Aloma Wright

By this time a key element of NBC's Thursday-night sitcom lineup, Scrubs launches its sixth season as protagonist/narrator J.D. Dorian (Zach Braff), an attending physician at Sacred Heart Hospital, learns to his astonishment that his urologist girlfriend Dr. Kim Briggs (Elizabeth Banks) is pregnant. Also in "a family way" this season is nurse Carla Espinosa (Judy Reyes), impregnated by Dr. Christopher Turk (Donald Faison), and Jordan Sullivan (Christa Miller), ex-wife of Sacred Heart's long-suffering chief of surgery Perry Cox (John C. McGinley). In fact, virtually the only principal female character who isn't pregnant is the hapless Dr. Elliot Reid (Sarah Chalke), who's miserable about her non-preggie status. This year's plot developments include Elliot's desire to go into private practice, whereupon she is mercilessly needled by Dr. Cox, who at one juncture begins acting exactly like the antihero of the TV medical drama House; a curious malady which causes J.D. to black out at inconvenient times; the unfortunately-not-permanent vacation of J.D.'s nemesis The Janitor (Neil Flynn); the sudden departure of Sacred Heart's resident gossip Nurse Laverne Roberts (Aloma Wright); and a touching story arc involving an Iraq war veteran (Michael Weston). Other choice moments include an impromptu musical comedy inspired by a patient (played by Broadway actress Stephanie D'Abruzzo); the change-of-pace episodes His Story IV, narrated by Dr. Bob Kelso (Ken Jenkins), and "Their Story," with the narration chores shared by Sacred Heart's lawyer Ted (Sam Lloyd), sex-obsessed doctor Todd (Robert Maschio), and Jordan Sullivan; and the guest appearance of Keri Russell as Elliot's freewheeling sorority sister. In the events leading up to the season finale, Elliot becomes engaged to mild-mannered resident Keith Dudemeister (Travis Schuldt), causing J.D. to have second thoughts about breaking up with Elliot -- even as he prepares to move in with Kim. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Close friends become unexpected rivals as they struggle to keep their spiritual home alive in this musical drama from writer and director Rob Hardy. David (Michael J. Pagan) and Frank (Sean Nelson) are two close friends who are members of the same Baptist church in Atlanta. The teenagers have developed a deep and abiding faith in Christ, and both aspire to become ministers some day; David, who has also become a star vocalist with the choir, is thought to have a head start since his father is the congregation's pastor, Bishop Taylor (Clifton Powell). However, David's faith is shaken when his mother dies while giving birth to another child, and when Bishop Taylor fails to arrive at the hospital in time, David runs away from home, turning his back on his father and his church. Fifteen years later, aging Bishop Taylor has announced he's retiring, and Frank (Idris Elba), now a reverend, seems poised to take his place. However, the church is in dire financial shape, and no one is sure how long Rev. Frank's flock will have a church to call home. Meanwhile, David (Boris Kodjoe) has used his musical talents to become a top-selling R&B singer, and his latest hit record, "Let Me Undress You," suggests he's given up on the faith of his youth. But David has been undergoing a spiritual crisis, and when he learns his father is ailing and the church is in dire shape, he returns to Atlanta in hopes of finding himself and keeping the church afloat. Not everyone regards this as good news, though; Rev. Frank, who sees his position in the church as a stepping stone to bigger things in the gospel music business and establishing a high-profile ministry, is not eager to share the spotlight with David, especially when the prodigal star begins organizing a large-scale fundraiser for the church. The Gospel features musical contributions from a number of leading gospel artists, including Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, and Yolanda Adams. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Comedian Cedric the Entertainer serves as both producer and star of this comedy about a family who discovers just how much can go wrong en route to a family get-together. When Nate Johnson (Cedric the Entertainer) is invited to a big family reunion in Missouri, he sees it as an opportunity to reconnect with his estranged wife and growing children, as well as a chance to show up his wealthier know-it-all brother, Mack (Steve Harvey). Nate takes delivery on an expensive new SUV, persuades his recently separated wife, Dorothy (Vanessa L. Williams), to tag along, and packs up his three kids -- nubile teenager Nikki (Solange Knowles), under-age wannabe rapper D.J. (Bow Wow), and precocious seven-year-old Destiny (Gabby Soleil) -- for what he imagines will be a leisurely drive from Los Angeles to St. Louis. However, between his wary wife, arguing kids, angry police officers, bizarre hitchhikers, bad diner food, and an unfortunate run-in with a cement mixer, getting from point A to point B proves to be just short of a nightmare. Johnson Family Vacation was the first feature film for director Christopher Erskin, who previously distinguished himself directing music videos for the likes of Missy Elliot, TLC, and Boyz II Men. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

The romantic comedy Try Seventeen is a coming-of-age tale directed by Jeffrey Porter. Jones Dillon (Elijah Wood) is a young writer who is living on his own for the first time. Jones continually writes letters to the father he has never met, while his mother Blanche (Elizabeth Perkins) resides in Texas. Enrolled in college, he quickly abandons the stifling dormitory setting and eventually his classes as well. He finds an apartment in an old building in the city and befriends his neighbors. The place is filled with colorful artists and other nonconformist types. Jones gets romantically involved with struggling actress Lisa (Mandy Moore) and photographer Jane (Franka Potente). He buys furniture from Ma Mabley (Debbie Harry) and proceeds to try and lose his virginity while searching for his absent father. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide

The second season of Scrubs opens as the various staffers try to come to grips with surprising season-one revelations. Meanwhile, in his characteristically demonic fashion, chief of medicine Bob Kelso (Ken Jenkins) deliberately steps up the competition amongst the younger staffers of Sacred Heart Hospital, putting a strain on the friendship between doctors J.D. (Zach Braff) and Turk (Donald Faison). As for sexy Dr. Elliott Reid (Sarah Chalke), she hasn't much time to pursue her romance with J.D., owing to a problem involving her living arrangements...or lack of same. In a later development, Jordan Sullivan (Christa Miller), the ex-wife of bombastic veteran doctor Perry Cox (John C. McGinley), reveals that she's pregnant, which serves only to make Dr. Cox even more ballistic than usual. And near the end of the season, Turk plans to propose to nurse Carla Espinosa (Judy Reyes), only to lose the engagement ring in a patient's digestive system! Appearing as guest stars this season are three veterans of Scrubs producer Bill Lawrence's first hit sitcom, Spin City: Heather Locklear (as toothsome pharmaceutical sales rep Julie Keaton, who has a fling with Dr. Cox), Richard Kind, and Alan Ruck. Also on hand are John Ritter, who plays J.D.'s dad; Ed star Thomas Cavanaugh, cast as J.D.'s near-lookalike brother Dan; D.L. Hughley as Turk's brother Kevin; Dick Van Dyke as a brilliant but enfeebled surgeon whom Kelso hasn't the heart to fire; Rick Schroder as a "murse" -- male nurse -- whom Elliott briefly falls for; and Jay Mohr as a former student of Dr. Cox, who knows a little too much about his mentor for his own good. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Season one of the NBC hospital "dramedy" Scrubs gets underway with Dr. J.D. Dorian's (Zach Braff) first day as an intern at Sacred Heart Hospital, with his best friend and roommate, Dr. Chris Turk (Donald Faison), at his side. Nicknamed "Bambi" by the Sacred Heart nurses because of his wide-eyed naïveté, J.D. takes his orders from the deceptively avuncular chief of medicine, Dr. Robert Kelso (Ken Jenkins), and from the loud, obnoxious, and highly contrary Dr. Perry Cox (John C. McGinley). J.D. is enamored of sexy Dr. Elliot Reid (Sarah Chalke), and it is with brassy "mother hen" nurse Carla Espinosa (Judy Reyes) that Turk has a serious hospital romance. The scrubs' first year on the job is festooned with a variety of sobering experiences, ranging from sudden and unexpected death to nuisance lawsuits. Also, J.D. launches his ongoing war of nerves with Sacred Heart's caustic janitor (Neil Flynn), a man of many mysteries and eccentricties. Along the way, J.D. has a brief fling with hospital board member Jordan Sullivan (Christa Miller), who, unfortunately for him, turns out to be the combustible Dr. Cox's ex-wife. And on a happier note, J.D.'s dream of getting Elliott in the sack finally comes true...but be careful what you wish for. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Vowing revenge for a practical joke played by the gang, Sharon (Jenice Bergere) sees to it that Drew (Drew Carey) is publicly humiliated with a carefully concealed vibrating sex toy--just before he is to speak at a retailer's convention in Chicago. Never once suspecting Sharon, Drew is convinced that Mimi (Kathy Kinney) is responsible for the joke, an assumption that causes far more trouble than it's worth. Elsewhere, Oswald (Diedrich Bader) despairs over being appointed Globel Parcel's "Angel of Death", obliged to tell customers that their packages will never arrive in their lifetime. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) decides to do good deeds with the police badge that she's found. Her fun comes to an end when she meets Gary (Michael Rapaport, in his first series appearance), the cop who lost the badge -- but Gary doesn't seem at all that angry. Elsewhere, Ross (David Schwimmer) has a Laurel-and-Hardy moment with a balky new sofa. And Joey (Matt LeBlanc) experiences a disturbing dream about Monica (Courteney Cox). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A high-school senior finds himself walking a fine line between daydreams and reality in the comedy Trippin'. Gregory Reed (Deon Richmond) is soon to graduate from high school, and he frequently drifts into a Walter Mitty-style fantasy land where he's the coolest guy in town, has money to burn, and fine ladies are throwing themselves at him around the clock; however, back in the real world, Gregory has a lousy job, no girlfriend, and no solid prospects of a date for the prom. A much bigger worry to his parents is the fact that Gregory has done almost nothing about planning for his future after graduation; he's so preoccupied by his problems with women that he hasn't even started applying to colleges. His best friend, June (Donald Faison), has got girls to spare, but while he has a future ahead of him, it isn't a good one -- he's started selling stolen goods for low-level crime boss Kenyatta (Stoney Jackson). The girl of Gregory's dreams is Cinny Hawkins (Maia Campbell), who's beautiful, smart -- and has a boyfriend. Figuring he'll settle for whatever attention he can get, Gregory asks Cinny if she can help him with his college applications, as she's been through the route and has already been accepted. Cinny agrees, and as she and Gregory become friends, she starts to wonder if her pushy boyfriend is really the guy she wants to take to the prom. Balancing typical teen-flick humor with a pointed message about personal responsibility, Trippin' was a surprise box-office success in the spring of 1999. Director David Raynr's own teenage years included a brief stint as a regular on the TV series James at 15. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Teenage lust turns deadly in this slightly campy exploitation drama. Debbie Strand (Rose McGowan) is a sexy but troubled teenager with a checkered past who is sent to live with her grandmother after the death of her parents. Grandma attempts to keep Debbie on a short leash, but she's soon sneaking out for not always wholesome fun with her new friends. Debbie, who has never had trouble attracting whatever man she wants, sets her sights on Peter Rinaldi (Alex McArthur), a teacher at her high school. However, Peter has both a fiancée and strong scruples, so he repeatedly rejects Debbie's advances. But Hell hath no fury like a Debbie scorned, and before long Peter finds that his life is ruined and bodies are piling up, as an angry Ms. Strand takes her revenge on her would-be suitor. Also released under the title Dearly Devoted (and not based on the oft-filmed Raymond Radiguet novel), Devil in the Flesh was co-scripted by Kelly Carlin-McCall, daughter of noted comedian George Carlin. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide