‘Will & Grace’ revival proves better than ever
A reassuring example of older means getting better, “Will & Grace” struts back to NBC bolder, brassier and bawdier. Some like it tart, and this frisky frolic delivers.
After eight seasons, the beloved sitcom felt faded at its fade-out in 2006. Eleven years later, the revival packs a joyous kick in the first three episodes. The series returns at 9 p.m. Thursday, and NBC has picked it up for a second season.
The most memorable line comes in episode two when lawyer Will Truman (Eric McCormack) dates 23-year-old Blake (Tony winner Ben Platt of “Dear Evan Hansen”). The discussion turns to gay history, and Blake announces, “I know all about Stonehenge.”
He, of course, means Stonewall, the 1969 New York riots that inspired the gay rights movement.
In TV history, “Will & Grace” was a breakthrough for its amusing, heartfelt and full-blooded portrayal of gay pals Will and Jack McFarland (Seth Hayes).
They were matched — still are — every step of the way by straight friends Grace Adler (Debra Messing), an interior decorator REVIEW and Will’s roommate, and wealthy Karen Walker (Megan Mullally), who works sparingly for Grace.
As a clearly established public favorite, “Will & Grace” can be freer and feistier the second time around. The writing still mixes clever put-downs, pop-culture references and fond salutes to old sitcoms. The fiery Julia Sugarbaker (Dixie Carter) of “Designing Women” is a guiding spirit.
The “Will & Grace” premiere plays like something out of “I Love Lucy” as the four wind up at the White House. Karen is a friend of Donald and Melania Trump. Will ponders the issue of getting involved with someone he disagrees with politically. Grace frets about professional hypocrisy, and Jack has fun with the Secret Service.
The topical references include Anderson Cooper, Pat Nixon, fake news, the Trumps and the Obamas. The versatile “Will & Grace” can channel “I Love Lucy” and “Saturday Night Live.”
In the second episode, Will and Jack worry about aging. The plot opens the way for Hayes’ hilarious physical comedy as Jack struggles to look younger. Grace and Karen get stuck in a shower, a zany bit that Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance played on “The Lucy Show.” The dialogue pulls in Madonna, “gay dinosaurs,” Halloween, James Franco and “Designing Women.”
In episode three, Grace’s ex-husband, Leo (Harry Connick Jr.), returns for a bit of drama. Karen and Jack reveal, ever so briefly, kinder sides. But “Will & Grace” wants laughter, not heartache. Leo complains that Grace has “a weird thing” with Will.
Yes, it’s called friendship, and it’s a beautiful thing. Here is an absolutely fabulous return with four irrepressible stars who are at their very best. “Will & Grace” is no gay dinosaur.