The Unlikely Master of Gay Sitcoms, James Burrows
James Burrows elevated sitcoms to an art from with Cheers, Frasier, Taxi, Will & Grace, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and many more. The son of legendary Broadway director Abe Burrows (Guys & Dolls, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying), James became a television legend in his own right, the self-described “800-pound gorilla” who helped shape NBC’s Must-See-TV. He was also responsible for some of the most iconic gay episodes of TV, with queer comedies spanning the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. And he may have even paved the way for gay marriage in the United States. So who WAS this guy? And what makes his work so special?
Thanks to Emma for the edit on this video: https://www.youtube.com/@UCWsplPOphxKMuhYBMgz5IYw
Join me on Patreon for bonus videos: https://www.patreon.com/c/mattbaume
Also join me here:
https://twitch.tv/mattbaume
https://bsky.app/profile/mattbaume.bsky.social
https://facebook.com/mattbaume
https://instagram.com/mattbaume
@PogieJoe
August 26, 2026 at 2:24 pm
Another terrific episode
@TheNameisPlissken1981
August 26, 2026 at 2:24 pm
FYI – Brothers on Showtime was created by MTM, Cheers and Taxi writer David Lloyd who was the father of Modern Family creator Chris Lloyd.
@fintan3563
August 26, 2026 at 2:24 pm
I didn’t realize James Burrows died.
😢😢😢
@ShinobiPhoenix-YT0
August 26, 2026 at 2:24 pm
I have seen the name, but never associated the name to the work even though I was seeing it all the time throughout my literal entire life. So many works that have directly influenced me (Cheers, 3rd Rock, NewsRadio, Will and Grace). I didn't realize that's who he was when he passed away this year and now I'm sad because I didn't know what I had lost. Thank you, Matt for making this and Thank you, James wherever you are.
@daelen.cclark
August 26, 2026 at 2:24 pm
Thanks for showing us how to spell Szysznyk in your new thumbnail.
@RedMenace-fp6dw
August 26, 2026 at 2:24 pm
Ha! Mary's boss moves into upstairs apartment and drives Mary crazy? I remember that episode! Very funny.
@google-friendly-username
August 26, 2026 at 2:24 pm
My late dad was a lifelong homophobe from Texas. He literally became addicted to watching Will and Grace in his last years. Representation and humanization matters.
@PixelateForWork
August 26, 2026 at 2:24 pm
Seeing Matt Baume videos 1hr+ feels like surprise movie night
@ChicaG-vg7pj
August 26, 2026 at 2:24 pm
Another banger of an episode. TY so much for your hard work. Greatly appreciated.
@barbraseville8984
August 26, 2026 at 2:24 pm
My parents LOVED Taxi. I dont really remember it, but this is the second time I've heard it referenced this week.
Def gonna stream it.
@jnnx
August 26, 2026 at 2:24 pm
1:27:16 It’s really kinda of sad, that you aren’t media literate enough to realize that Joe Biden only makes that comment about “Will and Grace” because he’s being interviewed by “Meet the Press” on NBC, and he’s only kissing the buttocks of the corporate brass. How hard that to figure out? You really need to be a little more discerning and have a more critical eye.
@YesAnderson185
August 26, 2026 at 2:24 pm
Just another masterful Matt Baume video. I love getting the notification that you have another video out!
@MrLegodude876
August 26, 2026 at 2:24 pm
The worst part of Matt Baume video is the end 🙁
@namor3607
August 26, 2026 at 2:24 pm
The film Partners might have been a bust but damn, Ryan O'Neal was handsome as hell.
@theloverlyladylo9158
August 26, 2026 at 2:24 pm
I know it’s not the point, but I just keep going back to “demanding multiple shows about chimps”. Like that is a truly bonkers statement and you just glide right past it.
@ChristyAbbey
August 26, 2026 at 2:24 pm
All these years, and I never knew James Burrows was related to Abe. Funny, that.
@NoName-vq3zo
August 26, 2026 at 2:24 pm
Silverman was allowed to continue to greenlight cockamamie ideas, while making millions, and then was let go with a golden parachute! One can't help but wonder who holds the purse strings in America and who gets to keep and have that wealth?
@xerxies8947
August 26, 2026 at 2:24 pm
amazing video. I started watching after hbomberguy referred his viewers to you in his plagiarism video and never regretted it. Incredible creator here.
@unuumaguevara4337
August 26, 2026 at 2:24 pm
♥♥♥♥♥
@danielmathers4595
August 26, 2026 at 2:24 pm
This is a great video. Thankyou. It gives me hope in some way. There is something worth smiling, laughing, shouting and fighting for.
@billywalkerjr.9753
August 26, 2026 at 2:24 pm
Regardless of the exceptional quality of the content, I stopped watching due to the excessive frequency of ad breaks.
@eleanorsherry4620
August 26, 2026 at 2:24 pm
1:18:41 BROTHERS FINALLY MENTIONED LETS GOOOOOOOOO (i am dying for a full video on this)
@luisrizo8813
August 26, 2026 at 2:24 pm
01:29:13; sent it to Tim.
@mightycaine8254
August 26, 2026 at 2:24 pm
Another great video about people I don't know, until I watch your docs and get an education in cultural impact. Keep it up Matt ❤
@luisrizo8813
August 26, 2026 at 2:24 pm
01:02:03; 17 script drafts.
@dominomasked
August 26, 2026 at 2:24 pm
Is it weird that James Burrows looks and sounds like the human from Ratatouille?
@vincentimbesi3947
August 26, 2026 at 2:24 pm
Another amazing episode! 👍🏼💙👍🏼👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
@SydneySweetass
August 26, 2026 at 2:24 pm
Thank you, Matt 💛