‘Friends’, ‘Will & Grace’ Casts (and Others) Reunite to Honor Legendary Sitcom Director James Burrows
If you’re a fan of any legendary TV comedy of the last 40 years, it’s practically guaranteed that James Burrows directed its pilot. Taxi? Check. Friends? Check. The Big Bang Theory? Check.
Burrows also helmed every episode of Will & Grace over its eight-year run. And he co-created Cheers. Next month, he’ll have directed 1,000 television episodes in total. And, to celebrate, NBC is gathering together the casts of TV’s most iconic series for Must See TV: A Tribute to James Burrows. The big news: The rundown includes Charlie Sheen, the entire cast of Will & Grace, everyone still living from Taxi, and five out of six Friends. Here’s the list (which was announced today) so far:
From Cheers: Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Bebe Neuwirth, Rhea Perlman, John Ratzenberger, and George Wendt (Kirstie Alley and Woody Harrelson will appear in pre-taped segments)
From Friends: Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer (with Matthew Perry in a pre-taped segment)
From Frasier: Peri Gilpin, Jane Leeves, and David Hyde Pierce (Kelsey Grammer in a pre-taped segment)
From Will & Grace: Sean Hayes, Eric McCormack, Debra Messing and Megan Mullally
From Taxi: Tony Danza, Danny DeVito, Marilu Henner, Judd Hirsch, Carol Kane and Christopher Lloyd
From The Big Bang Theory: Kaley Cuoco, Johnny Galecki, Simon Helberg and Jim Parsons
From Wings: Tony Shalhoub and Steven Weber
From Mike & Molly: Billy Gardell, Melissa McCarthy, Katy Mixon, Nyambi Nyambi and Reno Wilson
From Two and a Half Men: Jon Cryer and Charlie Sheen
Also on hand: J.B. Smoove, Jason Bateman, Valerie Bertinelli, Kate Flannery, Will Arnett, Carlease Burke, Stacy Keach, Carrie Preston, Mia Serafino, and Patrick Warburton. Bob Newhart will participate in a pre-taped segment.
