Will & Grace took shots at BushCo in front of a live audience tonight

[VolcanoJen]

I'm surprised this isn't under deep discussion here at DU, beside this thread, and a few in the Lounge. Considering the size of the audience that viewed the live premiere of "Will & Grace" tonight, I thought the Bush/DeLay jokes were a little risky... in the most delicious way.

Here's the skinny, before somebody else sees it and Drudge freaks out...

In tonight's season opener, the cast performed live in two separate shows for east- and west-coast audiences, respectively.

During the east-coast show (I'm not privy to the second performance), the "Grace" character, played by Debra Messing, deliberated throwing caution to the wind and sleeping with a married man while the "Jack" character, played by Sean Hayes, listened.

She said, "I'm not going to think! I'm just going to close my eyes and do what I want... (closes eyes, opens) Hey, I'm George Bush!" She cracked up, as did the audience, during the scene.

Later in the episode, Will's boss, played by Alec Baldwin, discussed shredding the papers that covered up another character's husband's death with Will's character, played by Eric McCormack.

Baldwin's character said, "I can't tell you who, but I must go without delay. (pause) WITHOUT DELAY!! (much emphasis on "delay," audience laughs, Baldwin looks at camera) Without... oh, OK, it's Tom DeLay!" Crowd erupts in laughter.

All in all, a hilarious, well-done episode. The ad-libbing and live take made the show feel unique. The cast pulled it off, despite a few cracks, and made blue-state-types cry in laughter, even beyond the obvious jabs at Bush and Delay.

Predictably, this AP article makes no mention of the Bush barbs:

'Will & Grace' Ups Ante With Live Show

[Melodybe]

1. Cool, glad to hear it

Bush jokes go over well with Will & Grace watchers, i'm sure.

[oldtime dfl_er]

2. Missed the show but...

...Alec Baldwin is one of the good guys and I for one am glad that people are now beginning to move beyond the fear of criticizing this president and administration.

http://www.cafepress.com/scarebaby/793803

[FreedomAngel82]

21. Yes

I remember shortly after the election Alec appeared on Scarborough's show on MSNBC and he was telling how not all evangelicals are like what people think. That's when I figured he didn't agree with a lot of what the others were stating.

[Divine Discontent]

3. I missed that part!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I saw the part right where Grace & Jack were on the couch and she asked him if he ever had sex with a married man.... did I miss something???? because that sounds similar to the part you wrote about. That part about Bush wasn't in that segment, was it JUST before that? Darnit! I missed the best line! I loved Messing (grace) cracking up when Jack said he has them put the ring on the nightstand and rides it all night long! grossly funny and messing couldn't help but laugh! me either!

[VolcanoJen]

4. It was just a little bit later... Jack and Grace were standing up

Debra Messing just lost it after the Bush line... she tried to pretend like she was crazy.

It was hilarious... are you sure you missed it?

[Behind the Aegis]

5. Taped it!

My partner was on the computer, I made him watch the "Delay" scene because he missed it! It was GREAT!!! It was also great to see Eric and Alec kissing on LIVE prime-time TV! Not unless your TV goes over 100 (cable), do you EVER see men kissing each other! GREAT OPENING SHOW!

[VolcanoJen]

6. Wasn't it wild????

I found it a little racy for the "gay-is-fun-so-long-as-its-only-on-my-TV" set... in the most delightful way!

Loved the kiss!!

Thought the cast did an amazing job, and Baldwin cracked me up!!

[Behind the Aegis]

7. I loved it!

I always appreciate "male on male" kissing on prime time...normalizes us. I wouldn't pass up kissing either one! :evilgrin: And, Alec Baldwin was a scream tonight! It was very funny to see the cast "break up." Of course, I love blooper reels; it is the best thing about DVDs!

BTW...over a year ago, you were the first and only person to welcome me to DU...so...THANK YOU!!!!! :toast:

[VolcanoJen]

8. We're a family....

... and I'm happy to count you among mine, Behind the Aegis.

:toast: Yer Damned Self!! :toast:

[Kukesa]

15. We certainly are and I couldn't make it

without DU. Sometimes it's the only bright spot in my day.

Speaking of family . . . the Lava Lady and I are related.

[ladylibertee]

9. Yup, I saw that.That's what they get. If the News Media won't step up

the entertainment business will.I mean, look at all these shows on T.V.? Commander in Chief? Hello? The entertainment industry is just as much the Democratic base as we are

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

10. I loved the show!

When Messing delivered that line about the shrub, she hammed it up and looked directly at the audience. Baldwin doing the bit about DeLay was great too!

It was all in all so much fun, especially since Deborah Messing cracked up a few times in laughter because the lines were so funny. She charmed her way through them because she is just so adorable.


As to red state/blue state. Michael Moore said that America is a liberal country, and I agree with him. Look at our pop culture and shows as successful as Will and Grace and Sex And The City. If America wasn't inherently liberal these shows wouldn't have lasted 2 seconds on the air.

[VolcanoJen]

13. You know, you're right.

Thank you for reminding me that this is indeed a liberal country. :-)

[FreedomAngel82]

22. I think in the long run we are too

Sometimes people like to abuse and use situations and mind games and try to divide us when in the long run in my own personal experiences I've found we agree more then we disagree.

[VolcanoJen]

26. You have both reminded me that it is, indeed, a liberal nation.

I've got a few coworkers left to convince, but they watch Will & Grace, so that's a start!

[Algorem]

11. can watch both on net-

http://www.nbc.com/nbc/Will_&_Grace/live/

[Justice]

12. Thank you - that was great!

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

14. Thank you! Should be fun to see how it went on the West Coast. :) eom

[Algorem]

19. I got a kick out of both too.

[FreedomAngel82]

23. Is there a downloadable video?

[Algorem]

25. I was wondering what you need to do that.Whatever it is I do't have.

[AZBlue]

16. Saw them both and the audience went wild, clapping and cheering!

And so did I!

:applause:

[Stephanie]

17. I just forwarded this thread to the show

They'll be glad to know you enjoyed it!

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

29. That was a great idea Stephanie! Thank you! eom

[AX10]

18. kick

[FreedomAngel82]

20. LOL

I would've loved to been there to see that. ;)

[lizziegrace]

24. Loved it!! n/t

[DanCa]

27. Lol Connick gone and the show picks up

I missed it cause I watched smallville thanks for sharring.

[VolcanoJen]

28. Did you see Algorem's link to the show in Post #11?

I imagine you did, but for all who haven't seen the season opener yet, NBC has made it available for everyone.

Ya gotta be thankful for the little things.

[npincus]

30. Anybody see the west coast show?

any comments like that?