Ep. 2: Dan Fogelman and Us | The Creator of This Is Us

Dan Fogelman (This Is Us, Tangled, Cars, Fred Claus, Crazy, Stupid, Love) is a legend around here. He brought us the Pearsons, and he brought us together! Dan joins us to discuss what went into writing the show, and how he was able to surprise us with bombshell reveals and leave us hanging week after week. Mandy, Sterling, Chris, and Dan talk about the evolution of the Pearson’s stories through time, the process of filming when working with kids who grow up fast, and the importance of weaving in the historical moments that were happening in real time as filming took place.
00:00 Intro
01:01 Interview
22:10 Quince
24:36 Vegamour
26:18 Interview
42:38 Upside
44:41 Mint Mobile
46:58 Interview
1:03:48 Credits
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#thatwasus #thisisus

[@jacquimonet]

This show specifically is why I miss DVDs of all shows being easily available. The featurette and behind the scenes and videos were always worth it. Always.

[@cindydietrich6068]

“You make me cry” is really “you made me feel” and that’s what makes it so special.

[@thechels3454]

This ❤

[@Damiana1111]

Since Day 1, I've always talked about THE WRITING first. Absolutely ONE of the BEST, if not THEE BEST ever on network television. God bless your brilliance, Dan Fogelman...and Thank Youuuuuuu!!!

[@saralynnie]

I cried so often when I watched this show, but it was a healing cry, it was like I was healing a part of my heart by watching every week. ❤️‍🩹

[@thanoskos]

That's so true. They really made us feel safe and relate to so many situations, even if we come from completely different backgrounds

[@fatimahanif3244]

I swear, I treated as part of my healing as well, and with this podcast, I take the time to reflect back on the show and think of moments that resonated the most with me. I love how they honoured the story of every single character on the show and not just the Pearson family .

[@lastjob2011]

I didn't join until episode 4 and then I had to catch up. I was mad because Justin Hartley had left my show, The Young and the Restless. So glad I got over it! I can use two hands to count the number of episodes I did not cry on. A+. I have decided to watch again. Got my tissues! I will be interesting to pick up clues from earlier episodes that I didn't know were clues at the time!!

[@EffieKatrakazos]

“…it felt like good people were making something.” That hit my core!!

[@xxangeleyes40xx]

And that’s why we loved it so much 🥰 such a heartwarming show

[@loriflori]

The acting on this show was great, but the WRITING is what kept drawing me in. It was SO well done, from start to finish. I have never watched a show where the end tied up everything, so completely and wonderfully. I miss this so much, wish it could have gone on forever.

[@jillianbaker8442]

me too i started it over again

[@SarahMichelle777]

Thank you so much for doing this podcasts- we all miss This is Us so much, we needed MORE, and these podcasts help! There can never be enough stuff about the show! Superb acting and writing. This show was perfection. So original and a beautiful storyline.

[@brycetonmatheus8787]

I remember feeling really gypped on season 6, knowing it was set to be the final, covid delays, less episodes and additional scenes to include world events. But the most difficult part was wanting more storylines about the children. It felt at the time it was a shooting issue. I realize the show was based on three children but I felt we deserved more content with Randel’s girls and the new big three. Especially because loosing a grandmother, the matriarch is life changing. I had hoped to hear what Dan would have included

[@MariadelaluzKhachotamraz]

I love how humble Dan is 😂 cuz this man is created one of the best shows of all time!!! Come on and Cars and tangled??? Nothing but hitters

[@lulugermano]

The thing with Kevin's painting that returns in the very end is fucking BRILLIANT. one of the best moments ever omg

[@fatimahanif3244]

Kevin's painting explained the whole plot of the show in a way.

[@SeptimoThermomix]

I'm not lying when I say I've seen the entire show more than 10 times. and every time I revisit it I learn and see new things. For my husband and I it was our weekly couples therapy for years. Although I had to confess to him in the last episode that I had been cheating on him when he believed that on Wednesdays that we would watch it together it was my first time watching the episode, so I had to confess my betrayal of watching the new episode alone on Tuesdays because I preferred to meditate alone and 24 Hours later I saw it with him and it was incredible that I cried more the second time than the first. We are from Mexico by the way.

[@shawnverdoni4157]

It is so interesting to hear another writer's writing process. Especially one so similar to mine. In my personal opinion, The Train episode was the most well written piece of television. It should have received an Emmy as well as Mandy. It was absolutely perfect.

[@mayabasquin]

Couldn’t agree more!

[@jillianbaker8442]

oh my goodness me too. yes yes and yes.

[@aegeanchan374]

I look forward to this podcast every week and started re-watching the show again for the 3rd time !

[@xxangeleyes40xx]

I’m rewatching too 😊

[@pitpride1220]

This show was a masterclass in writing.

[@ep6582]

I love how often Sterling cracks up at small details. He pays attention to the little things and has so much fun with life. That’s what it’s all about! ❤️

[@chaneyreames3]

I'll never forget just crying and crying when we found out that Jack died. And then the episode where its played out that he died and how and I cried even more. Friends that I talked with were just like, 'but you already knew he had died.' LOL

[@conexaostreaming4352]

The Legend! Thanks for this amazing show, Dan! This Is Us is the best show I've ever seen!! I found out I was adopted in 2019, it was a big reveal at the same time I've started to watch the show, so the Randall's story resonates so much with me.

[@bgrizzified]

Thank you so much, Dan! I am a huge fan of This Is Us, Tangled and Cars! Great to listen to you! ♥️♥️♥️

[@BigThreeChiu]

You can definitely feel decency and the level of care in This Is Us and that continues to carry through now to That Was Us😊 THANK YOU ALL 🙏

[@Stephanie-ot2xm]

Thank you for making this podcast! For me it’s like a book club equivalent after reading a really great book!

[@BonnieFontana]

The reason I started watching this show was Mandy Moore. I am a huge Mandy fan and I was happy to see her weekly, then when I found out Dan Fogelman was the writer I knew why I was so hooked. Thank you for writing and being a part of two of my most favorite things ever (Tangled + This is US)! - I'm tuned for next week!

[@stanserilla9077]

I'm also a Mandy Moore fan. Sending love from the Philippines!

[@angd4268]

Even though this is not about the last episode, when you talk about crying I remember the finale. I cried so hard that I was still crying about 30 minutes after. It really hit so hard.

[@jillianbaker8442]

me too

[@thesmileyeffect]

33:58 I definitely stopped watching for a few months when Kate and Toby had their NICU storyline. My child was in the NICU for 9.5 months and I was so triggered, but thankfully I returned to the series and have ai ce rewatched it up to the final season. Love this show so much!

[@ssk5185]

The Man, the Myth, the Legend!! Thank you for this wonderful show, Dan! I cannot begin to explain how this 1 show has changed my life in so many ways! Whether it’s the way I look at life, or the way I respond to situations, or just understanding the purest form of love and care or the idea of an imperfectly perfect family, the list could just go on and on! BIG FAN of the show! Watching it for the 5th time now, but it still hits me in all the feels, just like the first time. So, THANK YOU ♥️

[@kimbowers4559]

What a great podcast. Dan is brilliant! Can’t wait to see Sterling’s new show!

[@hi.imjas0]

The last episode broke me in the realest and most beautiful way

[@lynetterobinson4308]

I just binged watched this series within a month and Loved it! What a cast...

[@kjcarolinagirl]

Thank you for talking about the decision making around incorporating the pandemic into the show. I've been super curious about how different shows made the decision to either acknowledge it or not in future episodes. I like what you said. Your show was so uniquely set up to address both the pandemic and MLB without sacrificing the current story lines.

[@frtysumthin]

That was US! Thank you Dan Fogelman for your spectacular writing and of course to the cast, we miss you! Wish there was a new show where you all come back. In the meantime, we will look forward to Sterling in the new Hulu show!!!

[@lbloveslife25-LisaBZ]

This is Us, has been one of the very best series I've had the pleasure of watching in my 57 years(now 59), and I've seen so many amazing series in my life. I'm so grateful to Dan & his ability to bank episodes for later and EVERY actor young to elder, you are ALL amazing. Thank you for giving us the Pearsons ❤ Big 3 always! Side note, I do wish we had a couple more seasons. I love you all!

[@konkydonk64]

I remember when I first watched the trailer. I was 16 years old comic book nerd and this came on as an ad while I was watching a trailer for something completely unrelated. This is one of the rare times that I didn’t skip the ad and I was very interested. I didn’t watch the show for another couple years lol. One of my favorites for sure

[@gela3611]

Writing was amazing, ACTING was mesmerizing. Love love the show. Watched 5 times over abs still find myself watching.

[@carolbreen520]

All of the cast were so very good, but I have to admit that Toby was my favorite. The end of the episode when little Jack gets away from the house, "Saturday in the Park," when Toby breaks down...I cried so hard!

[@marciamesquita984]

I always loved the show and I was always moved and touched by it, but the season that addressed Covid, especially the episode that paid homage to the creator of image transmission technology, touched me SO much that I felt like HEARD. I didn't feel alone in my suffering because I was isolated, worried about the situation. I'm Brazilian and, like the USA, we were greatly affected and were experiencing a difficult political situation. So these eps were very meaningful to me. As always, you didn't overlook the important issues and that was very important to me. Seeing Dan talking about it reminded me of this and I wanted to share, so thank you so much ❤

[@carolinenield2707]

Brilliant episode the writing on this show is the heart of what makes it so special!! 🙌🏾🙏🏾❤️💯

[@debramadonna3555]

I always watched the show Tuesdays at nine. I'd follow on twitter and send of notes to my friends. It was a story about my time - age 72

[@kathleengates]

“It felt like good people were making something.” Exactly. Exactly this.

[@juliathrush4401]

This was such a treat! Thanks for doing this rewatch and for having Dan enlighten us!

[@carlafristoe1993]

Tangled is soooo underrated. Our family loves it so much.

[@lnaault]

The episodes with Alzheimer's was extremely touching. My Mom and my father in law both suffer from Alzheimer's. All your episodes were amazing and always made me laugh,cry,and just enjoyed everything. Thank you for bringing back all the memories. Huge fan of that show.

[@lindaa.3199]

Dan Fogelman is brilliant! Thank you for letting us meet him at the start, here, and how exciting is the fact , we can revisit just simply , the BEST ever television show of all time!

[@jeni688]

I LOVE "Life Itself!" It's too bad that more people don't get it.

[@Leothegecko685]

This resonated with me so much! I got married at 35. My identical twin was 28, and had her first child 5 years before I had my son. I gave birth at 36. Oh, and I love Life Itself!

[@lottiesummers]

This Is Us, my favorite show of all time that will always be my favorite show of all time, was the first time I took a second to think about screenwriting as an art form rather than just digesting the media in front of me and deciding if I liked it or not. For some reason it never clicked to me how massively important screen +script writing was until this and I am so thankful to Dan Fogleman for that, among many other things this show has given me ♥️

[@fandie42]

I don't thing the success of the show had anything to do with the political situation at the time. It's just that the writing was amazing and refreshing. In the midst of all these sci-fi, anti hero etc shows we had a show that was about family and interpersonal relationships and was just so relatable. The characters were flawed without being anti heroes. And the idea of going backwards and then forward made it so interesting. And yes it made me laugh (i loved Randall's family and their good vibes the most) as much as it made me cry.

[@Murfstatus11]

This was amazing to listen to. I love this show so much!

[@kellikniffen4005]

LIfe Itself makes me cry, so hard. So good.

[@orlan.brigino]

❤️❤️❤️ Im crying. Im crying. Im crying. I love you all so much. ❤️❤️❤️

[@tdoom1354]

Would really love a pod with one of the casting directors. The casting is SO GOOD. Kept going on IMDB looking up if the kids actually where their kids in real life!

[@seinfeldchik]

We need a tally chart for how many times Mandy uses the word “sure” in her responses.

[@lunaloutfy]

I love the upload time of these episodes! Such great timing :) Can’t wait to watch this and come back to comment my thoughts about this one!

[@QMW11]

I love this episode soooooo much!!!!

[@aileen847]

🙌🏽🙌🏽 yess!! Can’t wait to hear 🤩

[@tomhazelden982]

Okay we need some love for Fred Claus

[@shandramonique1879]

Dan is brilliant!!! love you guys💕

[@bleuteardp2410]

I had to finally watch the last season!! I’m going to miss this show and I hope with all the frays that the show returns.

[@Ms_me914]

you did a great job making the show!

[@ewoodmusic]

✨🖤 Amazing episode

[@J0SUTT]

I'm really late to this one! Cars is one of my all time favs!! I had no idea he created that as well as this master piece of a show! He was a great first guest!!

[@Ptetnt]

Yes!!

[@daniellebelisle2446]

Dan just mentioning the Memphis episode and me on the verge of tears just thinking about it.

[@dianajanna7228]

❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@christinakoch2738]

Great episode! You need to have Chrissy Metz on!!

[@yaramartell3062]

ITS GREAT TO KNOW THE GENIUS MAN BEHIND OF MI TV SERIES FAV ALL OVER THE WORLD

[@santos8468]

I liked the Sense8 shout-out.

[@beatrizlopez2733]

You are all “exceptional” ❤

[@akirem1]

Life Itself was SO good!

[@santos8468]

I think "Amanda Leigh Moore" sounds better than "Mandy Moore".

[@lisaenciso2046]

Because she's a grown up now lol

[@ashimilie]

It’s actually Amanda Leigh. She made an album under that name and it’s amazing.

[@santos8468]

@@ashimilie D'oh! Okay, I'll change it.

[@santos8468]

@@ashimilie It has been changed.

[@stanserilla9077]

​@@ashimiliethat album is one of my fave of all of her album.

[@jazzyellabella1]

UDF will be the title of my new projects from now on😂😂😂

[@carlatduarte4294]

I love them

[@jaimeroque]

🎉🎉

[@lindatrecozzi4014]

I wonder what was originally planned for Season 5 that had to change because of Pandemic…was Rebecca going to go to Alzheimer’s drug trial?

[@MaddieBullock]

That’s a great question, I never thought about that. I hope they bring that up at some point.

[@berdawn82]

501 is one of my all time favorite episodes. I had “friends” and family delete me off of social media for praising it!!! It was so empowering to know I was in the right “side” and no longer cared who liked me or who agreed with me. I choose my own family now and I’m so happy. How people could dislike that episode is beyond me and says alot about their character or lack of character I should say.

[@MertaOdSimsow]

♥

[@thanoskos]

* anyone says anything * Mandy: "Wow" 😁

[@quebrandobarreiras]

Tem como vocês colocarem legenda em português? 🇧🇷🇵🇹

[@alyssadawg1210]

Dan is the GOAT

[@cindyslavik5391]

I would really like them to speak to all inconsistencies throughout the series. O don’t understand how so many errors got missed by the entire crew?

[@lottiesummers]

Great writing plays out in the viewers life in ways they’d never imagine. For example I will never own a croc pot for as long as I live no matter what

[@MG-if7ft]

Is this the second episode of the podcast? It's coming up out of order on my phone.

[@MaddieBullock]

It is 🤍

[@ikexbankai]

I knew it was going to end with Manny’s Death by the 3rd season.

[@jamers220]

Are they actually going to do a rewatch of the episodes on the show?

[@gavinshickle1814]

Was Jack and Rebecca's wedding date chosen purposefully or was it chosen randomly?

[@brenoox3]

i just wanna know why Pittsburgh - from someone from Pittsburgh

[@brenoox3]

i'm only 8 minutes in for reference

[@stanserilla9077]

Bakit Kaya Hindi nagpalit Ng damit si Mandy Moore? Pero Ang Ganda parin Niya. Antay Ako sa next album sana Meron.

[@akirem1]

Spot on lip sync at the end 👌🏾

[@taramyers7857]

Brilliant writing, directing, producing, and acting....this was definitely "lightening in a bottle."💯💥🫶👏👏👏

[@zaleahpalmer5154]

I love everyone on this podcast 😭🤍. It really is my favorite show and I never expected it to be but that’s such a good thing

[@giovanafischer8354]

Of course Dan had to be a writer on Cars as well 🫶🏻 I used to watch it as a kid with my dad and later on we started watching this is us together with also beautiful reflection on life