Honor the master of multi-cam with NBC’s tribute to James Burrows
Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Sunday, February 21. All times are Eastern.
Top pick
Must See TV: An All-Star Tribute To James Burrows (NBC, 9 p.m.): In television direction most attention falls on dramas and the various talented auteurs, film directors, and movie stars behind the camera, but in the realm of comedy one director stands proud and tall over everyone else. James Burrows began his career all the way back in 1974 with The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and has since gone on to be involved with many of the cornerstones of the modern sitcom. In addition to being a co-creator of Cheers and director of many of that show’s episodes, his portfolio covers every episode of Will And Grace, the majority of Taxi, early parts of Friends and Frasier, and over 50 (!) network pilots including The Big Bang Theory and Two And A Half Men. Last year Burrows directed his thousandth episode of television (the yet-to-be released Crowded), and NBC is honoring this achievement with a tribute featuring the majority of the surviving casts of the shows he directed. Regardless of whether or not you respect the multi-cam format (which you should, damn it) this is a remarkable collection of talent and an event sure to be of interest for fans of classic television. Plus, Andy Kaufman’s participation in Taxi makes this yet another likely occasion where he could pop up and reveal he faked his death.
Also noted (season premiere edition)
Girls (HBO, 10 p.m.): Lena Dunham’s ever-polarizing comedy about young adulthood in New York kicks off with Marnie’s wedding in upstate New York, where the matrimonial events are jeopardized by “an unhinged makeup artist.” We’re betting that Joshua Alston hired the artist because he’s upset about not getting an invitation to the wedding. C’mon Josh, you get to write season five coverage, isn’t that enough?
Togetherness (HBO, 10:30 p.m.): Also returning tonight, Mark and Jay Duplass’s look at a group of people whose seemingly banal lives are full of the conflicts that pull us apart and bring us together. In the second season premiere, “Brett vows to be a better husband, father and all-around human being.” Gwen Ihnat nods sagely at this noble promise, but points toward her Togetherness power rankings to remind him she’s keeping score. Also be sure to check out Gwen’s interview with Amanda Peet and Steve Zissis.
Also noted
Bob’s Burgers (Fox, 7:30 p.m.): Bob slips on a crack and breaks his own back this week, which augurs the return of the super-muscular Jairo from all the way back in season one. Meanwhile, the kids decide to start their own law firm. Alasdair Wilkins has elected to retain Belcher, Belcher, and Belcher for a lawsuit against his fellow What’s On Tonight correspondent for character defamation related to that time we made fun of him for always putting wrestling clips in the Tuesday installments. (Sorry Alasdair, we know you explained it but we still think it’s weird.)
The Simpsons (Fox, 8 p.m.): There is so much going on in tonight’s Simpsons it hurts our heads. “Bart accidentally deposits a homeless woman’s cart into the river, and to make amends, he lets her move into his closet for a slight fee, and when Lisa discovers her there, she finds out the lady is a wonderful folk singer, but that she has some violence and substance-abuse skeletons in her closet.” Please, Dennis Perkins, make sense of all of this. Or at least help this woman get into the Betty Ford Clinic!
Vinyl (HBO, 9 p.m.): The acquisition of American Century is thrown into question when Richie shares a revelation with the Germans during an important meeting. And given that he violated Basil’s Law and mentioned the war in their last meeting, how much worse could he possibly make things? Dan Caffrey mentioned the war once, but he thinks he got away with it.
Downton Abbey (PBS, 9 p.m.): “Edith’s and Mary’s romances become complicated; Thomas has difficulties.” Seldom has an episode description ever been more all-encompassing as to what’s going on in the show, Downton Abbey. You might as well tell Emily L. Stephens that Lord Grantham fails to see the big picture, Carson blusters over a lack of decorum, and Bates gets into a circumstance that will drag on past the point of people wanting to watch.