Writing Sample: "Grey's Anatomy"

In hopes of getting staffed on a network television program, I've had to write several spec scripts.  Today, I'd like to share a mini-spec that I wrote just for this site. Obviously, this will be more entertaining if you watch the show. If you guys like it, maybe I can try this for a few other shows in the future.

All the script terminology should be pretty clear, but (V.O.) means "Voice Over," like narration.

Today's mini-spec: Grey's Anatomy.

INT. MEREDITH'S BEDROOM - MORNING

Meredith's alarm sounds. She reaches over to turn it off and we see that she is in bed with THREE MIDDLE-AGED HISPANIC MEN and a teenager, PETE.

MEREDITH: Get out.

All of the men get up to leave.

PETE: Have a good day, m'am!

MEREDITH: Out!

Meredith heads into the kitchen to make some coffee.

MEREDITH (V.O.):  As surgeons, we are much smarter than the average person. We are also much more attractive, much better at our jobs, much more important, and feel things much more intensely than, say...you.

Izzie walks into the kitchen and sees that it is raining outside.

IZZIE: Rain? In Seattle? Seriously?

MEREDITH (V.O): Something told me this was going to be one crazy day. 

OPENING CREDITS

ACT ONE:

INT. HOSPITAL - LATER

MEREDITH (V.O): Love is always difficult, but when you're a surgeon it's about a million times worse. I am, by the way. A surgeon, I mean. Not sure I made that clear.

Dr. McDreamy walks past Meredith and gives her a smoldering gaze. She smolders.

MCDREAMY: Are we "on" or "off" today? I forget.

MEREDITH: I think we're "off."

MCDREAMY: Why do you smell like tequila and ass?

He smolders away.

MEREDITH (V.O.) Some mornings I wake up and I just want McDreamy to take me back into his arms, McKiss me tenderly, and maybe put his McPenis into my McVagina. And other days McChris O'Donnell is looking pretty McGood. They're all just so bland and handsome, it drives me wild. I should call them blandsome. Blandsome. Hey, that should be a catchphrase. I think I'll McRepeat it 8,000 times to McMake sure that it catches on. Yeah. Blandsome.

Meredith notices Cristina across the lobby.

MEREDITH: Hey, Cristina! We're saying "Blandsome" now. Tell Izzie!

CRISTINA: Are we keeping the "Mc" thing going?

MEREDITH: Yeah, but we're gonna add "Blandsome." Wanna get lunch later? McDonald's?

CRISTINA: McCool!

INT. EDNA'S HOSPITAL ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

EDNA, 40, bald and dying, is lying in a hospital bed, writhing in pain.

MEREDITH (V.O.): When someone like Edna walks, or, in Edna's case, wheels in to your life, it's hard because you know there's nothing you can do to help her. I mean, yeah, I'm a surgeon, but I'm not a miracle worker. She is going to die any day now of breast. lung, and throat cancer. She's got four small children who are going to have to be placed in foster care. Her organs are being eaten away inside of her, and she's in probably the most intense pain a person can endure.

Meredith notices McDreamy talking to a PRETTY GIRL.

MEREDITH (V.O.): Well, almost the most intense pain a person can endure...

HALF OF A MAN is wheeled past Meredith. He is a bloody stump with a gaping hole in his chest. Dr. Bailey carries the lower half of the man's body, which has been completely detached.

MEREDITH: Hmmm. Guess I'm not the only one being ripped apart today.

Half-Man and Dr. Bailey laugh.

DR. BAILEY: McDreamy again?

MEREDITH: Of course!

DR. BAILEY: Girl, I hear you. Men, huh? No heart!

HALF-MAN: Hey! I have a heart! See!

He gestures to his heart, which is falling out of his rib cage.

DR. BAILEY: Oops! OK, not all guys!

They all laugh again. Meredith high-fives Half-Man.

MEREDITH (V.O.) When you're a surgeon, the sky is blue and the grass is green. I don't know if you can understand that, but it's totally true.

ACT TWO:

George walks past Meredith, smiles awkwardly, and slips on a banana peel.

MEREDITH (V.O.) George told me that he loved me again the other day. He's so funny! I changed the subject. Actually, I think he might be gay. I think Dr. Burke does too, because he's always walking around muttering "Faggoty Ass Bitch!" and punching people in the throat.

Dr. Burke walks by and raises his fist to Meredith. She cowers, and he walks away laughing.

MEREDITH (V.O): Just another day in the life for us surgeons. Things are hard for us. Real hard. I think it's got something to do with the fact that we're surgeons.

INT. ANOTHER HOSPITAL ROOM - LATER

Izzie walks in and finds a 90 year old man, MICKEY, on the verge of death. She rushes to his side.

IZZIE: Are you dying?

MICKEY: Yup.

IZZIE: That is such a turn-on!

They being making out.

INT. EDNA'S HOSPITAL ROOM - LATER

EDNA: Help! Please! Somebody help me!

Meredith walks past the room finishing a hamburger. Cristina walks with her. She has a black eye. Dr. Burke walks past her and holds a "Shhh" finger up to his lips. Frightened, she nods.

MEREDITH (V.O) McDonald's is always delicious, but when you're a surgeon, it's like...intense. Almost as intense as what Edna must be going through.

Edna groans in agony. Meredith smiles and waves.

MEREDITH (V.O.) I think I'll take a few naughty pictures of my vajayjay for McDreamy!

CRISTINA: Girl! You are crazy!

She skips off down the hall. She opens a closet door. TWO SURGEONS are having sex.

MEREDITH: Oops! Sorry!

Meredith opens another door. Two surgeons and two nurses are playing "Truth or Dare."

MEREDITH: My bad!

Meredith opens another door. It is a full blown doctors and nurses orgy.

MEREDITH: This is one wacky hospital!

Izzie runs up to Meredith's side.

IZZIE: Meredith! Meredith!

MEREDITH: What is it, Izzie?

IZZIE:  I just wanted to tell you that I grew up in a trailer park!

MEREDITH: Oh. I know.

IZZIE: Yeah, but we haven't had a low-income patient in here in a few weeks, so I haven't really had the chance to bring it up in dramatic monologue form. I just thought I'd remind you.

MEREDITH: OK. Thanks.

A NURSE yells down the hall.

NURSE: Edna Jacobs is dying! Are there any surgeons available?

The nurse looks down the hall. Every door has a sock or a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the knob.

MEREDITH: Ugh, fine! Alright! I'll do it!

ACT THREE:

INT. EDNA'S HOSPITAL ROOM - CONTINUOUS

MUSIC UP: A bland, downbeat, vaguely British pop song begins to play on the soundtrack.

Edna is clutching her chest and gasping for air.

EDNA: I can't breathe! I feel like I'm dying!

MEREDITH: I know, I totally feel that way sometimes, too. Why won't he just call me?

EDNA: WHAT?!

MEREDITH (V.O.): I'm sure you can't relate, but when you're a surgeon, you really only have two options: 1) Keep living. 2) Die. That's it.

Meredith's cell phone rings.

EDNA: Please! Help me!

MEREDITH: One sec, OK?

Meredith walks into the hall and answers her cell. Her eyes light up. It is McDreamy!

MEREDITH (V.O.): Today, I'm glad I chose to keep living.

Inside the room, Edna is gasping for air. Finally, she collapses on the bed and her heart monitor starts loudly flatlining. Meredith walks back into the room looking concerned.

Annoyed, she walks over to the heart monitor and turns down the volume.

MEREDITH (V.O) If only everyone else...could be so lucky.

Meredith walks away talking on the phone with a big smile on her face.

tags: mcdreamy  writing  writer  greys  greys anatomy  writing sample  izzy  george  burke  meredith  narration  spec  script  greatest hits  

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