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Friends’ director James Burrows passes away at 85: How Hollywood paid tribute to legendary TV comedy icon

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Friends’ director James Burrows passes away at 85: How Hollywood paid tribute to legendary TV comedy icon

Friends’ director James Burrows, passed away at 85. Celebrated for shaping iconic shows, he won 11 Emmys. On his death, Hollywood fondly remembered the legend, highlighting his impact on comedy and his enduring legacy in the entertainment industry. Legendary TV director James Burrows, known for shows like The Big Bang Theory and Cheers, passed away on 19 June at 85 years of age.(DGA)Legendary director James Burrows passed away at the age of 85 on Friday, his family confirmed to the People. Although the family's statement did not mention any cause of death. The iconic TV comedy director, best known for programs like Friends, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Cheers, Fraiser and Will and Grace, is survived by his wife, Debbie Easton, his four daughters and his seven grandchildren.Considered as the most influential director and producer of all time, Burrows also helmed the pilots of Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory and was behind the camera for many episodes of Mike & Molly. Renowned for his work on classic sitcoms like Cheers and Friends, he earned 11 Emmys and was even inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 2006.Actor Eric McCormack, who worked with Burrows in the NBC sitcom Will and Grace, in a post on Instagram wrote, "We lost a giant today, a mentor to me, and a dear friend. The 800 lb gorilla of television comedy for 50 years, he was beloved by everyone, and has left not a mark but a footprint. An incredible legacy."President of the Directors Guild of America, Christopher Nolan, reacted to the news of James Burrows' death and on behalf of his organization said, "Our Guild has lost a legend. With more than 40 years directing more than 1,000 episodes of the most critically acclaimed and audience-beloved sitcoms of all time, James Burrows was the modern master of the sophisticated comedy and a beloved member of the DGA. Famous for turning sitcoms like Cheers, Will and Grace, Taxi, and Frasier into high art, Jim set the bar in comedy direction with an incomparable influence on his fellow Directors over decades of precedent-setting television directing. ... He was truly incomparable and will be profoundly missed."View full ImageDGA issues statement on the passing of iconic director James Burrows. Tony Danza, who appeared on several Burrows-helmed episodes of ABC/NBC's Taxi,posted on X, "We have lost the greatest of all time. Jimmy Burrows. I know I wouldn't be here without him. My thoughts are with Debbie and the kids."Stand-up comedian Cedric the Entertainer, who worked with the director on The Neighborhood, in a post on Instagram wrote, "Rest Easy. Jim Burrows, the guy standing between me and Tichina Arnold, is Television Great!! He put the Direct in TV. The amount of laughs and joy his vision has brought into our homes is unmeasurable ... Cheers, Friends, Fraiser, Will and Grace, and The Neighborhood, to name only a few. Thank you for your service to entertainment and this thing we call life. Condolences to his loved ones, and may you rest in peace."Alyssa Milano, who collaborated with James Burrows on the 2010 ABC sitcom Romantically Challenged, posted on Instagram, "There are very few people in television history whose work has shaped the way we laugh, the way we tell stories, and the way we understand the sitcom form. James Burrows is one of them. To have had the opportunity to be directed by him on Romantically Challenged was an absolute gift."Burrows' longtime network NBC also issued a statement on his death, "Jimmy Burrows was the man behind the curtain. He knew how to make us laugh, what buttons to push and was the absolute master of getting the most out of every joke. His loss to the television comedy world is immeasurable. Every time you have a smile on your face watching The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Taxi, Cheers, Will and Grace, Friends, and countless others, think of Jimmy and know he made all our lives funnier."Stay updated with the latest Trending, India , World and US news. HomeNewsUs NewsFriends’ dir

James Burrows, director of classic shows 'Cheers' and 'Friends,' dies at 85

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James Burrows, director of classic shows 'Cheers' and 'Friends,' dies at 85

Director James Burrows attends the "Will & Grace" start of production kick off event and ribbon cutting ceremony at Universal City Plaza on August 2, 2017 in Universal City, California. Jason LaVeris/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Jason LaVeris/Getty Images LOS ANGELES — James Burrows, who helped create volumes of laughter as director of more than a thousand episodes of such classic television comedies as "Cheers," "Taxi," "Friends" and "Will and Grace," died Friday. He was 85. His family confirmed his death in a statement to People, saying he "passed away peacefully today surrounded by his family." No location or cause of death was provided. Burrows spent his career behind the camera specializing in situation comedies. Few viewers recognized him or knew his name, other than to see it flash quickly on the screen in the opening credits. But they knew his work. Burrows got his start in television relatively late at age 35 in 1974, directing episodes of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "The Bob Newhart Show," and "Laverne & Shirley." He co-created "Cheers," directing 243 of the 273 episodes, as well as all 246 episodes of "Will and Grace." He also helmed multiple episodes of such hits as "Frasier," "Friends" and "Mike & Molly," and the pilots of "Two and a Half Men" and "The Big Bang Theory." "When I direct a television show, I try to reach that sweet spot where the best script meets the best performance and the best chemistry between performers," Burrows wrote in his 2022 memoir "Directed by James Burrows." "Hitting that exact moment, where these factors land in combination, results in the sweetest and most enduring laugh." His family said, "Burrows understood that great comedy was never simply about laughter. It was about humanity, connection, and truth. That understanding became the foundation of a career that forever changed television. "But beyond his remarkable achievements, Burrows will be remembered for something even greater: his kindness, generosity, and unwavering belief in the people around him. He possessed a rare ability to make everyone better and was known for remembering every person he met by name, making colleagues at every level feel seen, valued, and appreciated," the family statement said. Born James Edward Burrows on Dec. 30, 1940, in Los Angeles, he moved to New York when he was 5 years old. He spent five years in the Metropolitan Opera Children's Chorus until his voice started to change. He attended LaGuardia High School of Music & Art. His father was writer, director and producer Abe Burrows, whose Broadway hits included "Guys and Dolls" and "Can-Can." The elder Burrows also mentored Larry Gelbart, future creator and producer of the TV show "M(asterisk)A(asterisk)S(asterisk)H." The younger Burrows spent hours of his youth in theaters and studios watching his father work, dining with him at such famed New York haunts as Sardi's and Gallagher's and meeting celebrities who attended his father's New Year's Eve parties. After earning a bachelor's degree from Oberlin College, Burrows attended the graduate program of the Yale School of Drama, where his classmates included actor-comedian Robert Klein, playwright John Guare and film director John Badham. At Yale, he was required to take directing classes and he got hooked. Burrows' first sitcom experience was as Burl Ives' dialogue coach on "O.K. Crackerby!" which was directed by his father and ran for one season on ABC in 1965. From there, he was an assistant on "The Patty Duke Show." He moved back to New York and worked for Broadway producers Lee Guber, Frank Ford and Shelly Gross. He first met actor Moore while working on the Broadway production of "Holly Golightly," an adaptation of "Breakfast at Tiffany's" that was directed by his father. Burrows eventually worked as a stage manager for various road productions, where he met such actors as Hugh O'Brien, Zsa Zsa Gabor and Julie Harris. By 1974, after working in dinner theater and s

Bharathiraja passes away | Tributes pour in for Tamil cinema's transformative voice

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Bharathiraja passes away | Tributes pour in for Tamil cinema's transformative voice

Consultant ENT and laryngology surgeon Puneeth P.J. and COO of HCG Suchirayu Hospital Manjunath H.D. addressing presspersons in Hubballi on Thursday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Specialists at HCG Suchirayu Hospital in Hubballi have successfully restored the voice and swallowing function of a 55-year-old male by performing a specialised procedure.Addressing presspersons in Hubballi on Thursday, consultant ENT and laryngology surgeon Puneeth P.J. said that the patient was suffering from unilateral vocal cord paralysis associated with multiple cranial nerve involvement.They restored his voice and swallowing function through a specialized procedure known as Injection Medialization Thyroplasty.Dr. Puneeth said that the patient from Hubballi was experiencing severe hoarseness of voice, difficulty in speaking and swallowing and as the condition progressed, communication had become increasingly difficult.“Following a detailed clinical evaluation, the patient was diagnosed of unilateral vocal cord palsy accompanied by multiple cranial nerve involvement, a rare condition that affects the movement of one side of the larynx, leading to significant voice impairment and swallowing difficulties,” he said.“Cases involving multiple cranial nerve dysfunction are relatively uncommon and often require specialized intervention. In this case, the neurological involvement was found to be secondary to a previous stroke, which had resulted in impairment of the cranial nerves responsible for vocal cord function and swallowing,” he said.After a comprehensive assessment, the procedure was successfully completed in approximately 45 minutes. Following the intervention, the patient experienced significant improvement in vocal clarity, communication ability and swallowing function, enabling a return to routine activities with renewed confidence, he said.Dr. Puneeth said that the case was particularly unique because of the involvement of multiple cranial nerves which added complexity to both diagnosis and treatment.“Through Injection Medialization Thyroplasty, we were able to restore better vocal cord function and significantly improve the patient’s ability to speak and swallow, ultimately enhancing their quality of life,” he said.Chief Operating Officer of HCG Suchirayu Hospital Manjunath H.D. said that not many are aware of the fact that such advanced procedures can be performed in Hubballi that too at an affordable cost. The procedure is covered under government insurance schemes also, he said.Dr. Puneeth said that people who speak for long hours, including teachers, should take a break in between sessions and drink a lot of water to avoid vocal cord related ailments. Published - June 11, 2026 06:58 pm IST

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Mitch McConnell statement suggests he considers Bill Pulte unfit for national intelligence director role – US politics live

Renowned Tamil film director Bharathiraja passed away in Chennai on Wednesday (June 10, 2026). The ace director who had been ailing for a while, was 84.Celebrated for shifting Tamil cinema from studio-bound film-making to authentic rural landscapes, and for his iconic opening line, “Yen Iniya Tamil Makkale,” delivered in his distinctive voice, he was a transformative force in not just Tamil but Indian cinema.A towering personality in the film industry, fondly known as Iyakkunar Imayam (Pinnacle among Directors), Bharathiraja won six National Film Awards, four Filmfare Awards (South), six Tamil Nadu State Film Awards and a Nandi Award. More significantly, he was instrumental in introducing several new actors in Tamil cinema. In a characteristic move, he rechristened many actors with names beginning with the letter “R”, gifting the industry with talented artistes including Radikaa, Revathi, Radha, Ranjitha and Rekha. The actors who went on to become prominent figures in the Tamil industry include Karthik, Pandian, Chandrasekar, Napoleon and Janakaraj.Bharathiraja shared a close association with composer Ilaiyaraaja and his brother Gangai Amaran even before they had made their mark in the film world. Together, they had produced stage dramas. Hailing from the present day Theni district, in south Tamil Nadu, Bharathiraja lived with the brothers in Chennai, all of them taking up odd jobs during their early years. Ilaiyaraaja went on to compose music for many of Bharathiraja’s films, delivering a string of unforgettable hits before the two eventually parted ways. Bharathiraja later introduced music director Devendran in Vedam Puthithu, whose songs and background score bore distinct traces of Ilaiyaraaja’s influence. For his Kizhakku Seemaiyile, the music was composed by A. R. Rahman.His debut film, 16 Vayathinile, starring Sridevi, Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth, broke new ground in Tamil cinema. The film portrayed rural life with striking realism, capturing villagers in all their complexity—in flesh and blood, a rustic innocence and the persistent undercurrent of villainy. The music, composed by Ilaiyaraaja, was a runaway success, with every song gaining immense popularity. “Senthoora Poove”, written by Gangai Amaran, earned a National Award for singer S. Janaki.His second film, Kizhakke Pogum Rail, dealt with powerful social themes and succeeded in portraying caste oppression and the secondary treatment meted out to women, without overtly proclaiming itself to be a ‘social film’. This subtle yet compelling approach to storytelling became a defining feature of Bharathiraja’s cinema. Radikaa was introduced as a heroine in this film.Sigappu Rojakkal was Bharathiraja’s exploration out of his familiar rural locales. The movie explored what was then an unthinkable theme—a psychopathic serial killer driven by extreme misogyny. This film was also equally celebrated for its music composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The songs “Intha Minminikku Kannil Oru Minnal Vanthadhu” and “Ninaivo Oru Paravai”, sung by Kamal Haasan and S. Janaki, continue to remain popular even decades later. Director Bakkiyaraj, an associate of Bharathiraja, appeared in one scene, while director Manivannan was also among his associates who later emerged as a prominent film-maker and actor.In Nizhalgal, he introduced actor Ravi, who later became widely known as ‘Nizhalgal’ Ravi, and also marked the debut of Vairamuthu as a lyricist. “Ithu Oru Pon Maalai Pozhuthu” remained a chart-topping song for over a year on Ceylon Radio, while “Poongathave Thaazh Thiravaai” became another enduring hit. Actor Pandian entered the film world through his Mann Vaasanai.With films such as Tik Tik Tik, Niram Maaratha Pookal, Nizhalgal and Sigappu Rojakkal, Bharathiraja demonstrated remarkable versatility, venturing beyond rural drama while retaining his distinctive narrative.Vedam Puthithu dealt with the deeply -entrenched caste structure of Tamil society and the hegemony of Brahmins, even featuring a s

₹1,150 crore cocaine shipment intercepted off Gujarat coast

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₹1,150 crore cocaine shipment intercepted off Gujarat coast

The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has given administrative approval for ₹72.42 crore to complete the Ameenabad fishing harbour in Kakinada district under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).The harbour was designed to facilitate anchoring of 2,500 boats, with the annual handling of 1.10 lakh tonnes.In November, 2020, then Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy laid the foundation stone for the ₹350-crore harbour project that was to be funded by the Centre from the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund and NABARD Infrastructure Development Assistance. In an official release, Kakinada City MLA Vanamadi Venkateswara Rao said that the Centre had granted administrative approval for ₹72.42 crore for the Ameenabad harbour.According to a letter dated June 5 to the Andhra Pradesh government, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has assured to explore the viability for funding for the Ameenabad harbour from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways under the Sagarmala Scheme. The Hindu has a copy of the letter.The Centre will release its share of ₹43.45 crore through instalments as the Andhra Pradesh government requires to release its share.The quarantine facilities, laboratory, custom facilities, processing facilities and hinterland connectivity for domestic and international trade are among the facilities to be developed with the grant. Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has mandated to provide online auction facility, real-time information of catch and vessels and bio-security at the harbour. Published - June 06, 2026 08:53 pm IST

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The SPLC survived firebombs and death threats. Will it survive Trump 2.0?

Trump to impose tariffs on dozens of nations, citing claims of forced labor The Washington Post How Trump is justifying new tariffs vox.com Trump is quietly rebuilding his tariff engine CNN Trump administration floats tariffs on 60 trading partners — including China, U.K., EU — after forced labor probes CBS News Trump Proposes New Levies of at Least 10% to Rebuild Tariff Wall Bloomberg.com

Voters will judge Trump on the economy - how is it doing?

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Voters will judge Trump on the economy - how is it doing?

Trump administration drops $1.8bn 'anti-weaponisation' fund13 minutes agoNardine SaadReutersThe Trump administration has abandoned plans to create a $1.8bn (£1.3bn) fund to compensate individuals who claim they were unfairly targeted or investigated by the government, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said."We're not moving forward with the fund, period," Blanche told lawmakers on Tuesday.The proposed "anti-weaponisation" fund was announced to settle a lawsuit by President Donald Trump against the Internal Revenue Service over the leak of his tax returns.The plan drew strong criticism from Democrats and some Republicans, who argued it could result in payment to people prosecuted over the US Capitol riot on 6 January 2021, including those convicted of assaulting police officers.Brinkema barred the Department of Justice (DOJ) department from taking any steps to stand up or operate the fund - including processing or dispersing claims - until a preliminary hearing on 12 June.Blanche's comments in a tense congressional hearing comes a day after the Justice Department said it "disagrees strongly" with the judge's order but it would abide by the ruling.While Blanche gave the assurance to abandon the fund in oral testimony, he suggested the justice department may not release a formal statement."I'm not committing to putting anything in writing," Blanche said after Congresswoman Grace Meng, a Democrat, suggested that such a statement would help instill trust in the plan. "I don't know what the purpose is of putting something in writing. I'm telling you what we are doing."The DOJ defended the fund's establishment on Monday, saying in a statement on X that it was created "to make up for the tremendous abuse, harm, and hate unfairly shown to so many people".The fund was "open to anybody who was so weaponized, targeted, or persecuted, whether they were Democrat, Republican, Conservative, Independent, or otherwise", the DOJ said.The White House directed comments about the decision to the justice department. The fund had been set aside for "victims of lawfare" to seek compensation, and eligibility for it appeared broad. Responding to the judge's two-page order last week, a DOJ spokesperson said they were "extremely confident" in the legality of the scheme.The order came down after two men who alleged the fund was discriminatory filed a lawsuit in Virginia. The plaintiffs said they had been targeted for political retribution by the Trump administration but believed they would not be allowed to file claims for compensation.Several Republican lawmakers, as well as Democrats, have voiced opposition to the fund since it was announced last month by Blanche - Trump's former personal lawyer who stepped in as the country's top prosecutor after the ouster of Pam Bondi from that role in April.Senate Majority leader John Thune, the top Republican in the US Senate, has come out forcefully against the fund.He reiterated his stance on Capitol Hill on Monday by saying that he preferred that the White House shut down the proposed fund if Congress was to pass a $72bn (53.5bn) budget reconciliation package to fund immigration agencies."I made my views very clear on the issue," Thune said, adding that "the best way to handle it is if the administration decides to shut it down themselves".Earlier on Monday, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, the top Democrat in the Senate, signalled that his party would push to eliminate the fund."Senate Democrats will push legislation to ban Trump's corrupt MAGA slush fund and ensure that no president can ever do this again, " Schumer added on X. "We will make sure that it's dead and can't be revived—just like we did with Trump's ballroom."Over the weekend, former US Vice-President Mike Pence, who served as second in command during Trump's first term, sharply criticised the fund, saying it was a "bad idea from the start" and should be dropped.

Former MRF director Ramarathnam Srinivasan passes away

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Former MRF director Ramarathnam Srinivasan passes away

He was a grandson of Kasturi Gopalan, former Publisher of The Hindu

Former FBI director James Comey indicted for second time

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Former FBI director James Comey indicted for second time

Just nowKayla EpsteinandMadeline HalpertWatch: "I'm still innocent" - James Comey responds to second indictmentFormer FBI Director James Comey has surrendered to authorities to face a charge alleging that an image he briefly shared on social media posed a threat to the life of President Donald Trump.The case stems from an Instagram post shared by Comey, which contained a photo of seashells on a beach arranged to read "86 47". "Eighty-six" is a slang term for "get rid of", and prosecutors allege it encourages violence against Trump, the 47th president.Comey denied...

CBI Joint Director, retired ACP get 3-month jail over IRS officer’s arrest 26 years ago

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CBI Joint Director, retired ACP get 3-month jail over IRS officer’s arrest 26 years ago

2 min readNew DelhiApr 29, 2026 02:52 AM IST On April 18, CBI Joint Director Ramneesh (Ramnish Geer) and Delhi Police retired ACP V K Pandey were convicted in the case filed by 1985-batch IRS officer Ashok Kumar Aggarwal. A Delhi court on Tuesday sentenced a sitting CBI Joint Director and a retired Delhi Police officer to three-month imprisonment for criminal trespass, assault and mischief while arresting an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer in October 2000. The duo was convicted on April 18.ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW VIDEO “… such mala fide actions, on the...

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