One Chicago

[Monzo]

Are you a fan of the Chicago franchise, called One Chicago?

When Chicago Fire premiered on NBC in the fall of 2012, it didn't look like it would be a big hit; the first season only reached number 51 in the ratings. When the series climbed into the top 40 the following season, producer Dick Wolf decided to create a spin-off called Chicago P.D., which premiered in January 2014 and performed similarly to the parent show. This led to another spin-off, Chicago Med, in 2015. The three series aired on different nights, and the same was true for the fourth series: Chicago Justice, which premiered on Sunday nights in March 2017. However, its ratings lagged behind the three other Chicago series, which had by then become solid top 30 performers, so Chicago Justice was canceled after 13 episodes. In the following season (2017-2018), Chicago Fire was given a new timeslot (Thursday 10:00 p.m.), during which ratings dipped slightly, leading NBC to fear that the Chicago franchise might have peaked. Therefore, starting in September 2018, NBC aired the entire Chicago franchise, henceforth known as One Chicago, on Wednesday nights. This decision proved to be the right one for the ratings: all three Chicago shows have consistently ranked in the top 20 ever since, with Chicago Fire even managing to stay in the top 10 for five consecutive seasons.

It's highly likely that One Chicago will continue for a long time, and so the official renewal announcement comes as no surprise:

‘Chicago Fire,’ ‘Chicago PD,’ ‘Chicago Med’ Renewed at NBC

"Chicago Fire," "Chicago PD," and "Chicago Med" have all been renewed at NBC, Variety has learned.

variety.com

Because the three Chicago series air on the same night, crossovers have become more frequent, and efforts have been made to ensure that viewers see all three series by having characters from one series interact with, be related to, or be involved with someone from another series.

Scandals are inevitable in a long-running franchise. Sophia Bush left Chicago P.D. after four seasons due to what she perceived as abusive behavior behind the scenes. The fear that this would harm the show proved unfounded. Many members of the original cast have left their Chicago series over the years, some voluntarily, some involuntarily, but none of their departures had a significant negative impact on the ratings.

Is there a Chicago series you like more than the others? Who are your favorite characters?

 

[Carrie Fairchild]

I used to be a big fan of Third Watch, so when Chicago Fire launched, I checked it out in the hope that it would be something similar. I watched the first episode and something didn’t click with me. I can’t recall what it was now but it was obviously enough for me never to return to it in the 14 years that it’s been on air.

In saying that, I’d love to have a good procedural as part of my viewing rotation and all three Chicago shows are available (the three most recent seasons of each) on a streaming service that I’ve recently subscribed to, so I’m going to give Chicago Fire another go. Failing that I will try Chicago Med.

 

[Monzo]

I used to be a big fan of Third Watch, so when Chicago Fire launched, I checked it out in the hope that it would be something similar. I watched the first episode and something didn’t click with me.

To be honest none of the Chicago shows are as good as Third Watch was. About not clicking I felt extact this same way not only at the beginning of Chicago Fire, but with every other Chicago series: I was initially disappointed and wondered whether I should continue watching. Chicago Fire had a lot of actors in its original cast that I recognized from other shows (Jesse Spencer, Taylor Kinney, Monica Raymund, David Eigenberg), so that was the main reason I stuck with it. I still remember how disappointed I was at the premiere of Chicago P.D., considering it a poor imitation of the Law & Order franchise, and Chicago Med disappointed me just as much. All three series took a long time (several seasons) to find their groove.

Today, I prefer Chicago Med to all the Chicago series, and even to all the medical shows on Network TV that take themselves too seriously when it comes to the cases and the doctors' personal lives. Perhaps it's because the Chicago series aren't over the top, that they never really stood out, and that they slowly built up their core audience. While I prefer 9-1-1 to Chicago Fire, how seriously can you take 9-1-1? Chicago Fire is more real. Chicago P.D. is my least favorite of the Chicago series because I don't particularly like lead actor Jason Beghe much. On the other hand, I see him as so important to the show that his departure could one day hurt Chicago P.D. I also have to mention S. Epatha Merkerson, who, as an original cast member of Chicago Med, is a reason to watch the show. I liked S. Epatha Merkerson even back on Law & Order and always thought she wasn't given the recognition she deserved there, so it's all the more wonderful that she and Dick Wolf are working together again on Chicago Med.

 

[Carrie Fairchild]

I still remember how disappointed I was at the premiere of Chicago P.D., considering it a poor imitation of the Law & Order franchise

I never really entertained the idea of watching Chicago PD, as SVU is my go to for a police procedural. Not that I watch it week in, week out but there’s a channel here that airs four episodes a night, seven nights a week, so it’s very easy to dip in and out of.

Today, I prefer Chicago Med to all the Chicago series, and even to all the medical shows on Network TV

I might give it a go alongside Chicago Fire so. I’ve got The Pitt next on my list but it’s a shorter run season, whereas a Fire/Med double bill once or twice a week might keep me ticking over for a while.

 

[Monzo]

Sad news for fans of Chicago P.D.:

'Chicago P.D. LaRoyce Hawkins Leaving Show In Season 14

After 13 seasons, original cast member LaRoyce Hawkins is leaving the NBC police procedural as a series regular

deadline.com