Remembering James Burrows: The Mastermind Behind Iconic TV Shows

A Legacy of Laughter: James Burrows Passes Away

On June 19, the television industry mourned the loss of James Burrows, who passed away at the age of 85, surrounded by his loved ones at home. For over thirty years, Burrows was the go-to director for comedy pilots, ensuring that the initial tone was perfectly set. His remarkable career includes producing and directing beloved shows like Taxi, Cheers, Frasier, Friends, Will & Grace, and The Big Bang Theory. He played a pivotal role in the success of the NBC classic Friends, helping to launch the careers of stars such as Lisa Kudrow, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc, and the late Matthew Perry. Below are five iconic shows that flourished under his direction.

1. Taxi

This American comedy is often regarded as one of the finest TV series of the 1980s, featuring talents like Judd Hirsch, Jeff Conaway, Danny DeVito, Marilu Henner, Tony Danza, Christopher Lloyd, and Carol Kane. Burrows earned consecutive Emmy Awards for directing in 1980 and 1981, as the show portrayed the daily lives of New York City taxi drivers and their abrasive dispatcher.

2. Cheers

In collaboration with Glen and Les Charles, Burrows co-created this quintessential comedy centered around a group of bar regulars. The series, featuring Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Rhea Perlman, George Wendt, John Ratzenberger, Kelsey Grammer, Woody Harrelson, and Kirstie Alley, evolved into a cherished classic. Notably, Burrows introduced a fourth camera to the traditional three-camera setup commonly used in TV comedies.

3. Friends

Burrows directed the inaugural episode of the NBC hit titled The One Where Monica Gets a Roommate. He was also behind some of the most memorable episodes, including the gang's prom video, the controversial breakup of Rachel and Ross, and the infamous blackout. The cast of Friends has consistently acknowledged him as a mentor during their breakout roles.

4. Will & Grace

Remarkably, Burrows directed every episode of this award-winning sitcom from 1998 to 2020, featuring Eric McCormack, Debra Messing, Megan Mullally, and Sean Hayes. The show was groundbreaking for its portrayal of a gay character as the lead. Burrows received one of his 11 Emmy Awards for his direction on this series.

5. Frasier

Following Cheers, Burrows directed its successful spinoff, Frasier, starring Kelsey Grammer. The show follows the life of psychiatrist Frasier Crane as he relocates from Boston to Seattle, where he must live with his disabled father Martin (John Mahoney) and younger brother Niles (David Hyde Pierce). This series became a comedy classic, and Burrows returned to direct the 2023 revival as well.