‘Will & Grace’ Plans ‘I Love Lucy’ Tribute, Retrospective Ahead of April 23 Series Finale
It’s the end of the line — for the second time — for Will & Grace. The NBC sitcom, which originally aired from 1998 to 2006 and was revived in 2017 — will air its series finale on April 23. But before that happens, fans can expect a few special treats, including an I Love Lucy-themed episode and a series retrospective.
‘Will & Grace’ pays tribute to ‘I Love Lucy’
![Lucille Ball in I Love Lucy](https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/lucille-ball-in-i-love-lucy.jpg?w=414&h=500&strip=all&quality=89)
On April 9, Will & Grace will pay tribute to another iconic sitcom: I Love Lucy. The episode titled “We Love Lucy” will feature Grace (Debra Messing), Karen (Megan Mulally), and Jack (Sean Hayes) all imagining themselves as Lucy in bits recreating the “Vitameatavegamin,” “Chocolate Factory,” and “Grape-Stomping” scenes from the 1950s show. Will (Eric McCormack) will be the Ricky to all three Lucys. Leslie Jordan will co-star, along with Lucie Arnaz, the daughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. The episode airs on Thursday, April 9 at 9/8c on NBC.
A ‘Will & Grace’ retrospective
![Debra Messing](https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/debra-messing-will-and-grace.jpg?strip=all&quality=89)
Fans can also tune in to a Will & Grace retrospective that will air ahead of the series finale on April 23. McCormack will host the 30-minute special, which will include clips of iconic moments from the show’s 11-season run as well as stories from fans and celebrities about what Will & Grace has meant to them. Elton John and Norman Lear will both appear in the special, which begins at 8:30/7:30c.
What to expect from the ‘Will & Grace’ series finale
The Will & Grace retrospective will lead in to the series finale episode, “It’s Time.” Here’s the synopsis from NBC:
[W]ith the apartment packed up, Will is determined to not reminisce about his life in the city or his ex, McCoy (Matt Bomer). Grace, on the verge of giving birth, keeps having false alarms of going into labor. At the behest of Stan, Karen goes to the top of the Statue of Liberty to get closure with her ex-husband. Jack’s dream of taking a bow on a Broadway stage becomes a very real possibility.
Minnie Driver and Brian Jordan Alvarez will guest star.
“What a glorious end to an amazing experience.,” Hayes shared in an Instagram post from December after the final episode wrapped. “Thanks to all of the fans. This was all for you.”
The Will & Grace series finale airs Thursday, April 23 at 9/8c on NBC.
Where to stream old episodes of ‘Will & Grace’
![Will and Grace](https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/will-and-grace-season-2.jpg?strip=all&quality=89)
Want to revisit Will & Grace’s 200-plus episodes before the show ends for good? You can head to Hulu, which has all eight seasons of the show’s original run as well as season 3 of the revival. You can also watch the original episodes on NBC.com. Seasons 1 and 2 of the revival are available to purchase on Amazon and iTunes.
Read more: Debra Messing Gushes Over Demi Lovato Joining the ‘Will & Grace’ Cast
Check out Showbiz Cheat Sheet on Facebook!