Will & Grace Goes LIVE for Season Premiere

[Craig]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 11:17am

'Will & Grace' To Present "Surprise" Live Episode


In a move rarely seen since the early days of television, a sitcom will air live on Sept. 29, when Will & Grace airs its season premiere, Daily Variety reported today (Friday). (The trade paper expressed some skepticism about whether the show would actually air live, suggesting that it probably would implement a five-second time delay). The episode in fact will be produced live twice -- once for the Eastern part of the country, then, three hours later, for the Western. Series co-creator Max Mutchnick said that the purpose of the live broadcast was to include "some very topical material" and to introduce "a surprise element." He did not elaborate. In recent years, ER, The Drew Carey Show, and Roc are among the few scripted shows to have aired live episodes.

[baddadnpa]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 11:17am

Isn't this like the fourth time this show has "jumped the shark?"

[Yorkie1276]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 11:53am

well, this is going to be the last season, so I guess they're pulling out all the stops.

[baddadnpa]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 11:55am

I thought they were ending the 2007-2008 season.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 11:55am

I watched the "live" broadcase of Big Brother a few days ago... When it started there was a disclaimer about how it was recorded earlier.

Stupid, stupid, stupid..

But, on topic, CAN'T WAIT! But it's going to be sad... Maybe more sad than when Friends ended.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 11:58am

This is a great idea. And, hopefully, it will add some juice back into the show. I LOVE W&G. Even it's worst episodes make me laugh.

[TheGaIsSilent]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 12:19pm

It's an awful idea. The only thing that was impressive about ER doing it a few seasons ago was how complicated shooting that show is. W&G doing it is kinda stupid.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 12:24pm

Did they say whether it's going to be a half hour or an hour format? Think of the difficulty of doing a live broadcast.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 12:25pm

The ER show was live but with a safety net- they had a 5 minute tape splice that could be popped in in case of a real disaster plus commercials gave them like a 7-8 min safety net. NOT the same as the Golden Days of TV when it went out as it was. This could be fun as most of the cast has live theatre experience and will be able to adjust to timing ,laughs etc maybe even improv a bit! Could be fun!

[CapnHook]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 2:10pm

Someone on the West Coast record the "live" show for me, and I'll send of the East Coast "live" recording! It'll be fun to compare.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 2:12pm

I thought Max had left the show last season...

He's back?

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 3:02pm

TheGa: WHY is it stupid?? ALL sitcoms were live back in the day. It will probably be a fun episode just because of that kind of energy.

I would think lovers of theatre would be tickled at the concept.

But, then again--so many people on this board leap to the negative before something has even been released/premiered.

[TheGaIsSilent]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 4:55pm

jrb,

I just think it's a gimmick that shows use when their ratings are low. There was no "special energy" to ER that I noticed, at least, and I can't imagine why W&G would be any different.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 6:52pm

Because W&G is a COMEDY with superb actors who all have experience doing live work.

ER is a drama--and they did a crappy job.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 8:07pm

I love W&G!