Baer
"Law & Order: SVU" exec producer Neal Baer has sold a pair of projects to NBC tackling two hot-button but timely subjects: science and journalism.
Baer will exec produce both projects through his NBC Universal TV Studio-based banner Baer Bones, in partnership with "SVU" boss Dick Wolf's Wolf Films.
"Brave New World," penned by Patrick Harbinson from a story by Harbinson and Baer, will revolve around the ethics of modern-day science (think stem cell research and avian flu containment).
"The Whole Truth" revolves around the world of an eccentric investigative TV news producer. Jonathan Greene will write; the story comes from him and Baer.
"I'm drawn to both of these because they're franchises that have meat to them," Baer said. "They pursue arenas that are a little bit different, that really haven't been used. I think there's always an audience for very smart, challenging, dramatic TV shows."
Baer said he and Harbinson first kicked around the idea of a show set in the science world while both working on "ER." The scribes were intrigued by the dangers and abuses of modern science -- and said the show would be grounded strictly in fact.
"It's science, not the science fiction that so much of TV is focused on right now," he said. "I find the real science scary enough. It's about all of the ethical dilemmas we'll be chasing not even soon but now."
Harbinson will exec produce (through his Torcello Films label) along with Baer and Wolf.
"The Whole Truth," meanwhile, came about partly from Greene's former life as a local TV news producer. He will exec produce with Baer and Wolf.
Baer said he was looking to develop shows grounded in reality. To that end, he's been busy handling research for both shows. Harbinson and Baer were even in Little Rock, Ark., this week to meet with experts for "Brave New World."
"These will be extremely research-based shows," he said.
Harbinson and Greene serve as co-exec producers on "SVU," while Paradigm-repped Baer will continue as exec producer on the show.
Between "ER" and "SVU," Baer noted that he has spent 12 years on NBC shows, making the Peacock a natural first stop for his new development.
Contact Michael Schneider at
mike.schneider@variety.com