‘Chicago Med’ boss on what’s changed most about medical dramas in the last 30 years

Welcome to Screen Gab, the newsletter for everyone who never tires of a good, solid medical procedural. Diagnosing and treating ailments has always been the bread-and-butter of the genre, but exactly what issues occur onscreen and how they’re solved has changed dramatically since the days of “ER,” according to “Chicago Med” showrunner Allen MacDonald, who joins us for this week’s Guest Spot: “You can now depict stories that felt more like science fiction before.” Also in Screen Gab no. — Mary McNamara Guest spot A weekly chat with actors, writers, directors and more about what they’re working on — and what they’re watching S. Epatha Merkerson and Oliver Platt in the new season of “Chicago Med.” In terms of broadcast medical dramas, NBC’s “Chicago Med” may still be the new kid on the block — “Grey’s Anatomy” is on its 433rd episode — but 10 seasons is still serious business. The foremost challenge of coming into “Chicago Med’s” 10th season is to find fresh and innovative ways to inject some storytelling energy that tugs the heartstrings while simultaneously depicting compelling medical mysteries. It’s way too salty.” Funke instead recommends salting pasta water like “an aggressively seasoned soup.” That way, you can use the pasta water to help thicken sauces without risking an inedibly salty finished dish.