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I was like, Oh wow, this thing is still so big.
Jeanne Tyson
And then you get nervous, like, Oh my gosh, Im in charge of it.
But you’re grateful.
They’re so iconic.
Chandra Wilson, Justin Chambers, Ellen Pompeo, Katherine Heigl, and James Pickens during the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards. Says new showrunner and veteran writer Meg Marinis: “I just felt gratitude seeing those five actors…[who] helped build the beginning foundations of the show, and that people were still so excited to see them. They’re so iconic.”
But due to the writers strike and then the actors strike, Mariniss first episode as showrunner was delayed.
That time was such high anxiety, Marinis tellsGlamour.
It almost felt like I’d done 10 episodes before [we even started].
Marinis, far right, during Ellen Pompeo’s directorial debut in season 13, titled “Be Still, My Soul.” (Also pictured: James Pickens Jr.)
It was a high high to a low low.
You’re not going to find a bigger fan of the show than me, she says.
I’ve been here since end of season two, beginning of season three.
The 2006 entry pass that started it all
I like to think that I know the show the back of my hand.
I know what we’ve done.
I know what we haven’t done.
But I’m constantly honoring the history of the show.
(Also pictured: James Pickens Jr.)
Glamour: What was your dream career growing up?
Meg Marinis:I wanted to be a TV writer.
I didn’t know if I would, because that’s a lofty dream goal.
But I was writingERscripts when I was 11.
I had medical cases in them.
It was a lot of dialogue with medical jargon that probably made no sense.
And I would write flashbacks between characters that had left the show that I really loved.
I loved Doug and Carol.
I also loved Mark Greene and Susan Lewis.
I loved Dr. Benton.
I loved them all.
I couldn’t find a couple onERthat I didn’t love, but I really also liked medicine.
In fact, on the picket line this summer, I met the researcher forERand I fangirled to her.
I think she was looking at me like I was crazy.
But I thoughtERwas it.
I was like, It was one of my favorite shows!
And I think she was like, Okay.
How did you get your job onGreys Anatomyat the end of season two?
I knew I really wanted to stay in LA and I really wanted to be a TV writer.
And I was like, I can be exactly like you.
And that job interview was with Shonda Rhimes.
It just happened that it was this new show [which wasGrey’s].
I said, Sure.
I just need a job.
I need to get into the industry.
And so I got the writer’s PA job.
So I flew home, graduated from college, then came back to LA and started two days later.
I haven’t left the building since 2006.
Did you watchGreyswhen it first premiered?
And I loved it.
It was becoming this hit phenomenon, but I’d never thought it would last this long.
I’d go somewhere else.
But no, I just stayed.
Lets go back to that first interview with Shonda Rhimes.
How nervous were you?
I’d been a PA for productions in college, but it was the biggest interview in my life.
The person who set the interview up for me was like, Just talk about why you love TV.
And she didn’t even ask me that many questions.
I just talked a lot about why I love television.
But I did not get her assistant job.
But I guess she liked me enough to send me to the writers.
The 2006 entry pass that started it all
What do you attribute your longevity to?
Because its almost unheard-of to be with a show for this long, nor one company.
I get a thrill of doing this job every day.
The writers room is my happy place.
And it’s still that way for me, even though I’ve been here for almost 20 years.
I love the characters that Shonda built.
I never got bored with the show.
I never got bored with this job.
And I also wanted to be better.
I wanted to improve.
I went to set at night.
And I think when someone is that engaged and that willing to learn, you keep getting better.
Lets talk about your promotions along the way.
Do you have to ask for them, or did they come about naturally?
A little bit of both.
I’ll be honest in that I did not hit it out of the park.
And it’s because I just don’t think I had completely mastered everything.
I was still learning.
So I needed to go back and I asked for another shot.
And then when I had that next shot, I was determined to hit it out of the park.
I knew what I did wrong before.
I knew what I needed to work on.
Good for you for being aware of the situation and what you needed, and then actually vocalizing it.
I did have to advocate for myself to get that first staff job.
And that’s a very hard position to fill.
For those not in the industry, what does freelance mean versus being staffed on a show?
[Early on] I freelanced forGrey’s.
I wasn’t an official staff writer.
When we have longer seasons, we will freelance one of our support staff positions.
And now that youre in the top position, what is the best quality in a boss?
Patience, respect, and engagement.
When you’re impatient or your mood gets poor, then you’re not fun to work for.
You have to know that it’s better for people to do good work rather than fast work.
I give a shot to make things fun.
What is the most misunderstood thing about what you do?
When you hit the showrunner level, all of a sudden you’re like a CEO of the show.
You’re looking at a budget, you’re managing, you are helping people communicate with one another.
No, but I did meetFriendscocreator Marta Kauffman on the picket line last year.
She was a hero of mine.
I cried to her and that was embarrassing.
Got my picture taken.
It’s pretty cool to meet your heroes.
But no, I’ve not met John Wells.
I would love to, though.
I just hope I can form words when I meet him one day.
What is the best piece of career advice that has really stuck with you?
Ask questions, learn about what everybody does on the crew.
Don’t ever think something’s perfect.
I think you’re constantly able to improve something until it airs.
We all want the same thing, which is to make the best show possible.
Tell us about a time when you felt you absolutely crushed it at work.
That way, everybody can go home to their families and not have to wait on me.
And then there are a few episodes that I’m really proud of.
One was during season 13, and it was Ellen Pompeo’s first episode that she ever directed.
I felt like I really worked hard on the script.
And also, anytime you write any sort of big episode and see it come to life.
How do you deal, though, with the pressure of the enormity of your job?
I just listen to everybody’s notes.
I find it to be a very collaborative job.
I trust my instincts.
I definitely have those days where I feel like I’m just beaten to the ground with the stress.
And you just have to be reminded to be in the present.
Yes, it’s a lot of stress, but I’m doing the best I can.
And I have a very, very helpful husband.
Obviously in this job you feel disappointment all the time.
Take a minute to pivot.
Sometimes the pivot is going to be better than the original idea.
The next morning I wake up and it’s a new day.
If I live in the disappointment too long, the train will stay on the tracks.
Lets do some rapid-fire questions.
What is the best piece of money advice that youve ever gotten?
Since youre constantly on your feet, what are the most comfortable jeans and sneakers then?
On Clouds are really comfortable for me.
I wore them [while on the picket line].
A lot of people in the medical field wear them too, because they’re super comfortable.
And then for jeans, I wear Mother.
Those are my favorite because they just fit me the best.
What is your favorite snack on set?
Plain salty Lay’s potato chips.
I’m also a huge trail mix fan.
And I drink a lot of coffee.
What is your go-to thank-you gift?
What is your go-to sign-off on emails?
Professionally, it’s Best, Meg.
How do you sign an email to Shonda?
Thank you and Best.
And finally, fill in the blank: People would be happier at work if…?
They were nice to each other.
Kindness is a huge thing for me.
Be nice to each other and thank people for their work.
It makes a huge difference.
The kindergarten rules, right?
Be kind to your neighbor and keep your hands to yourself.
