James Burrows, the legendary director of the hit show Friends, has shared his insight into how he managed the show's iconic ensemble cast. Burrows directed a total of 15 episodes during the first four seasons of the sitcom, helping establish its status as one of television's biggest shows. Friends, which aired from 1994 to 2004, propelled its ensemble cast, including Matthew Perry, Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and Courteney Cox, to superstardom.
The Guardian recently conducted an interview with Burrows to celebrate his return to sitcom directing for the upcoming Frasier reboot.
Burrows mentioned that if he wants to add something funny, he presents it as an actor's idea. It is no surprise that Burrows had confidence in his ability to guide the Friends cast, as they became A-list talent while he was working with them. Before joining Friends, Burrows had already directed numerous comedy shows.
While Friends is one of the projects he is most recognized for, Burrows' work has had a significant impact on television both before and after the show. His role in helping the tightly-knit ensemble of Friends refine their comedy, both individually and as a group, was crucial to the show's success. It is clear that Burrows' expertise and guidance played a vital role in making Friends the unforgettable sitcom that it is today. (Source: The Guardian)