Emmy Winners in Pilot Director Chairs

Zap2It.com | April 11, 2008

Richard Shepard

Discuss this story now

Richard Shepard helms ABC comedy, Russos enter FOX's 'Courtroom K'

Richard Shepard and Joe and Anthony Russo -- who have won Emmys for directing series pilots in recent years -- will try to apply the same touch to a pair of new projects.

Shepard has signed on to direct the pilot for ABC's comedy pilot "Bad Mother's Handbook," and the Russo brothers will helm FOX's drama "Courtroom K." Also at ABC, Dean Parisot is set to direct a legal drama from writer David Hemingson, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

"Bad Mother's Handbook" comes from writers Alexandra Rushfield and Jennifer Konner ("Help Me Help You") and centers on a 32-year-old mother who takes care of both her teenage daughter and her 48-year-old mom. Shepard, who won an Emmy last year for directing the "Ugly Betty" pilot, has also directed episodes of "30 Rock" and "Criminal Minds," along with the feature films "The Matador" and "The Hunting Party."

Also at ABC, Parisot will helm Hemingson's legal drama, about a working-class law-school graduate who joins a boutique law firm in Los Angeles. Parisot's TV credits include "Monk" and "ER." He also won an Oscar for best live-action short in 1989.

FOX's "Courtroom K" is a legal drama laced with humor from "House" executive producer Paul Attanasio. The Russos have worked for the network in the past, directing several episodes of "Arrested Development" (including the pilot, for which they won an Emmy). They've also done episodes of "Lucky" and "What About Brian" and the movie "You, Me and Dupree."