James Burrows, the Director Who Made TV Comedy What It Is, Dies at 85

James Burrows, who directed the first episodes of *Friends*, *Frasier*, and *The Big Bang Theory*, died June 19 at age 85. He also co-created *Cheers*. Over 50 years, Burrows shaped how sitcoms are filmed and performed on television — the camera angles, the timing, the way actors play a scene. Eleven Emmy awards recognized his influence on American comedy.