From lisaloo@aol.comSat Jul 1 01:14:14 1995 Date: 30 JUN 1995 16:41:31 -0400 From: Lisaloo Newsgroups: alt.tv.chicago-hope Subject: Peter Berg AOL transcript Since I'm new to this newsgroup, I don't know if this has already been posted (it's long) but Peter Berg did a live online chat via America Online 4/13/95 -- here's the transcript for anyone interested: --------------------------------------------- OnlineHost: Actor Peter Berg is best known for his role as William Kronk on the CBS television series "Chicago Hope," from the critically acclaimed film "The Last Seduction" and the 1993 release "Aspen Extreme," but many are unaware of his screenwriting talents. Berg, 30, recently landed a production deal with Paramount for his first screenplay "Furious George," in which he will also co-star with Michael Keaton. He appears on Celebrity Circle on Wednesday, April 12 to fill us in on how his dual life as an actor and screenwriter have put him into a state of enjoyable overload. OnlineHost: America Online and the Oldsmobile are pleased to present tonight's Celebrity Circle guest, Peter Berg. Welcome! CSEmcee1: Good evening and welcome to Center Stage, Peter Berg! PeterBerg: Hello and thank you for having me! Question: Really love the show. The characters are far better than E.R. and avid Kelley is fantastic... with Picket Fences too. Do you all have any "backstage" quarrels like are rumored to be on the E.R. show? PeterBerg: The cast of Chicago Hope is one of the most volatile casts that I've heard of in the history of TV. Question: How do you like working on Chicago Hope? Are you intimidated by any of the other actors? PeterBerg: Uhm ..... I am a regular watcher of ER. Question: The show that was on last night. That really looked like you were massaging his heart. What was it you were really holding? PeterBerg: Massaging his heart. Question: How much of Chicago Hope is filmed in the "windy city?" PeterBerg: None Question: Just want to say that I love the show... How (and who) do the ideas or the shows come out? Does the cast (i.e. Mandy Patinkin and you) have much input? PeterBerg: David Kelly. The cast has regular meetings with David and some of your story ideas are listened to others are ignored. Question: Hello Peter. When did you start to act? PeterBerg: I started to act in college in St. Paul, Minnesota about 10 yrs ago. Question: Peter, what's it like working with Mandy Patinkin? PeterBerg: Extremely chaotic. Question: What inspired you to go into acting? PeterBerg: It was the only part of school that I found enjoyable. My parents always told me to pursue my real interests not what others told me they should be. Question: What is the best job to get in order to help me become a successful screenwriter? I am relocating to California in June. Thanks . PeterBerg: The best thing you can do is write screenplays period. Question: Where do they get those plots for Chicago Hope? Are they developed from possible medical breakthroughs? PeterBerg: Some they get from medical journals, some they get from the porting goods section of Sears and Roebuck. Question: Nice show, I've spent the last 10 years in the OR, did you ever ant to be an DR.? PeterBerg: I used to want to be an ER physician, when I was younger. Question: Peter, did you always want to write or did you stumble into screenwriting? PeterBerg: The more I acted professionally, the more I realized that writing was something I wanted to do. Question: Do you get calls from real doctors if you goof on the show? PeterBerg: My biggest critics are two surgeon friends of mine from Boston and they share their criticisms constantly. Question: I'd like to know if the medical jargon ever gets confusing? PeterBerg: Yeah, it's extremely confusing. It's one of the hardest things about the show. Question: Where is the show filmed, if not in Chicago? PeterBerg: We film the show on the lot of 20th Century Fox studios in Los Angeles. Question: Are you excited about working with Michael Keaton in your upcoming movie? PeterBerg: Yes, I think Michael Keaton is one of the best actors working today. Question: Peter... if I had an excellent idea for an episode of Hope, who would I go to with it? PeterBerg: Send it to me care of Chicago Hope at 20th Century Fox's studio address. Question: What is the daily schedule on the set? PeterBerg: It's brutal; we shoot from 6AM to 10:30-11:00 at night. Question: What made you audition for Chicago Hope? PeterBerg: David Kelly called me and asked me if I would be interested, I thought it would be a good way to meet Michelle Pfeiffer since they're married. Question: Why did Chicago Hope switch times when it conflicted with ER? PeterBerg: Because we were getting our asses kicked! Question: How would you compare this show, to other medical shows currently on TV ? PeterBerg: The smartest and the most demanding of an audience. We've got the best cast on TV. Question: The Last Seduction was an excellent film. What drew you to the film and how did you relate to your character? PeterBerg: Good question...hmmm. I thought the script was very unique and I wanted to film violent love scenes with Linda Foirentino. Question: Love your new role. Did you replace E.G. Marshall? What happened to him? PeterBerg: I am E.G. Marshall in lots of makeup! Question: Since Chicago Hope is the most realistic medical show in TV history. If you had not pursued an acting career, would you perhaps thought of going into medicine? PeterBerg: I don't think I have the stomach to handle the amount of blood a doctor has to on a daily basis! Question: I thought you were outstanding in Aspen Extreme! How tough was it to play Dextor Rutecki? PeterBerg: Like with all great roles, it was a question of intense dedication and complex preparation and I also got to ski a lot! Question: Hi, Peter. How do Kronk and Infante know each other, and can you tell us a little about Kronk's background? PeterBerg: Infante and I went to the same medical school and Kronk used to get drunk and throw up on Infante's carpet ... on her living room floor. Question: What is your most memorable role? PeterBerg: Probably the character of Frank in a movie called Late For Dinner. Question: Peter, do you enjoy your "Hope" character's violent side? Does it help you express your aggressions? By the way, I love your sense of humor. PeterBerg: Absolutely, I love aggressive characters and it was one of the things that attracted me to the show. Question: Do you really play ice hockey? PeterBerg: Yes. I have played for the last 20 yrs. Question: Have you been in any other films besides, Midnight Clear and Seduction? PeterBerg: Late for Dinner, Fire in the Sky, Aspen Extreme and Shocker. Question: I know you just wrote a script for a movie. What is it about? PeterBerg: It's about an alcoholic park ranger who saves the life of the President of the United States. Question: Have you ever done any work on the Stage? PeterBerg: Yes I have. And I just wrote a play called Miles and Mickey. Question: Hello Peter. Chicago Hope is my favorite show. How is it doing in the ratings? Do you think that the show will run for a long time if the ratings remain high? PeterBerg: The show is doing very well in the ratings. We have been picked up for a full season next year. I think Chicago Hope will be around for a very long time. Question: I have a couple of friends in the medical field, have you had any hands on experience? Did you have any training from real doctors for the show? PeterBerg: I was injured about once a month and spent a lot of time in emergency rooms. Question: How different is TV acting after all your movie experience? PeterBerg: It's much quicker and the food's not quite as good! Question: Peter, what are the similarities between you and your character on Chicago Hope? PeterBerg: We're both pretty annoying to the people that we are closest to. We share a mutual passion for chainsaws. Question: What other actors, besides Michael Keaton, do you admire or respect the most? PeterBerg: Jason Wiles, I like John Turtorro. Question: If you're writing for film how about directing? Do you think you need to know the technicalities to do it correctly or that doesn't matter? PeterBerg: You definitely need to understand the technical aspects of film making to direct. I hope to direct something in the next 2 yrs. Question: Mr. Berg... I'm sure we would all like to hear more about your writing and upcoming projects. What subjects capture your imagination? PeterBerg: I am into the concept of heroism as a writer. I am drawn to the concept of ordinary people involved in extraordinary activities. Question: I loved you in the skiing movie you made. Did you do the skiing yourself? PeterBerg: They were letting us do our own skiing until one of the crew members broke his leg. Question: Is all of this Cinema Verite like ER and CH and all of the "real" Cop shows going to cause "Reality Overload" on TV PeterBerg: I have no idea. I have no idea what reality overload is. Question: What was your favorite movie you've written? PeterBerg: Furious George Question: I saw Aspen Extreme, and I loved your character. How did you become involved? PeterBerg: Along with about 800 other guys I auditioned and got lucky. Question: What was your first writing credit? How did you break into the industry? PeterBerg: Furious George has been my first and only writing credit so far. I broke into the business with a lot of hard work and a little bit of luck. Question: You are wickedly funny--yet most of your work is very dramatic. Any comic roles in your future? PeterBerg: I hope so, I love comedy. Question: Do you like acting and the long hours and if you could pick another occupation, what would it be? PeterBerg: If I could be anything, I'd be a pro golfer. They make a lot of money, they can travel a lot and they can do it for a long time! Question: Do you prefer filming television or movies, which do you feel is more challenging? By the way, we think you're a very attractive man. PeterBerg: I enjoy both film and TV. The grueling schedule of TV gets a bit overwhelming. Question: Was Fire in the Sky an unusual experience? PeterBerg: Yes it was very unnerving to meet people who passed lie detector tests saying that they had been abducted by UFOs. Question: What do you think of the information superhighway? PeterBerg: I am addicted to AOL!... and it's going to radically change the way we all live our lives. Question: Hi Peter, could you give some hints on the final three episodes left in the seasons? Thanks. PeterBerg: Mandy will have a five star full course nervous breakdown! No holds barred ... Question: When you filmed "Fire in the Sky", did you form an opinion as to whether there are really extra-terrestrial beings? PeterBerg: Yes I did and I know for a fact that there are but I am not allowed to tell you why, you have to trust me. Question: Did you like the Dennis Byrd role? PeterBerg: Yes! Dennis Byrd is a true hero; pleasure to meet him. Question: Where did the scar on the side of your face come from? It's very distinguishing. PeterBerg: A bottle exploded in my face when I was 13 years old. Question: Do you think the show has a chance of winning an Emmy? PeterBerg: Yeah but probably not for a year or two. Question: Peter: I'm interested in the recent trend in sitcoms that play down to a baser audience, while dramas seem to be playing upward. (And FOX network just plain plays down.) Why do you think this is happening? PeterBerg: Because there are a lot of really stupid people with no lives who sit around all night watching TV Question: What do you think about the media comparisons that have been generated by the arrival of both CH and Michael Crichton's ER? and what are your thoughts about ER's similar success? PeterBerg: They're both great shows that happened to come along at the same time. I think it's interesting ...I think both shows are as compelling as anything you might see out at your local movie theatre. CSEmcee1: We have time for one last question. Question: Peter, are you planning to write a Chicago Hope script? If I send you in an idea you use, will I get credit? PeterBerg: Yes, please send your ideas in and yes, you will get credit. CSEmcee1: Peter Berg, thanks for joining us in Center Stage tonight! PeterBerg: You can also get messages to me by posting messages on the CH message boards here on AOL. PeterBerg: Thank you very much and keep watching. It's going to just keep getting better! CSEmcee1: And thanks to our audience tonight for some great questions! CSEmcee1: Good night! OnlineHost: Our thanks to Peter Berg of "Chicago Hope" for joining us for tonight's event. Be sure to look for your guest souvenir, the edited transcript of this event, which will be available within 24 hours. Remember to join your hosts tomorrow when the spotlight will shine on Ed McMahon, Johnny Carson's sidekick for 30 years. Thank you and good night! OnlineHost: Copyright 1995 America Online, Inc. All Rights Reserved.