ABC's comedy department will seemingly be unchanged next season. The alphabet network has renewed both Scrubs and Shifting Gears for next season, joining the already-renewed Abbott Elementary on the 2026-27 schedule. Shifting Gears will return for its third season, while Scrubs will return for its second revival season (and eleventh overall). Both comedies were among ABC's top-rated linear series this season, with Scrubs ranking #2 (behind only Dancing with the Stars) and Shifting Gears ranking #4 for the season. Both aired shorter seasons this year in order to share the same time slot, which seems to be the plan for next season, as well, though no episode count has been announced for either show. Both series are led by well-known TV veterans - Scrubs saw the return of original stars Zach Braff, Donald Faison, and Sarah Chalke in leading roles, while Shifting Gears stars Tim Allen and Kat Dennings. Their renewals leaves RJ Decker as ABC's lone scripted series awaiting a pickup for next season, and both renewals are correct predictions.
ABC has also passed on their comedy pilot Do You Want Kids, led by Rachel Bloom and Rory Scovel. The pilot centered on a married couple who have a baby in one universe do not in the other, and the many ways that decision alters their lives. The project's rejection likely means that ABC comedy will again be limited to just one hour a week, making them the second network confirmed to carry a three-comedy schedule next season.
