A tribute to James Burrows and a quick look at a new film release
Based on the show notes, this episode remembers legendary sitcom director James Burrows, with archival conversation from 2006 and an appreciation from critic David Bianculli. It also includes Justin Chang’s review of The Invite, starring Seth Rogen and Olivia Wilde.
This preview is based only on the published show notes, so think of it as a guide to what the episode promises rather than a recap of the audio. The main focus is a remembrance of James Burrows, described here as one of television’s most sought-after directors. If you’re interested in the craft behind classic sitcoms, this looks like a strong listen: the notes point to Burrows’ work on *Taxi*, *Frasier*, *Friends*, *Will and Grace*, and *Cheers*, and highlight the qualities he was known for—sharp comedic instincts, a distinct visual style, and a commitment to making comedy feel believable. The episode also appears to blend reflection with firsthand perspective. The notes say it includes Burrows speaking with Terry Gross in 2006, which may offer listeners a chance to hear his own thoughts, alongside an appreciation from TV critic and historian David Bianculli that likely adds context to his legacy. There’s also a second segment for movie fans: film critic Justin Chang reviews *The Invite*, starring Seth Rogen and Olivia Wilde. That makes this episode a mix of television history and current film criticism. If you’re deciding whether to listen, this one seems best suited for fans of sitcom history, behind-the-scenes television craft, or listeners who enjoy episodes that pair cultural remembrance with a fresh review.
About this episode
We remember one of the most sought-after directors in television, James Burrows. He died June 19 at age 85. Burrows worked on many classic sitcoms including ‘Taxi,’ ‘Frasier,’ ‘Friends,’ ‘Will and Grace’ and ‘Cheers.' He was known for his comedic instincts, his visual style, and for insisting the comedy be believable. Burrows spoke with Terry Gross in 2006. Also, we hear an appreciation from TV critic and historian David Bianculli. <br/><br/>Film critic Justin Chang reviews ‘The Invite,’ starring Seth Rogen and Olivia Wilde. <br><br/><br/>See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.<br/><br/><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>