Jay Karas

Jaime Eliezer Karas, who is also known as Jay Karas, is an American film and television director.

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

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

Personal life Jay grew up in Maryland, Virginia, and Connecticut. He attended Bloomfield High School and graduated from the University of Southern California. He lives in Italy 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 episodesUnstrung 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 AlrightDirector 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" 2021-2025 Acapulco 5 episodes 2022-2025 Abbott Elementary 5 episodes 2022-2024 Ghosts 3 episodes 2023-2024 So Help Me Todd Episode: "Ivan the Terrible" 2023 True Lies Episode: "Independent Dependents" 2026 Best Medicine 3 episodes Forthcoming The Extraditers Co-writer In partnership with Dean Ward Rewrite of Man Up In partnership with Dean Ward for CBS Films

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.

Music video

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

Awards 2013 Parks and Recreation Online Film & Television Association, OFTA Television Award, Best Direction in a Comedy Series 2014 Break Point Newport Beach Film Festival, Outstanding Achievement in Filmmaking 2014 Break Point SXSW Film Festival, Narrative Spotlight