Will & Grace Renewed -- Again

At PaleyFest at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood:
l-r, moderator Dan Bucatinsky, NBC president Bob Greenblatt
Will & Grace director Jimmy Burrows, stars Sean Hayes,
Debra Messing, Eric McCormack and Megan Mullally,
co-creators Max Mutchnick and David Kohan.

As of tonight, it's official: Will & Grace is back for the long haul.

As the cast of the popular rebooted sitcom took the stage at Hollywood's Dolby Theater for a panel on night two of the annual PaleyFest, it was Megan Mullally who urged co-creator Max Mutchnick to announce the official news:  not only will W&G's rebooted season 2/overall season 10 be increased from a planned 13 to now 18 episodes, but NBC has already renewed the show for a third (or eleventh) season.

After a day on a photo shoot at the W Hotel in Hollywood, the cast assembled -- along with Eric McCormack, Debra Messing, Sean Hayes, plus Mutchnick, co-creator David Kohan and director/executive producer Jimmy Burrows -- at the Dolby for an interview conducted by Scandal actor, writer/producer and W&G super-fan Dan Bucatinsky, who recently reprised his character Neil, from the original series.

Below, NBC's official announcement of its pickup of the series for season 3:

‘WILL & GRACE’ EXTENDS ITS TRIUMPHANT RETURN WITH SEASON THREE PICK-UP

Additional Season Two Episodes Ordered as Critical Acclaim Builds for Original Cast and Production Team

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. – March 17, 2018 – “Will & Grace” is giving you more, honey!

The return of “Will & Grace,” which began as an Internet reunion that turned into a one-season order and then a two-season order before it even went back on the air last fall, has just been ordered for a third season to premiere in fall 2019. With its razor-sharp wit intact and all four Emmy Award-winning actors back at the top of their game, one of the best NBC Must See comedies will return for an 18-episode third season.

In addition, the network has increased the season two order, which will begin again next fall, from 13 to 18 episodes. The announcement was made by Robert Greenblatt, Chairman, NBC Entertainment.

“As far as I’m concerned, we can’t get enough of ‘Will & Grace’ and 23 more episodes is music to my ears,” Greenblatt said. “We’re eternally grateful that Debra, Eric, Sean and Megan feel the same way and wanted to keep this good thing going. I’m overwhelmed by the euphoric response the new show has received from the press and the audience, and my hat is off to the unrivaled writing team of Max Mutchnick and David Kohan, as well as the brilliant directing of Jimmy Burrows, for consistently delivering one of the best shows on television.”   

So far this season “Will & Grace” is averaging a 3.1 rating in adults 18-49 and 9.8 million viewers overall in “live plus seven day” figures from Nielsen Media Research. “Will & Grace” is NBC’s most-watched primetime comedy at this point in the season in eight years and has improved its Thursday timeslot by +48% versus NBC’s year-ago results for regular non-sports programming in 18-49.

“Will & Grace” has received critical acclaim since the show’s return in September.  “Watching it is like running into an old flame who looks fantastic and is as bright and fun as ever,” said The New York Times. Entertainment Weekly wrote that 

“‘Will & Grace’ has been just as incredible as the original series: hilarious, poignant, contemporary” while USA Today added, “Watching the foursome is like taking in a tango by professional dancers.” 

Season one has been highlighted by an array of top guest stars, including Jennifer Lopez, Alec Baldwin, Minnie Driver, Ben Platt, Molly Shannon, Jane Lynch, Andrew Rannells and more.

“Will & Grace” stars Eric McCormack, Debra Messing, Sean Hayes and Megan Mullally. Max Mutchnick and David Kohan, who co-created the series, write and executive produce. James Burrows directs and executive produces. “Will & Grace” is produced by Universal Television.

Will & Grace gives back

In its initial eight-season run, Will & Grace contributed strongly to the LGBT community's struggle for equal rights; in fact, just ask then Vice President Joe Biden about the show's impact, as he discussed in 2012 on NBC's Meet the Press.

Now that the show is back, starting tonight, for a historic re-boot, Will & Grace is looking to enact social change even more directly.  A few weeks ago, the burger chain Shake Shack announced a partnership with the show, creating four limited-edition "boozy milkshakes" inspired by the show's characters; the treats are available at four of the chain's New York and Los Angeles locations, with proceeds benefitting the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD.)  And tonight, a viewing-party celebrating the show's return to prime time (NBC, 9 PM Eastern/Pacific) will benefit a cause the Will & Grace creators and cast have long supported, the Human Rights Campaign.

Plus for each week the show has been in production, its cast and crew have worked with different charitable causes to raise funds and awareness.  For example, check out this video Sean Hayes made with Maria Shriver, to aid the Women's Alzheimer's Movement.  As Sean announces, any fans who donate $10 or more by October 20 via www.crowdwise.com/willandgracewam will be eligible to win two tickets to a taping of the show in Los Angeles.




Finally, here's the most recent announcement of the show's charitable efforts, benefitting the Children's Hospital Los Angeles.  Again, via this campaign which started today at 11AM Pacific, for every $10 donated via www.crowdrise.com/will-and-grace-for-chla, fans will get 1 chance to win a pair of tickets to the November 15 taping of Will & Grace at NBC Universal Studios in Los Angeles, a behind-the-scenes tour of the set, and a personal photo opp with Will, Grace, Jack and Karen -- plus airfare for two on Delta Air Lines and accommodations for two at the Sheraton Universal hotel.  100% of the proceeds will directly benefit CHLA.

“Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is a place I hold near and dear, and it’s my absolute honor to be able to support them in such a fun and unique way,” said show co-creator and executive producer, David Kohan.  “They are hard at work every day caring for hundreds of thousands of children with some of the rarest and most complex disorders. The research and care they provide impacts children not just in our immediate community—and I know many people whose children have received life-changing and life-saving care at CHLA—but it reaches children around the globe.”

Keep the Will & Grace Party Going

Here's yet another thing that's changed in the eleven years since Will & Grace last aired in prime time:  the concept of the "after show" online.

NBC announced today that, on the morning following the Will & Grace revival's premiere tomorrow night (Thurs. Sept. 28 at 9PM Eastern/Pacific), another talent from within the NBC Universal family, E!'s Kristin Dos Santos, will host the Will & Grace After Party.  So this Friday morning, September 29, tune in to any of several of the company's platforms -- the NBC app, its YouTube channel, etc. -- to catch Kristin with fun tidbits from each episode, plus exclusives and surprise guests.

Details in NBC's press release below:

NBC LAUNCHES ULTIMATE FAN CELEBRATION WITH “WILL & GRACE AFTER PARTY” HOSTED BY E! NEWS EXECUTIVE EDITOR KRISTIN DOS SANTOS

Digital Exclusive After Show Available Across “Will & Grace” Social Channels, YouTube, NBC app, Hulu, E! Platforms and NBC’s Participating Owned and Affiliate Station Sites starting Friday, September 29

“Will & Grace” Fans Keep the Party Going Via Social and Mobile Chats with NBC’s Official Show GIF and Gaymoji Collections

Universal City, Ca, September 27, 2017 – The “Will & Grace” hysterics won’t end on Thursday nights! NBC is bringing the ultimate fan experience to life with the “Will & Grace After Party,” celebrating all of the reasons we love the iconic sitcom.

The after show will be available Friday mornings, the day after the broadcast airing, of the first six episodes of the season, and can be found across the NBC app, the “Will & Grace” social accounts, YouTube channel, E! platforms and NBC’s participating owned and affiliate station sites starting September 29.

Set in a New York-style bar, the “Will & Grace After Party” show combines  pop-culture maven Kristin Dos Santos (E! News Executive TV Editor) with “Will & Grace” superfans for a viewing party, games, trivia and exclusive behind-the-scenes material—not to mention surprise appearances from the show’s creative team and special celebrity guests. Over the course of the show's first six episodes, “After Party” will provide an all-encompassing fan-centric journey through current and past episodes of Will & Grace and its influence on pop-culture since its initial debut in 1998.  Burning questions will be covered like who had better boyfriends - Will or Grace? What were some of Jack's best and worst side hustles? How does Karen manage to drink so much and stay alive? The “After Party” will cover it all with a wink and a smile with real fans getting to be the stars of the show right up until last call.

“With the ‘Will & Grace After Party,’ we set out to create a true fan experience celebrating the return of one of the most iconic shows on television,” said Rob Hayes, Executive Vice President , Digital, NBC Entertainment. “Rather than just focusing on individual episodes, we’re going to dive into the series as a whole, discussing its place in pop-culture, and what it means to fans. I can’t think of a more appropriate promotional partner than E! News and Kristin Dos Santos as our host. She’s not only a TV expert, but a bonafide ‘Will & Grace’ fan."

“Will & Grace After Party” host and E! News Executive Editor, Kristin Dos Santos says of the project, "I'm truly honored to be a part of this very cool experience for fellow fans of ‘Will & Grace.’ It's going to be so much fun celebrating this iconic show that has meant so much to so many people."

Additionally, fans can keep the party going all week long with the official “Will & Grace” GIF  collection and liven up their group chats with the official show Gaymojis.

The hit comedy series “Will & Grace” features actors Debra Messing as Grace Adler, Megan Mullally as Karen Walker, Eric McCormack as Will Truman and Sean Hayes as Jack McFarland. The series follows best friends Will and Grace as they navigate living together, while they deal with their eccentric friends Karen and Jack. The show originally aired on NBC starting in 1998, with the season eight finale coming in 2006. “Will & Grace” rejoins the NBC lineup with all new episodes Thursday, September 28 at 9 PM. 

Hulu Beefs Up Its Classic Comedy Roster

Hulu, you had me at The Golden Girls.  Yes, on February 13, Hulu added the Girls to its service -- and I was hooked.  But then just a few weeks back, Hulu also became the exclusive streaming home of Will & Grace, just in time for us to catch up on the show's eight seasons in time for tomorrow night's historic "season 9" re-booted premiere.

Now, Hulu has announced a partnership with Universal television which means lots of good stuff coming our way -- including a streaming home for yet another of the most brilliant comedies of the last few decades, NBC's 30 Rock (beginning October 1.)  Check out Hulu's press announcement below for details, which include the addition of other popular titles like Parenthood, as well as original programming like Paul Reiser's new comedy There's Johnny.

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Hulu Inks Deal with NBCUniversal for Hundreds of Episodes of TV Favorites Including 30 Rock, Parenthood and More

New Licensing Agreement to Mark Premiere of Paul Reiser’s Comedy Series, There’s Johnny and SVOD Premiere of Syfy’s Face Off, as well as the U.S. Streaming Debut of the complete Made in Chelsea Library

SANTA MONICA, CA (September 27, 2017) – Following a groundbreaking licensing agreement that marked the streaming debut of iconic series Will & Grace, Hulu and NBCUniversal Television and New Media Distribution today announced a new agreement that will make Hulu the exclusive SVOD home to all episodes of Emmy Award winning comedy series, 30 Rock, beginning October 1^st, as well as add hundreds of episodes of shows for the whole family to Hulu.

In addition to bringing the complete library of the critically acclaimed and Emmy Award-winning comedy series from creator and star Tina Fey - 30 Rock - to a new streaming home, the new deal includes a full suite of premium programming that will become available to stream on Hulu:

30 Rock. A three-time Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Comedy Series as well as a critical darling,30 Rock comes from the brilliant mind of creator and star Tina Fey, whose character Liz Lemon is asked by her ultra corporate boss Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) to somehow make the fictional program “TGS with Tracy Jordan” a success. Working with an oddball staff, no budget and no sleep, Liz keeps up the good fight against long odds. Also starring Tracy Morgan, Jack McBrayer, Scott Adsit, Judah Friedlander and Jane Krakowski, 30 Rock aired for seven seasons and arrives in its entirety on Hulu on October 1^st.

Parenthood. The family favorite, hit drama series will stream in its entirety in early 2018 on Hulu. The critically-acclaimed series, which aired for six seasons, has remained popular with viewers since its finale. Parenthood is a one-hour drama from Award-winning executive producers Jason Katims, Ron Howard and Brian Grazer.  It follows the trials and tribulations of the very large, colorful and imperfect Braverman family and features stars including Peter Krause, Lauren Graham, Craig T. Nelson, Bonnie Bedelia, Dax Shepard, Erika Christensen, Monica Potter, Sam Jaeger and Joy Bryant. 

There’s Johnny. Paul Reiser’s highly-anticipated series, There’s Johnny, will make its debut on Hulu. The deal marks the premiere for the NBCUniversal period comedy, set in the world of “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” circa 1972, starring Tony Danza.

Made in Chelsea. The first 13 seasons of the BAFTA award-winning, reality television series from the UK will make their US SVOD debut on Hulu. Since its premiere, the hit series has captivated audiences in the UK and resulted in many spin-offs. Through the deal, the complete series will be made available to stream in the US on Hulu later this year.

Face Off. The first 10 seasons of SYFY’s hit reality competition series, Face Off, will become available to stream on Hulu. The series will make its SVOD debut in early 2018. Face Off follows special effects make-up artists as they participate in elaborate challenges for a grand prize and the honor of being Hollywood's next great effects artist.

The new deal expands Hulu’s growing library of premium programming with even more hit series from the NBCUniversal Television library. Earlier this month, Hulu and NBCUniversal announced a joint agreement that made all episodes of the Emmy-winning, iconic series Will & Grace available to stream for the first time ever. Hulu is also home to top series from NBC including This Is Us, Blindspot, and the Emmy-winning Saturday Night Live. 

About Hulu

Hulu is a leading premium streaming service that offers instant access to live and on demand channels, original series and films, and a premium library of TV and movies to millions of subscribers in the U.S. Since its launch in 2008, Hulu has consistently been at the forefront of entertainment and technology.  Hulu is the only streaming service that offers both ad-supported and commercial-free current season shows from the largest U.S. broadcast networks; libraries of hit TV series and films; and acclaimed original series including Emmy Award-winning series The Handmaid’s Tale, The Mindy Project, The Path, 11.22.63, the Golden Globe® nominated comedy series Casual, as well as the upcoming Future Man, Castle Rock, Marvel’s Runaways and The Looming Tower. In 2017, Hulu added live news, entertainment and sports from 21st Century Fox, The Walt Disney Company, NBCUniversal, CBS Corporation, The CW, Turner Networks, A+E Networks and Scripps Networks Interactive to its offering – making it the only TV service that brings together live, on-demand, originals, and library content all in one place, across living room and mobile devices.

 About NBCUniversal Television and New Media Distribution 

NBCUniversal Television and New Media Distribution is responsible for the sales and distribution of NBCUniversal product to all forms of television within the U.S. and Canada.  This includes current television and film product as well as content from NBCUniversal's vast library (Universal Pictures, Focus Features, Universal Television, Universal Cable Productions, NBC Late Night properties, etc.) distributed in basic cable, pay cable and subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) markets. The division is also responsible for the sales of NBCUniversal content to non-theatrical markets including airlines worldwide. 

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