Will & Grace: The Complete Fourth Season

And here I thought watching the first season of Will & Grace brought back the water works. Like a good book, I could hardly take my eyes off it. It was like watching an old home movie"”I laughed and cried hysterically. Needless to say, Will & Grace, Season Four will always have a special place in my heart as one of the most pivotal in the series.

In the fourth season, there was no denying the show's success. Each of the actors, Eric McCormack, Debra Messing, Sean Hayes and Megan Mullally had really settled into their character roles. The creators of the hit show, David Kohan and Max Mutchnick, took notice by adding new plot twists for each one of their leading actors. It was almost as though Kohan and Mutchnick asked themselves, "How can we make this show better? How can we outdo ourselves?" By any means necessary"”they wanted to raise the bar"”and they did.

Not only did producers raise the bar in Season Four, they created a significant launching pad for what was to come in future episodes. However without two early additions (Season Three) Will & Grace wouldn't have been as colorful–that is, without the additions of Elliot (Michael Angarano), Jack's son and Rosario Salazar (Shelley Morrison), Karen's maid as show regulars. Just as Will and Grace were constantly changing so too were our good friends Jack and Karen. Everyone was now on an even playing field.

As a refresher, here's what went down in Season Four. Veteran Cheers' star Woody Harrelson guest starred as Grace's hip new boyfriend, Nathan, for seven episodes. For example, in episode Loose Lips Sink Relationships, Grace is intimidated by Nathan's vast number of sexual partners. Cher (playing herself) comes to Jack's rescue as he struggled to find his true calling"”this season it was a toss up between acting and the retail business. By the way he's still trying to register being a father to 12-year-old son, Elliot. Stanley, Karen's severely obese husband (whom we never see) goes to prison for tax evasion, leaving her emotionally distraught for the very first time. She flirted with the idea of cheating with rich womanizer, Lionel Banks (Rip Torn). She even developed a closer relationship with Rosario. Finally, the big finish"”once Nathan was gone, Will and Grace decide they want a baby together. By the series' season finale, Artificial Insemination, everyone's lives have changed dramatically.

Indeed, it was a transitional time for the show. One where there was even room for regular guest stars like Sydney Pollack, Blythe Danner, Suzanne Pleshette and Lesley Ann Warren amongst others. The series was more daring than ever, still never taking itself too seriously. The times were changing and so was

the show. Will & Grace had struck a chord unlike any other show on TV at the time and producers wanted to capitalize on their success.

So in a very playful and fun way, Kohan and Mutchnick, managed to welcome a whole slew of celebrity guest stars to its fourth season. Their decision to incorporate celebrities was fearless from the very beginning. Like so many sitcoms before Will & Grace, writers and producers hope that by bringing a celebrity onto a show"”that will (keep your fingers crossed) boost ratings"”when in fact they run the risk of falling flat. In other words, if Cher can't bring a show back to life, there's something wrong with the show itself.

More importantly, in recent years the expectation for celebrity guest stars has been mediocre. Oftentimes celebrities will do cameos, either playing themselves or playing someone not even remotely interesting. Instead Will & Grace producers challenged each A-list celebrity to rise to the occasion by doing something totally smart, innovative and true to their style"”unexpected. For example, in A Chorus Lie, Matt Damon faked being gay so as to be a part of a popular gay men's chorus. Think about it, Kohan and Mutchnick could've written a less, far-reaching role for Damon, but they wanted to give him something he had never done before. There was even a line written in where he says, "I'm in a long term relationship with my high school boyfriend; Ben." Clearly a nod to the audience about everyone's favorite, 'they must be gay' duo Matt and Ben Affleck. This unique quality became the show's trademark. It made watching A-list (sometimes washed-up) celebrities more desirable to watch. Among these celebrities were Sandra Bernhard, Cher (both of whom played themselves), Woody Harrelson, Matt Damon, Rosie O'Donnell, Glenn Close, Michael Douglas and Parker Posey.

I haven't even begun to scratch the surface of just how amazing I know this show really is"”but I will leave you with this"”Will & Grace, Season Four is jam packed with greatness. The writing, the clothes and the craziness"”all of it couldn't be better. Go back in time with one of the greatest sitcoms to ever hit national TV"”Will & Grace, Season Four. Experience it from beginning to end and enjoy special features ranging from outtake reels to themed featurettes. If you are as guilty a fan of Will & Grace as I am, it will tease you in places you've never been teased before.

Season Grade: A+

DVD Features Grade: A

Overall Grade: A