TV Review: Will & Grace
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What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that this show addresses homosexuality
frankly and matter-of-factly (although with some stereotyping).
There is a tremendous amount of innuendo, about 50% of which
has to deal with homosexuality and homosexual sex. Drugs and
alcohol abuse are treated as a joke.
Families can talk about their views on homosexuality and its
portrayal in the community, in the media (TV and movies), and
in politics. Is it okay for the show's homosexual characters to
make jokes that poke fun at homosexuality? Why or why not? Do
any of the characters perpetuate homosexual stereotypes? How?
Do any dispel stereotypes?
WILL & GRACE -- one of the longest-running shows on network television featuring a homosexual lead character -- is a humorous take on the life of a gay New York City man and his straight female roommate, following them through their relationship successes and, more often, failures. The lead characters and show's namesakes, Will (Eric McCormack) and Grace ( Debra Messing), have been friends since college, when they dated briefly before Will came out of the closet. Ever since, they've been best friends, eventually becoming roommates as well. The rest of the gang is rounded out by Will's best friend Jack (Sean Hayes), an aspiring entertainer who is also gay, and Grace's pill-popping, wisecracking assistant/close friend Karen (Megan Mullally), a Manhattan socialite who has a prescription drug habit and spends most of each episode ragging on her friends in a seemingly unfriendly manner. In almost every episode, though, she has a chance to redeem herself by doing a good deed for one of her friends.
What sets this show apart from its not-so-funny sitcom counterparts -- and has kept it on the air for so many years -- is its cutting humor. Pop culture references fly fast and furiously, and the characters exchange witty parlay effortlessly. Will & Grace isn't for kids, but adults should be able to enjoy it for years to come.
Friends
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