About
"I'm a director … I'm directing, I'm aiming, I'm guiding. It is my responsibility to make sure that I bring out the best that these people have to offer, or make it possible for them to bring out the best that they can offer."
In his three-hour interview, Asaad Kelada discusses how he began his long and successful career as a TV director. He speaks of serving as an apprentice on the sitcom Rhoda and recalls how the show led to working on other popular comedies such as The Tony Randall Show, Phyllis, and The Hogan Family (aka Valerie). He details his experience working on the hit shows The Facts of Life, Who's the Boss? and Family Ties and outlines the impact these shows had upon him and audiences. Kelada also talks about his contributions to Dharma & Greg, Everybody Loves Raymond, Two and a Half Men and The Office, among others. He then describes his current projects and passions, discusses the craft of directing, and offers advice to aspiring TV directors. Nancy Harrington conducted the interview on March 7, 2012 in North Hollywood, CA.
Highlights
Asaad Kelada on directing special guest star Frank Sinatra, on Who's the Boss?
Asaad Kelada on James Burrows assistance to him at the beginning of his career
Asaad Kelada on advice given to him by Jay Sandrich while working on the show Phyllis
Asaad Kelada on directing Valerie Harper on the shows Rhoda and The Hogan Family
Asaad Kelada on his process of working with actors
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his childhood and early influences; on meeting filmmaker Youssef Chahine; on his first movie role in the film Cairo Station
On teaching at Antioch College; on apprenticing on the show Rhoda; on directing his first episode of the show
On the differences between directing for theater versus TV; on working with Valerie Harper and other cast and crew members on Rhoda
On observing the production process of Rhoda; on his experience working on the show Phyllis; on his experience working on The Tony Randall Show
Chapter 2
On his memories working as a director while working on The Tony Randall Show; on the premise of the show; on directing WKRP in Cincinnati and The Last Resort
On directing The Facts of Life; on the addition of "Jo" to the cast; on his creative input on the show; on what a typical production week was like on the show
On working with the cast of The Facts of Life; on his favorite episode of The Facts of Life; on directing the two-hour special, The Facts of Life Goes to Paris
On directing the pilot for Family Ties and working with the cast; on guest directing on the show every year; on the focus of the show
Chapter 3
On his time directing Who's the Boss?; on the premise of the show; on his creative involvement in the show; on the dynamic between characters, "Tony" and "Angela"
On the popularity and appeal of Who's the Boss?; on directing Valerie, Karen's Song, and an episode of Day By Day featuring The Brady Bunch
On directing George, Sister, Sister, and Dharma & Greg; on his work on The Michael Richards Show; on directing two episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond
On directing Two and a Half Men; on directing an episode of The Office; on his work on Ruby and the Rockits; on current projects
On his process of working with actors; on how he prepares to direct an episode; on advice to aspiring TV directors; on the highlight of his career
Shows
Day by Day
Asaad Kelada on directing an episode of Day By Day featuring The Brady Bunch
Dharma & Greg
Asaad Kelada on directing Dharma & Greg
Everybody Loves Raymond
Asaad Kelada on directing two episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond
Facts of Life, The
Asaad Kelada on directing The Facts of Life
Asaad Kelada on working with the cast of The Facts of Life
Asaad Kelada on his favorite episode of The Facts of Life
Family Ties
Asaad Kelada on directing the pilot for Family Ties and future episodes of the show and working with Michael J. Fox
Hogan Family, The aka Valerie
Asaad Kelada on directing The Hogan Family (aka Valerie)
Last Resort, The
Asaad Kelada on directing The Last Resort
Office, The
Asaad Kelada on directing an episode of The Office
Phyllis
Asaad Kelada on his experience working on the show Phyllis
Rhoda
Asaad Kelada on apprenticing on the show Rhoda
Asaad Kelada on directing his first episode "Rhoda Goes to Paris" on the show Rhoda
Sister, Sister
Asaad Kelada on directing Sister, Sister
Tony Randall Show, The
Asaad Kelada on his experience working on The Tony Randall Show
Asaad Kelada on his memories working as a director while working on The Tony Randall Show
Two and a Half Men
Asaad Kelada on directing episodes of Two and a Half Men
Who's the Boss?
Asaad Kelada on his time directing Who's the Boss?
WKRP in Cincinnati
Asaad Kelada on directing WKRP in Cincinnati
Topics
Fame and Celebrity
Asaad Kelada on working with the young cast of The Facts of Life and how they handled fame
Industry Crossroads
Asaad Kelada on how "The Dinner Party," an episode of The Office was delayed due to the Writers' Strike
Industry Strikes
Asaad Kelada on how "The Dinner Party," an episode of The Office was delayed due to the Writers' Strike
Pop Culture
Asaad Kelada on the theme song for Family Ties
Representation on Television
Asaad Kelada on challenges breaking into the TV industry
Television Industry
Asaad Kelada on how "The Dinner Party," an episode of The Office was delayed due to the Writers' Strike
Asaad Kelada on working with the young cast of The Facts of Life and how they handled fame
TV Theme Songs
Asaad Kelada on the theme song for Family Ties
Underrepresented Voices
Asaad Kelada on challenges breaking into the TV industry
Professions
Directors
Asaad Kelada on apprenticing on the show Rhoda
Asaad Kelada on directing his first episode "Rhoda Goes to Paris" on the show Rhoda
Asaad Kelada on how he prepares to direct an episode
Asaad Kelada on directing an episode of The Office
Genres
Comedy Series
Asaad Kelada on apprenticing on the show Rhoda
Asaad Kelada on directing his first episode "Rhoda Goes to Paris" on the show Rhoda
Asaad Kelada on his experience working on the show Phyllis
Asaad Kelada on his experience working on The Tony Randall Show
Asaad Kelada on his time directing Who's the Boss?
Asaad Kelada on directing The Hogan Family (aka Valerie)
Asaad Kelada on directing an episode of Day By Day featuring The Brady Bunch
Asaad Kelada on directing Sister, Sister
Asaad Kelada on directing Dharma & Greg
Asaad Kelada on directing two episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond
Asaad Kelada on directing Karen's Song
Asaad Kelada on directing George
Asaad Kelada on directing episodes of Two and a Half Men
Asaad Kelada on directing an episode of The Office
Asaad Kelada on his memories working as a director while working on The Tony Randall Show
Asaad Kelada on directing WKRP in Cincinnati
Asaad Kelada on directing The Last Resort
Asaad Kelada on directing The Facts of Life
Asaad Kelada on directing the pilot for Family Ties
People
Meredith Baxter-Birney
Asaad Kelada on directing Meredith Baxter-Birney on the pilot for Family Ties
Allan Burns
Asaad Kelada on working with the producers on Rhoda
James Burrows
Asaad Kelada on James Burrows assistance to him at the beginning of his career
Steve Carell
Asaad Kelada on working with Steve Carell and the rest of The Office cast
Tony Danza
Asaad Kelada on his experience working with Tony Danza on Who's the Boss?
Asaad Kelada on Tony Danza producing the show George
Dave Davis
Asaad Kelada on the support he received from Dave Davis, Valerie Harper and Grant Tinker while working on the show, Rhoda
Patty Duke
Asaad Kelada on working with Patty Duke and Lewis Smith on Karen's Song
Jenna Elfman
Asaad Kelada on working with Jenna Elfman on Dharma & Greg
Michael J. Fox
Asaad Kelada on working with Michael J. Fox on the pilot for Family Ties
Gary David Goldberg
Asaad Kelada on working with Gary David Goldberg on an episode of Day By Day
Asaad Kelada on directing Gary David Goldberg on The Tony Randall Show
Asaad Kelada on working with Gary David Goldberg on The Last Resort
Asaad Kelada on working with Gary David Goldberg on the pilot for Family Ties
Michael Gross
Asaad Kelada on working with Michael Gross on the pilot for Family Ties
Valerie Harper
Asaad Kelada on the support he received from Dave Davis, Valerie Harper and Grant Tinker while working on the show, Rhoda
Asaad Kelada on directing Valerie Harper on the shows Rhoda and The Hogan Family
Asaad Kelada on working with Valerie Harper and Jason Bateman on The Hogan Family
Teri Hatcher
Asaad Kelada on working with Teri Hatcher on her first series, Karen's Song
Katherine Helmond
Asaad Kelada on his experience working with Katherine Helmond, Alyssa Milano, and Danny Pintauro on Who's the Boss?
Geri Jewell
Asaad Kelada on directing Geri Jewell on The Facts of Life
Julie Kavner
Asaad Kelada on directing Julie Kavner on the show Rhoda
Cloris Leachman
Asaad Kelada on working with Cloris Leachman on the show Phyllis
Asaad Kelada on working with Cloris Leachman on Two and a Half Men
Judith Light
Asaad Kelada on his experience working with Judith Light on Who's the Boss?
Chuck Lorre
Asaad Kelada on working with Chuck Lorre on Dharma & Greg
Asaad Kelada on working with Chuck Lorre on Two and a Half Men
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Asaad Kelada on working with Julia Louis-Dreyfus on an episode of Day By Day
Nancy McKeon
Asaad Kelada on what Nancy Mckeon's character "Jo" brought to The Facts of Life
Alyssa Milano
Asaad Kelada on his experience working with Katherine Helmond, Alyssa Milano, and Danny Pintauro on Who's the Boss?
Danny Pintauro
Asaad Kelada on his experience working with Katherine Helmond, Alyssa Milano, and Danny Pintauro on Who's the Boss?
Tony Randall
Asaad Kelada on his experience working on The Tony Randall Show with Tony Randall
Asaad Kelada on directing Tony Randall on The Tony Randall Show
Jay Sandrich
Asaad Kelada on advice given to him by Jay Sandrich while working on the show Phyllis
Charlie Sheen
Asaad Kelada on working with Charlie Sheen on Two and a Half Men
Frank Sinatra
Asaad Kelada on working with special guest star Frank Sinatra on Who's the Boss?
Susan Sullivan
Asaad Kelada on how Susan Sullivan was instrumental in his directing episodes of Dharma & Greg
Grant Tinker
Asaad Kelada on the support he received from Dave Davis, Valerie Harper and Grant Tinker while working on the show, Rhoda
Nancy Walker
Asaad Kelada on directing Nancy Walker on the show Rhoda
Ed. Weinberger
Asaad Kelada on working with Ed Weinberger on the show Phyllis
Hugh Wilson
Asaad Kelada on working with Hugh Wilson on WKRP in Cincinnati and on The Tony Randall Show