William Asher

Though never a household name, TV director William Asher was largely credited as one of the key figures in the development of television sitcoms through his work on such acclaimed series as "I Love Lucy" (CBS, 1951-56), "Make Room for Daddy" (ABC/CBS, 1953-1964) and "Bewitched" (ABC, 1964-1972). Asher's talent lay in his seamless orchestration of uproarious moments, like star Lucille Ball's famed miming with guest star Harpo Marx or Ball and Vivian Vance fighting a relentless conveyer belt of chocolates. He would later translate this knack for broad screwball comedy into a series of popular teen films starring Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello, including "Beach Party" (1963), "Bikini Beach" (1964) and "Beach Blanket Bingo" (1965). Perhaps the highlight of his career came with "Bewitched," which starred Asher's then-wife, Elizabeth Montgomery as a mischievous witch, a ratings hit and an enduring favorite in reruns for decades thanks to its fizzy, offbeat humor and superior cast of guest stars. When the series ran its course in 1972, Asher returned to directing episodic television with "Alice" (CBS, 1976-1985) and "The Dukes of Hazzard" (CBS, 1979-1985), and oversaw several more as a producer. He retired in 1990, after which he served as a living link to the Golden Age of television comedy until his death in 2012. Rarely celebrated for his exceptional body of work, Asher's greatest tribute was perhaps the generations of TV viewers who were entertained by his work growing up.