Will & Grace's Potential On-Set Feud: All the Details

Two years after its revival, 'Will & Grace' is officially ending, and so too might be the friendship between its lead actresses.
Exclusives from #ETonline :
• NEW From Entertainment...

[@substance6]

Any actress could have done Grace, but Karen could only be done by Megan. Karen and Jack, are some of the most hilarious characters I have ever seen on TV.

[@Salvadorsibony]

C'mon , give some credit to Debrah as well, she's fantastic.

[@rakadoni8403]

Ahh I don't think so, they were all perfect for the roll

[@joshlayes3130]

I strongly disagree. I like Debra as Grace. The writing on the new show seems bad, but with the old writing it was perfect Debra did great too

[@AdrianChristian]

I liked Debra, but as it got toward the last couple of seasons in the original, the magic was fading.. She seemed harder. Whether it was the storyline, the writing, or the fact she had a baby in real life, something shifted.

[@trunks2705]

@@AdrianChristian she cheated on her husband. Her couchie shifted. Don't blame the kid.

[@charchar541]

This is so sad, it seems like they were good friends, I hope they talk it out.

[@titanictinker2832]

Karen & Jack were the best characters on the show. Heard that Messing can be difficult to work with?.

[@Person-mh6xq]

You "heard" that she was? Stop it. You're just fanning the rumor flames. So juvenile.

[@bobbillings]

No, the feud had absolutely nothing to do with the abrupt cancellation. The ratings do. The first reboot season started out strong 10 plus million viewers, then 7-8 million viewers each episode then a consistent taper. By season 3 of the reboot or (11) in order, they lost over three quarters their audience and were averaging 1.8 to 2.3 million every episode. Mid grade youtubers now fare better than that. They incorporated vastly too much toxic politics into the show that got away from the what made the original run so great. You are there to entertain people, not choose a side and lecture your audience with the writing. Same thing happened to the Murphy Brown reboot. The numbers speak for themselves.

[@Megrez-Alberich]

The show was not really canceled. NBC anounced in March 2018 that there would be 3 seasons, and we got 3 seasons as promised. Of course, the show could have been renewed for more seasons if it had been extremely successful, but in the end we got exactly what we were told we would get. No more, no less.

[@garyrobertson6778]

you don't know

[@RWRogers]

Actually Television ratings were dropping around the board consistently. Especially network sitcoms. To this day they continue to struggle especially in the demo. CBS is having the best luck right now mostly because of Chuck Lorre (behind Big Bang theory) and his production companies shows (Bob ♥️ Abishola, Young Sheldon. B positive, United States of Al) but then Ghost is probably the strongest network sitcom right now beside ABC’s Abbot Elementary. But even with the stronger comedies they’re consistently been dropping in live viewership as well. As streaming grows and becomes more available and people cancel their cable subscriptions it’s really raking a toll on network ratings. Obviously…. But I do believe the Will & Grace reboot originally only expected to come back temporarily. It was never for like some permanent return. NBC only originally ordered 12 episodes and labeled it a “limited series” but ratings changed that and they ordered 4 additional episodes and due to the continued success they ordered an additional season. It’s return premiere debuted to 15.85 million total viewers and a 3.0/10 demo score. 10.19 live viewers and newrly 6 million recorded by DVR. Which is absolutely astounding especially in 2017 and for a sitcom. That was the kind of ratings it was receiving on a weekly basis back in the 1990s and 2000s. I do believe the demo score was significantly higher this time around though. By the end of season 1 return it the demo fell below 1 though but was still being viewed by 7-8 million people which was what Young Sheldon is getting now and it’s like the number 1 comedy. It’s starting to fall below 7 million even. Season 2 was averaging 5-6 million. Season 3 fell a little averaging 4-5 million. By comparison, the Conners average 3 million and is a top comedy. 2-3 million is about the average today for a decent sitcom. Young Sheldon just out performs. So it’s not really a ratings thing as it was still receiving well over 3 million live viewers a week. Closer to 5 on average. I think it was a mixture between pay and it never intending to come back permanently. I think the internal feuding probably stemmed from a variety of things but I don’t believe it was ever about the ratings because it still did quite well. But for the kind of pay the network would’ve been paying these stars, it might have not been worth another season. That’s kind of where the Conners is reaching today. The salary is pretty high for those folks especially completing 4 seasons and the ratings, although decent compared to other networks and sitcoms, may not be worth renewing for season 5 because of what they’re paying these actors and not getting Young Sheldon type ratings. But because it’s got a well established fan base and can be counted on for at least 3-4 million live viewers (not counting Hulu and views across other platforms) it will likely get an addition season before it ends. At least half a season. Will & Grace had ran a total of 11 seasons by time it wrapped permanently. I think it went well beyond its expectations and performed beyond what they anticipated. It rivaled other current sitcoms and scored well for the network and was well received. I think it was just time to finish. Internal strife wasn’t something new. If you read or watch interviews of the cast they’ll mention they’re like a family and have problems from time to time. It sounds like Debra and Megan had a complicating relationship and often butted heads going back years. It did get pretty significant tho as they wouldn’t even film scenes together by the end of season 3 Just sounds like a variety of reasons led to the end. They were never down to 2 million in the ratings though. Their absolute lowest never fell below 3.5 million. 4 million was about average at season 3 (or 11). Now in the live ratings they would get 2.5 million but counting DVR it was always above 3.5 million. Which counts a lot today. Especially Live + Same day DVR and +3 days. Meaning those who recorded the show watched within a day or up to 3 days of airing. DVr used to not be as important but now they rely on playbacks otherwise many struggle to even get a million these days. And KZbin viewership has nothing to do with network ratings. Also, KZbin viewership grows over days and weeks and months and years. Network ratings are more about live performance and immediate views. As to the politics and stuff - again, nothing to do with the loss of viewership. It’s just consistent with network sitcoms these days. They’re all struggling and losing. Top sitcoms used to regularly bring in 15-20 million live viewership. Even Big Bang just a few years ago was bringing in 18 million. Since it went off the air, ratings took a plunge across the board but it is dramas and the police procedurals that are doing the best right now but even those sit more in the 6-8 million tops. Will & Grace wasnt a stranger to talking politics and making fun of conservatives. They did that from the beginning.Actually, was more political at the beginning of the reboot when people were watching more. They became less political as it progressed. But some of its funniest moments were when they spoke about conservatives and poked fun at republicans. Even during its original run it regularly made fun of Republicans. It is a liberal show about gay folks - of course it’s gonna poke fun and we loved it for that. Ultimately, It was just time. They lasted much longer than anyone expected. Huge success

[@stellabloom740]

Exactly

[@TheBasedCanadian]

100%

[@kaseyreed797]

Without Jack & Karen there is no Will & Grace. J&K kept that show going.

[@elizabethtrainer9732]

Doesn't Debra fight with a lot of people and is constantly pushing her agenda on them?

[@moec6862]

So they would give up their careers over some b.s.

[@bandit7459]

Wish they made a spinoff with just Karen and Jack. They were the only enjoyable part of Will and Grace and carried that show hard.

[@anjanadevikumar]

Meghan is hilarious! Debra seems like a bully!

[@bigmommagriffin]

Anjana Devi Kumar MHT how does she seem like a bully? You’re just biased cuz u love Meghan 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@felixfelicius7330]

@@bigmommagriffin From all the other rumours about Debra Messing probably

[@march24-lp4pv]

@@bigmommagriffinEver seen Debra in Twitter? Ya she's a bully.

[@MaximilianImaging]

“This is so delicious, it’s got to be fattening!” - Karen Walker

[@MaximilianImaging]

HOLLA BACK IF YOU'RE A KAREN WALKER FAN!

[@wenlongable]

M. I. I remember the line but not what she was commenting on😂

[@AdrianChristian]

When the reboot came, it happened on the heels of the 2016 election. Then they kept doing some political humor, but it ran out of steam. If they kept the core of what made the show great - the relationships of the four - it would have had wings. It all started to look forced. I don’t know how much fun they were really having anymore.

[@2expressmranderson]

I was getting over the political humor. It was funny the first 100 times but then it was getting old.

[@AdrianChristian]

@@2expressmranderson yes! And it is now dated!

[@Alusnovalotus]

I love you for this. It was stodgy writing and felt trivial and petty. The cut off part was why they didn’t let Will stay with the cop, there was potential there. Oh well.

[@AdrianChristian]

@@Alusnovalotus thank you so much. You raise a great point. They seemed to struggle with Will being masculine and Jack being flamboyant, but with Will being unable to connect with intimacy - a common thing in the gay community. TV shows tend to not make single people fall in love because it releases conflict, but you are right - there could have been a huge opportunity, especially after the 5th year of the show. It would have breathed new life into it. So they all got stuck being caricatures. I felt Megan brought a lot to the show and was undervalued, which happens with egos in Hollywood. A show called "Will & Grace" yet Karen poses a threat. What these people don't realize is the best friend always has the best lines. Like Rhoda.

[@Alusnovalotus]

@@AdrianChristian yes. I remember someone posting the fact that almost all televised versions of homosexuals are written as tragic figures who never really get a happy ending. Will & grace 2 was a slap in the face that proved that recipe is still being used, turning Will’s relationship into a DREAM SEQUENCE! Wow.... I stopped watching after the first couple of episodes. They looked so old and tired. Typecast in a weird way

[@polyprinz]

Megan, a supporting character steals the show everytime, that must be upsetting for Debra. No matter how much she tries.....she will always be a Jan Brady!

[@RichGoesPlaces]

Leo and Scorpios aren't a good mix

[@mekasa6721]

Debra sounds troublemaker

[@pierrels007]

I find ET is the trouble.

[@davidpar2]

pierrels007 I’m going with both

[@jeremyanderson7902]

I'm blaming messing..she doesnt know how to keep her trap shut

[@bebesomething]

This is hard to believe.

[@PEPSIMAX2013]

why ? MEGAN is scorpio right now 4 planets against the zodiac ...bad luck and temper

[@Phagocytosis]

@@PEPSIMAX2013 That too is hard to believe.

[@herdfootballfan2098]

She probably had a different opinion than Debra

[@march24-lp4pv]

The show probably wouldn't have been nearly as successful without Karen

[@shihlin1]

It's a wonder they did several seasons without any repercussions. Maybe there were already on-set fights btw Debra and Megan, but they kept it hush. You'd think Megan was the one who starts fights cuz she plays a b*tchy character, but it's become increasingly clear Debra is the one. She also started fights with other celebs on social media which are all well documented. Personally I prefer the show didn't come back, they should have exited gracefully and leave it at that. Their original audience didn't come back enuff for the reboot and gen x'ers stayed away. The ratings were never the same once they tried to come back.

[@dante6985]

I mean... yes and no? The season finale was a downer so it's nice that they fixed that. And it was an enjoyable 3-season ride (it almost helps if you think of the revival series as the finale). Rosario's funeral is great and heartbreaking. But was it as "good" as the original show? Again, yes and no. I'd say it was about the same in terms of quality, it's just the sitcom was dated by that point so it wasn't the groundbreaking show it once was. Honestly it's one of the better revivals (Fuller House, Dallas, Roseanne/The Conners, etc). Not to be confused with hard reboots.

[@ExpatLifeKorea]

10 seasons? Sorry, but i only know seasons 1-8 of Will & Grace. 😝

[@AndyC3.0]

Debra Messy !

[@charlessoutherton8946]

i still don't know what the alleged details of the feud are

[@EddieDahhhling]

So sad to hear this. I hope this isn't true.

[@MM-px9iv]

Martin and Lewis...in the end their egos would no longer fit in the room. The magic disappeared. Its just as common among musicians.

[@2Bdiscovered]

WHAT WAS THE REASON FOR THE FEUD? I'M STILL TRYING TO FIND THAT OUT

[@thandekankosi9832]

Can't be cos she wasn't tagged 😕

[@2Bdiscovered]

@@thandekankosi9832 YES BUT SOMETHING HAPPENED BEFORE THAT FOR THEM TO BE COLD WITH ONE ANOTHER. LIKE A FIGHT OR SOMETHING.

[@thandekankosi9832]

@@2Bdiscovered ya must be, they were such good friends, I hope they talk it out.

[@francina8508]

@@2Bdiscovered Megan said someone in the set bullies her. She didn't directly say who, but it was clear just by other stuff that it's Debra.

[@BetteDavis19]

@@francina8508 what podcast did she say that on?

[@berniecasey7592]

Good for you megan

[@RickAEdwards]

I hope the two can work it out and end on a happy note with this iconic show. You both and the show will be greatly missed. Work it out and come out publicly letting us know that all is well between you two. I think that is what so many of us want to hear, and please be sincere.

[@derrickbraithwaite-mais8469]

I hope and pray that they come together and talk it out.😮😢🙏🏿❤️🎯💯

[@albertodote9512]

Megan looks HOT on that Instastory.

[@kev7161]

If they were smart, they'd continue the Will and Grace characters up there in Blatsville with their new house and their new kids and introduce more wacky neighbors and citizens of Blatsville. Jack and Karen could pop in from time to time. Then they'd have a Jack and Karen spin off with Jack and Karen living their lives in NYC with their own share of wacky guest stars. Estefan would become a series regular and maybe Karen would have Alec Baldwin around a little more regularly. Of course Beverly Leslie would have to pop in as well. Which show would attract more viewers wouldn't matter much if the ratings were high enough for both shows.

[@march24-lp4pv]

Debra seems like a real bully

[@cteenie24]

I can't imagine anything that could be so bad to start this stupid feud resulting in the end of an incredible show!! ladies I love you both, but get over yourselves and keep Will and Grace going!!!!!!

[@trueshy]

It's rare for two feuding males to bring a hit show's demise. First Desperate Housewives & now this. I guess Marion Ross (from Happy Days) was right. Women are too competitive emotionally & career-wise to get along for long periods of time. It's a shame. Maybe a Will & Jack spin off could be achieved? They could do a road trip across North America without the girls. :)

[@neimenovani1833]

@@trueshy But most people watch the show because of Karen. :P

[@notthefather3919]

@@neimenovani1833 wrong. But nice try

[@JadaCol]

It was time for the show to end

[@berniecasey7592]

Extremely Sad to hear this.

[@octavius8562]

Who cares, actors not getting along on set have been around since Television started.

[@francina8508]

Well it seems they really couldn't work things over. Because the show has ended! You will even see on their final bow how cold they are to each other.

[@olavwilhelm6843]

wow messing looks awful next to megan !!!considering she is 11 years younger

[@sagarthorat9175]

I think the feud was over Donald Trump. Megan supported Trump once I guess. And Debra wanted everyone to be vociferously against Trump and felt Megan still holds back in being anti-Trump.

[@sabretooth717]

Still doesn't say what happened

[@gilbertflores2744]

If this is true? This makes me sad. 😔

[@stationarywanderer7910]

That's a huge stretch. Talk about making up fake news.

[@cezartb]

Reaching

[@donmonteiro6830]

I hope this was just for publicity 🤞

[@hutch1197]

Total publicity stunt. This was already going to be their last season and the ratings are weak. I was surprised that the reboot got a 3rd year in the first place.

[@garyrobertson6778]

like you know

[@alanafowler7083]

That is why I never listen or watch anything that Debra Messing is a part of.

[@TheBasedCanadian]

What a shame

[@MsKitcloudkicker]

Wow if you don’t tag or unfollow each other??? So petty

[@halloweenville1]

You don't put your arm around someone you despise, and this was off camera at the end of the last show, i'm guessing they has a small argument that got blown up by the media as usual.

[@rickjac6909]

The best sitcom show in history died in this way...

[@macrichardson7440]

I don’t understand why these types of unproven assumptions need to be sent to the public. Oh yeah, for ratings! I suppose if you are addicted to the Kardashians or the housewives of some wealthy community then this stuff matters to you , but for real people who live life with purpose, direction, and compassion these types of stories just make the originator look foolish

[@francina8508]

What assumptions? Megan already addressed it!

[@bambiwoods8669]

Petty

[@joncerda351]

Those straws aren't gonna grasp themselves

[@michaelharrison1867]

Only Debra messing could play Grace.

[@edmsing]

Former New Jersey Governor, Chris Christie, who once told someone to “sit down and shut up”, will soon be opening The Christie Institute of Public Policy to promote civility in politics is one head scratcher, this man has dyed his hair as a politician, than as pundit, I just can’t wait to see what shade of hair he has chosen as an academic…what ever it will be, it will be new and everlasting to the Jersey Shore mob…

[@bradgibson15]

Seems to me (albeit) late to comment but, maybe, just maybe the media and press are exaggerating this a bit. Wouldn't be the first time! Just sayin...

[@blakemrolfsensanchez547]

Sounds like megan is a drama Queen. I love debra

[@MDali-el4zm]

My understanding is when the ratings started to slip, Maghan became snippy with the camera operators and other behind-the-scenes staff and that Debra stood up for them and it went downhill from there...

[@blakemrolfsensanchez547]

@@MDali-el4zm Well its sad when 2 grown ups cant stop fighting. They are not in high school anymore

[@kweenzwalters3916]

Pretty sure this is bullsht😂

[@atlienrider6048]

Who the hell cares?

[@yliannavillarreal5910]

i hope they never get hired again as a ponishment for ending such a great show. (smh)

[@sabretooth717]

U 2 ruined a good thing Shame Shame on u.!!!!!

[@jdaviperez9969]

Anything for ratings. Publicity stunt

[@magicworld3242]

I've work with Meghan in NYC and she's not a nice person at all.

[@taroman7100]

propped up by hubby she's got the goods to get away with obnoxious.

[@zahraabdo9944]

first

[@taurussian4591]

They are adolescent girls!!

[@taroman7100]

of all the characters I absolutely loathed Megan Mullally's. Just too obnoxious like all the time--her character was grating.

[@Vexiarla]

im pretty sure youre the only person in the world who thinks that

[@XanArt21]

You need some of her pills