MATTHEW PERRY GUEST-STARS -- AND MAKES HIS DIRECTORIAL DEBUT -- ON NBC�S 'SCRUBS� IN NOVEMBER SWEEPS

Perry Also to Work with Father -- John Bennett Perry -- in Same Episode

BURBANK, Calif. -� October 8, 2004 �- Emmy Award nominee Matthew Perry ("Friends") returns to NBC as he guest-stars and makes his directorial debut on the acclaimed comedy "Scrubs" (Tuesdays, 9:30-10 p.m.) in an episode to be broadcast November 23.

Perry will direct the episode, which will also feature his father, John Bennett Perry, as a guest star. In the storyline, Perry plays a man who is willing to donate one of his kidneys to his ailing father (Bennett Perry) until complications arise.

From 1994-2004, Perry starred as Chandler Bing, one of six principals on NBC's mega-hit and Emmy-winning comedy "Friends." Earlier, he made his first impression on television on the comedy series "Boys Will Be Boys." His feature-film credits include "Serving Sara," "The Whole Nine Yards," "The Whole Ten Yards," "Fools Rush In," "A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon" (his first big-screen role), "Almost Heroes" and "Three to Tango."

Perry was nominated for two Emmys for his dramatic guest appearances on NBC's "The West Wing."

Perry made his stage debut when he co-starred in London's West End production of David Mamet's "Sexual Perversity in Chicago." His co-stars in the box-office hit were Minnie Driver, Hank Azaria and Kelly Reilley.

Former NBC star, Julianna Margulies ("ER"), as previously announced, will also guest star on "Scrubs" in two sweeps episodes airing November 9 and 16. Margulies will portray a malpractice attorney.

Winner of a prestigious Humanitas Prize and a People's Choice Award, and nominated for a Producer's Guild and five Emmy Awards, "Scrubs" focuses on the strange experiences of newly-named Co-Chief Resident Dr. John "J.D." Dorian (Zach Braff) as he embarks on his healing career in a surreal hospital crammed full of unpredictable staffers and patients � where humor and tragedy can merge paths at any time.

"Scrubs" is produced by Touchstone Television. Bill Lawrence ("Spin City") is the executive producer and creator.