Talks continue over the possibility of Scrubs returning for a ninth season next fall, according to Variety.

ABC has been in talks with the show's producers about ways to lower the license fee on Scrubs, and that star Zach Braff is now believed to be interested in returning for at least a portion of the episodes.

Insiders at the net said that ABC's sales team remains high on the show, which they said remains popular with advertisers because of its upscale demographics. Scrubs hasn't been a ratings hit on ABC, but it's performed decently enough -- and the Alphabet doesn't have many half-hours in its arsenal.

As for the cast, key players John C. McGinley, Donald Faison and Neil Flynn have all landed pilots this spring -- and no thesps are signed for Scrubs beyond this year. But some of those actors are likely to return, as least on a recurring basis.

Plus the show introduced a new horde of interns this year, who have also starred in a series of webisodes at ABC.com ("Scrubs: Interns"). Those actors include Sonal Shah, Eliza Coupe, Betsy Beutler and Todd Bosley (another new intern was played by Aziz Ansari, who now stars on Parks and Recreation).

Also still in play on the laffer side: "Samantha Who."