Shortly before the anticipated season finale on Tuesday, the creator and cast of NBC’s This Is Us assembled before a standing-room-only audience as SXSW to consider the show’s universal success in the midst of an era as politically divisive as this one is turning out to be.
 
Dan Fogelman is Optimistic

Dan Fogelman, the creator of This Is Us, stated that he frequently found himself wondering what was going on in the world right now. He added then that the fact that people across a wide spectrum were enjoying the show and that it was an openhearted, optimistic, romantic, and inclusive one, gave him hope.
 
Mandy Moore Agrees with Fogelman

Mandy Moore, who plays the matriarch of the Pearson family, Rebecca, was quick to back up Fogelman’s sentiment. She stated that it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime chance, in times that are as schismatic as these, to be a part of a piece of television entertainment that was positive like This Is Us is.

Moore has been in the business for almost 20 years, and it is this kind of perspective that Moore hopes she inspires in the actors who play her onscreen kids, as well. Whether it is on set, or during career-milestones like the ensemble cast winning during the Screen Actors Guild, SAG, Awards in January, Moore has stated that she has made a determined effort to remind the younger members of the This Is Us cast not to take anything for granted. As any real money pokies player will be quick to tell you, success comes and goes. The point is to have fun!

The wisdom Moore is trying to impart is that presence and appreciation are vital – she knows from experience that, in the business of show business, moments like the one This Is Us is enjoying now don’t come around all that often.
 
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