Introduction
Michael Allan Zinberg (born March 22, 1944), is an American television director, producer and writer.
Early life
Zinberg was born in Bexar County, Texas to Dorothy Zinberg (née Rissien) and William Zinberg. Graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in San Antonio, TX.
He is an alumnus of the University of Texas at Austin, where he was an English major.
Career
Zinberg moved to Los Angeles, California, in 1968, with his first job as an usher at CBS Television City. He worked his way up to become a production assistant and then a writer, eventually working as an Associate Producer on the James Garner TV show Nichols.
MTM Productions
In 1972, Zinberg joined the MTM Productions television production company that was founded by Mary Tyler Moore's husband, Grant Tinker. While at MTM Productions he wrote, produced and directed The Bob Newhart Show for six seasons, as well as The Mary Tyler Moore Show, among other popular TV shows of the 1970s and 1980s.
Executive career
From 1979 to 1981, Zinberg was VP Production Development at NBC, where he was responsible for Hill Street Blues, Cheers, as well as other programs.
From 1993 to 1995, Zinberg was President of NBC Productions, where he oversaw Homicide: Life on the Street, JAG, and all NBC Late Night programming.
Directing
Zinberg continues to produce direct many episodic TV programs, including Rizzoli & Isles, where he serves as Executive Producer. He has directed current shows like The Good Wife, The Blacklist, and NCIS: New Orleans, among others. He counts John Rich, John Frankenheimer, Bob Butler, and Gene Reynolds as inspiration for his directing work.
Filmography
Selected work
- 1971-1972: Nichols - Assistant Producer, 24 episodes
- 1972-1974: The Mary Tyler Moore Show - Associate Producer, 24 episodes; Assistant Producer, 24 episodes
- 1972-1978: The Bob Newhart Show - Associate Producer, 75 episodes; Producer, 33 episodes; Executive Producer, 22 episodes; Director, 15 episodes
- 1976-1978: The Tony Randall Show - Director, 5 episodes
- 1982-1983: Taxi - Director, 6 episodes
- 1978-1979: WKRP in Cincinnati - Director, 4 episodes
- 1983-1984: The Yellow Rose - Executive Producer, 22 episodes
- 1987-1988: L.A. Law - Director, 2 episodes
- 1989-1990: Midnight Caller - Director - 3 episodes
- 1990-1991: Quantum Leap - Co-Executive Producer, 24 episodes; Director, 9 episodes
- 1996-1998: JAG - Co-Executive Producer, 7 episodes; Director, 2 episodes
- 1996-1997: Men Behaving Badly - Director, 16 episodes
- 1999-2002: Everybody Loves Raymond - Director, 5 episodes
- 1999-2004: The Practice - Director, 8 episodes
- 2003-2009: Monk - Director, 5 episodes
- 2004-2005: Gilmore Girls - Director, 6 episodes
- 2008-2010: Private Practice - Director, 5 episodes
- 2009-2010: Lie to Me - Director, 4 episodes
- 2010-2011: Rizzoli & Isles - Executive Producer, 15 episodes; Director, 5 episodes
- 2010-2015: The Good Wife - Director, 13 episodes
- 2014-2015: NCIS - Director, 2 episodes
- 2015-2016: The Carmichael Show - Director, 2 episodes
Honors
Emmys
- 1977: Outstanding Comedy Series, The Bob Newhart Show (CBS)
- 1991: Outstanding Drama Series, Quantum Leap (NBC)
- 1992: Outstanding Drama Series, Quantum Leap (NBC)
Zinberg has won the following awards and has served on the following bodies:
- The Lifetime Achievement Award from The Caucus of Writers, Producers and Directors
- Board Member, The Western Directors Council
- Co-Chair of the DGA Television Creative Rights Committee
- 1983: The Young Texas Exes Award, University of Texas at Austin
- 1994: The College of Communication Outstanding Alumnus Award, University of Texas at Austin
- UT College of Communication Foundation Advisory Council, University of Texas at Austin
- ^ "Michael Zinberg". Emmys. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
Personal life
Zinberg has been married to Leslie Zinberg (née Fierman), a writer and designer, since 1969.