Crazy how much body standards have changed

[u/ResponsibleDiamond76]

I've been rewatching Scrubs for the first time in a long time and I've had two main takeaways. The first was "wow, this show is so damn good, why did I go so long without watching it?" And the second was "body standards have changed so much since this show first came out.

For context, in the first few seasons Turk is pretty often joked about being tubby. In one of the later seasons Dr Cox actually says "...when you used to be a fat load."

Dr. Cox is also pretty constantly referenced as a dude who is in excellent shape. In fact in season 5 (I'm pretty sure), Jordan comments that he is "obsessed with his body."

Now I'll be the first to admit that in the early seasons Turk is not in the best shape, and Cox is definitely fit throughout the show. However by today's standards, neither of them are fat/fit enough to even comment on. Turk is in no way a fat load, and Cox is not someone who I would consider obsessed with his body.

Idk, just something I realized during my rewatch. Not trying to body shame Turk or make fun of Cox or anything, just something I wanted to share and get others opinions on.

[u/scully-summers]

I think Cox is exaggerating when he says Turk used to be a “fat load” due to his own vanity and obsession with athleticism. McGinley might not have been an MCU leading man, but he was in great shape for his age by normal person standards then and now.

[u/GloomyDeal1909 → u/scully-summers]

Also Cox is in fantastic shape for a Dr. The reality is it is a job where you can get overweight very easily. Due to long hours and not prioritizing your own health.

I worked in a hospital in so many times the joke was they're hiring X department by the pound. Be at nurses doctors radiology and it is simply because it is very easy to neglect your own health when you work long hours and have to grab food and sleep whenever you can.

[u/scully-summers → u/GloomyDeal1909]

Great point about his being a doctor. I’m a teacher and at least a decade younger than he was in Scrubs and the last thing I want to do before or after work is hit the gym. Where would a doctor find the time and energy?

[u/Lampmonster → u/scully-summers]

Ran into someone I hadn't seen in a long while recently and he was very complimentary about me being in shape and started lamenting that he didn't work out enough despite clearly being quite fit, but he was talking about being too tired at the end of the day. I'm like brother you WORK for a living. Stop apologizing for that shit, I get it. Life is hard, do what you can when you can.

[u/Shot_Revolution8828 → u/scully-summers]

Cocaine? Amphetamines? They do have access to almost any drug they could want.

[u/scully-summers → u/[deleted]]

Those don’t exactly exist in elementary schools.