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Arts & Entertainment

‘Will & Grace’ reboot draws strong ratings, mixed reviews

Cast praised for strong chemistry but some critics say premise is ‘old fashioned’

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Will & Grace reboot, gay news, Washington Blade

Did somebody say encore? A decade after their unforgettable eight-season run, comedy’s most fabulous foursome is back. Eric McCormack, Debra Messing, Sean Hayes and Megan Mullally reprise their infamous roles as Will, Grace, Jack and Karen in a 16-episode season. (Photo courtesy NBC)

Eleven years after its last original episode, ‘Will & Grace” returned to NBC Thursday night to generally strong reviews and good ratings.

The episode averaged a 2.9 rating among adults 18-49 and about 10 million viewers, the Hollywood Reporter reports. That was enough to put it above all other shows for the evening except “Thursday Night Football” on CBS. It was also one of the top shows for premiere week just trailing “The Big Bang Theory,” “Young Sheldon” and “This is Us.”

The episode found the four pals reunited as Grace (Debra Messing) considers a job redecorating the Oval Office, Jack (Sean Hayes) flirts with members of the Secret Service, Trump supporter Karen (Megan Mullally) getting in a few cracks at Grace’s boobs and Will (Eric McCormack) falls for a conservative hottie. The show unfolds as if the original series’ finale didn’t happen. Oh, and there were lots of Trump jokes, too.

There’s been lots of talk about whether the premise of the show will still work in 2017. That was one element the Telegraph, a U.K. paper, cited as a problem in its review. “This is a broad, blowsy old-fashioned show … that’s working hard to appear relevant,” the Telegraph review said. “(The cast’s) chemistry is evident and their collective timing is still a wonder, but as soon as the plot mechanics deposited them in the White House, the show felt feeble and decrepit.”

Other reviews were stronger. “The writing, the the acting, and even the timing of Megan Mullally’s pitch perfect, gin-soaked retorts are as funny as ever. After watching the premiere, ’11 Years Later’, it’s tempting to think it feels like ‘Will & Grace’ never left,” ScreenRant wrote.

The show has already been renewed for an additional season.

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Bars & Parties

Queer Magic dance party planned

Tarot, dancing, drag and more at Black Cat event

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Celebrate the start of Pride month at the Queer Magic Dance Party at the Black Cat on Saturday, June 6. Doors open at 9 p.m.

There will be pole performances and demonstrations, a free photo booth with glitter bar, a queer vendor market, tarot readings by Skye Marinda Tarot, a drag performance by Sapphica, and dancing to a blend of smooth R&B, Afrobeats, hip-hop and pop by Slammer & Saba. Tickets are $20 at the door or $15 (plus fees) in advance, purchased here.

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Out & About

NLGJA-DC Pride happy hour at Trade

Local queer journalists celebrate Pride

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(Washington Blade file photo by Daniel Truitt)


Local queer journalists will celebrate Pride this weekend at the annual NLGJA-DC Pride Happy Hour event at Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.) on Saturday, June 6, 3-5 p.m. Admission is free. 

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Out & About

DC Front Runners Pride Run 5K set for Saturday

Annual event held at historic Congressional Cemetery

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The 14th annual DC Front Runners' Pride 5K run/walk is set for Saturday. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

The 14th annual DC Front Runners’ Pride 5K run/walk is set for Saturday, June 6 at historic Congressional Cemetery. The race starts and ends at the cemetery (1801 E St., S.E.) and passes through scenic D.C., along the Anacostia River trail and the fields at RFK campus. Registration ends Friday at 11:59 p.m. 

Runners can pick up their race packets on Saturday from 7-8:30 a.m. at Congressional Cemetery; the race begins at 9 a.m.

The fee to run the 5K in person is $65 ($35 for those under age 20). Proceeds benefit local LGBTQ nonprofits, including Thrive DC, Wanda Alston Foundation, Blade Foundation, Ainsley’s Angels, SMYAL, and Team DC. Visit DCFrontRunners.org for more information.

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