Page 1 / 2 - Home

Will (Eric McCormack) and Grace (Debra Messing) have their funny moments, as well, but something about their underlying relationship is both schmaltzy (i.e., phony) and pathetic. The main drama of the most recent episode involved Grace convincing Will to crash her first date with new love interest Aaron (Edward Burns) so that she could control her impulse to sleep with him too early. When the date goes better than expected, she changes her mind and completely disses Will when he “happens” to appear at the same restaurant.

There are some very funny bits about a sweat-drenched Will at a bad fireplace table, but the entire time you’re wondering why he doesn’t have enough self respect to just leave the restaurant.

In addition, do you know a single gay man who is conflicted about whether or not he is romantically in love with his best female friend? Maybe in a certain type of fag hag’s fantasy, but not in the gay/straight relationships I’m aware of. Yet over the years it has emerged as a more and more prominent plot device. Not only does it ring false, but it’s almost offensive that America’s best gay friend is probably only so lovable because he’s (cross your fingers, ladies) just on the precipice of heterosexuality. Their dynamic is more like Harry and Sally’s than like a real gay man and his female friend’s.

Edward Burns as Aaron makes an uninspired addition to the cast this season. When he accidentally meets a dateless and depressed Grace on Valentine’s Day, you wonder not only why he’s attracted to such a bitter banshee, but also why she would spend a holiday with such a charisma-less doofus. His character is a greeting card writer, and you almost can’t believe he’s even that clever. Is his squinty-eyed deadpan supposed to be debonair? For me, at least, it does not begin to compare to Woody Harrelson’s quirky charm or Harry Connick, Jr.’s suave sexiness.

The one thing I’ll say for the new coupling is that at least it’s more realistic that two such boring people would end up together, whereas before I wondered why such hunks had settled for Grace.

While past guest star cameos have often felt contrived (hello, J-Lo), this season they have been entertaining. Chita Rivera and Michelle Lee as society ladies who make waves at their country club by coming out as a couple were both funny and touching (though the naturally gorgeous Chita Rivera made the over-botoxed and –surgeried Michelle Lee look a bit like Katherine Helmond in Brazil). 90’s heartthrob Luke Perry, playing “that rarest of gay sub-species, the hot gay nerd,” as Jack dubbed him before bedding him, was both adorable and believable.

Next week’s episode involves Will getting involved with Karen’s pastry chef and Jack giving Aaron a chance as a TV writer at his network. So far in the show, Jack’s only interaction with Aaron was mistaking Aaron for an old fling whose name and face he couldn’t recall, with funny consequences. Considering the show’s history of skirting around Will’s love life, I’m not too hopeful things will work out with the pastry chef.

At least we have Jack and Karen.

Page 1 / 2 - Home