Jay, Days and Scrubs

[Steve]

Scrubs is set to return next year for its 7th season. In season 5 and 6, Jay Kenneth Johnson (Philip, Days) made 6 appearances as OB/GYN Dr. Matthews. I've noticed that several posters on this board enjoy Jay's work on Scrubs. With Matthews now taking medical care of DJ's ex - and pregnant - girlfriend Kim, there's ample reason for the prime time sitcom to bring Jay/Dr. Matthews back next season.

Jay is currently in a unique position - being a regular on Days, and having a recurring prime time role on Scrubs. Unfortunately, neither show has taken full advantage of Jay's talent and presence. We're trying to get NBC and Days to give Jay his own storyline - why not write Scrubs as well, urging the powers behind that series to beef up his role as resident OB/GYN?

If Jay's position weren't unique enough, there's an extra added bonus - - BOTH Days and Scrubs are broadcast on NBC. Why not suggest to TPTB at NBC that they take full advantage of Jay's dual network roles to help promote both its daytime and prime time divisions? For instance, why not show Scrubs promos - with Jay - during Days, while broadcasting Days promos - with Jay - during the upcoming 7th season of Scrubs? It's a surefire way to draw people from one series, and division, to the other. Why NBC hasn't taken full advantage of Jay's talents - and his simultaneous work on these two shows - is puzzling. Perhaps they need some nudging - from US.

I recently sent the following message, c/o the official NBC Scrubs feedback board:

- - - - -

SUBJECT: Please bring back JAY KENNETH JOHNSON as Dr. Matthews

To whom it may concern:

The very talented JAY KENNETH JOHNSON (Dr. Matthews) has appeared, to date, on 6 episodes of Scrubs. Jay's a great actor, with undeniable screen presence.

PLEASE bring Jay back, as Matthews, for several appearances in the upcoming season of Scrubs. (With Kim expecting, and Matthews her OB/GYN, there's a viable reason to have him on, in a recurring capacity.) Also, PLEASE expand his role - give him more to do. Jay's intro on Scrubs was so funny, held such promise - with the female staff biting their pencils and scheduling multiple gynecological examines, there was tremendous potential for his character. Why not build on that potential? Jay is a real find - he'd be a tremendous asset to your show, on a regular basis.

FYI - Jay also appears, as Philip Kiriakis, on NBC's daytime drama, Days of our Lives. Seeing that Jay's in the unique position of appearing on two NBC series, in two different divisions (i.e., daytime, prime time), it might be a great idea for the network to cross promote both Scrubs and Days, using Jay's Dr. Matthews and Philip for that purpose. It would be an effective way of attracting some of Jay's DOOL followers to your show, and vice versa.

Thanks for listening!

- - - - -

A similar message was sent to Days, c/o the official NBC Days feedback screen:

- - - - -

SUBJECT: JAY KENNETH JOHNSON, Days and Scrubs

To whom it may concern:

The very talented JAY KENNETH JOHNSON currently appears on two NBC productions, as both contract regular (Philip Kiriakis, Days of our Lives) and recurring guest star (Dr. Matthews, Scrubs.) Jay originally appeared on Days from late 1999 through Christmas Day, 2002; he returned to the show in mid January of this year. To date, this gifted, charismatic actor has appeared on 6 episodes of NBC's nighttime medical sitcom, Scrubs.

At present, Jay has no storyline on Days - he's being underused as a 'third corner' in the Shelle triangle. It's a senseless waste of a genuine talent - he deserves a front burner storyline all his own. With Scrubs' Kim expecting, and Matthews her OB/GYN, there's a viable reason to have him return, in a recurring capacity, to Sacred Heart. Jay's intro on Scrubs - with the female staff biting their pencils and scheduling multiple gynecological examines - was exceeding funny, with tremendous potential. Why not build on that potential by developing and expanding the role of Dr. Matthews? Jay is a real find - he'd be a tremendous asset to Scrubs, on a regular basis.

Jay is in a very unique position at NBC: he appears on two of the network's series, in both the prime time and daytime divisions. Why doesn't the network take full advantage of Jay's talent, by beefing up his roles on both shows, then use his dual NBC assignments to cross promote both series - and divisions? For instance, why not show Scrubs promos - with Jay - during Days, while broadcasting Days promos - with Jay - during the upcoming 7th season of Scrubs? It's a sure fire way to draw people from one series, and division, to the other, using Jay's Dr. Matthews and Philip as a drawing card.

Jay is a major talent - that's obvious, just watch his work. He's in a unique position at NBC, by appearing on two productions,in two divisions, simultaneously. I hope TPTB at NBC, Days of our Lives and Scrubs finally realize the find they have in Jay Kenneth Johnson. Jay could be a huge asset to the network, if both shows, and the network, took full advantage of Jay's ability and presence, and did a little cross marketing/promoting with him as focal point.

Thanks for listening!

- - - - -


We can take advantage of that feedback board by sending messages re Jay to BOTH Days and Scrubs - we can ask the network to use Jay to full advantage on each, and to use him to cross-promote both shows. It's worth a shot!

To access the NBC Feedback Board:

www.nbc.com/Footer/Contact_Us/

Scroll down to the following:

Questions not found on FAQ page about NBC Entertainment programming? Email us using the pulldown menu below:

Select the appropriate show - use it TWICE, to contact both Days AND Scrubs. When you select a show, the screen changes - it adds fields for your name, e-mail address, subject, comments, etc. Fill in the requested info, post and send - then, go through the same routine for the other series.

- - - - -

We can also mention Jay, in connection with both series, by writing the people we've been writing - as listed below. It's about time NBC took a good long look at Jay - he's right there, in plain view. He's so talented - and he's not being utilized as he should. We can help make that happen. Thanks!

Letters . . .

[NOTE: you can write something like JKJ, Days of Our Lives and Scrubs on the envelopes]

Mr. Ken Corday
c/o Days Of Our Lives
NBC-TV
3000 W. Alameda Ave.
Burbank, CA 91523

Mr. Hogan Sheffer
c/o Days Of Our Lives
NBC-TV
3000 W. Alameda Ave.
Burbank, CA 91523

Mr. Steve Wyman, Exec. Producer
c/o Days Of Our Lives
NBC-TV
3000 W. Alameda Ave.
Burbank, CA 91523

Ms. Annamarie Kostura, Sr. VP, NBC Daytime
NBC-TV
3000 W. Alameda Ave.
Burbank, CA 91523

Mr. Ben Silverman
NBC-TV
3000 W. Alameda Ave.
Burbank, CA 91523

Mr. Marc Graboff
NBC-TV
3000 W. Alameda Ave.
Burbank, CA 91523

Mr. Jeff Zucker, Pres., NBC Universal Television
NBC-TV
3000 W. Alameda Ave.
Burbank, CA 91523

Mr. Bill Lawrence, Creator/Producer
Scrubs
c/o Touchstone Television Productions, LLC
500 S. Buena Vista St.
Burbank, CA 91521-0001

Ms. Lynn Leahey, Editorial Director
Soap Opera Digest/Soap Opera Weekly
261 Madison Ave.
New York, NY 10016

Ms. Carolyn Hinsey, Editor
Soap Opera Weekly
261 Madison Ave.
New York, NY 10016

Ms. Stephanie Sloane, Editor
Soap Opera Digest
261 Madison Ave.
New York, NY 10016

Ms. Janet Di Lauro
Soap Opera Weekly
261 Madison Ave.
New York, NY 10016


(You can also mail copies to Jay - with the caption/photos on both sides of the envelope - c/o the Days/NBC address. )


- - - - -

E-MAILS . . .

[NOTE: you can type something like JKJ, Days of Our Lives and Scrubs in the subject heading]

E-mail for Ken Corday
[e-mail]

E-mail for Hogan Sheffer
[e-mail]

E-mail for Steve Wyman
[e-mail]

E-mail for Ben Silverman
[e-mail]

E-mail for Marc Graboff
[e-mail]

E-mail for Jeff Zucker:
[e-mail]

E-mail for Annamarie Kostura
[e-mail]

E-mail for Stephanie Sloane
[e-mail]

E-mail for Lynn Leahey
[e-mail]

SOD 'Sound Off' E-mail:
[e-mail]

SOW Public Opinion E-mail:
[e-mail]

- - - - -

Thanks for supporting Jay!

Steve

[pags60]

Count me in.... great idea.... Jay is terrific as both Philip on Days and as Dr. Matthews on Scrubs.... he would an asset to both shows because he is so incredibly talented.... would especially like to see his roles enlarged and Jay given more to do on both shows!!!! I sure plan to write to support Jay!!!

[Steve]

Great, Pags!

BTW - I've already got two sets of e-mails out, to all names above, plus one message each to the Scrubs and Days feedback screens at the NBC board. And, tomorrow morning, I've got 12 letters being dropped off in the mail box - including one to Jay.

Jay is truly in a unique position at NBC - why they aren't taking advantage of that position, and his undeniable talent, in both shows, and with cross promotion, is beyond me. WE need to nudge them - there's still time, because Scrubs hasn't started filming its finaly season yet. They're set to run with 18 episodes. I read the series returns late October. So - there's time to make a difference for Jay.

Steve

[janice2002]

Great idea. I would dearly love to see Jay's role of Dr. Matthews expanded in the coming season.

Will get some e-mails out promoting Jay in BOTH shows!

[jayssweetgirl]

I'm gonna send out some letters tomorrow & some emails tonight! jay deserves better then what he's getting right now.

[Steve]

I just sent an e-mail - two, actually, to two different departments - to my local NBC affiliate re Jay, Scrubs, Days, etc. In the e-mail (same sent to both), I mentioned that Jay is THE ONLY REASON I've started watching Days again, after a 4 year hiatus. I talked about how he's been regulated to the sidelines, after being lured back with promises of a big story. Also mentioned mentioned Scrubs, and how that show would benefit from expanding the role of Dr. Matthews. That wasn't all - I mentioned that NBC would be wise to take full promotional advantage of Jay's dual assignments on the network. In closing, I asked my local NBC affiliate to relay my concerns to TPTB at NBC.

PLEASE take a moment of your time - that's all it took, doing a simple engine search - tolocate the e-mail/street addresses of your local NBC affiliate, then add them to your campaign mailing list. Many - including Jay - have told people at various personal appearances that it's important to contact your local NBC affiliate. THEY can pick and chose to air - or not air - an NBC series - - meaning, they DO count, and the network WILL listen to what they have to say.

Thanks!

Steve

[Steve]

I sent out a second bach of emails - plus a message to both feedback screens (i.e., Scrubs and Days) - just a few days ago. I mentioned Jay, Scrubs, Days, NBC - everything.

Scrubs should be starting production right about now. THIS is the time to write and e-mail - when we can still make a difference.

I'll be writing Bill Lawrence later today, to mail tomorrow. When I've seen Monday's Days, I'll then devise a letter for the people on our contact list.

Steve