ANYONE with a funny bone in their body will fine Scrubs hilarious and affecting in equal measure.

Following hospital intern JD, or 'bambie' as he is soon christened, Scrubs finds the comedy in the human condition.

As well as side-splitting moments of first-rate slapstick, one liners and character comedy, there's also room for a little compassion, mushy soundtrack and 'meaning of life' moments.

But one never outweighs the other and it all adds up to an accomplished and fast-paced show.

The problem has been catching it of late though - given that Channel 4 insists on putting it on at weird times.

Thankfully, the whole first series can now be bought on DVD: four discs of comedy, extras and commentaries.

Anyone who has had the pleasure of witnessing an episode of Family Guy will know the comic value of a surreal aside or 'fantasy sequence' and Scrubs is full of them.

Every five minutes, JD plays out in his head what he wants to say and imagines the consequences, with hilarious results.

The interplay between him and his best friends, and fellow 'newbies', Chris Turk and love interest Elliot Reid is the foundation for the show, along with the often fierce and uncompromising educational approach from his mentor Dr Cox.

My diagnosis is that Scrubs is a first rate comedy that is well worth discovering and appreciating.

Joel Sawyer