James Burrows Quotes

James Burrows — American Director born on December 30, 1940,

James Edward Burrows is an American television director who has been working in television since the 1970s. Burrows has directed over 50 television pilots and co-created the long running television series Cheers... (wikipedia)

I have a fun clause in my contract. If I'm not having fun, I can leave.

Script comes first, then the actors, then you gotta be lucky enough to get the right time slot. Then people have to watch.

My father was Abe Burrows, who was a Broadway legend. 'Guys and Dolls,' 'How to Succeed,' 'Cactus Flower,' '40 Karats,' 'Can-Can,' 'Happy Hunting,' 'Reclining Figure,' it goes on. He was a legend, and when I was growing up, I was Abe Burrows' kid. That was my self-esteem.

I remember on the pilot of 'Will and Grace' some executives from NBC saying to me, 'There are too many gay jokes.' I said, 'If not on this show, then what show?'

Most of the pilots I choose do not have high-concept ideas, so for me it's not the idea as much as the execution of the idea, and if the idea, like you take a bar in Boston, that's not a high-concept idea. But if it's executed well, it makes a great show.

James Burrows Quotes

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