What a surprise when Rick Schroder — previously known as "that kid from Silver Spoons" — was cast as tough, craggy-faced Det. Danny Sorenson on NYPD Blue back in 1998. After three seasons on the crime beat, he quit to spend more time with his family. Now, he's back in TV comedy, doing tonight's "super-sized" 40-minute Scrubs (airing 8:40 pm/ET on NBC).

Schroder plays Nurse Paul Flowers, a new love interest for Sarah Chalke's Dr. Elliot Reid. (Uh oh, JD!) "I fall in love with him immediately, because he's a gorgeous guy working at the same hospital as me," Chalke laughs. "Of course, I think he's a doctor, and I'm planning babies and marriage within five minutes. Then, I see him come into the room wearing pink scrubs and carrying fresh bedpans.

"Initially, it's quite a shock for Elliot," the actress says of her snobby lady doc character. "She has to see if she can get over herself. Since Rick's around for four episodes, I think she will!"

Unlike the Scrubs cast, Schroder has no multisyllabic doctor-speak to utter during his time on screen. "I don't get to do a lot of procedures or talk medical jargon," he says, sounding relieved. "I'm just there to be Sarah's boy toy!"

Could this high-profile return be heralding a comeback for the 32-year-old actor? "I have a feeling my agents may be trying to get me back into series TV," he teases, "so this is kind of their way of getting my little toe wet. I don't know... I'll look at any options that come my way.