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 Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said in
2012 that the 1990s series about a gay lawyer living with his
straight female friend "probably did more to educate the
American public (about gay issues) than almost anything
anybody's ever done so far."
After an 11-year gap following its 2006 series finale, the show
returns to NBC with the four original stars: Eric McCormack
(Will), Debra Messing (Grace), Sean Hayes (Jack) and Megan
Mullally (Karen).
Reuters spoke with McCormack about what audiences can expect.
Following are edited excerpts.
Q: Is there pressure to live up to the show's reputation?
A: "Sure there is. But I think its iconic reputation came later.
It was only when we went off the air that people looked back and
thought, 'my mom hated gay people but now she's the biggest
"Will & Grace" fan and now I can have a conversation with her.'
That's when the import became tangible."
Q: Eleven years on, are there things the show can do now than it
couldn't do before?
A: "We used to have to traffic in double entendre because we
were on a network. But now we have got the president of the
United States and his spokespeople saying things they are not
supposed to say on television. So the rules are broken. ... I
know we are going to push the boundaries because there is no fun
if you don't. We'll see what America's up for."
[to top of second column] |
Q: Where is Will in his life in the revival?
A: "Will is still a lawyer, he's doing very well, he's redecorated
the apartment. It's very beautiful, very upscale."
Q: And he's still living with Grace?
A: "He found love, but he broke up. Grace, same thing. She was
married to Harry Connick Jr.'s character, but they have split up. I
think that's a great story to tell. If you go off and split up and
then come back to your best friend, what is that? For Will, I think
it's because he is comfortable and confident."
Q: And Jack?A: "Jack does NOT like aging, so we'll get to see his
dates with younger men - the power gay."
Q: Are you concerned about possible backlash to the show?
A: "No, but we want that water cooler effect, although now it's the
Twitter effect."
(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)
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