hollywood Medical Center is situated on the south bank of the concrete channel of the Los Angeles River, which is visible in some scenes. The surrounding area of Los Angeles is known for its diversity, with unique neighbourhoods and a vibrant culture that provides an interesting backdrop to the show's characters and storylines.
Various other locations throughout Southern California were used for filming, including the Colorado Street Bridge in Pasadena, which is featured in the bungee scene. This bridge is considered an iconic landmark, offering stunning views of the surrounding San Gabriel Mountains and Los Angeles River.
The show also featured popular locations around town, such as The Derby restaurant and Club Medusa, as well as attractions like Universal Studios Hollywood, Griffith Park, Dodger Stadium, and the Los Angeles Zoo.
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The hospital is in North Hollywood
The hospital in Scrubs is fictional and is called Sacred Heart Hospital. While the show was primarily shot in California, the hospital is not in North Hollywood. The North Hollywood Medical Center, a decommissioned hospital located at 12629 Riverside Drive in North Hollywood, was used for filming the first eight seasons of Scrubs. The center served the community of North Hollywood in the San Fernando Valley from 1952 until its closure in 1998. In the show, Sacred Heart is depicted as being located in Greater Sacramento. This is supported by the fact that Dr. Chris Turk's area code for his cell phone is 916, which is the area code for Sacramento, California.
The North Hollywood Medical Center was used as the filming location for Sacred Heart Hospital in Scrubs from 2001 to 2008. The building required extensive reconstruction before it could be used as the Scrubs location, including the addition of production offices and dressing rooms on the third floor. The first season's episodes were filmed at a different abandoned hospital, which was later torn down. The North Hollywood Medical Center was demolished in 2011, and an apartment complex was built on the site.
The show's creator, Bill Lawrence, stated that every single medical story on the show was handed to them by real physicians, whose names would then be written into the show. The show never used real patients' names, but the writers would ensure that the doctors' names were included in the episodes. In addition to the hospital scenes, the show also featured various locations throughout Southern California, including popular destinations such as Universal Studios Hollywood, Griffith Park, Dodger Stadium, and the Los Angeles Zoo.
The show's lead actor, Zach Braff, commented on the DVD audio commentary that the hospital still received patients in the lobby who were asking for medical advice, believing the hospital was still running due to the ambulances parked as props outside. The North Hollywood Medical Center was also featured in other films and television shows, such as the 2001 film "The One" starring Jet Li, and episodes of "Angel", "Diagnosis X", and "The Sopranos".
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The hospital was a decommissioned medical centre
The hospital in Scrubs was a decommissioned medical centre. The North Hollywood Medical Center, located at 12629 Riverside Drive in the Valley Village neighbourhood of Los Angeles, served as the filming location for the first eight seasons of the show. The building was constructed in 1952 as "Valley Doctors Hospital", a small private hospital with 160 beds and an emergency room. It operated as a hospital from 1952 to 1998, before being decommissioned and used as a filming location for various projects, including Scrubs.
The choice to film in a decommissioned hospital contributed to the authentic look and feel of the show. The production team constructed sets inside the North Hollywood Medical Center, including indoor locations such as apartments, bars, and bedrooms. The hospital's exterior and surrounding areas also provided a diverse and interesting backdrop for the show.
The use of a real hospital as a filming location had some interesting consequences. Lead actor Zach Braff recalled that people would sometimes arrive at the set believing it to be a functioning hospital, seeking medical advice or help. This occurred because the building still resembled a hospital, with ambulances parked outside as props, and the cast dressed as doctors.
The North Hollywood Medical Center was demolished in 2011, just one year after the series ended, so fans of the show are no longer able to visit the location. However, the impact of its use as a filming location is evident in the authentic feel of the show's hospital setting.
Overall, the use of a decommissioned hospital as the primary filming location for Scrubs contributed to the show's success and provided a unique insight into the world of medical dramas.
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The hospital received patients who believed it was still running
The North Hollywood Medical Center, a decommissioned hospital, was the filming location for Scrubs for its first eight seasons. The hospital received patients who believed it was still running. The show's lead actor, Zach Braff, recalled that ambulances parked as props outside the hospital confused people, who showed up seeking medical help. In one instance, a man and his wife arrived at the set, with the man having a bloody arm injury. There was nothing the crew could do except direct the couple to a real hospital.
The show's creators wanted a ""real feel" to the set, so they chose to film in an abandoned hospital. The North Hollywood Medical Center was active from 1952 to 1998 and was located at 12629 Riverside Drive in the Valley Village neighborhood of Los Angeles. The hospital's indoor spaces, such as apartments, bars, and bedrooms, were built inside the abandoned hospital. The fictional Sacred Heart Hospital, where the show is set, was brought to life within the decommissioned hospital.
The North Hollywood Medical Center was not the only filming location for Scrubs. The show was filmed in various locations throughout Southern California, including iconic landmarks and attractions. The show's writers also conducted extensive research and consulted with actual medical professionals to ensure the medical situations portrayed were medically accurate.
While the hospital set was intended to appear authentic, the presence of patients who believed it was a functioning hospital highlights the challenges of filming in a decommissioned medical facility. The show's producers had to navigate the ethical dilemma of ensuring these individuals received appropriate medical attention, demonstrating the impact of filming choices on community perceptions and interactions.
The North Hollywood Medical Center has since been demolished, and an apartment complex now stands on the site. However, the impact of its use in Scrubs endures, with fans of the show still visiting the area to explore the locations that inspired their favorite moments.
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The show was filmed in various locations
The show Scrubs was filmed in various locations, with the first eight seasons primarily shot on location at the North Hollywood Medical Center, a decommissioned hospital located at 12629 Riverside Drive in the Valley Village neighbourhood of Los Angeles. The building served as the fictional Sacred Heart Hospital in the show, and the production team had to reconstruct it extensively to accommodate filming, including setting up production offices and dressing rooms on the third floor.
The choice of a decommissioned hospital as the primary filming location contributed to the authentic look and feel of the show. Interestingly, the hospital still received patients seeking medical assistance during filming, as the parked ambulances led some people to believe it was still operational.
While most indoor scenes were filmed at the North Hollywood Medical Center, the show also utilised other locations in Southern California. The surrounding area of Los Angeles offered a diverse and vibrant cultural backdrop, with popular destinations such as Universal Studios Hollywood, Griffith Park, Dodger Stadium, and the Los Angeles Zoo.
Some scenes were also filmed on set at Paramount Pictures Studio Lot in Hollywood, providing a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the beloved TV series. The show's impact extended beyond the hospital setting, as fans can explore iconic landmarks and attractions featured in the series throughout Southern California.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the first eight seasons of Scrubs were filmed inside the real North Hollywood Medical Center, a decommissioned hospital located at 12629 Riverside Drive in the Valley Village neighborhood of Los Angeles.
No, the hospital was decommissioned in 1998, but it still received patients during filming who believed the hospital was operational due to the ambulances parked as props outside. The cast and crew had to redirect these patients to real hospitals.
The creators wanted to achieve a real-feel to the set, so they chose to film in an abandoned hospital that looked like an under-funded, run-down center.
The North Hollywood Medical Center was located in the Valley Village neighborhood of Los Angeles, California.
