With “Scrubs” officially off the “do not resuscitate” list and back on the schedule, creator Bill Lawrence believes the show has found new life on ABC, which picked up the ailing sitcom for 18 episodes.

But the network switch and influx of new characters, each of whom is set to carry the program beyond its eighth and “final” season, might end up further shattering the reputation of what many already consider to be damaged goods.

Yearly ratings reports, as presented by The Hollywood Reporter, show a sharp drop in viewers from the show’s iconic second season (average 15.9 million viewing per week) to the show’s seventh season (average 6.4 million viewing per week).

In a span of just over five years, the show has lost more than half its audience.

To its credit, “Scrubs” was the victim of a network that couldn’t care less as criminally underpromoted programs rarely draw. But the combination of groan-worthy plot devices and recycled material have aided in its decline. Much of what kept the show fresh, namely the hearty atmosphere and the innocence angle, was sacrificed to appease a broadcast company with its fingers in its ears.

Zach Braff, who sported a beard in the Jan. 5 premiere, is clearly not the character he was in the early seasons. John C. McGinley seems tired and over-encumbered by the role of TV’s (second) most cynical doctor. Real life, interesting as it is, holds no candle to the excitement of watching four hip, fresh-faced post-meds reading and reacting to their new environment.

“It’s tough to write the same show for eight years,” Lawrence said in an interview with Bullz-eye.com. “I made some mistakes. I let [‘Scrubs’] get too broad and goofy in the middle, and, you know, we got a little lazy sometimes and were a little bit of a caricature of ourselves.”

It takes an honest man to admit his shortcomings, especially in relation to his most publicized, acclaimed work.

At the same time, it’s unrealistic to hypothesize a season of “Scrubs” without its main star. It’d be irresponsible to knock Lawrence, Braff or any of the series regulars who have rewarded fans with a vibrant blend of drama and comedy for the past eight years.

But after this season, which is off to a decent start, it’s time to pull the plug.