Editor's Note

Our reviews of Will And Grace: Season One (published March 2nd, 2004), Will And Grace: Season Two (published May 13th, 2004), Will And Grace: Season Three (published November 17th, 2004), Will And Grace: Season Four (published August 22nd, 2005), Will And Grace: Season Seven (published February 6th, 2008), and Will And Grace: Series Finale (published June 21st, 2006) are also available.

The Charge

Karen and Jack, both in bubble baths, chat on their phones.
Jack: What's the story, drunken whore-y?
Karen: Well, we need to do something to get Will and Grace back together! Honey, it's been almost two years!
Jack: Well, why does it always fall on us to help those two?!
Karen: I know, Poodle. You know, sometimes it seems like our sole purpose in life is just to serve Will and Grace.
Jack: Right! It's like, all people see when they look at us are the supporting players on the Will and Grace show!

The Case

Eight years, 187 episodes, and countless jokes about being fat and bad fashion, Will & Grace was a watershed moment that lasted longer than anyone could have predicted. The eighth and final season of the show allowed the series to bow before the welcome had worn out. I guess it's duty was done. Will & Grace had become icons, and the first show that centered on gay characters without making jokes out of them. These gays made the jokes, and that was such a switch. It made history, but more importantly it was four lovable characters who changed the world just by being there. Yet all good things have to come to an end, and so we come to the last set of Will and Grace to complete any collector's set.

Will & Grace: Season Eight contains a couple more extras than we've seen on previous season releases. Video image is delivered in fullscreen, a curious choice when you consider there were anamorphic HD broadcasts by this time in the run. The colors look great, and there is no sign of video distortion. Certainly these fit in well with the other sets. The stereo mix is nice with some separation and clear dialogue. Extras include final interviews with the cast and crew, "The Final Bow," which offers a documentary on the last week, an all too short blooper reel, and themed featurettes that revolve around clips of zippy one liners around a chosen theme. Uniquely we get a commentary on the last episode from creators David Kohan and Max Mutchnick, joined by director James Burrows and actor Eric McCormack. It's a nice treat to finally get to hear from these guys on the final show. Kohan and Mutchnick had not written for the show since the season four finale, and there had been bad blood between them and NBC over business issues concerning syndication and licensing. So what's the real burn? Lionsgate has also released a "Complete Set" collection, which has more extras, but also a much heftier price tag (suggested retail $249!).

Since Will & Grace has disappeared from the must-see TV airwaves, it often feels like an old friend is gone. I loved the show because it showed that people are just simply funny no matter what their orientation is. The show never had a "coming out" episode, it just accepted who Will was from day one. The odd thing is America hopped on board, and it became a success. Who would have ever guessed? I'd have to say it should enter the historical ranks of Norman Lear's best or MASH even though the tone was so much lighter. But that was always its aim. This set is a nice way to say good-bye to a dear friend, and if you're feeling generous fork over the extra two hundred and ten clams for the complete set. Thanks Eric McCormack, Debra Messing, Sean Hayes, and Megan Mullally for eight years of out and proud comedy.

Similar Decisions

• Entourage: The Complete Second Season
• The Vice Academy Collection
• Saturday Night Live: Best Of Alec Baldwin
• Airplane II: The Sequel

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