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Stars to unite for tribute to James Burrows

A who's who of US sitcom stars will gather as legendary director reaches 1000 episodes.

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Former cast members from Cheers, Frasier, Taxi and Wings are amongst those participating in the US TV tribute to diretor James Burrows.

The legendary director is being honoured as he approaches his 1000th-directed sitcom.

In addition to the much-touted Friends gathering (with Matthew Perry pre-recorded from London), it will also include a reunion of Two and a Half Men’s Charlie Sheen and Jon Cryer.

“There is nobody with better TV comedy instincts than Jimmy Burrows, and because of his guiding hand these remarkable shows will be forever celebrated and stand the test of time,” said Paul Telegdy, NBC Entertainment’s president, alternative and late night programming. “The caliber of talent joining us to celebrate Jimmy’s accomplishments is a testament to his imprint in television history.”

Below are the confirmed participant:

Cheers — Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Bebe Neuwirth, Rhea Perlman, John Ratzenberger, George Wendt (Kirstie Alley, Woody Harrelson in taped segments)

Friends — Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer (Matthew Perry in taped segment)

Frasier — Peri Gilpin, Jane Leeves, David Hyde Pierce (Kelsey Grammer in taped segment)

Will & Grace — Sean Hayes, Eric McCormack, Debra Messing, Megan Mullally

Taxi — Tony Danza, Danny DeVito, Marilu Henner, Judd Hirsch, Carol Kane, Christopher Lloyd

The Big Bang Theory — Kaley Cuoco, Johnny Galecki, Simon Helberg, Jim Parsons

Wings — Tony Shalhoub, Steven Weber

Mike & Molly — Billy Gardell, Melissa McCarthy, Katy Mixon, Nyambi Nyambi, Reno Wilson

Two and a Half Men — Jon Cryer, Charlie Sheen

Crowded — Carlease Burke, Stacy Keach, Carrie Preston, Mia Serafino, Patrick Warburton

Other guests will include JB Smoove, Jason Bateman, Valerie Bertinelli, Kate Flannery, Will Arnett, and Bob Newhart, who will appear in a taped segment.

The NBC special airs in the US on February 21 but no Australian broadcaster has been announced.

Source: Hollywood Reporter

9 Responses

  1. I’m more excited about the Will & Grace reunion than the Friends one, even though Friends was more popular I always thought the W&G cast were funnier and sharper. Plus James Burrows directed every episode of the show – a huge feat and obviously played a major hand in its success.

  2. Oh my gawd, i feel faint, please get the IMDB app, it is a must have for anyone who watches anything, what kind of tv nerd are you !!!!, lol….
    Now that my hysteria is over, i really hope this is picked up by one of the networks.
    The Will & Grace, Frasier and Cheers reunions are the ones I’d really like to see, sadly no mention of John Mahoney ?

  4. Whilst I do not want to trample on the extraordinary achievements of James Burrows – he is a doyenne of sitcoms; how on earth would you keep track across 40 years how many eps you’ve directed. I guess someone sat down and worked it out! Maybe they’ve guestimated. His work inspired me to get into tv comedy and think he along with Jay Sandrich and Terry Hughes among others should receive lifetime recognition.

    2. Easy through diaries, from both Burrows and Production Companies. Burrows also would have to update his CV every time he went for the next directing job. And of course there’s IMDb, simple search show’s his

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