View source for Will & Grace

{{short description|American sitcom (1998–2006, 2017–2020)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox television
| image                = Will & Grace Logo.png
| image_class          = skin-invert
| image_alt            = 
| caption              = The [[intertitle]] used in the show's [[#Revival|2017 revival]]
| genre                = [[Sitcom]]
| creator              = {{plainlist|
* [[David Kohan]]
* [[Max Mutchnick]]
}}
| director             = [[James Burrows]]
| showrunner           = {{plainlist|
* David Kohan
* Max Mutchnick
}}
| starring             = {{plainlist|
* [[Eric McCormack]]
* [[Debra Messing]]
* [[Megan Mullally]]
* [[Sean Hayes]]
* [[Gary Grubbs]]
* [[Leslie Jordan]]
* [[Shelley Morrison]]
* [[Michael Angarano]]
}}
| theme_music_composer = [[Jonathan Wolff (musician)|Jonathan Wolff]]
| open_theme           = 
| end_theme            = 
| composer             = Jonathan Wolff (seasons 1—7)<br>Jonathan Wolff & Paul Buckley (season 8)<br>Scott Icenogle & [[Lior Rosner]] (seasons 9—11)
| country              = United States
| language             = English
| num_seasons          = 11
| num_episodes         = 246
| list_episodes        = List of Will & Grace episodes
| executive_producer   = {{Plainlist|
* Max Mutchnick
* David Kohan
* James Burrows
* [[Jhoni Marchinko]]
* [[Jeff Greenstein]]
* [[Alex Herschlag]]
* Dave Flebotte
* [[Jon Kinnally]]
* [[Tracy Poust]]
* [[Gary Janetti]]
* [[Greg Malins]]
* Bill Wrubel
* John Quaintance
* [[Suzanne Martin]]
* [[Adam Barr]]
}}
| cinematography       = Tony Askins<br>Gary Baum
| editor               = Peter Chakos<br>Peter D. Beyt
| camera               = [[Multiple-camera setup|Multi-camera]]
| runtime              = 22 minutes
| company              = {{plainlist|
* KoMut Entertainment
* 3 Sisters Entertainment<br />(1998–2006)
* 3 Princesses and a P Productions<br />(2017–2020)
* [[Universal Television|NBC Studios]]<br />(1998–2004)
* [[Universal Television|NBCUniversal Television Studio]]<br />(2004–2006)
* [[Universal Television]]<br />(2017–2020)
}}
| budget               = 
| network              = [[NBC]]
| first_aired          = {{Start date|1998|09|21}}
| last_aired           = {{End date|2006|05|18}}
| first_aired2         = {{Start date|2017|09|28}}
| last_aired2          = {{End date|2020|04|23}}
}}
'''''Will & Grace''''' is an American television [[sitcom]] created by [[Max Mutchnick]] and [[David Kohan]]. Set in [[New York City]], the show focuses on the friendship between best friends [[Will Truman]] ([[Eric McCormack]]), a [[Gay men|gay]] lawyer, and [[Grace Adler]] ([[Debra Messing]]), a [[Heterosexuality|straight]] interior designer. The show was originally broadcast on [[NBC]] from September 21, 1998, to May 18, 2006, for a total of eight seasons, before returning to NBC on September 28, 2017, and permanently ending on April 23, 2020. ''Will & Grace'' has been one of the most successful television series with gay principal characters.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Cooper |first=Evan |date=December 1, 2003 |title=Decoding Will and Grace: Mass Audience Reception of a Popular Network Situation Comedy |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1525/sop.2003.46.4.513 |journal=Sociological Perspectives |publisher=California State University |volume=46 |issue=4 |pages=513–533 |doi=10.1525/sop.2003.46.4.513 |access-date=December 13, 2015 |quote=The television situation comedy Will and Grace is notable as the first successful network prime-time series to feature gay characters in a gay milieu. |s2cid=7838353|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

Despite initial criticism for its stereotypical portrayal of gay characters, it went on to become a staple of NBC's [[Must See TV]] Thursday night lineup and was met with continued critical acclaim. It was ensconced in the [[Nielsen ratings|Nielsen]] top 20 for half of its 1998–2006 network run. The show was the highest-rated sitcom among adults 18–49 from 2001 to 2005. ''Will & Grace'' earned 18 [[Primetime Emmy Award]]s and 96 nominations. Each main actor received an Emmy Award throughout the series. In 2014, the [[Writers Guild of America]] placed the sitcom at number 94 in their list of the 101 best-written TV series of all time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Team |first=The Deadline |date=June 3, 2013 |title='101 Best Written TV Series Of All Time' From WGA/TV Guide: Complete List |url=https://deadline.com/2013/06/wgas-101-best-written-tv-series-of-all-time-complete-list-512061/ |access-date=September 22, 2017}}</ref>

Since the final episode of the 1998–2006 run aired, the sitcom has been credited with helping and improving public opinion of the [[LGBT community]], with then U.S. Vice President [[Joe Biden]] commenting that the show "probably did more to educate the American public" on LGBT issues "than almost anything anybody has ever done so far".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Eldridge |first=David |date=May 6, 2012 |title=Biden 'comfortable' with gay marriage, cites 'Will & Grace' |work=[[The Washington Times]] |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/may/6/biden-will-grace-educated-public-about-gays/ |access-date=September 22, 2017}}</ref> In 2014, the [[Smithsonian Institution]] added an [[LGBT history in the United States|LGBT history]] collection to their museum which included items from ''Will & Grace''. Curator Dwight Blocker Bowers stated that the sitcom used "comedy to familiarize a mainstream audience with [[gay culture]]" in a way that was "daring and broke ground" in American media.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Zongker |first=Brett |date=August 19, 2014 |title=Smithsonian Adds LGBT History to Museum Collection |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |url=https://www.apnews.com/7c19401398684acca59e2445c6cb834a |access-date=July 25, 2018}}</ref>

During its original run, ''Will & Grace'' was filmed in front of a live studio audience (most episodes and scenes) on Tuesday nights,<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 9, 2006 |title=Goodnight, Gracie: 'Will & Grace' ends landmark run |url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/features/20060509-1549-ca-tv-will&gracefinale.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209043356/http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/features/20060509-1549-ca-tv-will%26gracefinale.html |archive-date=February 9, 2009 |access-date=March 23, 2008 |publisher=SignOnSanDiego }}</ref> at Stage 17 in [[CBS Studio Center]]. A long-running legal battle between both the original executive producers and creators and NBC took place between 2003 and 2007. Will and Grace's apartment was put on display at the [[Emerson College]] Library, donated by series creator Max Mutchnick.<ref name="Emerson">{{Cite web |last=Hennessy |first=Christopher |date=September 2008 |title=New spaces open on campus include additional study carrels |url=http://www.emerson.edu/emersontoday/index.cfm?action=3&articleID=3555&editionID=336 |access-date=April 20, 2009 |website=Emerson College Today |publisher=Emerson College}} {{dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> When the set was removed in 2014, rumors came up about a cast reunion, but the actors involved denied that such a reunion was planned, explaining it was merely being moved.

In September 2016, the cast reunited for a 10-minute special (released online), urging Americans to vote in the [[2016 United States presidential election|2016 presidential election]].<ref name="ABCnews2016electionreunion">{{Cite web |last=McKenzie |first=Joi-Marie |title=Debra Messing Says 'Will & Grace' Reunion Wasn't For Hillary Clinton |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/debra-messing-grace-reunion-hillary-clinton/story?id=42509233 |access-date=October 27, 2016 |website=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]}}</ref> After its success, NBC announced that the network was exploring the idea of putting ''Will & Grace'' back into production.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ausiello |first=Michael |date=October 27, 2016 |title=Will & Grace Revival Eyed at NBC |url=http://tvline.com/2016/10/27/will-grace-revival-nbc-new-episodes-2017/ |access-date=October 27, 2016 |website=[[TVLine]] |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108111405/https://tvline.com/2016/10/27/will-grace-revival-nbc-new-episodes-2017/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In January 2017, NBC confirmed the series' return for a [[Will & Grace season 9|ninth season]], for the 2017–2018 television season,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Holloway |first=Daniel |date=January 18, 2017 |title=''Will & Grace'' Revival Given 10-Episode Order by NBC |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/will-grace-revival-nbc-1201962251/ |access-date=January 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118230703/http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/will-grace-revival-nbc-1201962251/ |archive-date=January 18, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ausiello |first=Michael |date=January 18, 2017 |title=''Will & Grace'' Returns: NBC Officially Orders 10-Episode Revival |url=http://tvline.com/2017/01/18/will-and-grace-revival-debra-messing-10-new-episodes/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118230435/http://tvline.com/2017/01/18/will-and-grace-revival-debra-messing-10-new-episodes/ |archive-date=January 18, 2017 |access-date=January 18, 2017 |website=[[TVLine]] |location=United States}}</ref> which was eventually expanded to 16 episodes.<ref name="Season 10">{{Cite web |last=Webb Mitovich |first=Matt |date=August 3, 2017 |title='Will & Grace' Revival Already Renewed for Season 10 |url=http://tvline.com/2017/08/03/will-grace-revival-renewed-season-10/ |access-date=August 3, 2017 |website=TVLine}}</ref> This was followed by renewals for 18-episode tenth and eleventh seasons.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=March 17, 2018 |title='Will & Grace' Revival Renewed For Season 3 By NBC, Season 2 Expanded |url=https://deadline.com/2018/03/will-grace-revival-renewed-season-3-nbc-season-2-expanded-18-episodes-1202339735/ |access-date=July 25, 2019 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref> On July 25, 2019, it was announced that the eleventh season would be the final season of the series<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Petski |first1=Denise |last2=Andreeva |first2=Nellie |date=July 25, 2019 |title='Will & Grace' Revival To End With Upcoming 2020 Season On NBC |url=https://deadline.com/2019/07/will-grace-reboot-to-end-with-upcoming-2020-season-on-nbc-1202654017/ |access-date=July 25, 2019 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref> which premiered on October 24, 2019,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=October 15, 2019 |title='Sunnyside' Pulled From NBC Schedule To Finish Run Online, Replaced By Final Season Of 'Will & Grace' |url=https://deadline.com/2019/10/sunnyside-pulled-nbc-schedule-tadditional-episode-finish-run-online-replaced-final-season-of-will-grace-premiere-date-1202761213/ |access-date=October 20, 2019 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref> and concluded on April 23, 2020.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pedersen |first1=Erik |title='Will & Grace' Series Finale Date Set; NBC Also Will Air Retrospective Special |url=https://deadline.com/2020/03/will-grace-series-finale-date-set-nbc-also-will-air-retrospective-special-1202893402/ |website=Deadline |date=26 March 2020}}</ref>

==Premise==
''Will & Grace'' is set in [[New York City]] and focuses on the relationship between Will Truman, a [[Homosexuality|gay]] lawyer, and his best friend Grace Adler, a [[Jews in New York City|Jewish]] woman who owns an interior design firm. Alongside them are their friends Karen Walker, a demonically [[alcoholic]] socialite, and Jack McFarland, a gay actor. The interplay of relationships features the trials and tribulations of dating, [[marriage]], [[divorce]], and [[One-night stand|casual sex]]; as well as comical key stereotypes of [[LGBT culture|gay]] and [[Jewish culture]].

==Cast and characters==
{{Main|List of Will & Grace characters}}

===Main===
[[File:Eric McCormack, Debra Messing.jpg|upright|thumb|Eric McCormack and Debra Messing in 1999]]
[[File:Sean Hayes (portrait).jpg|upright|thumb|Hayes in 2010]]
* [[Eric McCormack]] as [[Will Truman]]: The first titular protagonist in the show, Will is a [[Homosexuality|gay]] man who is a successful [[corporate lawyer]] who studied at [[Columbia University]], where he met Grace as a freshman; they have been best friends ever since. He is very precise and [[Obsessive–compulsive personality disorder|obsessive]] when it comes to certain tasks, especially cleaning, dressing, and decorating. However, Will does have a very patient and compassionate nature towards those close to him, often to a fault. Will has a less expressive personality than Jack and has at times chosen not to announce his sexual orientation to people. Several characters commented that his relationship with Grace is more like that of a married couple than two friends; at one point Will even considered having a baby with Grace.
* [[Debra Messing]] as [[Grace Adler]]: The other titular protagonist in the show, Grace is a [[Heterosexuality|straight]] [[Interior design|interior decorator]] with a fondness for food and a sometimes selfish attitude. She has been Will's best friend since college and roommate throughout most of the show. Grace is [[Judaism|Jewish]] but does not practice her religion staunchly. She plays as a [[Neuroticism|neurotic]] [[Foil (narrative)|foil]] for Will's more [[everyman]] character. Grace tends to rely heavily on Will for moral and emotional support, especially after a break-up.
* [[Megan Mullally]] as [[Karen Walker (Will & Grace)|Karen Walker]]: Karen "works" as Grace's assistant, making "Grace Adler Designs" popular among her socialite acquaintances. She is married to the [[wealth]]y (but [[Unseen character|unseen]]) Stanley Walker. Because of her husband's wealth, Karen does not actually need a job and it is shown in the pilot episode that she had not been cashing her paychecks, preferring to "collect" them instead. She mentions at one point that she only took the job to get herself "away from Stan and the kids". Karen is also known for [[Alcohol abuse|casually downing alcohol]] and prescription medication, as well as her venomous personality. She is very close to Jack, secretly adores Grace, and throughout the show's run, warms up to Will. Even though she seems to be devoid of manners and social graces, Karen inconsistently shows bouts of intelligence: having a working knowledge of business/real estate market economics, a moderate understanding of computers, and a flair for interior design. She is also a certified [[Notary public|public notary]] and an aficionado of various liquors and prescription drugs. Despite this, she is often unaware of her rudeness and thoughtless conduct toward the [[Working class|working]] and [[middle class]]es, often criticizing and mocking what she fails to understand.
* [[Sean Hayes]] as [[Jack McFarland]]: Will's close friend since college. Jack is flamboyant, gay, confident, and free-spirited, having been so from a young age. He drifts from man to man and changes occupations often, being very fickle when it comes to both. He has worked as a struggling actor, an acting instructor, a back-up dancer for [[Jennifer Lopez]] and [[Janet Jackson]], a sales associate at [[Banana Republic]] and [[Barneys New York]], a cater-waiter, a student nurse, Junior VP for Out TV, and host of his own Out TV [[talk show]], called ''Jack Talk''. Jack made four one-man shows (called ''Just Jack'', ''Jack 2000'', ''Jack 2001'', and ''Jack 2002'') to showcase his singing/dancing/acting abilities; all attempts having only marginal success. Early on in the show he establishes a close friendship with Karen; the pair often spend time together and orchestrate various pranks. Throughout the series, Jack relies on Will and Karen for financial support, but in the finale of the original series, he inherits Beverley Leslie's money and becomes very rich. He idolizes [[Cher]].
* [[Gary Grubbs]] as Harlin Polk (regular season 1; guest season 2): A major client of Will's in season one who ultimately fires him.
* [[Shelley Morrison]] as [[Rosario Salazar]] (regular seasons 3–8; recurring seasons 1–2): Karen's maid, and later Jack's wife then ex-wife because of a green card marriage. Morrison was invited to reprise her role when the series was revived, but declined, having retired from acting.
* [[Michael Angarano]] as Elliot (regular season 4; recurring seasons 3, 5–6, 8; special guest season 9): Jack's son. Shortly after learning of his biological father's death, Jack meets Elliot, his biological son created from [[spermatozoon|sperm]] Jack donated at the age of 17.

===Supporting===
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;"
|+ Supporting characters on ''Will & Grace''
|-
! width="12%"| Main characters
! width="22%"| [[Will Truman]]
! width="22%"| [[Grace Adler]]
! width="22.5%"| [[Jack McFarland]]
! width="21.5%"| [[Karen Walker (Will & Grace)|Karen Walker]]
|-
! Spouses
| Vince D'Angelo {{small|([[Bobby Cannavale]])}}<br />McCoy Whitman {{small|([[Matt Bomer]])}}
| Marvin "Leo" Markus {{small|([[Harry Connick Jr.]])}}
| [[Rosario Salazar]] {{small|([[Shelley Morrison]])}}<br />Estéfan Gloria {{small|([[Brian Jordan Alvarez]])}}
| Stanley Walker {{small|(''[[unseen character]]'')}} <br />Lyle Finster {{small|([[John Cleese]])}}
|-
! rowspan="2"| Family
| George Truman {{small|([[Sydney Pollack]])}}<br />Marilyn Truman {{small|([[Blythe Danner]])}}<br />Sam Truman {{small|([[John Slattery]] / [[Steven Weber (actor)|Steven Weber]])}}<br />Paul Truman {{small|([[Jon Tenney]])}}
| Bobbi Adler {{small|([[Debbie Reynolds]])}}<br />Martin Adler {{small|([[Alan Arkin]]/[[Robert Klein]])}}<br />Janet Adler {{small|([[Geena Davis]]/[[Mary McCormack]])}}<br />Joyce Adler {{small|([[Sara Rue]])}}<br /> Fiona Adler {{small|([[Billie Lourd]])}}<br />Eleanor Markus {{small|([[Judith Ivey]])}}
| rowspan="2"| Judith McFarland {{small|([[Veronica Cartwright]])}}<br />Elliot {{small|([[Michael Angarano]])}}<br />Daniel McFarland {{small|([[Beau Bridges]])}}<br />Skip {{small|([[Jet Jurgensmeyer]])}}
| rowspan="2"| Lois Whitley {{small|([[Suzanne Pleshette]])}}<br />Gin {{small|([[Bernadette Peters]])}}<br />Barry {{small|([[Dan Futterman]])}}<br />Lorraine Finster {{small|([[Minnie Driver]])}}<br />Marion Finster {{small|([[Tim Curry]])}}<br />Sumner Davis {{small|([[Paul Satterfield]])}}
|-
| colspan="2"| Ben Truman {{small|(Ben Newmark)}}, Lila Markus {{small|([[Maria Thayer]])}}
|-
! Friends
| colspan="2"| [[Karen Walker (Will & Grace)|Karen Walker]] {{small|([[Megan Mullally]])}}, [[Jack McFarland]] {{small|([[Sean Hayes]])}}, Rob {{small|([[Tom Gallop]])}}, Ellen {{small|([[Leigh-Allyn Baker]])}}, Joe {{small|([[Jerry Levine]])}}, Larry {{small|([[Tim Bagley]])}}, Steve {{small|(Steve Paymer)}}
| [[Will Truman]] {{small|([[Eric McCormack]])}}, [[Grace Adler]] {{small|([[Debra Messing]])}}, [[Karen Walker (Will & Grace)|Karen Walker]] {{small|([[Megan Mullally]])}}, Zandra Zoggin {{small|([[Eileen Brennan]])}}
| [[Will Truman]] {{small|([[Eric McCormack]])}}, [[Grace Adler]] {{small|([[Debra Messing]])}}, [[Jack McFarland]] {{small|([[Sean Hayes]])}}, Candice Bergen {{small|([[Candice Bergen]])}}, Smitty {{small|(Charles C. Stevenson Jr.)}}
|-
! Neighbors
| colspan="3"| Val Bassett {{small|([[Molly Shannon]])}}, Mr. Zamir {{small|([[Marshall Manesh]])}}, Nathan {{small|([[Woody Harrelson]])}}, Mrs. Timmer {{small|(Livia Treviño)}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
! Love interests
| Michael {{small|([[Chris Potter (actor)|Chris Potter]])}}<br />Scott Sender {{small|(Branden Brent Williams)}}<br />Matthew {{small|([[Patrick Dempsey]])}}<br />James Hanson {{small|([[Taye Diggs]])}}<br />Vince D'Angelo {{small|([[Bobby Cannavale]])}}<br />McCoy Whitman {{small|([[Matt Bomer]])}}
| Ben Doucette {{small|([[Gregory Hines]])}}<br />Danny {{small|([[Tom Verica]])}}<br />Josh {{small|([[Corey Parker (actor)|Corey Parker]])}}<br />Nathan {{small|([[Woody Harrelson]])}}<br />Nick {{small|([[Edward Burns]])}}<br />Tom Cassidy {{small|([[Eric Stoltz]])}}<br />Marvin "Leo" Markus {{small|([[Harry Connick Jr.]])}}<br />Noah Broader {{small|([[David Schwimmer]])}}
| Stuart Lamarack {{small|([[Dave Foley]])}}<br />Kevin Bacon {{small|([[Kevin Bacon]])}}
| Lionel Banks {{small|([[Rip Torn]])}}<br />Malcolm Widmark {{small|([[Alec Baldwin]])}}<br />Nikki {{small|([[Samira Wiley]])}}
|-
! Rivals
| Kevin Wolchek {{small|([[Adam Goldberg]])}}
| Val Bassett {{small|([[Molly Shannon]])}}
| Artemis Johnson {{small|([[Will Arnett]])}}<br />Owen {{small|([[Matt Damon]])}}<br />Jimmy  {{small|([[Sam Pancake]])}}<br />
| Helena Barnes {{small|([[Joan Collins]])}}<br />Beverley Leslie {{small|([[Leslie Jordan]])}}<br />Lorraine Finster {{small|([[Minnie Driver]])}}<br />Scott Woolley {{small|([[Jeff Goldblum]])}}<br />Candy Pruitt {{small|([[Christine Ebersole]])}}<br />Val Bassett {{small|([[Molly Shannon]])}}<br />Candice Bergen {{small|([[Candice Bergen]])}}
|-
! Bosses
| Ben Doucette {{small|([[Gregory Hines]])}}<br />Mr. Stein {{small|([[Gene Wilder]])}}<br />Margot {{small|([[Lily Tomlin]])}}<br />Malcolm Widmark {{small|([[Alec Baldwin]])}}
| {{n/a}}
| Jamie {{small|([[John Ducey]])}}<br />Tim {{small|([[Mark Harelik]])}}<br />Dorleen {{small|([[Parker Posey]])}}
| [[Grace Adler]] {{small|([[Debra Messing]])}}
|-
! Employees / Subordinates
| Mrs. Freeman {{small|([[Jo Marie Payton]])}}<br />Connie {{small|([[Kari Lizer]])}}
| [[Karen Walker (Will & Grace)|Karen Walker]] {{small|([[Megan Mullally]])}}<br />Gillian {{small|([[Natasha Lyonne]])}}<br />Tony {{small|([[Anthony Ramos (actor)|Anthony Ramos]])}}
| Dave {{small|(Mathew Botuchis)}}
| [[Rosario Salazar]] {{small|([[Shelley Morrison]])}}<br />Friday {{small|([[Vanessa Bayer]])}}
|-
! Clients
| Harlin Polk {{small|([[Gary Grubbs]])}}<br />Stanley Walker
| {{n/a}}
| Joanne {{small|([[Emily Rutherfurd]])}}<br />Russell {{small|(Jon Fleming)}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
! Co-workers
| Gary {{small|([[Jamie Kaler]])}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
! Others
| colspan="4"| Tina {{small|([[Lesley Ann Warren]])}}, Benji {{small|(Brian A. Setzer)}}, Nurse Sheila {{small|([[Laura Kightlinger]])}}, Diedre {{small|([[Edie Falco]])}}, Monet {{small|([[Chloë Sevigny]])}}, Cher {{small|([[Cher]])}}, Jenny {{small|([[Demi Lovato]])}}
|-
|}

==Episodes==
{{Main|List of Will & Grace episodes}}
{{:List of Will & Grace episodes}}

==Production==

===Conception===
Creators of ''Will & Grace'' and real-life friends [[Max Mutchnick]] and [[David Kohan]] modeled the show after Mutchnick's relationship with childhood friend Janet Eisenberg, a New York City voice-over casting agent. Mutchnick, who is gay, met Eisenberg while rehearsing a play at [[Temple Emanuel (Beverly Hills, California)|Temple Emanuel]] in [[Beverly Hills, California]], when aged 13.<ref name="jewjournal">{{Cite news |last=Pfefferman |first=Naomi |date=December 1, 2001 |title=Jewish and Normal? Oy! |url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/television/article/jewish_and_normal_oy_20010907 |access-date=November 14, 2012 |website=[[The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles|Jewish Journal]] |publisher=Rap-Up.com}}</ref> He was the main star of the [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] [[school musical]], while she was a student in the drama department. About three years later, she introduced him to Kohan, the son of comedy writer [[Alan Kohan]], in the drama department at [[Beverly Hills High School]]. "Max and Janet seemed to have a lovely rapport, but the romantic element confused me, and it confused them as well", Kohan later recalled. "They went out for a couple of years, then they went off to different colleges. And Max [[Coming out|comes out of the closet]], springs it on her—and she was stunned. It was a shocking revelation for her, so I kind of functioned as a liaison between the two of them, because they both still really loved each other."<ref name="jewjournal" />

While Kohan practiced his [[shuttle diplomacy]], he and Mutchnick began developing sitcom ideas, which prompted the pair to start writing as a duo.<ref name="jewjournal" /> They eventually landed staff jobs on [[HBO]]'s adult-themed sitcom ''[[Dream On (TV series)|Dream On]]'' and executive produced the NBC sitcom ''[[Boston Common (TV series)|Boston Common]]''.<ref name="jewjournal" /> In 1997, they developed an ensemble comedy about six friends, two of them based on Mutchnick and Eisenberg.<ref name="jewjournal" /> At the same time, [[Warren Littlefield]], the then-president of [[NBC]] Entertainment, was seeking another relationship comedy for the network as ''[[Mad About You]]'' was going off the air.<ref name="DVD">{{Cite AV media |title=Will & Grace: Series Finale – The Last Words: Interviews with the Cast |date=2006 |type=DVD |publisher=Lions Gate Entertainment}}</ref><ref name="insidetheactors">{{Cite web |title=The Cast of Will & Grace |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX5QTGq3z5U |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513023116/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX5QTGq3z5U&gl=US&hl=en |archive-date=May 13, 2012 |access-date=November 14, 2012 |website=[[Inside the Actors Studio]] |publisher=[[Bravo (American TV network)|Bravo]]}}</ref> When Kohan and Mutchnick pitched their idea, which centered on three couples, one of which was a gay man living with a straight woman, Littlefield was not excited about the first two couples, but wanted to learn more about the gay and straight couple, so Mutchnick and Kohan were sent to create a pilot script centering on those two characters.<ref name="insidetheactors" /> While Kohan and Mutchnick elaborated on the pilot script, they spent four tense months faxing Littlefield the box office grosses from hit films with gay characters such as ''[[The Birdcage]]'' and ''[[My Best Friend's Wedding]]''.<ref name="jewjournal" />

NBC was positive about the project, but there was still some concern that the homosexual subject matter would cause alarm. [[Ellen DeGeneres]]'s sitcom ''[[Ellen (TV series)|Ellen]]'', which aired on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]], was canceled the year before ''Will & Grace'' premiered because ratings had plummeted after the show became "too gay."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blair |first=David |date=August 13, 2003 |title=Will & Grace – Season One |url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/7230/will-grace-season-one/ |access-date=April 22, 2009 |publisher=DVD Talk}}</ref><ref name="pink">{{Cite magazine |date=September 10, 1999 |title=In The Pink |url=https://ew.com/article/1999/09/10/will-and-grace-pink/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |page=1 |access-date=April 22, 2009}}</ref> Despite the criticism ABC received for DeGeneres's [[coming out]] episode, "[[The Puppy Episode]]", Kohan said, "there's no question that show made it easier for ''Will & Grace'' to make it on the air." He added: "''Will & Grace'' had a better shot at succeeding where ''Ellen'' failed, however, because Will has known about his homosexuality for 20 years. He's not exploring that awkward territory for the first time, as Ellen did. The process of self-discovery and the pain most gay men go through is fascinating, but the average American is put off by it."<ref name="thompson">{{Cite news |last=Thompson |first=Kevin |date=September 21, 1998 |title=He's Gay, She's Not |pages=1D |work=The Palm Beach Post}}</ref>

===Pilot===
{{see also|Pilot (Will & Grace)}}
[[File:Eric McCormack 2012 Shankbone 3.JPG|thumb|upright|right|[[Eric McCormack]] was the first actor cast in the series<ref name="cnn" />]]
NBC went to sitcom director [[James Burrows]] to see what he thought of the homosexual subject matter and if an audience would be interested in the show.<ref name="DVD 2" /> Burrows liked the idea and when he first read the script in November 1997, he decided that he wanted to direct it. Burrows said, "I knew that the boys had captured a genre and a group of characters I have never read before."<ref name="DVD" /> The filming of the pilot began on March 15, 1998. The actors behind Will and Grace, Eric McCormack and Debra Messing, were positive about the series and they thought it had the potential to last long on television. McCormack said: "When shooting was finished that night, Debra and I were sitting on the couch and looking at each other and I said, 'We're gonna be on this set for a while.' And we sort of clasped hands, but we didn't want to say anything beyond that and jinx it."<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 23, 2005 |title=McCormack looks to end of 'Will & Grace' |publisher=Today.com |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/mccormack-looks-end-will-grace-wbna9053810 |access-date=May 24, 2009}}</ref>

The part of Will Truman went to Eric McCormack, who was the first actor cast in the series.<ref name="cnn">{{Cite news |last=King |first=Larry |date=February 16, 2005 |title=Interview with Cast of "Will & Grace" |work=Larry King Live |publisher=CNN Transcripts |url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0502/16/lkl.01.html |access-date=April 21, 2009}}</ref> Having played gay characters several times in his career, McCormack did not have a problem with it and thought his character could become a "poster boy for some gay movement", in the way that DeGeneres became a spokesperson with her character.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pergament |first=Alan |date=December 15, 1998 |title=New Time, Fine Line For Will & Grace |pages=C5 |work=The Buffalo News}}</ref> Sean Hayes was invited to audition for Jack after an NBC casting executive saw him in a role in the indie gay romance film ''[[Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss]]''. Even though Hayes enjoyed the script when he read it, he threw it away and decided not to try out for the audition until he was sent the script again.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Baldwin |first=Kristen |date=October 23, 1998 |title=Full-Mettle Jack |url=https://ew.com/article/1998/10/23/sean-hayes-was-meant-sitcoms/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=April 21, 2009}}</ref> Megan Mullally initially auditioned for the role of Grace Adler, but admitted that she did not want to audition for the part of Karen since it seemed too similar to [[Christine Baranski]]’s part on [[Cybill]]. Once Mullally got the role, she was able to put her own spin on the character and add some fun quirks to Karen.<ref name="DVD 3">{{Cite AV media |title=Will & Grace: Season One – Interviews with the Cast |date=2003 |type=DVD |publisher=Lions Gate Entertainment}}</ref> By contrast, Debra Messing, with whom Mullally had first worked on ''[[Ned and Stacey]]'', was initially unsure if she wanted to play the role of Grace.<ref name="daily news">{{Cite news |last=Huff |first=Richard |date=September 28, 1998 |title=Producers Poured it on to Land 'Grace' They Came, They Drank, They Tipped the Deal in their Favor |work=Daily News (New York) |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/1998/09/28/1998-09-28_producers_poured_it_on_to_la.html |access-date=April 23, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090429155409/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/1998/09/28/1998-09-28_producers_poured_it_on_to_la.html <!--Added by H3llBot--> |archive-date=April 29, 2009}}</ref> The last actor to be cast, she later admitted that director Burrows was the reason for doing ''Will & Grace''.<ref name="DVD 2">{{Cite AV media |title=Will & Grace: Season One – Interviews with the Creators |date=2003 |type=DVD |publisher=Lions Gate Entertainment}}</ref> The production team once admitted that they got her to finally say yes once she was drunk at a party.

===Revival===
In January 2017, NBC closed a deal for a new 10-episode season of the series, which aired during the 2017–18 season. Hayes [[executive producer|executive produced]] this season as well as creators/executive producers Max Mutchnick and David Kohan. Veteran director [[James Burrows]] is on board to direct and executive produce.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=January 18, 2017 |title='Will & Grace' To Return To NBC For New Season |url=https://deadline.com/2017/01/will-grace-return-nbc-season-9-1201888523/ |access-date=January 19, 2017 |website=Deadline}}</ref> In April 2017, the episode order was increased to 12 episodes. In August 2017, it was extended again to 16 episodes, and a 13-episode tenth season was ordered.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wagmeister |first=Elizabeth |date=August 3, 2017 |title='Will & Grace' Revival Picked Up for Another Season on NBC |url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/will-and-grace-season-2-renewed-nbc-1202515243/ |access-date=August 3, 2017 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> The revival was filmed at Stage 22 at [[Universal Studios Hollywood]], as opposed to Stage 17 at [[CBS Studio Center]]. In March 2018, NBC ordered five more episodes for the revival's second season, bringing the total to 18 episodes, and it was also renewed for an 18-episode third (eleventh) and final season.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=March 17, 2018 |title='Will & Grace' Revival Renewed For Season 3 By NBC, Season 2 Expanded |url=https://deadline.com/2018/03/will-grace-revival-renewed-season-3-nbc-season-2-expanded-18-episodes-1202339735/ |magazine=Deadline |access-date=March 18, 2018}}</ref>

==Aftershow==
===''Will & Grace: After Party''===
[[File:WillAndGraceAfterParty.png|upright|thumb|Logo for the aftershow]]
With the release of the ninth season of the series, NBC also released ''Will & Grace: After Party'', an [[aftershow]] hosted by [[Kristin dos Santos]]. The guests of the aftershow are composed of cast and crew from the series, including [[David Kohan]], [[Max Mutchnick]], and the series' stars, to discuss the development and behind-the-scenes production of the series. The series premiered on NBC.com on September 29, 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nilles |first=Billy |date=September 27, 2017 |title=Oh Honey, Will & Grace Is Getting an After Show |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/882600/oh-honey-will-grace-is-officially-getting-an-after-show |access-date=February 1, 2018 |website=E! Online}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 27, 2017 |title=NBC Launches Ultimate Fan Celebration WILL & GRACE AFTER PARTY, Hosted by E! |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/NBC-Launches-Ultimate-Fan-Celebration-WILL-GRACE-AFTER-PARTY-Hosted-by-E-20170927 |access-date=February 1, 2018 |website=Broadway World}}</ref>

{{Episode table |background=#FF52AC |total_width=80% |overall= |title= |aux1= |aux2= |aux1T=Episode discussed|aux2T=Guest(s) |airdate= |episodes=
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 1
| Title = Episode 1
| Aux1 = ''[[11 Years Later]]''
| Aux2 = [[Eric McCormack]]
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|09|29}}
| LineColor = #FF52AC
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 2
| Title = Episode 2
| Aux1 = ''Who's Your Daddy''
| Aux2 = [[Harry Connick Jr.]] and [[Bobby Cannavale]]
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|10|06}}
| LineColor = #FF52AC
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 3
| Title = Episode 3
| Aux1 = ''Emergency Contact''
| Aux2 = [[Jane Lynch]] and Glenda Rovello
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|10|12}}
| LineColor = #FF52AC
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 4
| Title = Episode 4
| Aux1 = ''Grandpa Jack''
| Aux2 = [[Minnie Driver]]
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|10|19}}
| LineColor = #FF52AC
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 5
| Title = Episode 5
| Aux1 = ''How to Succeed in Business Without Really Crying''
| Aux2 = [[Leslie Jordan]]
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|10|26}}
| LineColor = #FF52AC
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 6
| Title = Episode 6
| Aux1 = ''Rosario's Quinceañera''
| Aux2 = [[Megan Mullally]], [[David Kohan]], and [[Max Mutchnick]]
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|11|02}}
| LineColor = #FF52AC
}}
}}

==Legal issues==
In December 2003, in the midst of the series' sixth season, executive producers and creators David Kohan and Max Mutchnick sued NBC and NBC Studios. Alleging that the network sold the rights to the series in an attempt to keep profits within the NBC family, Kohan and Mutchnick felt that they were cheated out of considerable profits because the network did not shop the show to the highest bidder. Another allegation against the network was that during the first four seasons of the series, the studio licensed the rights for amounts that were insufficient for covering production costs, thus leading to extraordinarily large production deficits.<ref name="Producers of 'Will & Grace' sue NBC">{{Cite news |date=December 16, 2003 |title=Producers of 'Will & Grace' sue NBC |work=[[USA Today]] |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2003-12-12-will-grace_x.htm |access-date=March 22, 2008 |quote=The men, who created the show and wrote many of its episodes, accuse the two companies of failing to shop the show to the highest bidder, colluding instead to keep profits within the NBC family. General Electric owns both companies.}}</ref> Three months later, NBC filed a countersuit against Kohan and Mutchnick stating that the co-creators were expected to act as an independent third party in the negotiations between NBC and its subsidiary, NBC Studios (since subsumed into [[Universal Television]]).<ref name="NBC sues 'Will & Grace' creators">{{Cite news |date=March 5, 2004 |title=NBC sues 'Will & Grace' creators |work=[[USA Today]] |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2004-03-05-will-grace-suit_x.htm |access-date=March 22, 2008}}</ref>

With a pending lawsuit and production beginning on other projects, Kohan and Mutchnick were absent on the ''Will & Grace'' set for most of its final seasons. They wrote the season 4 episode, "A Buncha White Chicks Sittin' Around Talkin'" and did not return to the writers' seat until the series finale four years later. Three years after NBC's countersuit and one year after the series ended, the legal battle between NBC and Kohan and Mutchnick ended in 2007 when all parties agreed on a settlement, with the series creators being awarded $49 million of the $65 million they sued for.<ref name="Surprise settlement in 'Grace' case">{{Cite news |date=April 27, 2007 |title=Surprise settlement in 'Grace' case |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3ia76075fe469ef9a445bf8a470ba6059d |url-status=dead |access-date=March 22, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070915212437/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3ia76075fe469ef9a445bf8a470ba6059d |archive-date=September 15, 2007}}</ref>

==Syndication==
''Will & Grace'' entered off-network syndication in 2002, and remained in local syndication until 2008. In 2002 [[WGN America]] acquired the cable rights to air the series, where it aired until 2005 when [[Lifetime (TV network)|Lifetime Television]] acquired the cable rights to the series. After eight years and the expiration of Lifetime's contract, the rights to the series were picked up by [[We TV|WeTV]] and [[Logo TV]] in 2013, with both eventually letting the rights lapse.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

The streaming service [[Hulu]] later picked up the show, in anticipation of the show's revival in 2017, with the entire series also carried on NBC.com. Around the same time, NBC's classic subchannel network [[Cozi TV]] picked up the series and airs it four times nightly, and promotes it as "The Original Series" to avert confusion with the current-day run.<ref>{{Cite web |last=TV |first=COZI |title=Will & Grace |url=https://www.cozitv.com/shows/Cozi-Will--Grace-447739643.html}}</ref>

In the [[United Kingdom]], the series was broadcast on [[Channel 4]] up until its season finale in 2006. The revival of the show was picked up by [[Channel 5 (British TV channel)|Channel 5]] instead, premiering in January 2018. The channel chose not to broadcast any further episodes, and the tenth (and eleventh) seasons went straight to a DVD release in August 2019 and July 2020 respectively,<ref>{{Cite web |title=TV Airdates – Will & Grace |url=https://www.geektown.co.uk/tvairdates/will-grace/ |access-date=January 7, 2021 |website=Geektown}}</ref> before [[Comedy Central (British TV channel)|Comedy Central]] – a sister channel – began the tenth season in January 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Munn |first=Patrick |date=January 7, 2021 |title=Comedy Central UK Sets Premiere Date For 'Will & Grace' Season 10 |url=https://www.tvwise.co.uk/2021/01/comedy-central-uk-sets-premiere-date-for-will-grace-season-10/ |access-date=January 7, 2021 |website=TVWise}}</ref>

In Ireland, the series first aired on [[TV3 Ireland]] until its conclusion in 2006. It was confirmed in January 2018 rival channel [[RTÉ2]] picked up the broadcasting rights for the 2017–18 season run, beginning in February 2018.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

==Reception==
===Critical response===
The show has been criticized for not fully challenging stereotypes. "Battles and Hilton-Morrow (2002) analyse ''Will & Grace'' with regard to its dependence on traditional sitcom formulas and argue that the narratives diminish any of the show's potentially subversive themes...Kanner (2003) notes that the gayness of ''Will & Grace'' is normalized because the driving force of the show is their heterosexual friendship. Will's sexuality is assumed and incorporated into the show mostly as comic source and rarely as driving narrative."<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Avila-Saavedra |first=Guillermo |date=January 1, 2009 |title=Nothing queer about queer television: televized construction of gay masculinities |journal=Media, Culture & Society |location=Thousand Oaks, California |publisher=[[SAGE Publications]] |volume=31 |issue=5 |pages=5–21 |doi=10.1177/0163443708098243 |s2cid=144705667}}</ref>

The show garnered a fair amount of criticism and negative reviews upon its debut in 1998, most of which compared the show to the recently canceled [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] sitcom ''[[Ellen (TV series)|Ellen]]''. One such review said, "If ''Will & Grace'' can somehow survive a brutal time period opposite [[American football|football]] and ''[[Ally McBeal]]'', it could grow into a reasonably entertaining little anomaly—that is, a series about a man and a woman who have no sexual interest in one another. But don't bet on it. If it's doomed relationships viewers want, they'll probably opt for ''Ally''."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Richmond |first=Ray |date=September 16, 1998 |title=Will & Grace |publisher=Daily Variety |url=https://www.variety.com/awardcentral_review/VE1117477856.html?nav=reviews |access-date=July 27, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012201500/http://www.variety.com/awardcentral_review/VE1117477856.html?nav=reviews |archive-date=October 12, 2007}}</ref> As popular as the show came to be, particularly among gay viewers, ''Will & Grace'' continuously dealt with criticism for having a limited view of the gay community and for reinforcing [[gay stereotypes|stereotype]]s when some felt it should have torn them down.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 3, 2000 |title=Watching with Ambivalence |url=https://popmatters.com/tv/reviews/w/will-and-grace.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070812204401/http://www.popmatters.com/tv/reviews/w/will-and-grace.html |archive-date=August 12, 2007 |access-date=July 27, 2007 |publisher=Pop Matters Television }}</ref>

The series finale was heavily promoted by NBC, and McCormack, Messing, Mullally and Hayes appeared on ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show]]'' and ''[[Today (American TV program)|The Today Show]]'' to bid farewell, on May 10 and 18, respectively. NBC devoted a two-hour block in its primetime schedule on May 18, 2006, for the ''Will & Grace'' send-off. An hour-long series retrospective, "Say Goodnight, Gracie", featuring interviews with the cast, crew, and guest stars, preceded the hour-long series finale. Series creators and executive producers Kohan and Mutchnick, who had not served as writers since the season 4 finale, penned the script for "The Finale". Regarding the finale, Mutchnick stated, "We wrote about what you want to have happen with people you love... All the things that matter in life, they end up having."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Keveney |first=Bill |date=May 17, 2006 |title=NBC's 'Will' bows out gracefully |work=[[USA Today]] |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2006-05-17-will-grace-retrospective_x.htm |access-date=March 22, 2008}}</ref>

The ninth season was met with generally positive reviews. On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the season has a rating of 86% based on 37 reviews, with an average rating of 7.3/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "''Will & Grace'' reunites its ever-hilarious cast for a revival season that picks up right where the show left off 11 years ago—adding a fresh relevance and a series of stories that make sharply funny use of the passage of time."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Will & Grace: Season 9 (2017) |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/will_grace/s09/ |access-date=September 29, 2017 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |publisher=[[Fandango Media]] |location=San Francisco, California}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the season has a weighted average score of 73 out of 100, based on 26 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Will & Grace reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/will-grace-2017 |access-date=September 29, 2017 |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[Fandango Media]] |location=San Francisco, California |archive-date=September 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917105502/https://www.metacritic.com/tv/will-grace-2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Awards and nominations==
{{main|List of awards and nominations received by Will & Grace}}
[[File:Megan Mullally by Gage Skidmore.jpg|thumb|upright|right|[[Megan Mullally]] received two Primetime Emmy Awards for her portrayal of Karen]]
''Will & Grace'' has been nominated for 83 [[Primetime Emmy Awards]], winning 18 of them, including once for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series|Outstanding Comedy Series]] in 2000. McCormack, Messing, Hayes, and Mullally each won at least one Emmy Award for their respective performances, becoming one of four live-action sitcoms, along with ''[[All in the Family]]'', ''[[The Golden Girls]]'' and ''[[Schitt's Creek]]'', where all the principal actors have won at least one Emmy Award. Mullally also won a second time for her performance in 2006, a year when ''Will & Grace'' was nominated for 10 Emmys for its final season. The year before, the show had garnered 15 nominations, tied with ''[[Desperate Housewives]]'' as the series receiving the most nominations. This was almost an all-time record; the two shows were second behind ''[[The Larry Sanders Show]]'', with 16 nominations in 1996.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

With three each, both Hayes and Mullally held the record of winning the most [[Screen Actors Guild Award]]s for the categories Best Performance by an Actor in a Comedy Series and Best Performance by an Actress in a Comedy Series, respectively, for their roles in ''Will & Grace''; however, [[Tina Fey]] went on to tie with Mullally and [[Alec Baldwin]] went on to surpass Hayes, both for their roles on the series ''[[30 Rock]]''. ''Will & Grace'' has won several [[GLAAD Media Awards]] for its advocacy of the [[gay community]]. Despite 30 total nominations, ''Will & Grace'' never won a [[Golden Globe Award]].{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

==Ratings==
The show debuted on Mondays beginning on September 21, 1998, and steadily gained in popularity, culminating when it moved to Thursday night as part of NBC's [[Must See TV]] line-up. The show ultimately became a [[Nielsen ratings|highly rated]] television show in the United States, earning a top-twenty rating during four of its eight seasons, including one season at No. 9. From 2001 to 2005, ''Will & Grace'' was the highest-rated sitcom among adults aged 18–49. However, when the show lost ''[[Friends]]'' as its lead-in after the [[2003–04 United States network television schedule|2003–04 season]], ''Will & Grace'' began shedding viewers and slipped out of the top 20 during its last two seasons.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

"[[The Finale (Will & Grace)|The Finale]]" drew over 18 million viewers,<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 19, 2006 |title='Will & Grace' Helps NBC Stay Tough on Thursday |url=http://www.zap2it.com/tv/ratings/zap-ratings051806,0,2450059.story |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113182038/http://www.zap2it.com/tv/ratings/zap-ratings051806,0,2450059.story |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 13, 2009 |access-date=March 22, 2008 |publisher=Zap2It}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kissell |first=Rick |date=May 21, 2006 |title='Will' has its way in finale |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2006/scene/markets-festivals/will-has-its-way-in-finale-1200335888/}}</ref> ranking No. 8 for the week, easily making it the most watched episode of seasons seven & eight. While the season eight finale is considered a ratings success, it is far from being the most watched episode of ''Will & Grace''—that accolade remains with the season four episode "[[A Chorus Lie]]", which aired on February 7, 2002, and ranked No. 8 for the week. When the show was at the height of its popularity (seasons 3–5), ranking in the Top 10 was a common occurrence, but the finale's Top 10 rank was the only such rank for season 8 and the first such rank since the season 7 premiere "FYI: I Hurt, Too". Although it had slipped down the overall rankings, ''Will & Grace'' ended its final, eleventh season as NBC's most watched comedy series.<ref name="hollywoodreporter.com">{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Rick |date=June 4, 2020 |title=TV Ratings: 7-Day Season Averages for Every 2019–20 Broadcast Series |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/tv-ratings-7-day-season-averages-2019-20-broadcast-series-1297228/ |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref>

=== Average seasonal ratings ===
{{Television season ratings
| hide_18_49_rank    = y
| hide_18_49_rating  = y

| link1              = Will & Grace (season 1)
| timeslot1          = Monday 9:30 pm <small>(1–8)</small><br />Tuesday 9:30 pm <small>(9–17)</small><br />Thursday 8:30 pm <small>(18–22)</small>
| episodes1          = 22
| start1             = {{Start date|1998|9|21}}
| startrating1       = 11.82<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thetvdb.com/series/will-and-grace/seasons/official/1 |title=Will & Grace Season 1 |publisher=thetvbd |access-date=2022-12-07}}</ref>
| end1               = {{End date|1999|5|13}}
| endrating1         = 18.14<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41314884/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (May 10–16)|date=May 19, 1999|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=July 1, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
| season1            = 1998–99
| rank1              = 40
| viewers1           = 12.72

| link2              = Will & Grace (season 2)
| timeslot2          = Tuesday 9:00 pm
| episodes2          = 24
| start2             = {{Start date|1999|9|21}}
| startrating2       = 16.09<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41321901/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Sept. 20–26)|date=September 29, 1999|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 3, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
| end2               = {{End date|2000|5|23}}
| endrating2         = 15.52<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tv.zap2it.com/news/ratings/networks/000522network.html |title=Top 20 Network Primetime Report |work=Zap2it |access-date=June 19, 2023 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010309221209/http://tv.zap2it.com/news/ratings/networks/000522network.html |archive-date=March 9, 2001 }}</ref>
| season2            = 1999–2000
| rank2              = 44
| viewers2           = 12.96

| link3              = Will & Grace (season 3)
| timeslot_length3   = 3
| timeslot3          = Thursday 9:00 pm
| episodes3          = 25
| start3             = {{Start date|2000|10|12}}
| startrating3       = 24.32<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41379705/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 9–15)|date=October 18, 2000|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 4, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
| end3               = {{End date|2001|5|17}}
| endrating3         = 20.50<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41488110/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (May 14–20)|date=May 23, 2001|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 4, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
| season3            = 2000–01
| rank3              = 14
| viewers3           = 18.66

| link4              = Will & Grace (season 4)
| episodes4          = 27
| start4             = {{Start date|2001|9|27}}
| startrating4       = 20.64<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41486712/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Sept. 24–30)|date=October 3, 2001|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 4, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
| end4               = {{End date|2002|5|16}}
| endrating4         = 23.65<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41463107/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (May 13–19)|date=May 22, 2002|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 4, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
| season4            = 2001–02
| rank4              = 9
| viewers4           = 18.43

| link5              = Will & Grace (season 5)
| episodes5          = 24
| start5             = {{Start date|2002|9|26}}
| startrating5       = 21.45<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41465735/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Sept. 23–29)|date=October 2, 2002|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 4, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
| end5               = {{End date|2003|5|15}}
| endrating5         = 20.28<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41424933/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (May 12–18)|date=May 21, 2003|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 4, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
| season5            = 2002–03
| rank5              = 11
| viewers5           = 18.34

| link6              = Will & Grace (season 6)
| timeslot6          = Thursday 9:00 pm <small>(1–12, 22–24)</small><br />Thursday 8:30 pm <small>(13–21)</small>
| episodes6          = 24
| start6             = {{Start date|2003|9|25}}
| startrating6       = 20.29<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41426339/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Sept. 22–28)|date=October 1, 2003|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 5, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
| end6               = {{End date|2004|4|29}}
| endrating6         = 20.53<ref>{{cite web |work=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC Medianet]]|date=May 4, 2004 |url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=050404_06 |title=Weekly Program Rankings (Apr. 26-May 2)|access-date=April 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221204000/http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=050404_06|archive-date=December 21, 2008|url-status= live}}</ref>
| season6            = 2003–04
| rank6              = 16
| viewers6           = 15.79

| link7              = Will & Grace (season 7)
| timeslot7          = Thursday 8:30 pm
| episodes7          = 24
| start7             = {{Start date|2004|9|16}}
| startrating7       = 16.55<ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] Medianet|date=September 21, 2004|url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=092104_07 |title=Weekly Program Rankings (Sept. 13-19)|access-date=April 5, 2023|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221204006/http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=092104_07 |archive-date=December 21, 2008}}</ref>
| end7               = {{End date|2005|5|19}}
| endrating7         = 7.92<ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] Medianet|date=May 24, 2005 |url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=052405_04|title=Weekly Program Rankings|access-date=April 5, 2023|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090516042311/http://www.abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=052405_04|archive-date=May 16, 2009}}</ref>
| season7            = 2004–05
| rank7              = 44
| viewers7           = 10.41

| link8              = Will & Grace (season 8)
| timeslot8          = Thursday 8:30 pm <small>(1–9)</small><br />Thursday 8:00 pm <small>(10–24)</small>
| episodes8          = 24
| start8             = {{Start date|2005|9|29}}
| startrating8       = 9.81<ref>{{Cite web |title=Disney General Entertainment Content Press |url=https://www.dgepress.com/}}</ref>
| end8               = {{End date|2006|5|18}}
| endrating8         = 18.43<ref name="finale">[http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=052306_05 Weekly Program Rankings] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229224016/http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=052306_05 |date=February 29, 2012 }}. [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] Medianet May 23, 2006. Retrieved July 25, 2010.</ref>
| season8            = 2005–06
| rank8              = 61
| viewers8           = 9.08

| link9              = Will & Grace (season 9)
| timeslot9          = Thursday 9:00 pm
| episodes9          = 16
| start9             = {{Start date|2017|9|28}}
| startrating9       = 10.19<ref name="9.01">{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Rick |date=September 29, 2017 |title='Will & Grace,' 'Superstore,' 'Good Place,' 'Gotham' adjust up; 'How to Get Away' adjusts down: Thursday final ratings |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/will-grace-superstore-good-place-gotham-adjust-up-how-to-get-away-adjusts-down-thursday-final-ratings/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930040010/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/will-grace-superstore-good-place-gotham-adjust-up-how-to-get-away-adjusts-down-thursday-final-ratings/ |archive-date=September 30, 2017 |access-date=September 29, 2017 |website=TV by the Numbers}}</ref>
| end9               = {{End date|2018|4|5}}
| endrating9         = 3.63<ref name="9.16">{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Rick |date=April 5, 2018 |title='Big Bang Theory,' 'Grey's Anatomy' adjust up, 'Mom,' 'Supernatural,' 'Arrow' down: Thursday final ratings |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/thursday-final-ratings-april-5-2018/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406232412/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/thursday-final-ratings-april-5-2018/ |archive-date=April 6, 2018 |access-date=April 5, 2018 |publisher=[[TV by the Numbers]]}}</ref>
| season9            = 2017–18
| rank9              = 36
| viewers9           = 8.85

| link10             = Will & Grace (season 10)
| timeslot10         = Thursday 9:00 pm <small>(1–8, 17–18)</small><br />Thursday 9:30 pm <small>(9–16)</small>
| episodes10         = 18
| start10            = {{Start date|2018|10|4}}
| startrating10      = 3.96<ref name="10.01">{{Cite web |last=Welch |first=Alex |date=October 5, 2018 |title='Thursday Night Football' adjusts up: Thursday final ratings |url=https://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/thursday-final-ratings-oct-4-2018/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006045757/https://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/thursday-final-ratings-oct-4-2018/ |archive-date=October 6, 2018 |access-date=October 5, 2018 |website=[[TV by the Numbers]]}}</ref>
| end10              = {{End date|2019|4|4}}
| endrating10        = 2.99<ref name="10.18">{{Cite web |last=Rejent |first=Joseph |date=April 5, 2019 |title='The Big Bang Theory,' 'Young Sheldon' adjust up, 'For the People' adjusts down: Thursday final ratings |url=https://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/thursday-final-ratings-april-4-2019/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405213929/https://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/thursday-final-ratings-april-4-2019/ |archive-date=April 5, 2019 |access-date=April 5, 2019 |website=TV by the Numbers}}</ref>
| season10           = 2018–19
| rank10             = 72
| viewers10          = 5.31

| link11             = Will & Grace (season 11)
| timeslot11         = Thursday 9:30 pm {{Small|(1–5)}}<br />Thursday 9:00 pm {{Small|(6–18)}}
| episodes11         = 18
| start11            = {{Start date|2019|10|24}}
| startrating11      = 2.28<ref name="11.01">{{Cite web |last=Rejent |first=Joseph |date=October 25, 2019 |title='Law & Order: SVU' adjusts down: Thursday final ratings |url=https://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/thursday-final-ratings-october-24-2019/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025205529/https://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/thursday-final-ratings-october-24-2019/ |archive-date=October 25, 2019 |access-date=October 25, 2019 |website=TV by the Numbers}}</ref>
| end11              = {{End date|2020|4|23}}
| endrating11        = 3.14<ref name="11.18">{{Cite web |last=Metcalf |first=Mitch |date=April 24, 2020 |title=Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.23.2020 |url=http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-thursday-cable-originals-network-finals-4-23-2020.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424202533/http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-thursday-cable-originals-network-finals-4-23-2020.html |archive-date=April 24, 2020 |access-date=April 24, 2020 |website=Showbuzz Daily}}</ref>
| season11           = 2019–20
| rank11             = 82
| viewers11          = 4.01
}}

===Cultural impact===
The series was the first prime-time television series on American television to star openly gay lead characters, making it the highest-profile presence of LGBT characters on American broadcast television since [[Ellen (TV series)|''Ellen'']]'s eponymous lead character's [[coming out|coming-out]] in the 1997 "[[The Puppy Episode|Puppy Episode]]". It has also been heralded as responsible for opening the door to a string of gay-themed television programs, such as ''[[Queer as Folk (2000 TV series)|Queer as Folk]]'', ''[[Queer Eye (2003 TV series)|Queer Eye for the Straight Guy]]'', and ''[[Boy Meets Boy (TV series)|Boy Meets Boy]]''. In 2004, the cast of the show were listed in [[Bravo (American TV network)|Bravo]]'s ''100 Greatest TV Characters''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bravo > 100 Greatest TV Characters |url=http://www.bravotv.com/The_100_Greatest_TV_Characters//index.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070717083958/http://www.bravotv.com/The_100_Greatest_TV_Characters//index.shtml |archive-date=July 17, 2007 |access-date=November 11, 2006 |publisher=Bravo}}</ref> In 2012, ''[[The Washington Post]]'' ranked ''Will & Grace'' the ninth-best NBC comedy of all time.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chaney |first=Jen |date=October 9, 2012 |title=Ranked: The top 10 NBC comedies of all time |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/celebritology/post/ranked-the-top-10-nbc-comedies-of-all-time/2012/09/10/9bb471e0-f90d-11e1-a073-78d05495927c_blog.html}}</ref> In 2014, scripts, props, and set decor from ''Will & Grace'' were donated to the [[National Museum of American History]], which is part of the Smithsonian.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 20, 2014 |title=Original Transgender Pride Flag, Will & Grace Artifacts Donated to Smithsonian &#124; Out Magazine |url=http://www.out.com/entertainment/popnography/2014/08/20/original-transgender-pride-flag-will-grace-artifacts-smithsonian |access-date=May 23, 2016}}</ref> In December 2023, ''Variety'' ranked ''Will & Grace'' #93 on its list of the 100 greatest TV shows of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/lists/greatest-tv-shows-of-all-time/|title=The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time|publisher=Variety|date=December 20, 2023}}</ref>

In May 2012, during a ''[[Meet the Press]]'' interview with host [[David Gregory (journalist)|David Gregory]], then U.S. Vice President [[Joe Biden]] cited the series as an influence in American thinking regarding LGBT rights, saying, "I think ''Will & Grace'' did more to educate the American public than almost anything anybody has ever done. People fear that which is different. Now they're beginning to understand."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jessica Yellin |date=May 6, 2012<!--, 12:03 PM ET--> |title=Biden says he is 'absolutely comfortable' with same-sex marriage |url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/05/06/biden-says-he-is-absolutely-comfortable-with-same-sex-marriage/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714223831/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/05/06/biden-says-he-is-absolutely-comfortable-with-same-sex-marriage/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 14, 2012 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> In the same interview, Biden stated that he was "absolutely comfortable" with [[same-sex marriage]], a statement which was followed on May 9 by President [[Barack Obama]]'s speaking in favor of it.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sam Stein |date=May 9, 2012 |title=Obama Backs Gay Marriage |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/09/obama-gay-marriage_n_1503245.html |access-date=May 23, 2016 |website=[[HuffPost]]}}</ref> The day after Obama's statement, series co-creator Mutchnick later told ''[[CBS This Morning]]'' that Biden had spoken similar words at a private function which Mutchnick and his husband had attended two weeks prior to Biden's statement, although a White House official was cited by ''CBS This Morning's'' [[Bill Plante]] as asserting that the ''Meet the Press'' interview was not a "trial balloon" for the statement.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aaron Couch |date=May 10, 2012 |title='Will & Grace' Co-Creator Says Joe Biden Mentioned Show Prior to Gay Marriage Endorsement |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/barack-obama-gay-marriage-joe-biden-will-grace-max-mutchnick |access-date=May 23, 2016 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> Both Mutchnick and Kohan praised Biden's statement, but were critical of Obama's stance on marriage during the time between Biden's and Obama's statements.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Ted Johnson |date=May 7, 2012 |title='Will & Grace' duo flattered by Biden shout-out |url=https://variety.com/2012/tv/news/will-grace-duo-flattered-by-biden-shout-out-1118053645/ |magazine=Variety}}</ref>

==Home media==
[[Lions Gate Home Entertainment]] and [[NBC Enterprises]] has released all eight seasons of ''Will & Grace'' on DVD in Region 1, 2, and 4. The show was re-released and re-packaged on October 3, 2011, on region 2. [[Universal Studios Home Entertainment]] currently holds the rights to the series in Region 1. On August 29, 2017, Universal re-released season 1 of the series on DVD in a 3-disc set. The re-release carries over all bonus features from the original Lionsgate release. It is unknown whether or not Universal will re-release the rest of the series. On June 12, 2018, Universal released season 9 on DVD and made-on-demand Blu-Ray, as ''Will & Grace: The Revival – Season One'' in region 1. Season 10 was released as ''Will & Grace: The Revival – Season Two'' on DVD and made-on-demand Blu-Ray on June 18, 2019. Finally, on July 7, 2020, Season 11 was released as ''Will & Grace: The Revival – Season Three: The Farewell Season'' on DVD only.

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%; text-align:center"
|-
! rowspan="2" | Season
! rowspan="2" | Ep#
! rowspan="2" | Discs
! colspan="3" | Release dates
! rowspan="2" | Notes
|-
!1 !! 2 !!4
|-
|1
|22
|4
||August 12, 2003||August 30, 2004||2004
|
* Reissued on August 29, 2017, by Universal
* 22 uncut episodes
|-
|2
|24
|4
||March 23, 2004||August 30, 2004|| 2004
|
* Syndicated (edited) version "Ben? Her?" appears. However, the full version appears on the complete boxed set and the compilation "Will & Grace: Best of Love & Marriage."
* Episode listing on box does not match episode listing on discs
* Episodes on the fourth disc appear out of sequence
|-
|3
|25
|4
||September 7, 2004||August 30, 2004||2005
|
* "Gypsies, Tramps and Weed" appears as its syndicated version.
* The "super-size" episode, "Cheaters", appears as the original version, without the extra footage later added for syndication
* "Cheaters" is incorrectly labeled as "Cheaters, part 1"
* Various international Season 3 sets feature the syndicated versions of "Cheaters" (in two parts), with the extra footage included.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 26, 2013 |title=FSK – VV Programmteile |url=http://www.fsk.de/index.asp?SeitID=550&TID=70&VVID=94411 |access-date=October 9, 2013 |publisher=Fsk.de}}</ref>
|-
|4
|27
|4
||August 16, 2005||August 30, 2004||2005
|
* 27 uncut episodes
|-
|5
|24
|4
||August 29, 2006||March 7, 2005 ||2006
|
* The "super-size" episodes, "Women and Children First", "[[Dolls and Dolls]]", "May Divorce Be with You", "23", and the season finale "24", appear as the syndicated versions
|-
|6
|24
|4
||May 1, 2007||August 15, 2005||2007
|
* The "super-size" episodes, "Dames at Sea", "A-Story, Bee-Story" and "Ice Cream Balls", appear as the syndicated versions.
* Although not a "super-size" episode, "Strangers with Candace" is edited to its syndicated version.
* The one-hour season finale, "I Do, Oh, No, You Di-in't," is split into two episodes (Parts 1 & 2). However, there is no footage missing.
|-
|7
|24
|4
||December 4, 2007||January 30, 2006 ||2007
|
* The episode "Friends with Benefits" is presented in its syndicated cut version. The original version can be found on the 2007 Emmy-consideration promotional DVD.
* The bloopers in the United States have been censored/cut, with approx. 1 minute of footage removed compared to the international editions.
* All episodes after "Christmas Break" originally aired in widescreen, but are presented in 4x3 here.
|-
|8
|24
|4
||September 16, 2008||August 7, 2006||2008
|
* All 24 episodes included in their entirety.
* As with the later half of season 7, all episodes in this season originally aired in widescreen, and are presented in 4x3 here.
|-
|Finale
|1
|1
||May 30, 2006||—||—
|
* One-hour series finale included in its entirety.
|-
|9
|16
|2
||June 12, 2018||TBA||June 13, 2018<ref name="sanity.com.au">{{Cite web |title=Will And Grace – The Revival – Season 1 |url=https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2371635/Will_And_Grace_-_The_Revival_-_Season_1 |access-date=March 1, 2019 |website=Sanity}}</ref>
|
|-
|10
|18
|2
||June 18, 2019||TBA||June 18, 2019<ref name="sanity.com.au" />
|
|-
|11
|18
|2
||July 7, 2020||TBA||July 7, 2020
|-
|1–8
|194
|33
||September 16, 2008||August 7, 2006||April 30, 2008
| Re-packaged discs from the previous releases with a bonus disc containing:
* A re-hashing of season 8's themed featurettes
* Eric's favorite episode with commentary by him and Debra Messing
* Debra's favorite episode with commentary by her and Eric McCormack
* The Pilot Episode with commentary by Max Mutchinck, David Kohan, and James Burrows
* A slideshow of stills from over the series' run
|}

==Spin-offs==
===''Karen: The Musical''===
It had been announced that Megan Mullally would be creating and starring in a new Broadway musical titled ''Karen: The Musical''. This musical would have had Mullally reprising her role of Karen Walker. She stated in an interview that the show may also involve recurring guest star [[Leslie Jordan]] in his role as Beverley Leslie, with a story revolving around their rivalry.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 16, 2009 |title=The Return of Karen Walker in KAREN: THE MUSICAL, MetroSource's Q&A with Megan Mullally |url=http://broadwayworld.com/article/The_Return_of_Karen_Walker_in_KAREN_THE_MUSICAL_MetroSources_QA_with_Megan_Mullaly_20090916 |access-date=May 20, 2012 |publisher=Broadwayworld.com}}</ref>

According to Mullally, the project was cancelled due to the rights to the Karen character being withdrawn. Mullally stated to have already gained approval from the network, as well as having the Broadway production company Fox Theatricals, director and choreographer [[Casey Nicholaw]] and composer [[Jeff Blumenkrantz]] all lined up to participate in the production, before certain stakeholders in the Karen Walker character withdrew the rights for its use in the production.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 26, 2013 |title=Megan Mullally interview 2013 (in Aus) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgsC7Gfy_Uk&t=11m36s |access-date=April 21, 2014 |website=YouTube}}</ref>

===''Jack & Karen''===
There had been talk in 2008 that a spin-off was being developed by NBC titled ''Jack & Karen'', featuring Sean Hayes and Megan Mullally reprising their roles. Hayes initially showed interest in the spin-off but was ultimately put off by the ''[[Friends]]'' spin-off, ''[[Joey (TV series)|Joey]]''. Furthermore, Mullally's new work schedule in the form of her [[The Megan Mullally Show|talk show]], which was canceled several months later, did not allow her to pursue the spin-off at the time.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 4, 2016 |title=Will And Grace Spin-Off With Jack And Karen? » Entertainmentwise |url=http://www.dailystab.com/will-and-grace-spin-off-with-jack-and-karen}}</ref>

===''#VoteHoney''===
On September 26, 2016, the main cast—McCormack, Messing, Hayes, and Mullally, plus Morrison in a cameo role—reunited for a 10-minute web special, urging Americans to vote in the [[2016 United States presidential election|2016 presidential election]].<ref name="ABCnews2016electionreunion" /> In the special – titled ''#VoteHoney'' – Karen, an avid [[Donald Trump]] supporter, tries to persuade Jack to vote for Trump, while Will and Grace, both avid [[Hillary Clinton]] supporters, try to persuade him to vote for Clinton. At the end, Will reveals that singer [[Katy Perry]] is a supporter of Clinton, which persuades Jack to vote for Clinton. The success of the special resulted in the series' revival in 2017.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

==See also==
* [[Lists of television programs with LGBT characters|Lists of television shows with LGBT characters]]
* ''[[Gimme Gimme Gimme (TV series)|Gimme Gimme Gimme]]'' – a British sitcom often compared to ''Will & Grace''
==Notes==
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
* {{IMDb title|0157246}}

{{Will & Grace}}
{{Navboxes
|title = [[List of awards and nominations received by Will & Grace|Awards for ''Will & Grace'']]
|list =
{{EmmyAward ComedySeries 1976-2000}}
{{GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comedy Series}}
{{People's Choice Award for Favorite New TV Comedy}}
{{ScreenActorsGuildAwards EnsembleTVComedy 2000–2009}}
}}

{{Portal bar|1990s|LGBTQ|Television|United States}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Will and Grace}}
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[[Category:1990s American romantic comedy television series]]
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[[Category:2010s American romantic comedy television series]]
[[Category:2020s American romantic comedy television series]]
[[Category:1990s American LGBTQ-related sitcoms]]
[[Category:2000s American LGBTQ-related sitcoms]]
[[Category:2010s American LGBTQ-related sitcoms]]
[[Category:2020s American LGBTQ-related sitcoms]]
[[Category:1990s American multi-camera sitcoms]]
[[Category:2000s American multi-camera sitcoms]]
[[Category:2010s American multi-camera sitcoms]]
[[Category:2020s American multi-camera sitcoms]]
[[Category:American television series revived after cancellation]]
[[Category:American English-language television shows]]
[[Category:Gay-related television shows]]
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[[Category:Television series by Warner Bros. Television Studios]]
[[Category:Television shows set in New York City]]
[[Category:Television shows set in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Television shows filmed in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Will & Grace| ]]
[[Category:NBC sitcoms]]