Jennifer Love Hewitt had promised fans that the journey to a Chimney and Maddie wedding on “9-1-1” wouldn’t be an easy one — and indeed, it wasn’t. But the payoff came with a heartwarming musical surprise at the end.
In Season 7, Episode 6 of the ABC first-responder drama, Chimney, played by Kenneth Choi, finds himself in a state of delirium, battling viral encephalitis and missing his own wedding. However, things take a turn for the better when he is eventually found and treated. Determined to marry Maddie, played by Hewitt, as soon as possible, Chimney enlists Bobby, portrayed by Peter Krause, to officiate the wedding right in the hospital room.
Kenneth Choi, reflecting on the emotional wedding scene, shared with Entertainment Weekly, “That wedding scene was cathartic and it was joyful and uplifting. It was wonderful to have all of the supporting cast members there too.” He expressed gratitude for the camaraderie among the cast during the filming of the scene, which required multiple takes from different angles.
What added to Choi’s emotional preparation for the scene was a special gift from Jennifer Love Hewitt herself. Hewitt, who plays Maddie, wanted to keep Chimney in the right emotional space during filming. Remembering the karaoke scene where Maddie and Chimney sang “Islands in the Stream,” Hewitt recorded a ballad version of the song and presented it to Choi as a wedding gift. Choi revealed that he listened to the song repeatedly between takes, crediting it with helping him stay emotionally connected to the scene.
Hewitt’s thoughtful gesture didn’t just impact Choi but also resonated with the show’s co-creator and showrunner, Tim Minear. He was moved to include Hewitt’s rendition of “Islands in the Stream” as the soundtrack for the wedding ceremony, adding an extra layer of emotional depth to the scene.
Jennifer Love Hewitt, known for her enthusiasm and creative input, acknowledged that she often bombards Minear with ideas for the show. However, she expressed gratitude for his openness to incorporating her suggestions, believing strongly in the importance of her contributions to the series.
Hewitt’s version of “Islands in the Stream” is now available for streaming, adding another dimension to the heartfelt wedding episode of “9-1-1.” Fans can catch “9-1-1” airing Thursdays at 8 p.m ET on ABC.
