After graduating from Stanford University in 1999 with a bachelor’s in English, Savage returned to Hollywood determined to revive his career, not as an actor but as a director. He dipped his toe in the directing pool when he helmed an episode of little brother Ben’s hit sitcom, “Boy Meets World” (ABC, 1993-2000), then dove in headfirst after leaving college. But the waters were chilly—many who managed to remember Savage couldn’t shake the image of the precocious and insightful lad from “The Wonder Years.” Yet he persevered, capitalizing on old friendships and convincing people to give him a shot. He eventually directed episodes of “All About Us” (NBC, 2001-2002), “What I Like About You” (WB, 2002- ) and “That’s So Raven” (Disney, 2002- ), then had steadier work helming a season of “Phil of the Future” (Disney, 2003-2005), a family comedy about a kid from the year 2121 trapped in contemporary times after his time machine breaks down.

Savage did manage to eek out the occasional acting gig. While maintaining regular directing work on “Unfabulous” (Nikelodeon, 2004- ) and “Drake and Josh” (Nikelodeon, 2003- ), he appeared in an episode of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (NBC, 1999- ), then had supporting roles in several features, including “The Rules of Attraction” (2002), “Austin Powers in Goldmember” (2002) and “Welcome to Mooseport” (2004). Savage then returned to regular series work with “Crumbs” (ABC, 2005- ), playing a closeted gay writer who returns home to help run his family’s restaurant after failing to make it in Hollywood. The series co-starred Jane Curtain as his neurotic mother fresh out of the loony bin, William Devane as his womanizing father and Eddie McClintock as his estranged skirt-chasing brother. “Crumbs” was ordered to series midseason in 2006 and faired well enough in the ratings to get a network order of 12 episodes.