Burrows’s memoir, Directed by James Burrows, co-written with Eddy Friedfeld, makes great binge reading for comedy buffs and aficionados of Must See TV...It’s as difficult to put down as a Friends marathon is to turn off...Burrows has directed more than 1,000 episodes of television, but who’s counting? He is...Directed by James Burrows is enlivened by script excerpts of memorable moments from Burrows’s oeuvre...The reader’s ability to visualize the scenes is a testament not only to the writers and actors who brought to life these indelible characters, but also to Burrows’s genius for finding the grace notes that get what he calls 'the best, smartest, character-driven laughs'...The book is brimming with great behind-the-scenes stories about some of television’s most beloved series and the artists who created and starred in them.
If the title doesn’t have you practically salivating, then perhaps you need to brush up on your contemporary television history ... In this absolutely essential book, [Burrows] takes us through his career, from his early days right up to the present day. There’s plenty of behind-the-scenes stuff, and Burrows writes about dozens of TV stars, 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).
In this dazzling tell-all, director Burrows takes readers on a rollicking tour through the hardworking world of sitcoms ... Offer[s] a lively jaunt behind the scenes of his oeuvre ... He’s also frank about his missteps ... Fans will relish the intricate breakdowns of movements, lines, and characters as much as they will Burrows’s infectious passion for his craft ... This delivers on all counts.
