Character On NBC's "Ed" Reveals Tufts Connection
Tufts Graduate's Comedy Has Strong Ties To Tufts

New York -- Tufts University's alumni ranks grew by one last night, as a fictional character on NBC's hit comedy "Ed" revealed that he was a Tufts graduate.

   The Tufts connection was announced during last night's episode when Kenny -- played by film and television veteran Mike Starr -- applied for a job at the combination bowling alley and law office that provides the backdrop for many of "Ed"'s scenes. After taking a quick glance at Kenny's resume, Ed noted his Tufts education. With a broad smile, Kenny chimed in that Tufts was located in Massachusetts.

   The Tufts reference should come as no surprise -- Ed's co-creator and executive producer is none other than Rob Burnett, a 1984 Tufts graduate and head of WorldWide Pants -- the studio that produces "Ed."

   According to Burnett, much of "Ed"'s content is based on his real life experiences. He told New Jersey's Bergen Record, "If you're a guy like me or Jon [Beckerman, co-producer of "Ed"], you write about stuff you know, and then you go out and get a guy that's better looking to pull it off." Kenny joins a growing list of fictional TV-based Tufts alumni including the lead characters in ABC's "Two Guys and A Girl" and the psychiatrist on "The Sopranos."

Posted 10-23-00

Image from "Ed" courtesy of NBC.