“You don’t look sad … you just look like a reluctant bottom.”

When a new series receives the James Burrows stamp of approval, it’s almost guaranteed to be a hysterical ride. After all, the iconic television director has been at the forefront of some of the most recognizable sitcoms in history, including “Friends,” “Cheers,” “Frasier” and a significant number of episodes of “Will & Grace.” The sitcom genre has seen better days with the invention of streaming services that have practically made the format obsolete, but Burrows keeps chugging along when he finds a show worth investing his talents in.

At 84 years old, Burrows continues his impressive run as sitcom’s greatest living director by taking the helm with a new series from “Will & Grace” creators Max Mutchnick and David Kohan, “Mid-Century Modern.” Starring Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer, Nathan Lee Graham and Linda Lavin, the Palm Springs-set series...