Dempsey also worked as DGA Trainee on the television series Coach, Reasonable Doubts, Doogie Howser, M.D. (1991-1992), and Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman and on the fantasy comedy Hocus Pocus (1993). His credits as assistant director include episodes of Seinfeld, Melrose Place, Murder One (1995), 3rd Rock From the Sun, The Burning Zone (1996, starring Michael Harris and James Black), Suddenly Susan, NYPD Blue (1996-1997, with Gordon Clapp), The Visitor (1997-1998), To Have & to Hold (1998, with Stephen Lee and Fionnula Flanagan), Sons of Thunder (1999, with Marco Sanchez), The Strip (1999-2000), Nikki (starring Nikki Cox), Angel (2002), Wanda at Large (2003, with Phil Morris), and My Own Worst Enemy (2008, with Christian Slater and Mädchen Amick).