Authority control databases
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
Jay Karas | |
|---|---|
| Alma mater | University of Southern California |
| Occupation(s) | Film director, television director |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Spouse | Monica |
| Children | 1 |
| Website | jaykaras |
Jay Karas is an American film and television director.
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]
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.
| 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] |
| 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 |
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]
| Year | Title | Artist | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | "Keeping Last" | The Forgiven Fridays | Producer |
| 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 |
