"I always try to write things with some thematic value. And I think if you’re going to write something, be entertaining but try to look beyond that."

    About This Interview

    In his three-hour interview, Walon Green talks about his early years, and working for David L. Wolper and Jack Haley, Jr. on documentaries. He describes directing the Time-Life Special “The Search for Vengeance” about the search for Nazi war criminals, as well as executive producing the Gene Roddenberry-inspired Strange New World. He chronicles his time working for producer David Milch as a writer for Hill Street Blues, and what he learned about writing for television during his time there. Green recounts working as a writer for producer Dick Wolf on Law & Order, and later on the spin-off Law & Order: Criminal Intent, as well as the short-lived Law & Order: Trial by Jury. He discusses writing for NYPD Blue, where he worked with executive producer Steven Bochco, and helped create Jimmy Smits’ character, “Bobby Simone.” He outlines his time working for executive producer John Wells on ER, which included working on the live episode “Ambush.” He speaks of his writing process, and the importance of rewriting. Green talks about writing the feature film The Wild Bunch, and directing the documentary feature The Hellstrom Chronicle. He outlines then-more recent work, including his adaptation of Bill O’Reilly’s Killing Jesus, and episodes of The Man in the High Castle and Mercy Street. Adrienne Faillace conducted the interview in a joint venture with the Writers Guild Foundation on August 23, 2018 in Santa Ynez, CA.

    All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.
    People Talking About ...
    Thumbnail of Walon Green

    Walon Green on directing the Time-Life Specials: The March of Time episode "The Search for Vengeance" about the search for Nazi war criminals around the world

    08:18
    Thumbnail of Walon Green

    Walon Green on the legacy of Hill Street Blues and Steven Bochco

    01:40
    Thumbnail of Walon Green

    Walon Green on writing the first NYPD Blue episode with Jimmy Smits as "Bobby Simone," "Simone Says"

    04:53
    Thumbnail of Walon Green

    Walon Green on writing Jerry Orbach's final "Lennie Briscoe" appearance in the pilot for Law & Order: Trial by Jury before Orbach's death in 2004

    02:00
    Thumbnail of Walon Green

    Walon Green on the live episode of ER, "Ambush," and on George Clooney getting nervous as the airdate drew near

    02:23
    Thumbnail of Walon Green

    Walon Green on helping out with a sequence involving insects in the David L. Wolper-produced feature film "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory"

    06:10
    Play Full Interview

    Chapter 1

    On his early life and influences; on going to work for Jack Haley, Jr. on the documentary series Hollywood and the Stars

    15:34

    On learning to write for documentaries, including National Geographic Specials "Reptiles and Amphibians"; on working for David L. Wolper, and on meeting Jacques and Philippe Cousteau; on shooting The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau

    10:32

    On working in several capacities (cinematographer, producer, director) on David L. Wolper's National Geographic Specials; on the challenge of shooting nature footage for the National Geographic Specials; on directing the Time-Life Specials: The March of Time episode "The Search for Vengeance" about the search for Nazi war criminals around the world

    16:14

    On the impact David L. Wolper and Jack Haley, Jr. made with documentary series such as The Race for Space; on the first time he saw television, and on watching television when he was traveling internationally; on writing and executive producing the television movie Strange New World, from a concept by Gene Roddenberry

    05:21

    On writing the narration for the television documentary Mysteries of the Sea for William Holden; on meeting David Milch and going to write for Hill Street Blues; on learning to write for Hill Street Blues, and on Dick Wolf becoming story editor

    05:14

    On the process of putting together a script for Hill Street Blues along with Jeffrey Lewis and David Milch; on Steven Bochco having left Hill Street Blues and how it impacted his rapport with the cast; on contretemps with ABC Standards & Practices during his time on Hill Street Blues, and on working for MTM

    04:46

    On introducing the character "Lt. Norman Buntz," played by Dennis Franz, on Hill Street Blues, and on other characters; on using his background experience to write for Hill Street Blues, and on what he learned about writing for television from the show; on the legacy of Hill Street Blues and Steven Bochco

    09:40

    Chapter 2

    On Dick Wolf hiring him to write for Law & Order; on finding story ideas for Law & Order from the headlines and from his own experiences; on Paul Sorvino leaving Law & Order, to be replaced by Jerry Orbach as "Lennie Briscoe," and on writing his first episode

    13:24

    On Dick Wolf casting S. Epatha Merkerson as "Anita Van Buren" on Law & Order; on the relationship between the cast of Law & Order and the writers while he was there; on the popularity of the Law & Order franchise

    04:25

    On going to write for NYPD Blue for Steven Bochco as David Caruso was leaving the series; on writing the first NYPD Blue episode with Jimmy Smits as "Bobby Simone," "Simone Says"; on NYPD Blue winning the Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama in 1995, and on leaving the show after one year

    11:56

    On being hired by John Wells as co-executive producer on ER; on learning medical jargon for ER; on favorite episodes and storylines of ER during his stint there

    07:53

    On writing for the short-lived Law & Order: Trial by Jury; on paying attention to things like ratings for the shows he wrote on, and on the cancellation of Law & Order: Trial by Jury; on writing for Law & Order: Criminal Intent

    10:52

    On being the showrunner on the 2003 revival of Dragnet for Dick Wolf; on co-creating Conviction with Dick Wolf; on what makes a good writer

    13:13

    Chapter 3

    On what he likes about writing; on his writing process; on never having had to deal with writers block, and on the importance of rewriting

    13:50

    On working on the feature "WarGames," and on writing the feature film "The Wild Bunch"; on working with "The Wild Bunch" director Sam Peckinpah; on the level of violence in his feature film "The Wild Bunch," and on where he got the story for the movie

    12:41

    On directing the documentary "The Hellstrom Chronicle," produced by David L. Wolper, for which Green won an Oscar; on helping out with a sequence involving insects in the David L. Wolper-produced feature film "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory"

    13:05

    On adapting "Killing Jesus," based on Bill O'Reilly's book, for a National Geographic Special; on writing an episode of The Man in the High Castle and an episode of Mercy Street, and on staying active in the industry; on William Friedkin, Tony Richardson, and Stephen Frears being mentors to him

    11:55

    On what it has meant to him over the years to be a member of the Writers Guild; on advice to an aspiring writer

    05:10

    On the value of the Television Academy Foundation interviews, and oral histories in general; on dream projects and his proudest career achievement; on how he would like to be remembered

    04:37

    Conviction

    Walon Green on co-creating Conviction with Dick Wolf

    06:04

    Dragnet (2003-04)

    Walon Green on being the showrunner for the 2003 revival of Dragnet for Dick Wolf

    01:32

    ER

    Walon Green on being hired by John Wells as co-executive producer on ER

    02:41

    Walon Green on learning medical jargon for ER

    01:14

    Walon Green on the live episode of ER, "Ambush," and on George Clooney getting nervous as the airdate drew near

    02:23

    Walon Green on favorite ER episodes and storylines of during his stint on the show

    01:35

    Hill Street Blues

    Walon Green on meeting David Milch and going to write for Hill Street Blues

    01:43

    Walon Green on learning to write for Hill Street Blues, and on Dick Wolf becoming story editor

    02:24

    Walon Green on the process of putting together a script for Hill Street Blues along with Jeffrey Lewis and David Milch

    01:51

    Walon Green on Steven Bochco having left Hill Street Blues when Green joined, and how it impacted Green's rapport with the cast

    01:01

    Walon Green on contretemps with ABC Standards and Practices during his time on Hill Street Blues, and on working for MTM

    01:52

    Walon Green on introducing the character "Lt. Norman Buntz" played by Dennis Franz on Hill Street Blues

    02:59

    Walon Green on Bruce Weitz as "Sgt. Mick Belker" on Hill Street Blues and other characters

    01:32

    Walon Green on using his background experience to write for Hill Street Blues, and on what he learned about writing for television from the show

    03:30

    Walon Green on the legacy of Hill Street Blues and Steven Bochco

    01:40

    Hollywood and the Stars

    Walon Green on going to work for Jack Haley, Jr. on the documentary series Hollywood and the Stars

    03:37

    Law & Order

    Walon Green on Dick Wolf hiring him to write for Law & Order

    05:01

    Walon Green on finding story ideas for Law & Order from the headlines and from his own experiences

    04:47

    Walon Green on Paul Sorvino leaving Law & Order, to be replaced by Jerry Orbach as "Lennie Briscoe," and on writing his first episode

    01:36

    Walon Green on Dick Wolf casting S. Epatha Merkerson as "Anita Van Buren" on Law & Order

    01:16

    Walon Green on the relationship between the cast of Law & Order and the writers while he was there

    01:37

    Walon Green on the popularity of the Law & Order franchise

    01:31

    Law & Order: Criminal Intent

    Walon Green on writing for Law & Order: Criminal Intent, which was airing on the USA cable network

    01:23

    Walon Green on Vincent D'Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe leaving Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and Jeff Goldblum joining the show

    04:55

    Law & Order: Trial by Jury

    Walon Green on writing Jerry Orbach's final "Lennie Briscoe" appearance in the pilot for Law & Order: Trial by Jury before Orbach's death in 2004

    01:57

    Walon Green on writing for the short-lived Law & Order: Trial by Jury

    01:15

    Walon Green on paying attention to things like ratings for the shows he wrote on, and on the cancellation of Law & Order: Trial by Jury

    03:17

    Man in the High Castle, The

    Walon Green on writing an episode of The Man in the High Castle and an episode of Mercy Street, and on staying active in the industry

    01:12

    Mercy Street

    Walon Green on writing an episode of The Man in the High Castle and an episode of Mercy Street, and on staying active in the industry

    01:12

    Mysteries of the Sea

    Walon Green on writing the narration for the television documentary Mysteries of the Sea for William Holden

    01:07

    National Geographic Specials

    Walon Green on learning to write for documentaries, including National Geographic Specials "Reptiles and Amphibians" and learning how to type

    03:00

    Walon Green on working in several capacities (cinematographer, producer, director) on David L. Wolper's National Geographic Specials

    03:20

    Walon Green on the challenge of shooting nature footage for the National Geographic Specials

    04:36

    Walon Green on adapting "Killing Jesus," based on Bill O'Reilly's book, for a National Geographic Special

    03:56

    Walon Green on collaborating with Bill O'Reilly on the National Geographic Special adaptation of his book "Killing Jesus"

    02:57

    NYPD Blue

    Walon Green on going to write for NYPD Blue for Steven Bochco and David Milch as David Caruso was leaving the series

    04:53

    Walon Green on writing the first NYPD Blue episode with Jimmy Smits as "Bobby Simone," "Simone Says"

    04:53

    Walon Green on NYPD Blue and ABC Standards & Practices

    01:07

    Walon Green on NYPD Blue winning the Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama in 1995, and on leaving the show after one year

    01:03

    Race for Space, The

    Walon Green on the impact David L. Wolper and Jack Haley, Jr. made with documentary series such as The Race for Space

    02:10

    Strange New World

    Walon Green on writing and executive producing the television movie Strange New World from a concept by Gene Roddenberry

    01:50

    Time-Life Specials: The March of Time

    Walon Green on directing the Time-Life Specials: The March of Time episode "The Search for Vengeance" about the search for Nazi war criminals around the world

    08:18

    Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau, The

    Walon Green on shooting The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau

    02:17

    Walon Green on his interaction with Jacques Cousteau while filming The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau and on their travels

    02:24

    Advice

    Walon Green on advice to an aspiring writer

    02:52

    Censorship / Standards & Practices

    Walon Green on NYPD Blue and ABC Standards and Practices

    01:07

    Characters & Catchphrases

    Walon Green on introducing the character "Lt. Norman Buntz" played by Dennis Franz on Hill Street Blues

    02:58

    Walon Green on writing the first NYPD Blue episode with Jimmy Smits as "Bobby Simone,""Simone Says"

    04:53

    Creative Influences and Inspiration

    Walon Green on the impact David L. Wolper and Jack Haley, Jr. made with documentary series such as The Race for Space

    02:10

    Walon Green on William Friedkin, Tony Richardson, and Stephen Frears being mentors to him

    03:47

    Emmy Awards

    Walon Green on NYPD Blue winning the Emmy for Outstanding Drama in 1995, and on leaving the show after one year

    01:03

    First Big Break

    Walon Green on meeting David Milch and going to write for Hill Street Blues

    01:43

    Memorable Moments on Television

    Walon Green on the live episode of ER, "Ambush," and on George Clooney getting nervous as the airdate drew near

    02:23

    Pivotal Career Moments

    Walon Green on the impact David L. Wolper and Jack Haley, Jr. made with documentary series such as The Race for Space

    02:10

    Walon Green on meeting David Milch and going to write for Hill Street Blues

    01:43

    Walon Green on William Friedkin, Tony Richardson, and Stephen Frears being mentors to him

    03:47

    Walon Green on directing the documentary "The Hellstrom Chronicle," produced by David L. Wolper, for which Green won an Oscar

    06:55

    Pop Culture

    Walon Green on introducing the character "Lt. Norman Buntz" played by Dennis Franz on Hill Street Blues

    02:58

    Walon Green on writing the first NYPD Blue episode with Jimmy Smits as "Bobby Simone,""Simone Says"

    04:53

    Television Industry

    Walon Green on NYPD Blue and ABC Standards and Practices

    01:07

    Walon Green on paying attention to things like ratings for the shows he wrote on, and on the cancellation of Law & Order: Trial by Jury

    03:17

    Walon Green on writing for Law & Order: Criminal Intent which was airing on the USA cable network

    01:23

    Walon Green on advice to an aspiring writer

    02:52

    Writers

    Walon Green on what makes a good writer

    02:46

    Walon Green on what he likes about writing

    02:29

    Walon Green on his writing process

    06:08

    Walon Green on never having had to deal with writers block, and on the importance of rewriting

    02:41

    Walon Green on rewriting other writers' work, and on having his own work rewritten by others

    02:32

    Walon Green on learning the format to write feature films

    02:36

    Walon Green on what it has meant to him over the years to be a member of the Writers Guild

    02:18

    Walon Green on advice to an aspiring writer

    02:52

    Cop/Detective/Mystery Series

    Walon Green on writing for Hill Street Blues

    18:38

    Walon Green on how working on police and legal shows impacted his view of law enforcement, and on working with former policeman Bill Clark on many shows

    02:51

    Walon Green on writing for Law & Order

    17:52

    Walon Green on writing for NYPD Blue

    11:56

    Walon Green on showrunning the 2003 revival of Dragnet for Dick Wolf

    01:32

    Walon Green on writing for Law & Order: Criminal Intent which was airing on the USA cable network

    06:20

    Drama Series

    Walon Green on writing an episode of The Man in the High Castle and an episode of Mercy Street, and on staying active in the industry

    01:12

    Legal Dramas

    Walon Green on writing for the short-lived Law & Order: Trial by Jury

    04:34

    Walon Green on writing for Law & Order: Criminal Intent which was airing on the USA cable network

    06:20

    Walon Green on co-creating Conviction with Dick Wolf

    08:55

    Walon Green on writing for Law & Order

    17:52

    Medical Dramas

    Walon Green on writing for ER

    07:53

    News and Documentary

    Walon Green on going to work for Jack Haley, Jr. on the documentary series Hollywood and the Stars

    03:37

    Walon Green on learning to write for documentaries, including National Geographic Specials "Reptiles and Amphibians" and learning how to type

    03:01

    Walon Green on shooting The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau

    07:31

    Walon Green on the challenge of shooting nature footage for the National Geographic Specials

    07:56

    Walon Green on directing the Time-Life Specials: The March of Time episode "The Search for Vengeance" about the search for Nazi war criminals around the world

    08:18

    Walon Green on the impact David L. Wolper and Jack Haley, Jr. made with documentary series such as The Race for Space

    02:10

    Walon Green on writing the narration for the television documentary Mysteries of the Sea for William Holden

    01:07

    TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials

    Walon Green on writing and executive producing the television movie Strange New World from a concept by Gene Roddenberry

    01:50

    Walon Green on adapting "Killing Jesus," based on Bill O'Reilly's book, for a National Geographic Special

    06:54

    Steven Bochco

    Walon Green on Steven Bochco having left Hill Street Blues when Green joined, and how it impacted Green's rapport with the cast

    01:01

    Walon Green on the legacy of Hill Street Blues and Steven Bochco

    01:45

    Walon Green on going to write for NYPD Blue for Steven Bochco as David Caruso was leaving the series

    04:53

    David Caruso

    Walon Green on going to write for NYPD Blue for Steven Bochco as David Caruso was leaving the series

    04:53

    George Clooney

    Walon Green on the live episode of ER, "Ambush," and on George Clooney getting nervous as the airdate drew near

    02:23

    Jacques Cousteau

    Walon Green on working for David L. Wolper, and on meeting Jacques and Philippe Cousteau

    02:51

    Walon Green on his interaction with Jacques Cousteau while filming The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau and on their travels

    02:24

    Vincent D'Onofrio

    Walon Green on Vincent D'Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe leaving Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and Jeff Goldblum joining the show

    04:57

    Dennis Franz

    Walon Green on introducing the character "Lt. Norman Buntz" played by Dennis Franz on Hill Street Blues

    02:58

    William Friedkin

    Walon Green on William Friedkin, Tony Richardson, and Stephen Frears being mentors to him

    03:47

    Jeff Goldblum

    Walon Green on Vincent D'Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe leaving Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and Jeff Goldblum joining the show

    04:57

    William Holden

    Walon Green on writing the narration for the television documentary Mysteries of the Sea for William Holden

    01:07

    Jack Haley, Jr.

    Walon Green on going to work for Jack Haley, Jr. on the documentary series Hollywood and the Stars

    03:37

    Walon Green on the impact David L. Wolper and Jack Haley, Jr. made with documentary series such as The Race for Space

    02:10

    S. Epatha Merkerson

    Walon Green on Dick Wolf casting S. Epatha Merkerson as "Anita Van Buren" on Law & Order

    01:17

    David Milch

    Walon Green on meeting David Milch and going to write for Hill Street Blues

    01:43

    Walon Green on the process of putting together a script for Hill Street Blues along with Jeffrey Lewis and David Milch

    01:51

    Bill O'Reilly

    Walon Green on adapting "Killing Jesus," based on Bill O'Reilly's book, for a National Geographic Special

    03:56

    on collaborating with Bill O'Reilly on the National Geographic Special adaptation of his book "Killing Jesus"

    02:57

    Sam Peckinpah

    Walon Green on working with "The Wild Bunch" director Sam Peckinpah

    06:32

    Gene Roddenberry

    Walon Green on writing and executive producing the television movie Strange New World from a concept by Gene Roddenberry

    01:50

    Jimmy Smits

    Walon Green on writing the first NYPD Blue episode with Jimmy Smits as "Bobby Simone,""Simone Says"

    04:53

    Bruce Weitz

    Walon Green on Bruce Weitz as "Sgt. Mick Belker" on Hill Street Blues and other characters

    01:31

    John Wells

    Walon Green on being hired by John Wells a co-executive producer for ER

    02:41

    Dick Wolf

    Walon Green on learning to write for Hill Street Blues, and on Dick Wolf becoming story editor

    02:24

    Walon Green on Dick Wolf hiring him to write for Law & Order

    05:04

    Walon Green on showrunning the 2003 revival of Dragnet for Dick Wolf

    01:32

    Walon Green on co-creating Conviction with Dick Wolf

    08:55

    David L. Wolper

    Walon Green on working for David L. Wolper, and on meeting Jacques and Philippe Cousteau

    02:51

    Walon Green on working in several capacities (cinematographer, producer, director) on David L. Wolper's National Geographic Specials

    03:20

    Walon Green on the impact David L. Wolper and Jack Haley, Jr. made with documentary series such as The Race for Space

    02:10

    Walon Green on directing the documentary "The Hellstrom Chronicle," produced by David L. Wolper, for which Green won an Oscar

    06:55

    Walon Green on helping out with a sequence involving insects in the David L. Wolper-produced feature film "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory"

    06:10

    All Interviews

    Loading Interviews...