WILL & GRACE

After JOEY, I didn't have high hopes for WILL & GRACE, but it turned out to be a pleasant surprise.

I met Sam at his apartment at about 1 PM. We were sitting in his room talking and I was wishing he would get out of his "Hayden Christensen hair" mode - I'm not trying to be a jerk, but it takes a certain someone to carry off the unkempt, greasy hairy look, and sorry Sam, you, in my humble opinion, can't do it. Whatever though. Anyway, we're about to leave and the doorbell rings and Sam answers it. He comes back and tells me his roommates friend is here, and that she worked on the FX show NIP/TUCK, and I assume she works as a Production Assistant on N/T, because that's what Sam's roommate does. A few minutes later we're leaving and I look at the visitor and it's not a PA but an actress from NIP/TUCK and I turn red because I've seen her naked (on the show.) Only in LA....

We make the drive and for some reason Sam isn't bothering me today. Maybe that's because Mark asked me out this weekend, and I'm enjoying the gentle buzz of getting to know him, getting to like him. Plus I have a date with Evan on Thursday. And so when Sam starts telling me stories of his recent LA adventures I really don't care. The thing is, ever since we broke up, it's been harder and harder for me to abide Sam. Mostly because he goes to school and he goes out. That's about it. I've tried to be friends with gay men in the past and its never worked because there always seems to be this weird competitive thing that happens. And I'm sorry to say it's happening with Sam. He NEVER asks what I'm doing or if I'm seeing anyone. except to make snide comments about Evan. (Evan does the same thing. A few weeks back while we were having dinner I started telling a story about me which involved Sam and Evan interrupted me and said, "NO Sam stories tonight, okay?") And if I mention I did something, Sam NEVER asks me who I did it with. I don't think he's jealous per se, I just think he's unhappy and he doesn't want me to be happy if he's not. Does that make sense?

Anyway I decide I'm not in the mood for his bullshit today, and everytime he acts up, I deflect it somehow and it works 99% of the time.

Long story short, we get to the show and don't wait in line very long. We get right into the studio and we get GREAT seats. Then we find out that we are there to see the rehearsal for the LIVE season Premiere, which will air Thursday, Sept 29th. This will be a full rehearsal. No breaks - if they fuck up, too bad. They're going to do it as if it were Thursday Night. AWESOME.

The first actor I see is Alec Baldwin, looking a little puffy - I'm sorry I know he's like 50 years old, but he was a little puffy. Then, Shelly Morrison who plays Rosario, Karen's Maid. Then the rest of the cast starts coming in. Before they start they make us watch the season FINALE from last season. It's cute, but a little lame. Anyway, then we go! It's very interesting because the whole show pretty much takes place in Will's apt and the hallway outside of it. Not a lot of blocking for the actors.

It was pretty good for live TV. Alec Baldwin kisses Erik McCormack full on the mouth for like a minute. (Did I mention Erik McCormack was REALLY effeminate? I mean maybe he was just getting into character, but before the show, he was more effete than Sean Hayes, who is gay...) Before he did, McCormack royally messed up his lines, and that was funnier than the dialogue. And Sean Hayes kept cracking up Debra Messing - he'd do an ad lib, and she's lose it. It got so bad near the end of the show that the director, James Burrows, came over the PA and yelled at them and they straightened right up.

And then it was over and we left.

So yeah it was a a lot of fun. Unfortunately when we finished it was rush hour and I got trapped in traffic hell - it took me 2 fucking hours to get home. SO BORING. But when I got home I went for a nice long run and felt much better.

Anyway, I'd say it'd be worth tuning in to see the Live Premiere of W&G on Sept. 29th. I won't be watching. I'll be having sushi somewhere in Venice with Evan.