Must See TV: An All-Star Tribute to James Burrows

Watch Must See TV: An All-Star Tribute to James Burrows

  • 2016
  • 1 Season

Must See TV: An All-Star Tribute to James Burrows was a two-hour special television event that aired on NBC on February 21, 2016. The show was a celebration of director James Burrows, who had just directed his 1,000th episode of television. The special honored Burrows' prolific career, which included directing episodes of iconic shows such as Friends, Cheers, and Will & Grace, among others.

The tribute was hosted by Andy Cohen and featured a star-studded lineup of celebrities, including the casts of several hit shows that Burrows had directed. The special was divided into several segments, each of which showcased a different aspect of Burrows' career.

The first segment of the special focused on Burrows' early work, including his time on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and his work directing episodes of Taxi. Several cast members from those shows made appearances, including Tony Danza, Danny DeVito, and Carol Burnett. The segment also included a tribute to Burrows' longtime collaborator, David Angell, who was killed on 9/11.

The second segment of the show focused on Burrows' work on Cheers, one of the most beloved sitcoms of all time. Most of the cast of Cheers was present, including Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Rhea Perlman, John Ratzenberger, George Wendt, and Kirstie Alley. They shared stories from their time on the show and talked about what made Burrows such an effective director.

The third segment of the show highlighted Burrows' work on Friends, which had recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. Most of the cast of Friends was present, including Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer. They talked about their favorite moments from the show and shared their memories of working with Burrows.

The fourth segment of the show focused on Burrows' work on Will & Grace, which had just been revived by NBC. The cast of Will & Grace was present, including Debra Messing, Eric McCormack, Megan Mullally, and Sean Hayes. They talked about the impact that Burrows had on the show and how he helped to make it a success.

The final segment of the show was a surprise tribute to Burrows from some of his other collaborators, including Bob Newhart, Kelsey Grammer, Jim Parsons, and Charlie Sheen. They shared stories about Burrows and talked about what it was like to work with him.

Throughout the show, there were also several musical performances, including a number from Garth Brooks, who sang a tribute to Burrows' work on Taxi. The special also included pre-recorded segments with several other celebrities who couldn't be present in person, including Julia Roberts, Robert De Niro, and Samuel L. Jackson.

One of the highlights of the special was a reunion of the entire cast of Friends, who hadn't been seen together on television since the show ended in 2004. The cast took the stage together to answer some questions from Cohen and to talk about their memories of working on the show. The segment was one of the most highly anticipated parts of the special, and it did not disappoint.

Overall, Must See TV: An All-Star Tribute to James Burrows was a fitting tribute to a legendary director. The special was a celebration of Burrows' long and storied career, and it gave fans a chance to see some of their favorite TV stars together in one place. The show was a reminder of the power of great television and the impact that one person can have on an industry.

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Must See TV: An All-Star Tribute to James Burrows
1. Must See TV: An All-Star Tribute to James Burrows
January 21, 2016
The cast of Friends, Cheers, and many more, honor James Burrows, TV's most accomplished comedy director.
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  • Premiere Date
    January 21, 2016