Jay Karas

Jaime Eliezer Karas^[1] is an American film and television director.

Jay Karas
Alma mater	University of Southern California
Occupation(s)	Film director, television director
Years active	1994–present
Spouse	Monica
Children	1
Website	jaykaras.com

Career

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.^[2] In 2014, Karas made his feature film directing debut with the film Break Point, starring Jeremy Sisto and David Walton.^[3]

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

Personal life

Jay grew up in Maryland, Virginia, and Connecticut. He attended Bloomfield High School and graduated from the University of Southern California.^[6] He lives in Italy^[7] with his wife Monica and their son Leo.

Filmography

Television

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[8]

Comedy

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

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.^[9]

Music video

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

Awards

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