One Chicago Podcast

Episode: Andrew Gettens and Lauren Mackenzie (Writers on Chicago Med)
Host: Brian Lucci
Air Date: March 19, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of the official One Chicago Podcast offers a heartfelt and behind-the-scenes look into the world of Chicago Med, focusing especially on the deeply emotional episode 1114, “Cost of Living.” Host Brian Lucci sits down with writer-producers—and married couple—Andrew Gettens and Lauren McKenzie to unpack their writing process, inspirations, the intricacies of crafting multi-episode character arcs, and the universal themes that resonate with viewers and creators alike. The conversation also touches on their partnership, memorable writing challenges, and personal experiences embedded into the show.

Main Themes & Discussion Points

1. Writing Partnership & Origin Story

• How They Became Creative Partners (04:53 – 07:15):

  • Though initially reluctant to write together, a family wedding speech project led to a discovery of their collaborative chemistry.
    • Lauren: “We tried really hard not to write together. ... But…we loved actually writing together. And that’s how we started.” (07:09)
  • Their partnership blossomed out of ghostwriting wedding speeches, which taught them they enjoy working together creatively.
    • Andrew: “As soon as we wrote something together, it was kind of the best thing that we had ever done.” (07:15)

• Joining Chicago Med (07:52 – 08:53):

  • They were recruited by current showrunner Alan McDonald—literally moments after he was hired to lead “Med”—due to a previous strong working relationship.
  • Both found the scale and pace of the Wolf shows challenging and exhilarating, highlighting Med’s unique structure with multiple intertwining stories per episode.

2. Adapting to the Wolf World & the Chicago Med Machine

• The Pressure and Challenge (08:53 – 11:25):

  • Discussed the intensity of producing 21-22 episodes a season and balancing numerous storylines:
    • Andrew: “We make so much TV…you really, really gotta be on your shit, you know, and really pushing the ball forward all the time…” (08:53)
  • Revealed how Alan McDonald wanted every episode to include moments that make viewers laugh and cry.
  • Emphasized the importance of honoring ongoing narratives and service to a large ensemble cast.

• Character and Humor (11:25 – 13:18):

  • Talked about the creation and rise of Nurse Casey and how humor and levity are vital (“a little bit of levity and fun inside the episodes”).
    • Lauren: “As soon as Kim came in and had her read on this fabulous character, everyone in the writers room was like, ‘Oh, I’m putting that character in my script.’” (11:49)
    • Andrew: “She is such a master at that. I believe her background is actually…Second City, like improv work.” (12:54)

3. Balancing Creativity and Marriage

• Creative Dynamics (13:18 – 17:10):
  • Collaboration has improved both their professional and personal relationship.
    • Andrew: “If you’re working with somebody in a successful way…you need to say things like, ‘Hey, you know what? You’re right.’ Or, ‘Yeah, I’m wrong.’…” (13:51)
  • They split up scene writing and rigorously critique each other’s work, with the writing process often leading to spirited debates.
  • Writing together means sometimes “battling for what you want,” and then actors may modify the line regardless!

4. Crafting Emotional Multi-episode Arcs: Jeremy & Esme

• Creating the Arc (19:52 – 22:58):

  • The Jeremy and Esme storyline was conceptualized to allow viewers to truly invest emotionally by spending more time with guest characters.
  • Inspired by their real life—drawing on personal experiences and heartbreaks from both friends and their own family.
    • Lauren: “We have kids. … You realize you’re never going to see their whole story. … There’s a tragedy to that.” (21:44)

• Connecting to Parenthood and Loss (22:58 – 24:59):

  • Parental fears about not having enough time are mirrored in the Jeremy-Esme arc.
  • The couple’s own experience—Lauren in labor while Andy needed gallbladder surgery—provided comic inspiration for the couple’s bickering dynamic.
    • Lauren: “...I was nine months pregnant, pushing Andy in a wheelchair. And everyone kept saying, is this right? This seems wrong.” (24:29)

• Building Emotional Moments (25:53 – 28:52):

  • One of the most poignant scenes was Jeremy recording videos for his unborn daughter, echoing the real-life wish to leave a legacy and love.
  • Lauren (on Jeremy’s goodbye video): “He’s not only saying really goodbye to his daughter…but he’s also saying goodbye to his wife in that moment.” (28:52)

• True to Life: Writer as Character (28:52 – 30:35):

  • Esme’s story of meeting Jeremy closely mirrors Lauren and Andy’s own meeting story—including the witty, persistent courtship.

5. Room Challenges, Story Construction, and the Role of the Writers Room

• Arc Development Hurdles (33:15 – 34:40):

  • Credit given to the collaborative room for fleshing out the fourth episode “blackout” idea, which allowed Jeremy and Esme’s story to land with greater emotional impact.
  • Flexibility and teamwork in the writers’ room lead to stronger episodes.

• “Cost of Living” Episode Specifics (35:11 – 38:16):

  • Discussed the dramatic tension built around whether both Jeremy and his baby would survive—and the emotional whiplash experienced by viewers (and Brian!).
  • The song choice for Jeremy’s last dance with his daughter—Ben Folds’ “The Luckiest”—was picked after many tears and careful consideration of theme and budget.
    • Lauren: “Andy and I sat in our office and…tried to make each other cry…As soon as [‘The Luckiest’] started playing, Andy and I were bawling.” (37:06)

• Directorial Shout-out (37:15):

  • Praised director Andy Baring for elevating the episode and finding extra emotional moments on screen.

• Comedic Subplots: “Eight Ball Lady” (37:42 – 38:50):

  • Nicole Sullivan’s portrayal diverged from their vision but provided “a thousand times better” result, balancing humor and pathos.

6. Collaborating with the Cast

• The Value of Actor Input (39:27 – 41:37):

  • Praised actor Oliver Platt (“he’s just so fucking good”) and the value of cast feedback, which serves the story rather than egos.
  • Lauren: “We love collaborating with him…he cares with your whole heart about every moment and line and what it means.” (39:27)

• The Collaborative Nature of Television (41:21):

  • Writers, actors, consultants, and crew together elevate the final product.
  • Andrew: “We’ll take a great idea from anywhere. … We love people that are super invested in it.”

7. Personal Experiences in Storytelling

• “Trust Fall” and Drawing from Real Life (42:35 – 45:47):
  • Their episode “Trust Fall” was based on Lauren’s own harrowing childbirth experience, which involved a life-threatening hemorrhage.
    • Lauren: “I was in the recovery room, and I was holding, and I just. I wasn’t feeling well…There was just blood pooling under my back…They…tried to save my life basically. And it was incredibly scary.” (42:47)
  • Incorporated advocacy—addressing the increased risks faced by women of color—into the episode’s narrative.
  • The episode won a Norman Lear Award for extraordinary television.

8. Show Within a Show: “Nick of Time”

• Andy’s Creative Contribution (46:29 – 49:53):
  • Andy dreamt up and wrote “Nick of Time,” the show-within-a-show for Dr. John Frost’s backstory—including the theme song and credits.
    • Brian (summarizing Alan): “Andy went crazy with that idea and came up with the show Nick of Time that Frost used to be on. … He wrote the music and lyrics for the entire theme song.” (47:22)
  • Andy describes this as a pure joy, being able to “live out his secret wish” to be a songwriter.
  • The segment winds down with Brian singing the song’s lyrics.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Brian Lucci, on the emotional impact of the episode:
  “You weren’t alone. I was right there with you. … I’m talking damn breaking, eye rubbing, gasping for breath, heavy boohoo nation type tears.” (01:10)

• Andrew Gittins, on working as a married creative team:
  “Learning how to be better creative partners has sort of taught us to be better, like married partners.” (13:51)

• Lauren McKenzie, on the universality of parental fear:
  “You realize you’re never going to see their whole story…there’s a tragedy to that. There’s a grief in that.” (22:28)

• On choosing the emotional “first dance” song:
  “Andy and I sat in our office…and we would try to make each other cry…As soon as [‘The Luckiest’] started playing, Andy and I were bawling…” (37:06)

• On creative humility in a writers room:
  “We’ll take a great idea from anywhere.” (41:21)

• On actor Oliver Platt:
  “He’s just so fucking good. … We’re super lucky to have [him].” (40:07)

• Andy Gittins (about “Nick of Time”):
  “I wrote in an abandoned parking garage in Koreatown and sung into my phone… It was a huge, huge thrill.” (47:59)

Key Timestamps

• 05:33 – Lauren & Andrew on their unusual start as writing partners
• 08:26 – Being offered “Med” in real time by Alan McDonald
• 10:55 – Transitioning from crime TV to medical drama
• 13:51 – Tips for creative and marital collaboration
• 19:52 – Genesis of Jeremy & Esme story arc
• 22:28–24:59 – Tying real life experience into the Jeremy & Esme storyline
• 28:05 – Jeremy’s goodbye video scene revealed to also be a farewell to his wife
• 33:15 – Behind the arc-structuring and the importance of the writers’ room
• 37:06 – The hunt for the perfect, emotionally charged song
• 39:27 – Collaborating with veteran cast, especially Oliver Platt
• 42:47 – “Trust Fall” and personal story inspiration
• 47:22 – “Nick of Time” – concept, lyrics, and Andy’s hidden musical talent

Conclusion

A moving and revealing conversation, this episode goes far beyond behind-the-scenes anecdotes, revealing how Chicago Med’s best stories are rooted in both real life and an exceptional spirit of creative collaboration. Lauren and Andy highlight what it means to write from the heart, work as a team, and find universality in the specifics of both joy and heartbreak. At the same time, the episode is peppered with funny, quirky moments and wisdom about humility, TV writing, and, above all, telling stories that connect.

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