Will & Grace’The Paley Museum’s 25th anniversary gets the treatment.
The groundbreaking NBC sitcom is being celebrated with an exhibit at the center’s New York site featuring costumes, original props, and social media-friendly interactive installations (such as Café Jacques). Programming also includes trivia challenges, classic episode screenings, and craft activities. The exhibit, which runs June 2-9, is timed to serve as the centerpiece of the Paley Museum’s Pride Month programming.
It kicks off June 5 with a special talk about the show, its impact and legacy that will highlight the talent responsible for making it such a beloved piece of television history. The event, the impact of Will and grace: 25 Years Later, is due June 5 and stars Eric McCormack and Debra Messing alongside co-creators and executive producers Max Mutchnick and David Kohan. Fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi is on board to moderate.
“Will and grace broke down barriers and was a driving force behind greater representation of LGBTQ+ in the media,” said Maureen J. Reidy, president and CEO of the Paley Center for Media. “The Paley Center is delighted to celebrate the series’ milestone and showcase its profound and lasting impact on television and culture with this exclusive exhibition at the Paley Museum.”
Universal Television president Erin Underhill recalled attending the pilot tapings for the show early in her career. “Although new to the industry, I felt something magical happening on stage that night. And it wasn’t just about making people laugh or generating ratings,” said Underhill. “The series opened hearts and minds. From the hilarious script to the phenomenal cast and dedicated crew, everything came together and the response was phenomenal. It is very much worth seeing Will and grace‘s lasting impact on television, representation and society. That is the power of storytelling.”
Paleys Will and grace spotlight is being curated in collaboration with Universal Studio Group and its board of special advisors, including Megan Townsend, GLAAD’s senior director of entertainment research & analysis, and Steven Capsuto, media historian and author of Alternative channels: Weird images on 20th century TV.