Will & Grace: Fresh or Flimsy?
Friday, September 29, 2017 at 8:22PM By Spencer Coile
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I remember being 14 years-old, sobbing in front of the television as Will & Grace ended its eight year run. I had grown up with the show, learned a lot about myself through watching the show. It was truly the end of an era. Of course, in 2017, with people's desire for nostalgia running rampant -- it was only a matter of time before this groundbreaking NBC sitcom would return for its second wind. In very much the same was as Gilmore Girls, Full House, and One Day at a Time, our pals, Will, Grace, Jack, and Karen are back to remind audiences what was so rewarding about their shows in the first place.
But considering we live in an altogether different social and political climate, one drastically different than in 1998 when the series first aired, is there space for Will & Grace?
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The first crucial step in reviving a hit television classic is throwing out the window any form of logic. If you remember, the series finale to Will & Grace included the dynamic duo disbanding their friendship to be with the men they love, having children of their own, and finally reconciling when their two kids meet, fall in love, and get married. The first three minutes of the series' return, titled "11 Years Later," negate everything that the series finale threw our way -- it was all a fever dream concocted by Karen. Will and Grace are both divorced, Jack still lives in the apartment across the hall from Will, and Karen is still as rich as ever. And we're back to the shenanigans we had come to love for so many years!
Will & Grace's forte has always been tackling as many pop culture references as they could in one episode, and that banter is still airtight in its ninth season. But now, we are getting a double dosage of political talk. For instance, in "11 Years Later," Will is flirting with a Republican congressman and Karen talks to Melania Trump and gets Grace a White House decorating gig (because, of course Trump is Karen's "guy"). And admittedly, not every joke lands the way it should (Grace leaving a "Make America Gay Again" hat in the Oval Office felt a little too trite for my liking), but what we are witnessing is a Will & Grace that relies on its own brand of humor, but adjusting it to 2017. And sure, not every idea will play out realistically, but has that ever been a strength of the show in the first place?
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The return of Will & Grace also marks a potentially fascinating move for the series. Long after it was off the air was when many critics and fans decried its progressiveness (or lack thereof), insinuating that the series took many jabs at anyone who wasn't a white gay man. And looking back, there were numerous jokes at the expense of lesbians and transgender individuals. Of course it is still okay to enjoy the series for what it was, because remember, it was a product of its time, and was still groundbreaking in its own right. And who knows? Perhaps this revival will give the series a second chance at being inclusive, and equal to different members of the LGBTQ+ community, without making jokes at their expense.
In an extremely divisive time in our country, perhaps Will & Grace is the ideal antidote. No, it isn't perfect (it never was) and "11 Years Later" worked double-time to ensure that any plot point from the eighth season was eliminated entirely, but there is something so familiar and so comforting to know that we can enjoy the banter and chemistry between the series' four leads. It is still biting, quick-witted, and full of heart. And so now, 11 years later, I can turn my TV back on and feel right at home, because Will & Grace is officially back.
Reader Comments (16)
I think the strength of the show has always been to embrace diverse groups by poking fun at the cliches that surround them. And it really worked, without feeling too tryhard, kind of like how it works for veep, the four leads themselves are such caricatures that the jabs so to speak dont come off as insulting or offensive.
The show can still be funny and the cast are pros at comedy.
I always thought that Debra Messing would be a movie star after the show, like Jennifer Aniston, George Clooney and Bruce Willis. She's gorgeous, charismatic and charming. This is one of the most divisive shows. Some love with all heart, others hate vehemently.
I couldn't suspend disbelief. No problem with them addressing the elephant in the room the series finale. But this episode with The White House was unnecessary and far-fetched.
The best compliment I can give the revival is that the first episode was both stale and fresh at the same time.
I loved the first episode of the revival. It was like finding that old favorite blanket of yours from way back when and wrapping yourself in it on a cold winter night. No, it's not the coolest or most innovative. But gosh darnit, it was familiar and comforting. Reminds me of why and how a traditional 4 camera sitcom can work. If you have rapid fire wit and great cast, that's all you need. I'll be watching more.
It was basically a well-done pilot. A decent start, but it has to get better. Lots of possibilities.
Will and Grace has a special place in my heart because it was the first show I ever watched from start to finish during its initial run. It is branded as groundbreaking now (which is true), however, for me, it was such a normal part of life. Maybe, I was too young to realize its cultural impact.
I wrote elsewhere on this site and I'll write it again. Will and Grace finale was probably the worst finale I have seen from a great show. It felt like a cop-out and inorganic to the characters. Leo never really found his place, yet the show kept dragging that storyline into eternity. So I am glad that the show has hit a reset button and the great chemistry between the actors is still intact. I hope it is successful in its return.
My favorite part of the show was Kyle Bornheimer as the secret service man. I would watch a show about him.
I loved it.
Loved it! Season pass set and ready for more!
Will and Grace is one of the few shows that felt so white-centric that I couldnt get into it. Am I wrong? Maybe Debra Messing being a white supremacist in Seinfeld left a subconcious 'bad taste' in my mouth, haha.
LOL @Kris " Will and Grace" is set in some fantasy universe similar to the classic comedies of the 30's in which rich white people had no real problems except making funny wisecracks.
Maybe it's set in a fantasy universe where rich people have no problems, but that makes it seem really dated relative to the best sitcoms today. (Also, the best screwball comedies like My Man Godfrey, Holiday, Bringing Up Baby, The Philadelphia Story, the works of Preston Sturges were actually critiques of the wealthy, not celebrations of them.)
But it is a fantasy- they live in a New York City were somehow they barely interact with minorities- I mean don't these people ever take the subway?
The strength of the show is the slapstick. It's I Love Lucy for the 21st Century.