Prolific sitcom director and producer James Burrows says he was born to do comedy.
One can hardly argue given that his father was Abe Burrows, the legendary Broadway director and writer who created monster hits including “Guys and Dolls” and “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.”
James Burrows has been just as successful in his chosen field. His credits include co-creator, producer and director of the historic series “Cheers.” He directed 240 of its 270 episodes. He also has directed every episode of “Will & Grace.”
“It is in my blood. My father did comedies, and that is just the way I see the world,” Burrows said by phone while taking a break from “Will & Grace.” “I’ve never been much for drama. I tend to see a way to make things funny.”
A few of his other numerous credits are “Taxi,” “Friends,” “Dharma & Greg” “Frasier,” “Wings,” “NewsRadio,” “The Bob Newhart Show” and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” So far he has directed 50 pilots that have been made into series.
That righteous résumé has earned him the career tribute from Aspen’s HBO-sponsored United States Comedy Arts Festival, which runs Wednesday through March 12.
Burrows’ road to Aspen started in Florida in 1974.
“I was staging two-hour shows in a week back then,” said Burrows, who will be feted March 11. “I was doing comedies for these regional theaters. I had like a week or 10 days (for each), and I noticed that in watching ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ that they were doing a 20-minute sitcom in a week. I felt that I could do that, because I was really facile with theater work.”
He had met Moore and her husband, Grant Tinker, in 1966 while she was starring in the Abe Burrows musical, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” The couple owned MTM, which produced Moore’s TV show. He used that contact to land a job with MTM.
“I felt that was a step up from working in regional theater,” he said.
Burrows said he follows a few simple guidelines when he does any sitcom pilot. He picks a good script, casts unknown actors, makes them comfortable, insists on open communication and runs all his pilots in front of an audience three or four days before he tapes them.
And he does not swing for the fences.
“I don’t do shows that would make people say, ‘Oh, we’ve got to watch that show,”‘ Burrows said. “I like to do shows with unknown characters and unknown cast (members). It takes people a while to find them, so you have to make sure the network gives you a chance.
“Back when ‘Cheers’ went on the air, NBC was in third place and had nothing to replace it with (when) we had abysmal ratings. But it was a good show. And that night we tested in front of that live audience – it was an audience of Seabees from Camp Pendleton – they went crazy. And I knew we had something special.”
The show went on to run for 11 years and ended only when star Ted Danson, who played Sam Malone, decided to leave.
From his perspective, Burrows believes the glory days of the sitcom have passed.
“They have gotten worse, because people are beginning to feed on themselves,” he said, noting that writers in the 1970s were weaned on books.
“Now you have people writing for television who were weaned on television,” Burrows said. “So they’re not necessarily bringing anything new to the dance. They’re just rehashing old ideas.” He also said the proliferation of new networks has watered down the talent field.
The other major festival honor, the 2006 American Film Institute Star Award, goes to part-time Aspen resident Goldie Hawn. Past winners include Jim Carrey, Diane Keaton, Whoopi Goldberg, Steve Martin and the Monty Python comedy troupe.
The lineup for this year’s Film Discovery Program boasts 23 features, including six world premieres. Among those making their debuts are Damon Wayans’ “Behind the Smile,” Leslie Greif’s “Funny Money” and Ari Palitz’s “Unbeatable Harold.”
Special screenings include “American Dreamz,” directed by Paul Weitz; “A Prairie Home Companion,” by Robert Altman; and “Dave Chappelle’s Block Party,” by Michel Gondry.
While plenty of big names attend the festival, chief executive Bob Crestani said the event’s focus is exposing new comedic talent to show-business movers and shakers.
“I can tell you the 20 kids that we have performing are really amazing,” Crestani said. “We don’t announce who they are. I’m very encouraged at the level of talent our people find all over the world.”
Other highlights include a live presentation of “A Prairie Home Companion” and salutes to “Swingers,” “The Larry Sanders Show” and “Def Comedy Jam,” which will receive a freedom of speech award. Principals from all those projects will be on hand.
Staff writer Ed Will can be reached at 303-820-1694 or ewill@denverpost.com.
U.S. Comedy Arts Festival
ALL THINGS COMEDY|Belly Up, Wheeler Opera House, St. Regis Aspen and six other venues in Aspen; Morning to midnight Wednesday through March 12|$200-$300 for limited five-day passes (individual tickets to some events may be available at show time)|Full schedule: hbocomedyfestival.com. Box office: 866-350-3369
