NBC’s restored sitcom became the most-watched entertainment program of Thursday night with 10.2 million viewers.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Will & Grace averaged a 3.0 rating and was the top non-sport telecast. The revival of Will & Grace gave NBC the best Thursday opener in 9 years and best comedy premiere in 6 years.
After 11 years, this popular sitcom returned in the same time slot on Thursday night reuniting stars Debra Messing, Sean Hayes, Eric McCormack, and Megan Mullally. The premiere consisted of some jokes on controversial political subjects like Donald and Melania Trump. As a result, some people were not pleased with the return of Will & Grace with Fox News reporting that it “alienated some viewers.”
Overall, Will & Grace was pleasing to others with E! News calling it “nostalgia TV at its finest,” and Vulture mentioning that “the stars haven’t changed, the campy humor hasn’t changed, even the twinkly, piano-based musical interludes haven’t changed.”
Creators David Kohan and Max Mutchnick along with the main cast expressed their love and excitement for this sensational reunion as well as the timing of them coming together regarding pop culture and politics. Debra Messing explained, “The show from the very beginning always shone a light on hypocrisy and questionable things that are happening within our culture—whether it’s pop culture, whether it’s politics—and you know it was always done in a way that was sassy. And would inspire a belly laugh,” according to Vanity Fair.
The undeniable chemistry between the cast and crew appeared to be admirable with the high ratings and the feeling between them. One of the creators Kohan described it as “a happy family reunion.”
Actress Megan Mullally explained, “The weirdest thing about it was it didn’t feel weird at all.”
Will & Grace features four friends, Will Truman, Grace Adler, Karen Walker, and Jack McFarland. Will is gay and a lawyer, Jack has aspirations of being an actor and is also gay, Karen is a millionaire socialite, and Grace owns an interior design firm. The comedy sitcom also presents their many problems in their love lives including dating, sex, marriage, divorce, as well as highlighting some gay stereotypes.
The ratings prove that this reunion is as impressive and funny as it was 11 years ago.
Will & Grace will air on Thursdays 9/8c on NBC.