280 reviews
When this show first came out, I believe we all appreciated gay lead characters and wished it success. Few shows even acknowledged the gay community, so the novelty made it likable.
I remember thinking Jack & Karen were hilarious, the show overly displaying every stereotype, but had funny one liners.
I recently revisited the show and I'm surprised how much I can't stand Grace. She's such a selfish moron, how could Leo ever want to marry her? Everything about her & all the characters really, but it's expected from Jack & Karen, are so superficial, if I met them at a party, I would politely excuse myself & never return.
I do applaud the attempt to bring gay characters into the mainstream, but should that negate how terrible these people are and how it took forever to acknowledge gay couples weren't treated as equals at the time?
I definitely have a different perspective after watching again in 2023, & rather than enjoying this go round, I wondered how dense I must have been back then.
I remember thinking Jack & Karen were hilarious, the show overly displaying every stereotype, but had funny one liners.
I recently revisited the show and I'm surprised how much I can't stand Grace. She's such a selfish moron, how could Leo ever want to marry her? Everything about her & all the characters really, but it's expected from Jack & Karen, are so superficial, if I met them at a party, I would politely excuse myself & never return.
I do applaud the attempt to bring gay characters into the mainstream, but should that negate how terrible these people are and how it took forever to acknowledge gay couples weren't treated as equals at the time?
I definitely have a different perspective after watching again in 2023, & rather than enjoying this go round, I wondered how dense I must have been back then.
- youdontknowjacque
- Sep 11, 2023
- Permalink
- shaunephillips28
- Jun 16, 2011
- Permalink
The real reason to watch the show is definitely Jack and Karen. Grace is so unbelievably unlikeable, I can't even put it into words. I don't find anything about her likable, at all. Will is ok, he also have his annoying habits but in a good way. Its fun to get frustrated with the main characters sometimes, but with Grace, oh dear lord
Debra Messing playing Grace is unfortunately not helping. Am I the only one who notices that she so often, at least once every episode, can't control her smile/laugh. It's really just bad acting. If she doesn't even take her job seriously, well....
If anyone know a dislike-Grace-Adler club, please invite me
Debra Messing playing Grace is unfortunately not helping. Am I the only one who notices that she so often, at least once every episode, can't control her smile/laugh. It's really just bad acting. If she doesn't even take her job seriously, well....
If anyone know a dislike-Grace-Adler club, please invite me
- kyllechick
- Aug 20, 2020
- Permalink
Will & Grace represents the essence of my teens. I've been watching that show over and over and I've never got bored. Even now I can see the same episode like fifteen times it will make me laugh as if it was the first. The subject was very delicate when they first aired on TV. Homosexuality wasn't and still, alas, isn't something to talk about in television...of course I'm talking about my country. I hope that in America things are becoming different. Anyway.....The writing is exceptional and the cast is flawless. Sean Hayes (simply spectacular) sometimes brings me to tears for laughing and Mullally's performances are beyond acting...I can't even look at her anymore without seeing Karen Walker! Eric McCormack is the perfect Will. It's such a difficult character...the thread of the story actually, always keeping everything together. And my total admiration goes to Debra Messing. I knew her in other series (prey was great!) and movies, and she's a very good actress...but Grace is just a masterpiece! All messy and sooo gross! But still tender and full of love and true... I highly recommend this sitcom to those who accidentally didn't get the chance to see it....It's part of television history now! Two thumbs up!
- applenia88
- Nov 1, 2010
- Permalink
I like this show and do you know what? I'm reading some of these comments and they are being way too picky, because though Jack's character is stereotypical, and Will never has a boyfriend, I think it's a show that makes you laugh, and that's what it has set out to do. Don't analyze it. It's a comedy with a great script and great actors. Karen and Jack are great, but Debra Messing and Eric McCormack do a wonderful job too, and what I like about Debra is that she is her, and probably won't change that. Most stars who are flat would have huge plastic knockers by now, but she takes pride in her chest! Good for her! Watch it. It's funny, and you'll find yourself wrapped up in the friendships, romances and Jack. Just Jack!
But forget about the rest. It is just the usual « current » one track thinking politics, forced fed on us day one viewers. Will and Grace used to be so great, for its apolitically correct approach. So once they turned the show into a preachy and propagandist cringe fest. The spark was gone. Whomever the idea it was to revive the series, with hidden agendas. You destroyed one of the best sitcoms. The last straw was the #metoo episode, for me. The overacted scene between Grace and her father, was so embarrassing, it ruined the memories I had of this great series. That used to be both genuinely funny and unapologetic. This plot made absolutely no sense with what we knew and saw of the Grace character, either. So it also included continuity errors. Same thing applies to Murphy Brown. Just keep your « woke » nonsense to yourself, please. And leave old shows alone.
First of all, James Burrows directed EVERY SINGLE EPISODE. Yes, you read that right. He's a comedic genius with a long history and resume to prove it. I've seen every episode of this show numerous times. I am a Gay Man and am not at ALL offended by the content or the representation of the characters. It's a fictional comedy so get a life if offended. Seriously though the timing, the acting, the physicality and the pacing of the four main characters is SUBLIME. I have sung with Meghan Mullally and she is surprisingly shy in real life until she gets to know you. Once on stage and or in front of a camera she literally transforms into the multi talented person she is and she fires with all cylinders. She can SING and move and draw you in. She won 2 Emmys for this show and it is proof she's a PROFESSIONAL. Sean Hayes is MULTI talented as a classical pianist, Tony Nominated Actor and singer as well. Again, AMAZING physicality and range in this show. People think he's one note or annoying but they may not be paying attention to his subtle nuances and HUGE range of lightning fast reactions. Debra Messing? I mean COME ON. Closest to Lucille Ball. Amazing DRAMATIC actress as well however, in this show she is at the top of her game because anyone who knows acting, comedy is the more difficult Genre to pull off successfully. Her physicality and vocal range is probably the most varied of the entire cast. Last but not least, Will McCormick as a straight man playing a gay character is S. M. O. O. T. H. I love his representation because Gays come in all shapes, sizes and personalities and he's such a terrific opposite to Sean Hayes and the balance is refreshing. John Barrowman was in the running to play Will and interestingly enough he is gay in real life. However, I personally believe that Eric playing Will was an incredible move by the Executive team at NBC. He was the more conservative of the two and many viewers who weren't comfortable with over the top effeminate Jack could TOLERATE Will and I believe this did an unbelievable job of creating acceptance from many viewers in all parts of the country/world who may not have had any exposure to Gays at all and might have been uncomfortable with Jacks over the top more stereotypical performance. BRILLIANT.
Lastly but never least, THE WRITING is spectacular! Hysterical, relevant, and lightning fast. The only other comedy to come close in my humble opinion was another NBC show, FRASIER. Take all of this glorious comedy in. You won't regret it.
I've watched probably 10 episodes, so, I think I have a good base of the show and where it's going. I really tried but it just isn't the same. And the whole Emmy nom made me really question the authenticity of the Emmys. I know the Grammys are mostly political, but the Emmys and Oscars always seemed more legit until recently. I mean, how does The Good Place, a completely fresh, original, well-written, well-acted, and diverse cast get completely ignored, and the comfortable-shoe of Will & Grace get a nod?
The network's mistake is they should have left the comedic sidekicks: Jack and Karen, the way they were, and the cute friend-couple: Will and Grace, should change. Raise of hands who wants to see Jack and Karen grow as people? What? No one? Exactly, without them the comedy is pretty thin. And while Will and Grace was the adorable besties...them playing the same schtick into their fifties is...sad. I can't help but feel a little sad every time they're on screen. Grace is headed towards three cats and living alone and Will is headed toward bitter old queen, commiserating over old loves lost that he passed up when he had the chance. No one wants that for these two beloved characters.
The only episodes I enjoyed and would say were good (other than Will and Grace, still being sad), was Jack saving his grandson from the anti-gay camp, and the Telemundo episode where Will and Karen scheme to have her hunky chefs hook up. The Christmas episode where they went back in time to the Irish tenements was just painful. I think I gave up after that and just recently saw the Telemundo-soap-opera-style episode.
I can understand the network starting off the show going super PC, even showing Jack and Karen as these heartfelt do-gooders, because millennial's answer to anything they don't like or understand is to riot, start a protest, a petition, try to get them kicked off the island, whatever. But suck it up, there's a reason all the viewers are drifting away from the networks to Netflix, premium channels, and the cable channels deep in the abyss of cable. People want something other than a homogenized show that appeals to everyone. Can you imagine HBO trying to homogenize Game of Thrones and make sure it appeals to everyone and doesn't step on anyone's shoes or offend anyone? It would be garbage and wouldn't last a season.
They tried pulling the PC stuff in the late '90s early 2000s during Clinton and I literally felt sorry for children that they had to grow up on the watered down shows we had to serve them. That, coupled with higher taxes and trade agreements that allowed entertainment companies to ship half their work overseas has a lot to do with why LA went from being cleaned up and nice to the bankrupt, crime, garbage pit going on right now. If half the jobs that pays the taxes get shipped off or eliminated what do you think pays for the city? There is a time and place for PC but in entertainment it's a stifling, creativity killer. Around the same time in children's programming you'll notice how the cable channels like Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon excelled and the networks crumbled and some shut down? Yeah, that's called too many terrible notes from the network that turns great shows into watered down slop no one watches, not even children.
The network's mistake is they should have left the comedic sidekicks: Jack and Karen, the way they were, and the cute friend-couple: Will and Grace, should change. Raise of hands who wants to see Jack and Karen grow as people? What? No one? Exactly, without them the comedy is pretty thin. And while Will and Grace was the adorable besties...them playing the same schtick into their fifties is...sad. I can't help but feel a little sad every time they're on screen. Grace is headed towards three cats and living alone and Will is headed toward bitter old queen, commiserating over old loves lost that he passed up when he had the chance. No one wants that for these two beloved characters.
The only episodes I enjoyed and would say were good (other than Will and Grace, still being sad), was Jack saving his grandson from the anti-gay camp, and the Telemundo episode where Will and Karen scheme to have her hunky chefs hook up. The Christmas episode where they went back in time to the Irish tenements was just painful. I think I gave up after that and just recently saw the Telemundo-soap-opera-style episode.
I can understand the network starting off the show going super PC, even showing Jack and Karen as these heartfelt do-gooders, because millennial's answer to anything they don't like or understand is to riot, start a protest, a petition, try to get them kicked off the island, whatever. But suck it up, there's a reason all the viewers are drifting away from the networks to Netflix, premium channels, and the cable channels deep in the abyss of cable. People want something other than a homogenized show that appeals to everyone. Can you imagine HBO trying to homogenize Game of Thrones and make sure it appeals to everyone and doesn't step on anyone's shoes or offend anyone? It would be garbage and wouldn't last a season.
They tried pulling the PC stuff in the late '90s early 2000s during Clinton and I literally felt sorry for children that they had to grow up on the watered down shows we had to serve them. That, coupled with higher taxes and trade agreements that allowed entertainment companies to ship half their work overseas has a lot to do with why LA went from being cleaned up and nice to the bankrupt, crime, garbage pit going on right now. If half the jobs that pays the taxes get shipped off or eliminated what do you think pays for the city? There is a time and place for PC but in entertainment it's a stifling, creativity killer. Around the same time in children's programming you'll notice how the cable channels like Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon excelled and the networks crumbled and some shut down? Yeah, that's called too many terrible notes from the network that turns great shows into watered down slop no one watches, not even children.
- plasticanimalz
- Apr 1, 2018
- Permalink
The old series was excellent. Groundbreaking for its time, not just because 2 lead characters were gay, but for its intelligent wit. Like Cheers before it, it raised the bar for sitcoms.
But the reboot lost me after a week or two. I disliked it from the beginning, because they did away with everything from the great finale of the first run. Didn't like the retcon; wish they had figured out a way to do it while keeping everything from the first finale.
But the reboot lost me after a week or two. I disliked it from the beginning, because they did away with everything from the great finale of the first run. Didn't like the retcon; wish they had figured out a way to do it while keeping everything from the first finale.
- swordfish_man
- Feb 6, 2019
- Permalink
Just a little note to all of those that have said this show is unfunny or does not cause you to laugh...It requires a sense of humor, an open mind and some intelligence for one to find it amusing. Just thought I'd clarify.
Oh, and would the Emmy people PLEASE hand Debra Messing her overdue award and give Shelley Morrison some recognition as well?
Oh, and would the Emmy people PLEASE hand Debra Messing her overdue award and give Shelley Morrison some recognition as well?
- shinedowness
- Nov 29, 2018
- Permalink
New show is horrible. Only redeeming quality is Karen. All the political stuff, who cares. What happened to the kids? Elliot hates gays? Come on. Will and Grace should have grown up a little bit, don't you think?
Will & Grace is a great show and will continue to be so even after its gay theme loses its novelty. The writing is usually great, sometimes exceptional, the hour long flashback episode was the best thing I saw in the 2000/2001 TV season. But I would credit the cast most of all. Eric McCormack is (comparatively) subtle and nuanced as Will, Megan Mullally bizarre and sharp as Karen, but I reserve my highest praise for Debra Messing and Sean Hayes. Hayes' Jack is endlessly energetic, always plotting, and watching Hayes' performance is like watching a Van Halen guitar solo, almost too fast to follow but every note perfect. Debra Messing's Grace seems to be the character that everything happens to, and you can see every bit of it on her face. Her bio tells of her extensive arts education, and it shows. If there's ever been another Lucille Ball, it would have to be Debra Messing. Will & Grace has all the necessary sitcom ingredients: interesting situations, hilarious comedy, and characters you care about.
I don't think Will and Grace is quite as good as Frasier, but it is a great sitcom nonetheless. The writing is actually funny, though in Frasier, I can't count the number of times I've fallen off my chair laughing. Will and Grace does do that, but not all the time. The characters are memorable and engaging. Eric McCormack is great and perfectly nuanced as Will, who happens to be gay, yet he is best friends with a woman named Grace, played by Debra Messing. Both stars are great, but the most laughs goes to Megan Mullally as Karen, and Sean Hayes has his moments as Jack, who is a very weird character you are never too sure whether you love or hate him. There have also been guest stars like Minnie Driver, Tim Curry, Harry Connick Jnr, Bernadete Peters, Demi Moore, Alec Baldwin,Jack Black, Lesley Ann Warren and my favourite John Cleese as Lyle,who have brought a pleasing shine to the show. And actually the Las Vegas wedding episodes were actually the most memorable highlights of Season 6(of which I have the box set). In conclusion, a great comedy, a little in the shadow of Frasier, but well worth watching for entertainment value. 9/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- Apr 29, 2009
- Permalink
Am I the only one that finds that the show has rather lost its edge? It's almost as if they have one scene and they keep playing it over and over and it just seems tired and forced. There have been a few funny scenes, but overall it's just not there anymore. When it first returned I recorded every episode and watched them multiple times. Now the recordings are stacking up in the queue and I find myself passing over them in favor of other programs, repeatedly.
- jackdog1-1
- Mar 31, 2019
- Permalink
Will & Grace is the greatest sitcom on TV so far.(even better than Friends) It's totally based on comedy and really tries how to make people laugh to death.(unlike the romance in Friends)
Megan Mullally, Debra Messing and Sean Hayes are outstanding in their roles. I love Eric McCormack but he's not so much funny like other actors. Every episode is a masterpiece comedy.(especially the early seasons)
Karen Walker is my favorite sitcom character. No one can create a funny character like her.
Will & Grace's irreplaceable for me and i think there's nothing funnier that this, and I think the sitcoms died with Will & Grace. Because now all the sitcoms copying the jokes of 90s sitcoms. 10/10
Best Seasons:Complete Series (8 seasons) but funniest are Seasons 1,2,3 (like everyone says)
Megan Mullally, Debra Messing and Sean Hayes are outstanding in their roles. I love Eric McCormack but he's not so much funny like other actors. Every episode is a masterpiece comedy.(especially the early seasons)
Karen Walker is my favorite sitcom character. No one can create a funny character like her.
Will & Grace's irreplaceable for me and i think there's nothing funnier that this, and I think the sitcoms died with Will & Grace. Because now all the sitcoms copying the jokes of 90s sitcoms. 10/10
Best Seasons:Complete Series (8 seasons) but funniest are Seasons 1,2,3 (like everyone says)
- tv_is_my_parent
- Dec 2, 2010
- Permalink
The first few seasons of this breakthrough series were excellent, beautifully written and a boon to the LGBTQ community. It definitely changed the hearts and minds of millions toward accepting this important alternative lifestyle. Unfortunately, like most sitcoms, it went on way too long, losing its energy by season six. Though there were some hilarious episodes the last few years, they were few and far between. By season 8, it was a mess, not funny, poorly written and you could tell that even the cast was getting tired. The audience were wary of this show a couple of years before. They even 'Californiaized' the series in the last season. That was a big letdown for what had always been a quintessential NYC show.
Don't bother watching the three recent seasons (2017-2020). What a mistake that was. They should have let well enough alone which is true of most relaunched sitcoms.
Don't bother watching the three recent seasons (2017-2020). What a mistake that was. They should have let well enough alone which is true of most relaunched sitcoms.
- myronlearn
- Nov 26, 2021
- Permalink
Everyone on this show is so gay, I love it. it makes watching the show so much fun to be around such gaiety. grace often dresses in gay colors and her design office is a place draped in gay fabrics. karen wears black mostly and is the least gay of everyone because of her droll remarks and her prison husband. the two guys jack and will are gay too. jack wears a lot of sweatervests which often are gay in color and sexual orientation i recall that harry connick jr was on the show for a while as graces husband. i don't remember any of his clothing but odds are that with a firey redhead for a wife, they were likely gay as well. did you know the housekeeper got arrested in real life for shoplifting? that was not gay at all. neither is her outfit on the show.
- silvousplait
- Sep 13, 2007
- Permalink
It's a shame that NBC decided to reboot this creative, beloved, and innovative show for the purpose of airing every political woe currently occurring in the U.S. Back in its heyday visiting such hot button topics as gay rights was relevant, and watching the characters find their way through the sometimes uncertain landscape of daily life was touching and highly entertaining, but never forced. Fast forward almost two decades and the characters now seem to exist to address every major headline touted by CNN or Fox. I miss the natural flow of the show in which the characters found themselves working through situations, rather than situations finding the characters. Megan is sharper than ever as Karen (whose character really hasn't changed, and why would she?), Eric has matured Will a bit without making him staid, while Debra and Sean's characters have not matured and at this point in their lives, it's a bit odd to see some of the antics of nearly two decades past unchanged (is Jack going to prance into a room forever?). I have a very happy memory of seeing an episode of this show taped (from season 4), and will never forget these classic episodes. Sadly, I won't be watching the reboot episodes.
- jellybeansjelly
- Jan 29, 2018
- Permalink
- so_original
- Mar 3, 2008
- Permalink
- homerettethefirst
- May 8, 2007
- Permalink
I just watched the first episode of the new 2017 season, season 9, I was a little disappointed with it. It's like the writers are trying a bit too hard to rekindle their past glory. The canned laughter seemed to be added at moments that just weren't funny. I hope that it will improve with time, but the first episode just didn't hit the mark in my opinion.
- jbonde-23911
- Sep 28, 2017
- Permalink