Despite a record 15 Emmy nominations this year, the long-running NBC sitcom Will & Grace didn’t even come close to owning the Emmy’s last weekend, losing in almost every category they were nominated, save for guest-star Bobby Cannavale's win. Add to this declining ratings and widespread criticism that the series has long since lost its edge, a new season of Will & Grace seems like nothing much to get excited about.

But the cast and crew are determined to regain lost viewers, rise above the criticism and award losses, and launch their eighth and final season with a bang. That’s why Will & Grace’s Eighth Season Premiere on Thursday, September 29th at 8:30 p.m. will be presented live, with two performances: one for the East Coast, a second for the west.

The NBC censors may want to stock up on Costco-size Excedrin--they may need it to survive the series’ lewd libidinous laughs, broadcast sans editing. Producers are promising surprises, as well as different jokes for both coasts.

At the helm, as usual, will be multi-Emmy-winner director James Burrows. In July, Burrows told Variety, “This will be like the classic golden era of television where the audience sees everything. Directing a live broadcast will be a first for me."

Will & Grace’s final season begins where Season Seven ended. In the live premiere, you’ll see Grace contemplate an affair with her married friend (played by Eric Stoltz). Jack launches his TV talk show, Jack Talk, and Will is advised by his new boss Malcolm (Alec Baldwin) not to tell the Widow Walker that Stan is alive.

Whatever else it accomplishes, the star-studded premiere will do nothing to ease the ongoing criticism that the show employs too many guest stars--which has always been surprising given that Will & Grace's best episodes are those that focus solely on the four main characters.

Nor will future episodes. Later this season, look for Justin Timberlake as Jack’s bad seed boyfriend in a three-episode arc, Calista Flockhart as Grace’s lesbian shrink, and possibly another appearance by Minnie Driver, as Stan's mistress Lorraine Finster, who will return when the others learns the details of Stan’s pseudo demise.

NBC has already announced that semi-regulars Blythe Danner and Debbie Reynolds will return as Will and Grace’s mothers, respectively. So will John Slattery as Will’s older brother Sam. Expect Leslie Jordan as Karen’s effete nemesis Beverly Leslie to swish through one or two episodes. No word yet as to whether new Will & Grace Emmy winner Bobby Cannavale will return.

NBC is not eager to lose the last remaining tenant of its once-proud “Must See TV” Thursday comedy lineup, but the cast and crew decided that eight seasons are enough. Of course, there’s always the chance the Peacock Network may lure cast and crew back for a ninth season by further sweetening a sweetheart deal, but it doesn't seem likely, given that most involved in the series already have their next career move lined up.

Page 1 / 2 - Next