DGA President Michael Apted LOS ANGELES, CA: Directors Guild of America President Michael Apted today announced the DGA’s nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement for 2006 in the television categories of Dramatic Series Night, Comedy Series, Musical Variety, Reality Programs, Daytime Serials and Children’s Programs. The winners of all six categories will be announced at the 59th Annual DGA Awards Dinner on Saturday, February 3, 2007 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles.  “The director's role in creating compelling television has never been greater, and will continue to grow in importance as TV gets more competitive and audiences more demanding,” said Apted. “The nominees for the DGA Television Awards are the vanguard of this movement, setting ever-higher standards of quality and taking on the challenge to deliver excellence in all genres week after week.”
	Television Award Categories - click link to view section Dramatic Series Night Comedy Series Musical Variety Reality Programs Daytime Serials Children's Programs
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series Night for 2006 are (in alphabetical order):
	JON CASSAR 24 – “7:00am – 8:00am” FOX Unit Production Manager: Michael Klick First Assistant Director: Nicole Burke Second Assistant Director: Mark Rabinowitz Second Second Assistant Directors: Rebecca Gaither, Scott Remick This is Mr. Cassar’s second nomination. He was nominated for the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series Night in 2003 for 24 (“7:00 am-8:00 am”).
	PETER HORTON Grey’s Anatomy “It’s the End of the World (As We Know It)” ABC Unit Production Manager: Carla Corwin First Assistant Director: Chris Hayden Second Assistant Director: Shawn Hanley Second Second Assistant Director: Laura Petticord Additional Second Second Assistant Director: Daniella Eisman DGA Trainee: Kate Boyle  This is Mr. Horton’s second DGA Award nomination. He was nominated for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series Night in 2005 for Grey’s Anatomy (“A Hard Day’s Night”).
	DAVID NUTTER The Sopranos “Join the Club” HBO Unit Production Manager: Henry Bronchtein First Assistant Director: Mark McGann Second Assistant Director: Noreen Cheleden Second Second Assistant Director: Matt Gordon DGA Trainee: Marcy Patterson  This is Mr. Nutter’s first DGA Award nomination.
	THOMAS SCHLAMME Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip “Pilot” NBC Unit Production Manager: Suzanne Geiger First Assistant Director: William Connor Second Assistant Director: Kristen Ploucha Second Second Assistant Director: Paul Schmitz Additional Second Second Director: John Nolan  This is Mr. Schlamme’s eighth DGA Award nomination. He won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series Night in 2000 for The West Wing (“Noel”), and the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series in 1999 for Sports Night (“Small Town”) and in 1998 for Sports Night (Pilot). He was nominated for the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series Night in 2001 for The West Wing (“Two Cathedrals”) and in 1999 for The West Wing (Pilot). He was nominated for the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical Variety in 1997 for Tracey Takes On (“Tracey Takes On … 1976”) and in 1996 for Tracey Takes On (“Tracey Takes On … Romance”).
	TIM VAN PATTEN The Sopranos “Members Only” HBO Unit Production Managers: Henry J. Bronchtein, Ilene S. Landress First Assistant Director: Jeff Bernstein Second Assistant Director: Nancy Herrmann Second Second Assistant Director: Matt Gordon DGA Trainee: Marcy Patterson  This is Mr. Van Patten’s fifth DGA Award nomination. He won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series in 2004 for Sex and the City (“An American Girl in Paris: Part Deux”) and in 2003 for Sex and the City (“Boy Interrupted”). He was nominated for the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series Night in 2004 for The Sopranos (“Long Term Parking”) and in 2002 for The Sopranos (“Whoever Did This”).
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The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series for 2006 are (in alphabetical order):
	ADAM BERNSTEIN 30 Rock “Pilot” NBC Unit Production Manager: Neri Tannenbaum First Assistant Director: Stephen Lee Davis Second Assistant Director: Betsy Jo Friedman-Palmieri Second Second Assistant Director: Jane Chase Wells  This is Mr. Bernstein’s first DGA Award nomination.
	JULIAN FARINO Entourage “One Day in the Valley” HBO Unit Production Manager: Isaac Wayne Carmona First Assistant Director: John Nelson Second Assistant Director: Susan Hellmann Second Second Assistant Director: Vernon Davidson This is Mr. Farino’s second DGA Award nomination. He was nominated for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series in 2005 for Entourage (“Exodus”)
	SEITH MANN Grey’s Anatomy “Name of the Game” ABC Unit Production Manager: Carla Corwin First Assistant Director: Annette Sutera Second Assistant Director: Shawn Hanley Second Second Assistant Director: Laura Petticord Additional Second Second Assistant Director: Daniella Eisman This is Mr. Mann’s first DGA Award nomination.
	ARLENE SANFORD Boston Legal “Breast in Show” ABC Unit Production Manager: Janet Knutsen First Assistant Director: Carol Vitkay Second Assistant Director: Leo Bauer Second Second Assistant Director: Alicia Lewis Additional Second Second Assistant Director: Nancy Townsend This is Ms. Sanford’s second DGA Award nomination. She was nominated for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in 2004 for Desperate Housewives (“Pretty Little Picture”).
	RICHARD SHEPARD Ugly Betty “Pilot” ABC Unit Production Manager: Margot Lulick First Assistant Director: Christopher Surgent Second Assistant Director: Takahide Kawakami Second Second Assistant Director: Patrick McDonald DGA Trainee: Jennifer Wilkins This is Mr. Shepard’s first DGA Award nomination.
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The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical Variety for 2006 are (in alphabetical order):
	BRUCE GOWERS American Idol: Season 5 Finale: Episode #534/535 FOX Associate Directors: Laura Lyons, Gregg M. Gelfand Stage Manager: Debbie Williams, Robert L. Sellers Jr., Spencer Emmons, Harve K. Levine This is Mr. Gowers’ third DGA Award nomination. He won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical Variety in 2004 for Genius: A Night for Ray Charles, and was nominated in this category in 1997 for The Fleetwood Mac Reunion Special.
	DON ROY KING Saturday Night Live: Alec Baldwin Hosts NBC Associate Directors: Bob Caminiti, Stefani Cohen, Mark Jankeloff Stage Managers: Gena Rose Rositano, Christopher Joseph Kelly This is Mr. King’s first DGA Award nomination.
	ROB MARSHALL Tony Bennett: An American Classic NBC Associate Director: Yudi Bennett Stage Managers: Barbara J. Roche, Lee Grant and Murray Siegel  This is Mr. Marshall’s third DGA Award nomination. He won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film in 2002 for Chicago. He was also nominated for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical Variety in 1999 for Annie.
	CHUCK O'NEIL The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Comedy Central Associate Director: Paul A.J. Pennolino Stage Manager: Craig L. Spinney This is Mr. O’Neil’s fourth DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical Variety in 2003, 2004 and 2005, all for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.
	GLENN P. WEISS The 60th Annual Tony Awards CBS Associate Directors: Gregg M. Gelfand, Robin Mishkin-Abrams, Ricky Kirshner Stage Managers: Garry W. Hood, Peter H. Epstein, Andrew Feigin, Lynn M. Finkel, Douglas M. Fogel, Jeffry S. Gitter, Arthur E. Lewis, Cyndi Owgang, Jeffrey L. Pearl, Rose Riggins, Lauren Schneider This is Mr. Weiss’ fourth DGA Award nomination. He was nominated for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical Variety in 2005 for The 59th Annual Tony Awards, in 2002 for The 56th Annual Tony Awards, and in 2001 for The 55th Annual Tony Awards.
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The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality Programs for 2006 are (in alphabetical order):
	BOBBIE BIRLEFFI Texas Ranch House “The Good, the Bad and the Colonel" Episode #2" PBS This is Ms. Birleffi’s first DGA Award nomination.
	TONY SACCO Treasure Hunters “Episode #101” NBC Segment Director: Craig Spirko Associate Director: Javier Winnik  This is Mr. Sacco’s first DGA Award nomination.
	J. RUPERT THOMPSON Fear Factor “Military Fear Factor, Season Finale” NBC Stage Manager: John Stewart This is Mr. Thompson’s second DGA Award nomination. He won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality Programs in 2005 for Fear Factor (“Heist Fear Factor, Season 6 Premiere”).
	BERTRAM VAN MUNSTER The Amazing Race “Episode #1002” CBS Segment Director: Michael Noval  This is Mr. Van Munster’s second DGA Award nomination. He was nominated for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality Programs in 2005 for The Amazing Race “Episode #805”.
	TIM WARREN Pros vs. Joes “Episode #101” Spike Associate Director: Jon Scheide This is Mr. Warren’s first DGA Award nomination.
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The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Daytime Serials for 2006 are (in alphabetical order):
	LARRY CARPENTER One Life to Live Episode #9686 ABC Associate Directors: Mary Ryan, Tracy Casper Lang, Paul Glass Stage Managers: Richard A. Manfredi, Alan P. Needleman Production Associates: Allison Samon, Anthony Wilkinson  This is Mr. Carpenter’s fourth DGA Award nomination in this category. He won for One Life to Live “Episode #8849” in 2003 and was nominated for that series for “Episode #9385” in 2005 and “Episode #8655” in 2002.
	CASEY CHILDS All My Children Episode #9297 ABC Associate Director: Shirley Simmons, Barbara Simmons, Anthony Pascarelli Stage Manager: Penny Bergman, Rusty Swope, Fritz Brekeller, Brendan Higgins Production Associate: Jennifer Minda, Marika Brancato  This is Mr. Childs’ second DGA Award nomination in this category. He was nominated for All My Children “Episode #7919” in 2000
	WILLIAM LUDEL General Hospital Episode #11177 ABC Associate Directors: Ron Cates, Christine Magarian, Penny Pengra, Peter Fillmore Stage Managers: Craig McManus, Crystal Craft, Michele Azenzer Production Associates: Lisa Kaseff, Denise Van Cleave, Christine Cooper  This is Mr. Ludel’s fourth DGA Award nomination in this category. He won for General Hospital “Episode #9801” in 2001 and “Episode #8248” in 1995, and was nominated for “Episode #7922” in 1994.
	SCOTT McKINSEY General Hospital Episode #11178 ABC Associate Directors: Ron Cates, Christine Magarian, Penny Pengra, Peter Fillmore Stage Managers: Craig McManus, Crystal Craft Production Associates: Lisa Kaseff, Denise Van Cleave, Christine Cooper  This is Mr. McKinsey’s fifth DGA Award nomination in this category. He won for Port Charles, “Episode #1433” in 2002, and for General Hospital, “Episode #8883” in 1997. He was nominated for General Hospital “Episode #8492” in 1996 and “Episode #8233” in 1995.
	BRIAN MERTES Guiding Light Episode #14905 CBS Associate Directors: Charles Grayauskie, Ilene Frankel, Tracey Bryggman, Andrea Giles-Rich Stage Managers: Adam Reist, Kristin Doherty, Joseph Willmore Production Associates: Elana Slott, Kelly Jobmann  This is Mr. Mertes’ third DGA Award nomination in this category. He was nominated for Guiding Light “Episode  #14322” in 2004, and “Episode #11563” in 1993.
	JILL MITWELL One Life To Live Episode #9779 ABC Associate Directors: Teresa Anne Cicala, Paul Glass Stage Managers: Richard A. Manfredi, Alan P. Needleman Production Associate: Nathalie Rodriguez This is Ms. Mitwell’s seventh DGA Award nomination in this category. She won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Daytime Serials for One Life to Live “Episode #8295” in 2000 and “Episode #6356” in 1993. She was nominated for One Life to Live “Episode #8691” in 2002, “Episode #8012” in 1999, “Episode #7761” in 1998, and “Episode #7285” in 1996.
	ELLEN WHEELER Guiding Light Episode #14832 CBS Associate Directors: Charles Grayauskie, Ilene Frankel, Tracey Bryggman, Andrea Giles-Rich Stage Managers: Adam Reist, Kristin Doherty, Joseph Willmore Production Associates: Elana Slott, Kelly Jobmann  This is Ms. Wheeler’s second DGA Award nomination in this category. She was nominated for Guiding Light “Episode #14696” in 2005
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The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children’s Programs for 2006 are (in alphabetical order):
	JOYCE CHOPRA Molly: An American Girl on the Homefront Disney This is Ms. Chopra’s first DGA Award nomination.
	SEAN McNAMARA Cutting Edge II ABC Family Unit Production Manager: David Grace First Assistant Director: John Scherer Second Assistant Director: Aaron Penn  This is Mr. McNamara’s fourth DGA Award nomination. He was nominated for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children’s Programs in 2003 for The Even Stevens Movie, in 2001 for Even Stevens (“Very Scary Story”), and in 2000 for Even Stevens (“Easy Way”).
	KENNY ORTEGA High School Musical Disney Channel Unit Production Manager: Donald R. Schain First Assistant Directors: Matias Alvarez Second Assistant Director: Tobijah Tyler This is Mr. Ortega’s first DGA Award nomination.
	FRED SAVAGE Phil of the Future “Not So Great Great Great Grandpa” Disney Channel Unit Production Manager: Bob Mora First Assistant Director: Eddie Ziv, Glenn Steelman Second Assistant Director: Lincoln Myers                        This is Mr. Savage’s first DGA Award nomination.
	RON UNDERWOOD The Year Without A Santa Claus NBC Unit Production Manager: Robert Wilson First Assistant Director: Frank Capra III Second Assistant Director: Jason Altieri  This is Mr. Underwood’s first DGA Award nomination.
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For more information or press inquires please contact: Jesse Hiestand at Directors Guild of America 310-289-5333 For press credential information please click here: 59th DGA Awards Press Credential Information
Related Items: DGA Announces Nominees for Outstanding Achievement in Movies for Television for 2006 (January 10, 2007) DGA Announces Nominees for Outstanding Achievement in Feature Film Direction Award for 2006 (January 9, 2007) DGA Announces Special Award Winners for 59th Annual DGA Awards (December 19, 2006) 59th Annual  DGA Awards Announcements page 59th Annual Awards Schedule DGA Awards History
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