Jay Karas is an American film and television director.

Jay Karas
Alma materUniversity of Southern California
Occupation(s)Film director, television director
Years active1994–present
SpouseMonica
Children1
Websitejaykaras.com

Career edit

Karas's resume primarily consists of directing live telecasts and stand-up comedy specials. In recent years he moved on to directing episodic television, directing episodes of Parks and Recreation, Raising Hope, Awkward, The Fosters, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Workaholics.[1] In 2014, Karas made his feature film directing debut with the film Break Point, starring Jeremy Sisto and David Walton.[2]

Karas's episode of Dice was one of The Hollywood Reporter's "Critics' Picks: The 15 Best TV Episodes of 2016"[3] and Teachers made Vanity Fair's "5 Underrated TV Shows You Should Watch Right Now".[4]

Personal life edit

Jay grew up in Maryland, Virginia, and Connecticut. He attended Bloomfield High School and graduated from the University of Southern California.[5] He lives in Italy[6] with his wife Monica and their son Leo.

Filmography edit

Television edit

Year Title Role Notes
1997 The Jenny McCarthy Show Associate director, coordinating producer 22 episodes
2007 The Naked Trucker and T-Bones Show Director, co-executive producer 8 episodes
2007 MADtv Director 3 episodes
2007–2008 Frank TV 18 episodes
2009 NESN Comedy All-Stars 8 episodes
2011 Eagleheart 2 episodes
2012–2013 The Burn with Jeff Ross 12 episodes
2011–2013 After Lately Director, executive producer, co-executive producer 16 episodes
2013 Parks and Recreation Director Episode: "Doppelgängers"
2014 Awkward 2 episodes
Unstrung Television movie, ABC Family
2015 About a Boy Episode: "About a Manniversary"
The Fosters Episode: "Justify the Means"
Sirens 2 episodes
Brooklyn Nine-Nine Episode: "Sabotage"
Finding Carter Episode: I Knew You Were Trouble
Impastor 2 episodes
Married 2 episodes
Switched at Birth Episode: "To the Victor Belong the Spoils"
Kevin from Work Episode: "Escape from Work"
2016 Deadbeat 3 episodes
The Swap Television movie, Disney Channel
2015–2017 Kirby Buckets 6 episodes
2011–2017 Workaholics 8 episodes
2017 Lopez 2 episodes
2016–2017 Dice 4 episodes
2018 Alone Together 2 episodes
Great News Episode: "The Fast Track"
Ghosted Episode: "The Premonition"
Siren Episode: "Interview With a Mermaid"
2018–2020 Superstore 3 episodes
2018–2019 Splitting Up Together 4 episodes
2016–2018 Those Who Can't 4 episodes
2017–2018 Teachers Director, producer 16 episodes
2019 The Kids Are Alright Director 3 episodes
Sunnyside Episode: "Skirt Skirt"
2020 The Baker and The Beauty Episode: "Honeymoon's Over"
The Main Event (2020 film)
Love, Victor Episode: "What Happens in Willacoochee"
2021 The Moodys Season two
The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers Episode: "Breakaway"
Dynasty Episode: "A Public Forum for Her Lies"
Turner & Hooch Episode: "Diamonds Are Furever"
Acapulco 5 episodes
2022 Abbott Elementary 2 episodes
2022-2024 Ghosts 3 episodes
2023 So Help Me Todd Episode: "Ivan the Terrible"
True Lies Episode: "Independent Dependents"
Forthcoming The Extraditers Co-writer In partnership with Dean Ward
Rewrite of Man Up In partnership with Dean Ward for CBS Films[7]

Comedy edit

Year Title Role Notes
2012 D.L. Hughley: Reset Director, executive producer D.L. Hughley special
2013 Doug Stanhope: Beer Hall Putsch Director, executive producer Doug Stanhope special
2014 Bill Burr: I'm Sorry You Feel That Way Director Bill Burr special
2014 Chelsea Peretti: One of the Greats Executive producer Chelsea Peretti special
2015 Demetri Martin: Live (At the Time) Director Demetri Martin special
2015 Tig Notaro: Boyish Girl Interrupted Director Tig Notaro special
2016 Tom Segura: Mostly Stories Director Tom Segura specially
2016 Not Safe with Nikki Glaser Director Nikki Glaser special
2016 Ali Wong: Baby Cobra Director Ali Wong special
2017 Jeff Foxworthy & Larry the Cable Guy: We've Been Thinking Director Jeff Foxworthy & Larry the Cable Guy special
2017 Bill Burr: Walk Your Way Out Director, executive producer Bill Burr special
2017 Christina P: Mother Inferior Director Christina Pazsitzk special
2018 Tom Segura: Disgraceful Director Tom Segura special
2018 Ali Wong: Hard Knock Wife Director Ali Wong special
2018 Demetri Martin: The Overthinker Director Demetri Martin special

Advertising edit

Karas has directed spots for brands including Ford, Target, Coke Zero, and Fandango, as well campaigns for ABC, Disney, E!, A&E, and TBS, including Conan's launch campaigns and the viral "Desk Wash" spot.[8]

Music video edit

Year Title Artist Role
2004 "Keeping Last" The Forgiven Fridays Producer

Awards edit

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2013 Parks and Recreation Online Film & Television Association, OFTA Television Award, Best Direction in a Comedy Series Nominated
2014 Break Point Newport Beach Film Festival, Outstanding Achievement in Filmmaking Won
2014 Break Point SXSW Film Festival, Narrative Spotlight Nominated

References edit

  1. ^ "INTERVIEW: Director Jay Karas Talks To Me About The More Than Just a Sports Movie, Break Point". Rama's Screen. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
  2. ^ "Interview: Director 'Jay Karas' Talks His Feature Film Directorial Debut Break Point". Red Carpet Crash. August 22, 2015. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
  3. ^ Goodman, Tim; Fienberg, Daniel (December 21, 2016). "Dice - Critics' Picks: The 15 Best TV Episodes of 2016". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
  4. ^ Wolcott, James (January 18, 2017). "5 Underrated TV Shows You Should Watch Right Now". Vanity Fair. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
  5. ^ "Two BHS Alums Making Their Mark at Disney". Courant Community. October 6, 2016. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
  6. ^ "Jay Karas bio".
  7. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (April 28, 2017). "Jay Karas & Dean Ward Tapped To Rewrite Comedy Man Up For CBS Films". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
  8. ^ Dahl, Oscar (November 9, 2010). "Conan is back — all is right with the world". Today. Retrieved May 22, 2018.

External links edit