Directed by James Burrows

Starred review from March 28, 2022
In this dazzling tell-all, director Burrows takes readers on a rollicking tour through the hardworking world of sitcoms, “the best, most enduring, and most resilient form of comedy.” The son of Broadway director Abe Burrows, James tumbled onto the sitcom scene in his 30s in the 1970s, where he created stories that would become the pulsating plot of the next 50 years of his life. Offering a lively jaunt behind the scenes of his oeuvre, he unpacks the brilliance of Frasier, whose protagonist “loved fully, wholly, deeply”; reveals that Cheers was originally pitched as “a light-beer commercial” (“The network loved it”); and recounts producer Chuck Lorre’s astonishment upon being surprised by Bruce Springsteen backstage at Mike & Molly (“It was the only time I’d ever seen him speechless”). He’s also frank about his missteps, including his decision to leave Friends after the second season: “One of my few regrets in my career is that I didn’t stay with those six kids.” Fans will relish the intricate breakdowns of movements, lines, and characters (“The center is the least crazy person in the room”), as much as they will Burrows’s infectious passion for his craft: “Where in other workplaces familiarity may breed contempt, our familiarity bred even more affection.” This delivers on all counts.

May 1, 2022

After five decades directing classic sitcoms, Burrows is uniquely qualified to write both a love letter to the art of TV comedy and a how-to guide for aspiring writers, directors, and actors. Burrows movingly reflects on a childhood immersed in the theater of his father, legendary playwright and director Abe Burrows, who instilled the importance of hard work and passion for entertainment in his young son. Burrows turned to television as a way to separate himself from his father's shadow, cutting his teeth on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Bob Newhart Show in the 1970s. He then moved on to direct Taxi, co-create Cheers, develop Frasier, and direct every episode (including the reboot) of Will & Grace, among many others. Burrows provides entertaining behind-the-scenes stories and explains his belief in the importance of harmony among cast members, his favorite set designs (varying levels and pillars), and his recognition of the importance of utilizing his platform to promote understanding and empathy. Infused with classic scenes and memorable lines from his many shows, Burrows' writing is funny, self-effacing, and nostalgic. VERDICT Burrows's insights will delight fans and inspire ambitious artists.--Lisa Henry

Copyright 2022 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from April 15, 2022
If the title doesn't have you practically salivating, then perhaps you need to brush up on your contemporary television history. Burrows, the son of Tony-winning theater director Abe Burrows, is indeed legendary; for decades, he's been the go-to director for people who want their sitcom pilot to get turned into a series. He's been involved in some of the most popular sitcoms in television history--and not just the ones listed in the subtitle. He directed every episode of the groundbreaking Will & Grace, all 246 of them. In this absolutely essential book, he takes us through his career, from his early days (he started on The Mary Tyler Moore Show) right up to the present day. There's plenty of behind-the-scenes stuff, and Burrows writes about dozens of TV stars (Ted Danson, Jennifer Aniston, and Debra Messing, among them), but if you're looking for dirt, dig for it elsewhere. This is very much a celebratory book, an award-winning director looking back not only on his own career but also on his friendships with his colleagues and the things he learned from them. A wonderful book about the world of television, easily as valuable as Levinson and Link's Stay Tuned (1981) and Bill Carter's Desperate Networks (2006).

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