Neal Baer

Thanks so much, Lynn, for having me. And thank you for the lovely introduction. I've been extremely fortunate to work on these shows. The first two shows I did, ER and SVU, covered 18 years of my career. And that is really unheard of. And I don't know if that could ever happen again. Probably not, though SVU is still on year 26, which is incredible.

Thanks so much, Lynn, for having me. And thank you for the lovely introduction. I've been extremely fortunate to work on these shows. The first two shows I did, ER and SVU, covered 18 years of my career. And that is really unheard of. And I don't know if that could ever happen again. Probably not, though SVU is still on year 26, which is incredible.

I also want to say that when I did Under the Dome, I like to say it's the two Stevens because it's based on Stephen King's book. And I worked with Stephen King, who is the consummate storyteller and kind hearted person. So I have been extraordinarily lucky to work with so many amazing people.

I also want to say that when I did Under the Dome, I like to say it's the two Stevens because it's based on Stephen King's book. And I worked with Stephen King, who is the consummate storyteller and kind hearted person. So I have been extraordinarily lucky to work with so many amazing people.

what are in your opinion some unforgettable stories and why are they so powerful what are the most powerful stories that you have seen so for movies i had the great fortune of working with sally field and i pitched that she should play maura tierney's mother on er because maura's character has an alcohol substance problem. And it's not uncommon that a parent might have bipolar disorder.

what are in your opinion some unforgettable stories and why are they so powerful what are the most powerful stories that you have seen so for movies i had the great fortune of working with sally field and i pitched that she should play maura tierney's mother on er because maura's character has an alcohol substance problem. And it's not uncommon that a parent might have bipolar disorder.

So we gave that disorder to Sally. And I was standing with her one night when we were shooting. And she said, why did you want me to come? And I said, well, you know, when I became a writer, you were the first person I thought of. And she said, why? Because you watched Gidget or Flying Nun when you were a child? And I said, no.

So we gave that disorder to Sally. And I was standing with her one night when we were shooting. And she said, why did you want me to come? And I said, well, you know, when I became a writer, you were the first person I thought of. And she said, why? Because you watched Gidget or Flying Nun when you were a child? And I said, no.

because I saw you and Norma Rae stand on the table and hold the sign and stand up to what was going on in the factory, the sewing and the manufacturing of fabric and say union and how you defended your mother. And I just said, oh my gosh, I want to work with someone like that. I want to tell a story like that.

because I saw you and Norma Rae stand on the table and hold the sign and stand up to what was going on in the factory, the sewing and the manufacturing of fabric and say union and how you defended your mother. And I just said, oh my gosh, I want to work with someone like that. I want to tell a story like that.

And so when I saw movies that moved me, like Norma Rae or old movies that I watched as a kid about the war and what happens after the war, like the best years of our lives, it really ignited me. And I think it's because they're real. But for myself, it's been films that have been about the outsider.

And so when I saw movies that moved me, like Norma Rae or old movies that I watched as a kid about the war and what happens after the war, like the best years of our lives, it really ignited me. And I think it's because they're real. But for myself, it's been films that have been about the outsider.

like Norma Rae or folks who've had HIV when I was young growing up and their struggle that motivated me and have stayed with me. And that's what I try to write about as well.

like Norma Rae or folks who've had HIV when I was young growing up and their struggle that motivated me and have stayed with me. And that's what I try to write about as well.

Well, first and foremost, it's the relatability. It's like, we understand Sally as Norma Rae. We understand the position she's in. And her husband, Beau Bridges, is supportive, but he's not standing on the table with her. Her mother is being treated horribly. It's not well. And so we're for her. We love fighters for justice. So I think what makes...

Well, first and foremost, it's the relatability. It's like, we understand Sally as Norma Rae. We understand the position she's in. And her husband, Beau Bridges, is supportive, but he's not standing on the table with her. Her mother is being treated horribly. It's not well. And so we're for her. We love fighters for justice. So I think what makes...

These films, for me, stand out are the social justice that's embedded in them without being preachy. But it's just part of the fabric of these movies, like a movie like The Best Years of Our Lives. It's showing you what's happening with these World War II vets coming home, and one of them has lost his hands. Actually, Harold Russell, he won the Oscar for that. And

These films, for me, stand out are the social justice that's embedded in them without being preachy. But it's just part of the fabric of these movies, like a movie like The Best Years of Our Lives. It's showing you what's happening with these World War II vets coming home, and one of them has lost his hands. Actually, Harold Russell, he won the Oscar for that. And

you see his struggle in a way that feels so real. Well, it was real for him, of course. But the other actors in it, Frederick March, Myrna Loy, all of them really capture the struggle after. That yes, there was jubilation after World War II, and we won and beat the Nazis. But there are also a lot of terrible things to deal with at home, just like what's happened again with Vietnam.

you see his struggle in a way that feels so real. Well, it was real for him, of course. But the other actors in it, Frederick March, Myrna Loy, all of them really capture the struggle after. That yes, there was jubilation after World War II, and we won and beat the Nazis. But there are also a lot of terrible things to deal with at home, just like what's happened again with Vietnam.