You thought the antics of Will, Grace, Jack and Karen were just harmless fun. Oh please. Revisionist History dives deep into a television sitcom that you may not have realized even had a deep end.
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Explicit content warning
07/21/22 • 35 min
4 Listeners
Revisionist History - When Will Met Grace
Transcript Summary
In this episode titled "When Will Met Grace," Max and David discuss the challenges they faced in creating a television show that told a compelling love story without including a kiss. Inspired by their collaboration, the iconic show "Will and Grace" emerged and broke traditional TV rules in portraying gay characters. Despite facing criticism for compromising its depiction of gay life to please network executives, the show had a profound impact on public opinion, shifting cultural attitudes towards acceptance and even influencing the issue of gay marriage. The success of "Will and Grace" stands in stark contrast to the current landscape of streaming platforms like Netflix, where creative freedom is more abundant and ratings are less crucial. Tune in for a fascinating discussion that explores the obstacles faced in creating a groundbreaking series and the lasting impact it had on popular culture.
Transcript
Pushkin Hello, Hello, Revisionist History listeners. I'm excited to announce that this season I'm offering a bunch of perks from my most loyal listeners, the ones who subscribe to pushkim plus for those who just can't get enough. We're giving every episode to our subscribers one week early. Plus We've created many episodes released weekly, and I'm calling them tangents and of course you'll never hear any adds. Subscribe to pushkim plus on the Rev
When Will Met Grace Top Questions Answered
How did Sidney Pollack advise the screenwriting partners of "Will and Grace" to create their love story?
Sidney Pollack advised them to create a love story without the boy and the girl kissing.
Who was the network executive at NBC who initially saw "Will and Grace" as a large ensemble comedy?
Warren Littlefield saw the show as a large ensemble comedy but wanted the relationship between Will and Grace to be the focus.
Who were the executives at NBC who had concerns about having a gay man as the central character on a national TV show?
Don Olmyer and Bob Wright, among other network executives, had concerns about having a gay man as the central character on a national TV show.
How did the creators of "Will and Grace" handle the topic of sex in the show?
The creators made moderating choices, such as handling the topic of sex in a less explicit way.
Who was the well-known director that was brought in to further moderate the show?
Jimmy Burrows, a well-known director in the TV industry, was brought in to further moderate the show.
What role did Bob Wright play in getting "Will and Grace" on the air?
Bob Wright, a staunch Republican and former lawyer at General Electric, played a key role in getting the show "Will and Grace" on the air.
What are the four implicit rules in television storytelling about gay characters that "Will and Grace" broke?
The show broke the implicit rules that gay characters couldn't be the lead, the focus was on straight people, there were no gay friends or events, and there were no depictions of gay desire or sex.
How did "Will and Grace" contribute to a shift in public opinion on gay rights?
The show contributed to a shift in public opinion on gay rights, with support for gay marriage increasing during its run.
Why may the success of "Will and Grace" in changing minds not be easily replicated today?
The success of "Will and Grace" in changing minds may not be easily replicated today due to changes in the television landscape, with more creative freedom offered by streaming platforms like Netflix.
What was the peak rating for "Will and Grace"?
The peak rating for "Will and Grace" was 12, while a successful sitcom today would be considered a hit with a rating of around 3 or 4.
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