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Randy Zisk
Randy Zisk
Randy Zisk
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Randall "Randy" Zisk is an American television director, producer, and writer.[2]

Key Information

Biography

[edit]

He graduated from the University of Southern California and is a native of Dallas, Texas, where he graduated from St. Mark's School of Texas. His family is Jewish.[3] His brother, Craig Zisk, also works in television. As both a director and producer, he has worked most substantially on the television series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman and Monk. He also wrote the 2006 film Maybe It's in the Water, and two episodes of Midnight Caller.

Zisk was nominated for an Primetime Emmy Award, in 2005.[4]

Television credits

[edit]

Numbers in directing and writing credits refer to number of episodes.

1980s

[edit]
Year Title Credited as Network Notes
Director Producer
1986–1987 Heart of the City No associate (13) ABC
1987 Hooperman No supervising (2) Also, associate producer
1988–1991 Midnight Caller Yes (2) Yes (60) NBC Also, associate and co-producer

1990s

[edit]
Year Title Credited as Network Notes
Director Producer
1991 Sisters Yes (2) co-producer (1) NBC
1992 Reasonable Doubts Yes (8) Yes (44) ABC Writer: "Change of Plans"
Also, supervising producer
1992 Bodies of Evidence Yes (1) No CBS
1993–1995 Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Yes (6) co-executive (21) ABC Also, supervising producer
1995–1996 Charlie Grace Yes (8) co-executive (8)
1996 High Incident Yes (8) No
1996 L.A. Firefighters Yes (1) No Fox
1996 Millennium Yes (1) No
1996 Chicago Hope Yes (1) No CBS
1996–1997 Murder One Yes (3) No ABC
1996–1997 NYPD Blue Yes (2) No
1996–1997 Early Edition Yes (3) No CBS
1997 Soldier of Fortune, Inc. Yes (1) No Syndication
1997–1998 The Visitor Yes (2) co-executive (12) Fox
1997 EZ Streets Yes (1) No CBS
1998 Fantasy Island Yes (1) No ABC
1999 The Net Yes (1) No USA Network
1999 Mercy Point Yes (1) No UPN
1999 Legacy Yes (1) No
1999–2002 Providence Yes (3) No NBC

2000s

[edit]
Year Title Credited as Network Notes
Director Executive
Producer
2000 Felicity Yes (1) No The WB
2000 Opposite Sex Yes (3) Yes (8) Fox
2000 Gideon's Crossing Yes Yes (19) ABC
2001 The Agency Yes (1) No CBS
2001 Strong Medicine Yes (1) No Lifetime
2002 Glory Days Yes (4) co-executive (8) The WB
2002 Odyssey 5 Yes (2) No Space/Showtime
2002–2009 Monk Yes (35) Yes (97) USA Network Co-executive (12 episodes)
2002–2006 Without a Trace Yes (6) No CBS
2002 American Dreams Yes (4) No NBC
2003 Mister Sterling Yes (1) No
2003 John Doe Yes (1) No Fox
2003 Miss Match Yes (1) No NBC
2005 House M.D. Yes (1) No Fox
2005 Prison Break Yes (1) No
2006 Conviction Yes (1) No NBC
2006–2012 Desperate Housewives Yes (3) No ABC
2007 Weeds Yes (1) No Showtime
2007–2010 Grey's Anatomy Yes (4) No ABC

2010s

[edit]
Year Title Credited as Network Notes
Director Executive
Producer
2010–2011 Memphis Beat Yes (2) No TNT
2010–2013 The Glades Yes (3) No A&E
2011 Off the Map Yes (5) Yes (13) ABC
2011–2014 Rizzoli & Isles Yes (5) No TNT
2011–2014 The Mentalist Yes (8) No CBS
2011 Private Practice Yes (1) No ABC
2011–2012 Suburgatory Yes (2) No ABC
2012 GCB Yes (1) No
2012–2013 Dallas Yes (2) No TNT
2012–2013 Revenge Yes (3) No ABC
2012 The Mob Doctor Yes (1) No Fox
2013–2015 Scandal Yes (6) No ABC
2013 Save Me Yes (1) No NBC
2013 Family Tools Yes (1) No ABC
2013 We Are Men Yes (1) No CBS Unaired episode only
2014 The Blacklist Yes (1) No NBC
2014 Reckless Yes (1) No CBS
2014 How to Get Away with Murder Yes (1) No ABC
2014 Madam Secretary Yes (1) No CBS
2015 Backstrom Yes (1) No Fox
2015 The Mysteries of Laura Yes (2) No NBC
2015 Battle Creek Yes (2) No CBS
2015–2017 Bones Yes (7) Yes (34) Fox
2015 Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce Yes (1) No Bravo
2017 NCIS: New Orleans Yes (1) No CBS
2017 Valor Yes (1) No The CW
2018 Code Black Yes (1) No CBS
2018 The Good Cop Yes (3) Yes (10) Netflix
2018–2020 Bull Yes (2) No CBS
2019 The Fix Yes (1) No ABC
2019 What/If Yes (1) No Netflix
2019 In the Dark Yes (1) No The CW
2019 Instinct Yes (1) No CBS
2019–2020 Almost Family Yes (2) Yes (7) Fox

2020s

[edit]
Year Title Credited as Network Notes
Director Executive
Producer
2021 Walker Yes (1) No The CW
2021–2022 The Equalizer Yes (5) No CBS
2022 Good Sam Yes (1) No
2022 Panhandle Yes (1) No Roku
2022 The Endgame Yes (2) Yes (9) NBC
2022 So Help Me Todd Yes (1) No CBS
2023 East New York Yes (1) No
2023 Mr. Monk's Last Case: A Monk Movie Yes Yes Peacock TV movie
2025 Alert: Missing Persons Unit Yes (1) No Fox
2025 The Rainmaker Yes (3) No USA Network
2025 Boston Blue Yes (2) No CBS

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Randy Zisk

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Randall "Randy" Zisk (born January 3, 1959) is an American television director, producer, and writer, renowned for his extensive contributions to procedural dramas and comedies, particularly his long association with the series . Born in , , Zisk graduated from and later earned a degree from the School of Cinematic Arts in 1981. Zisk began his career in the late as a writer and producer on the series , where he contributed scripts to two episodes and served as a supervising producer. His directorial debut came in the early , and he quickly established himself with work on fantasy and adventure series, directing multiple episodes of Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman from 1993 to 1997. Throughout the and , Zisk helmed episodes of acclaimed shows such as , , , and Numb3rs, showcasing his versatility in legal, crime, and mystery genres. His most notable tenure was on (2002–2009), where he directed 35 episodes—including the season 3 premiere—and served as a for seasons 3 through 8, contributing to the show's critical success as a character-driven . Zisk's direction on the episode "Mr. Monk Takes His Medicine" earned him a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Directing for a Series in 2005. In recent years, he has continued directing high-profile procedurals like , The Good Doctor, and (2021 reboot), while expanding into production with credits on projects including the 2023 Peacock Mr. Monk's Last Case: A Monk Movie, which garnered him another Emmy nomination in 2024 for Outstanding Television , and directing the pilot for the series Einstein (2024).

Early life and education

Childhood in Dallas

Randy Zisk was born on January 3, 1959, in , . He spent his early years growing up in a Jewish family alongside his younger brother, Craig Zisk, born in 1965, who would later become a prominent and . Beginning in the mid-1970s, the family began spending summers in , renting a house next door to television writer and his wife. In the and , was evolving with increasing local television and film activity, including the establishment of the Texas Film Commission in 1971.

High school and university studies

Randy Zisk attended , a private college-preparatory boys' school in , where he graduated in 1977. Following high school, Zisk enrolled at the 's School of Cinematic Arts, graduating in 1981 with a degree in film.

Professional career

Beginnings in television production

After graduating from the School of Cinematic Arts in 1981 with a degree in film, Randy Zisk relocated from his native , , to to pursue opportunities in the entertainment industry. Having built a foundation through his academic training, Zisk entered the field in entry-level production roles, reflecting the competitive landscape of network television where aspiring professionals often started in assistant positions to gain experience and connections. Zisk's initial credit was as a for one episode of the drama Fathers and Sons in 1986, followed by the role of associate producer on ABC's Heart of the City during the 1986-1987 season, roles that involved supporting script development and on-set coordination amid the era's tight production schedules and union requirements. These positions allowed him to network within ' burgeoning television scene, where opportunities for newcomers were limited by established hierarchies but opened doors through hands-on involvement in episodic storytelling. His breakthrough arrived with , an crime drama that premiered in 1988, where Zisk served as associate producer in its first season before advancing to co-producer for the subsequent two seasons through 1991. On the series, he contributed as a for two episodes—"Ethan's Call" in 1989 and "Mercy Me" in 1989—crafting narratives centered on the show's radio host protagonist confronting urban moral dilemmas. Zisk also directed multiple episodes, including "Planes" in 1990, which marked his transition from behind-the-scenes production to on-set leadership and proved pivotal in establishing his directing credentials.

Directing for major series

Randy Zisk began his directing career in the with the superhero series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, helming five episodes across its first two seasons from 1993 to 1994. These included "Requiem for a Superhero" (Season 1, Episode 2), "Strange Visitor (From Another Planet)" (Season 1, Episode 3), "Vatman" (Season 1, Episode 18), "Madame Ex" (Season 2, Episode 1), and "Season's Greedings" (Season 2, Episode 9). His work on the show emphasized dynamic action sequences and character-driven visuals suited to the genre's blend of romance and adventure. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Zisk expanded his directing to other major series, including early procedural dramas such as , where he directed six episodes between 2002 and 2009. These projects showcased his ability to manage pacing in hour-long formats, balancing investigative tension with interpersonal dynamics in ensemble-driven narratives. Building on his early writing contributions to , Zisk's directing evolved to handle complex casts effectively, ensuring tight storytelling within episodic constraints. By 2010, Zisk had amassed over 80 directing credits across television series, establishing himself as a versatile director in dramatic and genre programming.

Producing and executive roles

Zisk joined the production team of the series in 2003 as co-executive producer, contributing to season planning and offering creative oversight that shaped the show's development across its eight-season run. In this capacity, he collaborated closely with series creator to balance the procedural mystery elements with character-driven humor, ensuring narrative consistency while adapting to evolving story arcs. Beyond Monk, Zisk's producing work extended to other notable television projects, where he managed production elements and provided leadership in series execution. His approach to producing prioritized efficient workflow and team synergy, often integrating his on-set directing insights to streamline creative decisions without delving into episode-specific executions. In 2023, Zisk served as executive producer on the Peacock television movie Mr. Monk's Last Case: A Monk Movie, directing the project while overseeing key production aspects, including the reunion of the original cast after a 14-year hiatus. He highlighted the collaborative spirit of the endeavor, noting how reuniting the ensemble and creative team allowed for an authentic extension of the Monk universe with a more mature tone. Zisk's philosophy in these roles consistently fostered strong writer-director partnerships, as demonstrated by his longstanding teamwork with Breckman to maintain the franchise's core appeal. In 2024, Zisk directed and served as executive producer on the CBS pilot Einstein, a crime drama adaptation created with Andy Breckman.

Notable works

Contributions to Monk

Randy Zisk directed 35 episodes of the series from 2002 to 2009, establishing himself as one of the show's primary directors across its eight seasons. His work included standout installments such as the season 3 episode "Mr. Monk Takes His ," which explored Adrian Monk's obsessive-compulsive disorder through a involving experimental and its side effects on his skills. Zisk's direction emphasized the series' signature balance of procedural mystery and character-driven humor, contributing to episodes that highlighted Monk's eccentricities while advancing intricate crime-solving plots. As co-executive producer for multiple seasons, Zisk played a key role in shaping 's creative direction, including contributions to character development and overarching plot arcs that sustained the show's blend of and over 125 episodes. His producing efforts helped maintain narrative consistency, particularly in arcs involving Monk's personal growth and relationships with supporting characters like Stottlemeyer and Lieutenant Disher. Zisk's contributions to Monk culminated in the 2023 Peacock film Mr. Monk's Last Case: A Monk Movie, where he served as both director and executive producer. The movie reunited the original cast and resolved lingering threads from the series, such as Monk's family dynamics, while preserving the tonal mix of lighthearted investigation and emotional depth that defined the franchise. Under Zisk's guidance, the project delivered a fitting extension to the universe, earning praise for its nostalgic yet fresh approach to the character's world.

Work on Lois & Clark and other genre shows

Randy Zisk directed six episodes of Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman between 1993 and 1995, contributing to the series' blend of action and . His episodes included "Strange Visitor (From Another Planet)" (Season 1, Episode 3), which explored 's extraterrestrial origins through dynamic action sequences, "Requiem for a Superhero" (Season 1, Episode 6), emphasizing the budding partnership between and Clark Kent amid high-stakes heroics, "Vatman" (Season 1, Episode 19), and "Top Copy" (Season 2, Episode 14). In "Madame Ex" (Season 2, Episode 1), Zisk handled tense romantic subplots intertwined with villainous threats, while "Season's Greedings" (Season 2, Episode 9) incorporated holiday fantasy elements with 's protective interventions. These directorial efforts showcased his ability to balance fast-paced action with character-driven romance in a weekly television format. Beyond Lois & Clark, Zisk extended his work to other genre television in the 1990s, directing episodes that highlighted supernatural and sci-fi themes. He helmed "Second Chances" for (1999), a sci-fi involving mind transplantation and ethical dilemmas in a futuristic setting. For the fantasy anthology (1998 revival), Zisk directed "Handymen," an installment that delved into wish-fulfillment and moral twists, adapting episodic storytelling to explore human desires through magical realism. In The Net (1999), a cyber-thriller series, his direction focused on high-tech suspense and identity crises in a pre-widespread internet era, emphasizing tension through limited digital effects. Earlier, on (1988–1991), Zisk incorporated subtle fantasy extensions in select episodes, such as psychological thrillers with hallucinatory or otherworldly undertones, building on the show's crime drama foundation. Zisk's approach to these genre projects drew from his training at the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts, where he earned a degree in , allowing him to adapt cinematic framing and pacing techniques to television's constrained schedules. In the pre-CGI dominant period of 1990s television, he influenced integration on Lois & Clark by combining practical stunts, wire work for flight scenes, and early digital compositing to create convincing spectacles on a TV budget, as discussed in the series' production . This methodical blend of effects elevated action sequences while maintaining narrative focus, setting a precedent for genre storytelling in episodic formats.

Recent television and film projects

In the 2010s, Randy Zisk directed multiple episodes of high-profile ABC series, including six installments of between 2013 and 2015, such as "Boom Goes the Dynamite" (season 2, episode 15), "No Sun on the Horizon" (season 3, episode 13), and "No More Blood" (season 4, episode 13). He also helmed the season 1, episode 3 of How to Get Away with Murder, titled "Smile, or Go to Jail," which aired in 2014 and contributed to the show's early momentum in blending legal drama with thriller elements. Zisk expanded into streaming and limited series post-2010, directing the pilot episode of Netflix's The Good Cop in 2018, a comedy-drama created by that paired and as father-son detectives, though it was canceled after one season. In 2022, he directed two episodes of NBC's limited thriller series , including "Fairytale Wedding" (season 1, episode 2), while serving as an on the project, which explored cyber threats and international intrigue before its single-season conclusion. Other notable directing credits from this period include episodes of Fox's (2019–2020), such as "Related AF" (season 1, episode 2) and "Expectant AF" (season 1, episode 13), a family drama adaptation of the Australian series Sisters. A significant highlight was Zisk's return to the Monk franchise with the 2023 Peacock original film Mr. Monk's Last Case: A Monk Movie, which he directed and executive produced. The movie, written by , premiered on December 8, 2023, and reunited as to investigate a tied to his stepdaughter's wedding, featuring returning cast members like and new additions including Caitlin Mehner and . It received positive critical reception, earning a 92% approval rating on based on 24 reviews, with praise for its faithful extension of the series' quirky detective formula and emotional closure. As of 2024–2025, Zisk continued active involvement in new projects, directing and executive producing the series Einstein, ordered to series in April 2025 for the 2025–26 season, a procedural from Breckman centered on a brilliant but aimless detective, the great-grandson of , starring . He also directed the October 24, 2025, "Teammates" of 's Boston Blue, a Blue Bloods spinoff starring , while serving as co-executive producer on the series premiere.

Awards and nominations

Emmy recognition

Randy Zisk received his first Primetime Emmy nomination in 2005 for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series, for his work on the Monk episode "Mr. Monk Takes His Medicine." This recognition came during the third season of the USA Network series, highlighting Zisk's ability to blend humor with the show's signature detective procedural elements. He competed against notable directors including Charles McDougall for the Desperate Housewives pilot (the eventual winner), David Frankel for Entourage, Gary Halvorson for Everybody Loves Raymond, and James Burrows for Will & Grace. The nomination underscored Monk's growing industry acclaim, as the series earned multiple Emmy nods that year, including for lead actor Tony Shalhoub, contributing to its reputation as a critically praised comedy-mystery hybrid. Nearly two decades later, Zisk earned a second Primetime Emmy nomination in 2024 for Outstanding Television Movie (now titled Outstanding Made for Television Movie), as executive producer on Mr. Monk's Last Case: A Monk Movie. This Peacock original served as a revival of the Monk franchise, reuniting key cast and crew after a 14-year hiatus from the original series. The film was nominated alongside Quiz Lady (the winner), Red, White & Royal Blue, Scoop, and Unfrosted, reflecting the category's emphasis on high-profile streaming adaptations and original content. Zisk has described the project as a rewarding collaboration, noting, "After 14 years to get the cast back together, the team back together, it was a blast." The nomination affirmed Zisk's enduring impact on the Monk universe, where he had directed and produced nearly 100 episodes, and highlighted the successful transition of beloved TV properties to film formats in the streaming era.

Other industry honors

In addition to his Emmy nominations, Zisk earned recognition from the as an on Mr. 's Last Case: A Movie. The film received a nomination for the Outstanding Producer of Televised or Streamed Motion Pictures at the 2024 PGA Awards, highlighting his contributions to reuniting the original creative team for the Peacock original. This nomination underscores Zisk's longstanding impact on the procedural comedy genre, building on his executive producing role across nearly 100 episodes of the original Monk series, which itself garnered multiple industry accolades during its run.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0957198/
  2. https://www.tvmaze.com/people/1311/randy-zisk
  3. https://cinema.usc.edu/alumni/quicktakes/emmynominations2024.cfm
  4. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/randy_zisk
  5. https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/randy-zisk
  6. https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/cbs-drama-pilot-order-einstein-monk-creator-1236097066/
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  14. https://cinema.usc.edu/inmotion/PDF/InMotion_fall_10.pdf
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  25. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0312172/fullcredits/
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  27. https://deadline.com/2023/03/peacock-orders-monk-movie-tony-shalhoub-original-series-cast-1235300773/
  28. https://www.goldderby.com/feature/mr-monks-last-case-director-randy-zisk-video-interview-1205830215/
  29. https://deadline.com/2024/08/einstein-cbs-pilot-2025-26-andy-breckman-1236032729/
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  55. https://www.televisionacademy.com/awards/nominees-winners/2024/outstanding-made-for-television-movie
  56. https://www.goldderby.com/video/randy-zisk-interview-mr-monks-last-case-director/
  57. https://www.thewrap.com/emmys-poor-tv-movie-category/
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