Andy Ackerman

Director / Editor


The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About
About this interview

In his three-hour interview, Andy Ackerman talks about his break into the industry as an assistant editor on the series Welcome Back, Kotter. He relates how he came to work for MTM Enterprises and discusses working on WKRP in Cincinnati as an editor (for which he won an Emmy award). He describes his approach to editing and notes how the audience creates the rhythm for the show. He speaks in great detail about his long association with Cheers, for which he worked as an editor (another Emmy win) and a director. For Cheers, he talks about working with the series producers, describes memorable episodes, and talks about the atmosphere on the set of the final episode. He then describes his continued work as a director in sitcoms, starting with Wings and Frasier. He then discusses, at length, his work as the main director of the later seasons of Seinfeld -- he describes the series' style of comedy, the visual ideas he incorporated into the show, and gives his impressions of the ensemble. He offers production stories about such well-known episodes as "The Soup Nazi," "The Invitations," and "The Bizarro Jerry." He touches on some of the series he's directed since Seinfeld, including Becker, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and The New Adventures of Old Christine. Jenni Matz conducted the interview on November 13, 2007 in South Pasadena, CA. PLEASE NOTE: THE VIDEO SEGMENT BETWEEEN CHAPTERS 1 AND 2 IS TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE. PLEASE CHECK BACK LATER.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"We all know when something's not funny. But I think somehow I've been blessed with an ear. I know if something's not quite working. I feel like I have the ability to help the actor to do a little tweak. Maybe instead of ending it with this inflection or underlining this word, try stressing this word instead, and take beats. A lot of it is timing and... rhythm. Knowing when to pause, when not to pause. That's just the beauty of language, in general."  

People Talking About ...
Highlights
Andy Ackerman on directing Seinfeld and the transition after Larry David left the show
03:46
Andy Ackerman on directing a dark episode of Seinfeld, "The Invitations"
02:43
Andy Ackerman on how he got a job editing for WKRP in Cincinnati and on winning an Emmy for the show
04:58
Andy Ackerman on the Cheers finale, "One for the Road"
00:49
Andy Ackerman on the Seinfeld finale penned by Larry David
08:30
Andy Ackerman on working with Alex Trebek for the Jeopardy! episode of Cheers, "What is... Cliff Clavin?"
00:51
Full Interview

Play Full Interview

Chapter 1

On his childhood and early influences
On majoring in accounting at Santa Clara University and then switching and getting involved with the business school's TV studio
On his first jobs in television after college at Welcome Back, Kotter and WKRP in Cincinnati

Chapter 2

On working with the Cheers cast; on James Burrows' take on Taxi; on working with Ted Danson as "Sam Malone" and Kirstie Alley as "Rebecca Howe" on Cheers
On working with Alex Trebek for the Jeopardy! episode of Cheers, "What is... Cliff Clavin?"; on the Cheers finale, "One for the Road"; on the importance of working with a good ensemble cast as a director
On working on Wings; on passing on the opportunity to direct Frasier to work on Big Wave Dave's; on directing Muddling Through with Jennifer Aniston

Chapter 3

On directing a couple episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond; on how he came to meet Larry David and eventually direct Seinfeld; on directing his first episode of Seinfeld, "The Chaperone," and on working with the cast
On what he brought to Seinfeld; on what he learned from Larry David; on directing an episode of Seinfeld, "The Pothole"; on the process of directing a Seinfeld episode; on various shooting locations
On directing an episode of Seinfeld, "The Rye"; on the pacing changes on Seinfeld and on trying to maintain a realistic tone from the actors
On directing Jerry Seinfeld and Julia Louis-Dreyfus on Seinfeld; on the rehearsal process, ad-libbing, and "happy accidents" on Seinfeld; on directing a dark episode of Seinfeld, "The Invitations"

Chapter 4

On censorship on Seinfeld; on directing Seinfeld and the transition after Larry David left the show; on his favorite Jerry Seinfeld/Larry David-penned episodes of Seinfeld
On how Seinfeld phrases made it into the pop culture lexicon; on Jon Voight guest-starring on Seinfeld with Michael Richards; on working with Jerry Stiller on Seinfeld
On one of his favorite Seinfeld episodes, "The Rye"; on one of his favorite Seinfeld episodes, "The Soup Nazi"; on the legacy of Seinfeld
On the Seinfeld finale penned by Larry David

Chapter 5

On other shows he worked on: Almost Perfect, Andy Richter Controls the Universe, LateLine, The New Adventures of Old Christine, and Becker
On how television has changed since he was a child; on Curb Your Enthusiasm
On his love of television comedy and his proudest achievements
Shows

Almost Perfect

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Andy Ackerman on the show Almost Perfect
00:50

Andy Richter Controls the Universe

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Andy Ackerman on the great experience he had on the show Andy Richter Controls the Universe starring Andy Richter
02:55

Becker

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Andy Ackerman on reuniting with Ted Danson on Becker
02:56

Bernie Mac Show, The

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Andy Ackerman on directing The Bernie Mac Show
00:34

Big Wave Dave's

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Andy Ackerman on directing Big Wave Dave's
02:14

Cheers

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Andy Ackerman on working with the Cheers cast
03:46
Andy Ackerman on his favorite episodes of Cheers that he edited
02:06
Andy Ackerman on the Cheers finale, "One for the Road"
00:49
Andy Ackerman on working with Ted Danson as "Sam Malone" and Kirstie Alley as "Rebecca Howe" on Cheers
03:12

Cheers: "One for the Road"

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Andy Ackerman on the Cheers finale, "One for the Road"
00:49

Cheers: "What is... Cliff Clavin?"

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Andy Ackerman on working with Alex Trebek for the Jeopardy! episode of Cheers, "What is... Cliff Clavin?"
00:51

Curb Your Enthusiasm

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Andy Ackerman on reuniting with Larry David on Curb Your Enthusiasm
03:15

Ed Sullivan Show, The aka Toast of the Town

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Andy Ackerman on TV shows he grew up watching: The Ed Sullivan Show
01:16

Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)

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Andy Ackerman on how he got a job editing for WKRP in Cincinnati and winning an Emmy for the show
04:58

Everybody Loves Raymond

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Andy Ackerman on directing a couple episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond
03:07
Andy Ackerman on some of his favorite television moments: Everybody Loves Raymond
00:15

Frasier

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Andy Ackerman on passing on the opportunity to direct Frasier
02:09
Andy Ackerman on directing four episodes of Frasier
01:52

Jeopardy!

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Andy Ackerman on working with Alex Trebek for the Jeopardy! episode of Cheers, "What is... Cliff Clavin?"
00:51

Lateline

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Andy Ackerman on the great experience he had on the show LateLine
00:54

Mickey Mouse Club, The

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Andy Ackerman on TV shows he grew up watching: The Mickey Mouse Club
01:16

Muddling Through

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Andy Ackerman on directing Muddling Through with Jennifer Aniston
00:42

New Adventures of Old Christine, The

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Andy Ackerman on directing The New Adventures of Old Christine starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus
03:33
Andy Ackerman on directing The New Adventures of Old Christine
00:43

Office, The

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Andy Ackerman on his thoughts on The Office
00:17

Phil Silvers Show, The aka You'll Never Get Rich aka Sergeant Bilko

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Andy Ackerman on Larry David's admiration of the character "Sgt. Bilko" and how that influenced Curb Your Enthusiasm
00:44

Seinfeld

View Show Page
Andy Ackerman on how he came to meet Larry David and eventually direct Seinfeld
05:37
Andy Ackerman on directing his first episode of Seinfeld, "The Chaperone"
03:01
Andy Ackerman on directing an episode of Seinfeld, "The Pothole"
02:12
Andy Ackerman on directing an episode of Seinfeld, "The Rye"
01:21
Andy Ackerman on directing a dark episode of Seinfeld, "The Invitations"
02:43
Andy Ackerman on the process of directing a Seinfeld episode and on various shooting locations
01:18
Andy Ackerman on the pacing changes on Seinfeld and on trying to maintain a realistic tone from the actors
02:19
Andy Ackerman on directing non-actor Jerry Seinfeld on Seinfeld
02:11
Andy Ackerman on directing Julia Louis-Dreyfus on Seinfeld
00:17
Andy Ackerman on the rehearsal process, ad-libbing, and "happy accidents" on Seinfeld
02:27
Andy Ackerman on what he brought to Seinfeld and on what he learned from Larry David
02:26
Andy Ackerman on directing Seinfeld and the transition after Larry David left the show
03:46
Andy Ackerman on his favorite Jerry Seinfeld/Larry David-penned episodes of Seinfeld
00:33
Andy Ackerman on the Seinfeld finale penned by Larry David
08:30
Andy Ackerman on censorship on Seinfeld
00:56
Andy Ackerman on the legacy of Seinfeld
02:17
Andy Ackerman on Jon Voight guest-starring on Seinfeld with Michael Richards
02:16
Andy Ackerman on working with Jerry Stiller on Seinfeld
03:22
Andy Ackerman on how Seinfeld phrases made it into the pop culture lexicon
01:51
Andy Ackerman on some of his favorite television moments: Seinfeld
00:56

Seinfeld: "The Bizarro Jerry"

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Andy Ackerman on his favorite Jerry Seinfeld/Larry David-penned episodes of Seinfeld
00:33

Seinfeld: "The Chaperone"

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Andy Ackerman on directing his first episode of Seinfeld, "The Chaperone," and on working with the cast
03:01

Seinfeld: "The Finale"

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Andy Ackerman on the Seinfeld finale penned by Larry David
08:30

Seinfeld: "The Invitations"

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Andy Ackerman on directing a dark episode of Seinfeld, "The Invitations"
02:43

Seinfeld: "The Pothole"

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Andy Ackerman on directing an episode of Seinfeld, "The Pothole"
02:12

Seinfeld: "The Rye"

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Andy Ackerman on directing an episode of Seinfeld, "The Rye"
01:21
Andy Ackerman on one of his favorite Seinfeld episodes, "The Rye"
02:05

Seinfeld: "The Soup Nazi"

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Andy Ackerman on one of his favorite Seinfeld episodes, "The Soup Nazi"
01:55

Taxi

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Andy Ackerman on James Burrows' take on Taxi
00:22

WKRP in Cincinnati

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Andy Ackerman on how he got a job editing for WKRP in Cincinnati and winning an Emmy for the show
04:58

Welcome Back, Kotter

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Andy Ackerman on his first job as an assistant editor at Welcome Back, Kotter
01:06

Wings

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Andy Ackerman on working on Wings
07:30
Topics

Advice

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Andy Ackerman on advice he got from James Burrows
01:42

Censorship / Standards & Practices

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Andy Ackerman on censorship on Seinfeld
00:55

Characters & Catchphrases

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Andy Ackerman on how Seinfeld phrases made it into the pop culture lexicon
01:51
Andy Ackerman on Larry David's admiration of the character "Sgt. Bilko" and how that influenced Curb Your Enthusiasm
00:46

Classic TV series episodes

View Topic
Andy Ackerman on working with Alex Trebek for the Jeopardy! episode of Cheers, "What is... Cliff Clavin?"
00:51
Andy Ackerman on the Cheers finale, "One for the Road"
00:49
Andy Ackerman on directing his first episode of Seinfeld, "The Chaperone"
03:01
Andy Ackerman on the Seinfeld finale penned by Larry David
08:30

Comedy

View Topic
Andy Ackerman on working with Alex Trebek for the Jeopardy! episode of Cheers, "What is... Cliff Clavin?"
00:51
Andy Ackerman on the Cheers finale, "One for the Road"
00:49
Andy Ackerman on the Seinfeld finale penned by Larry David
08:30

Creative Influences and Inspiration

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Andy Ackerman on being a stage manager/assistant director for a high school production and learning a lot from his teacher
01:50

Emmy Awards

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Andy Ackerman on how he got a job editing for WKRP in Cincinnati and winning an Emmy for the show
04:58

Memorable Moments on Television

View Topic
Andy Ackerman on the Cheers finale, "One for the Road"
00:49
Andy Ackerman on directing his first episode of Seinfeld, "The Chaperone," and on working with the cast
03:01
Andy Ackerman on the Seinfeld finale penned by Larry David
08:30

Pivotal Career Moments

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Andy Ackerman on being a stage manager/assistant director for a high school production and learning a lot from his teacher
01:50

Pop Culture

View Topic
Andy Ackerman on working with Alex Trebek for the Jeopardy! episode of Cheers, "What is... Cliff Clavin?"
00:51
Andy Ackerman on the Cheers finale, "One for the Road"
00:49
Andy Ackerman on directing his first episode of Seinfeld, "The Chaperone," and on working with the cast
03:01
Andy Ackerman on how Seinfeld phrases made it into the pop culture lexicon
01:51
Andy Ackerman on the Seinfeld finale penned by Larry David
08:30
Andy Ackerman on what makes a successful show
02:56
Andy Ackerman on Larry David's admiration of the character "Sgt. Bilko" and how that influenced Curb Your Enthusiasm
00:46

Television Industry

View Topic
Andy Ackerman on censorship on Seinfeld
00:55
Andy Ackerman on advice he got from James Burrows
01:42
Andy Ackerman on what makes a successful show
02:56

We Laughed

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Andy Ackerman on directing his first episode of Seinfeld, "The Chaperone," and on working with the cast
03:01
Professions

Directors

View Profession
Andy Ackerman on the importance of working with a good ensemble cast as a director
01:23
Andy Ackerman on the pacing changes on Seinfeld and on trying to maintain a realistic tone from the actors
02:19
Andy Ackerman on directing non-actor Jerry Seinfeld on Seinfeld
02:11
Andy Ackerman on the process of directing a Seinfeld episode and on various shooting locations
01:18
Andy Ackerman on the rehearsal process, ad-libbing, and "happy accidents" on Seinfeld
02:27
Andy Ackerman on what makes a successful show
02:57

Editor

View Profession
Andy Ackerman on the craft of editing and winning an Emmy for editing an episode of WKRP in Cincinnati
00:37

Post-Production Professionals

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Andy Ackerman on the craft of editing and winning an Emmy for editing an episode of WKRP in Cincinnati
00:37
Genres

Children's Programming

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Andy Ackerman on TV shows he grew up watching: The Mickey Mouse Club
00:10

Comedy Series

View Genre
Andy Ackerman on how he got a job editing for WKRP in Cincinnati and winning an Emmy for the show
04:58
Andy Ackerman on his first job as an assistant editor at Welcome Back, Kotter
01:06
Andy Ackerman on editing and directing Cheers
11:06
Andy Ackerman on working on Wings
07:30
Andy Ackerman on being approached to do Frasier with Peter Casey, David Angell, and David Lee
08:54
Andy Ackerman on directing Seinfeld
26:36
Andy Ackerman on directing Everybody Loves Raymond
03:07
Andy Ackerman on directing Seinfeld
30:01
Andy Ackerman on the show Almost Perfect
00:50
Andy Ackerman on the great experience he had on the show Andy Richter Controls the Universe starring Andy Richter
02:55
Andy Ackerman on the great experience he had on the show LateLine
01:04
Andy Ackerman on directing The New Adventures of Old Christine starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus
03:33
Andy Ackerman on reuniting with Larry David on Curb Your Enthusiasm
03:15

Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials

View Genre
Andy Ackerman on TV shows he grew up watching: The Ed Sullivan Show
01:16
People

Kirstie Alley

View Person Page
Andy Ackerman on working with Ted Danson as "Sam Malone" and Kirstie Alley as "Rebecca Howe" on Cheers
03:12

David Angell

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Andy Ackerman on being approached to do Frasier with Peter Casey, David Angell, and David Lee
02:09

Jennifer Aniston

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Andy Ackerman on directing Muddling Through with Jennifer Aniston
00:42

Jack Benny

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Andy Ackerman on some of his favorite television moments: with Michael Richards, Peter Boyle, and Jack Benny
00:55

Peter Boyle

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Andy Ackerman on some of his favorite television moments: with Michael Richards, Peter Boyle, and Jack Benny
00:19

James Burrows

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Andy Ackerman on James Burrows' take on Taxi
00:22
Andy Ackerman on advice he got from James Burrows
01:42

Peter Casey

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Andy Ackerman on being approached to do Frasier with Peter Casey, David Angell, and David Lee
02:09

Ted Danson

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Andy Ackerman on working with Ted Danson as "Sam Malone" and Kirstie Alley as "Rebecca Howe" on Cheers
03:12
Andy Ackerman on reuniting with Ted Danson on Becker
00:55

Larry David

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Andy Ackerman on how he came to meet Larry David and eventually direct Seinfeld
05:37
Andy Ackerman on what he brought to Seinfeld and on what he learned from Larry David
02:26
Andy Ackerman on Seinfeld after Larry David left the show
03:46
Andy Ackerman on the Seinfeld finale - Larry David returned for the final episode
08:30
Andy Ackerman on reuniting with Larry David on Curb Your Enthusiasm
03:17

Dick Van Dyke

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Andy Ackerman on special guest star Dick Van Dyke on Becker
02:01

Victor Fresco

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Andy Ackerman on writer Victor Fresco
03:45

Kelsey Grammer

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Andy Ackerman on directing Kelsey Grammer in Frasier
01:52

David Lee

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Andy Ackerman on being approached to do Frasier with Peter Casey, David Angell, and David Lee
02:09

Kari Lizer

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Andy Ackerman on directing The New Adventures of Old Christine starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus and created by Kari Lizer
03:23

Julia Louis-Dreyfus

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Andy Ackerman on directing Julia Louis-Dreyfus on Seinfeld
00:17
Andy Ackerman on directing The New Adventures of Old Christine starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus and created by Kari Lizer
03:23

Michael Richards

View Person Page
Andy Ackerman on Jon Voight guest-starring on Seinfeld with Michael Richards
01:56
Andy Ackerman on some of his favorite television moments: with Michael Richards, Peter Boyle, and Jack Benny
00:52

Andy Richter

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Andy Ackerman on the great experience he had on the show Andy Richter Controls the Universe starring Andy Richter
02:55

Jerry Seinfeld

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Andy Ackerman on directing non-actor Jerry Seinfeld on Seinfeld
02:11

Jerry Stiller

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Andy Ackerman on working with Jerry Stiller on Seinfeld
03:22

Alex Trebek

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Andy Ackerman on working with Alex Trebek for the Jeopardy! episode of Cheers, "What is... Cliff Clavin?"
00:51

Jon Voight

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Andy Ackerman on Jon Voight guest-starring on Seinfeld with Michael Richards
01:56

Hugh Wilson

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Andy Ackerman on editing WKRP in Cincinnati with show creator Hugh Wilson
02:52

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