Summer TV is in full swing, proving the small screen never really slows down. This week, we celebrate a comedy legend whose work helped shape some of television’s greatest sitcoms while also looking ahead to another busy week of premieres, finales, and must-watch shows.
The Master Conductor of Comedy: Remembering Jimmy Burrows
The sudden passing of Jimmy Burrows came as a profound shock to the television world. Even though he lived a full, spectacular life and left us at the age of 85, looking at his staggering resume of episodes still blows my mind to this day. We aren't just mourning a director; we are celebrating the absolute master architect of the modern American sitcom.
From the workplace wit of The Mary Tyler Moore Show and the cozy, ensemble perfection of Cheers, to the trailblazing cultural footprint of Will & Grace, not to mention hidden gems like Caroline in the City and a little show called Friends, Burrows didn't just direct TV. He defined it.
What made Jimmy Burrows a household name among television insiders was his complete mastery of the multi-camera format. Before Burrows, sitcoms often felt like filmed stage plays: stiff, static, and predictable. Burrows injected theater into film. He famously treated the studio audience as a main character, staging actors like a choreographer so that the energy in the room never dipped.
When you watch the rapid-fire banter between Sam and Diane in Cheers, or the physical, slapstick gold of Jack and Karen in Will & Grace, you are watching the distinct "Burrows Touch." He possessed an innate, subatomic understanding of human timing. He knew exactly when an actor should hold for a laugh, when they should cross a room, and when a silence could be funnier than any punchline.
Burrows' true superpower was his ability to mold an ensemble cast. He directed the pilot episodes for an unbelievable number of hit shows, meaning he was the guy responsible for setting the visual tone, the pacing, and the chemistry from day one.
When a young, relatively unknown cast gathered on a makeshift coffee shop set in 1994, it was Burrows who directed the first four episodes of Friends. He didn't just position them on a couch; he taught them how to play off one another like a seasoned jazz band.
Burrows' magic wasn't limited to mega-hits. In shows like Caroline in the City, which may lack today's streaming legacy, his sharp direction and blocking elevated the material across nearly 100 episodes of entertaining TV. He simply didn't make bad pilots.
With over 1,000 television episodes under his belt, Jimmy Burrows leaves behind a legacy that will likely never be matched in the streaming era. He was a father figure to generations of comedy actors, a protective captain on set, and a creative force who brought millions of people together in front of their television screens every single week.
The laugh tracks may pause this week, but the joy, warmth, and timeless comedy he gave to pop culture will continue forever. Thank you, Jimmy. The house raises a glass to you tonight.
Which Jimmy Burrows show is your absolute ultimate comfort food watch? Are you a Cheers purist, a Frasier fanatic, or do you find yourself constantly rewatching his early work on Taxi? Drop your favorite television memories in the comments.
What to Watch This Week
The calendar may say summer, but television is delivering one of the busiest weeks of the season. From the return of Avatar: The Last Airbender and the highly anticipated final season of The Bear to new documentaries, comedy specials, movies, and a packed slate of finales, there is no shortage of reasons to clear some space on your DVR—or your streaming queue. Here are the shows and specials worth keeping an eye on this week.
Monday, June 22
Harry Wild Season 5 (Acorn TV)
You're Killing Me, Season 1 finale (Acorn TV)
8/7c Sullivan's Crossing Season 4 finale (The CW)
9/8c All American: The Final Season Special (The CW)
Tuesday, June 23
Not Suitable for Work Season 1 finale (Hulu)
8/7c Love It or List It Season 21 (HGTV)
8/7c NBC Draft Round 1 (ABC & ESPN)
Ryan Hamilton: This Just Hit Me (Netflix comedy special)
9/8c The Welcome Table (HBO documentary): Filmmaker Josh Fox tells the story of climate refugees across six continents, celebrating the voices and experiences of people living at the forefront of the climate crisis, displaced from their homes by climate disasters.
Wednesday, June 24
The American Experiment (Netflix, five-episode binge): The docuseries reexamines the improbable achievement of the nation's founding and the radical question at the center of the American Revolution: Can a people govern themselves? Talking heads include Kamala Harris, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Al Gore, Mike Pence, and Nancy Pelosi.
Behind the Attraction Season 3 (Disney+, two episodes)
The Legend of Vox Machina Season 4 finale (Prime Video, three episodes)
The Other Bennet Sister Season 1 finale (BritBox)
Wild Cherry (Paramount+, six-episode binge): The friendship between a self-made businesswoman (Carmen Ejogo) and her wealthy best friend (Eve Best) is put to the test when their daughters become embroiled in a scandal that shatters their community's perfect image.
A Woman of Substance (BritBox, two-episode premiere): A Yorkshire maid (played by Brenda Blethyn and Jessica Reynolds) defies the limits placed upon her in a decadent spanning tale of power and revenge.
8/7c NBA Draft Round 2 (ESPN)
9/8c Next Gen NYC Season 2 (Bravo)
Avatar: Fire and Ash (Disney+)
In the Hand of Dante (Netflix movie): A writer (Oscar Isaac) helps a mob boss steal Dante's handwritten "Divine Comedy" manuscript as a parallel tale follows the 14th-century poet creating his masterpiece; Gal Gadot, Gerard Butler, Jason Momoa, Martin Scorsese, John Malkovich, and Al Pacino co-star.
Thursday, June 25
Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2 (Netflix, seven-episode binge)
8/7c CMA Fest (ABC)
9/8c The Bear final season (Hulu, eight-episode binge)
9/8c Welcome to Wrexham Season 5 finale (FXX)
Friday, June 26
Camp Snoopy Season 2 (Apple TV, 13-episode binge)
Paul Simon: The Quiet Celebration Concert (Disney+, Hulu)
7/6c NHL Draft (ESPN)
9/8c Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness (HBO): From executive producers Barack and Michelle Obama comes a seven-episode sketch comedy series led by Larry David that features a rotating lineup of notable guest stars, including several "Curb Your Enthusiasm" alumni.
Little Brother (Netflix movie): Rudd (John Cena) has the perfect life, great job, loving family, and a thriving career as a real estate agent, until his little brother, Marcus (Eric Andre), crashes back into his world as a full-blown agent of chaos, stress-testing every part of Rudd's carefully controlled existence.
Stung (Peacock movie): Chloe Bailey plays a talented violinist whose prestigious new role as a music tutor for an enigmatic, elite family spirals into a psychological battle for her safety and sanity; Lynn Whitfield, Lucien Laviscount, Anna Diop, and Coco Jones co-star.
Undertone (HBO Max)
Saturday, June 27
8/7c Wilf Spring docuseries finale (BBC America)
9/8c Craig Ferguson: American on Purpose Season 1 finale (CNN)
8/7c A Castle of Our Own (Hallmark Channel movie): An unexpected summer trip helps an overworked architect (Erica Cerra) reconnect with her daughter, rediscover joy, and find love she never saw coming; Brennan Elliott co-stars.
8/7c Single Black Tenant (Lifetime movie): Tia Mowry as a woman whose luck seems to turn around after landing an affordable apartment, until she suspects she's living with a killer trying to frame her murder.
And that wraps up another edition of TV Corner Notes. Whether you're revisiting a classic sitcom in honor of Jimmy Burrows, diving into a new binge-watch, or counting down the hours until your favorite season finale, there's plenty of great television to enjoy this week.
As always, I'd love to hear from you: What are you planning to watch this week, and which upcoming premiere has you most excited? Drop a comment below, and don't forget to follow The TV Corner for more reviews, recaps, recommendations, and weekly television conversations. Until next time, happy watching!
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