15 Best 'Will & Grace' Episodes, Ranked (original) (raw)
Updated Aug 1, 2024, 11:00 AM EDT
Andrea M. Ciriaco is a long-time script reader and former entertainment editor who specializes in classic movies and Hollywood history. She was a student film critic at Kent State University for three years and worked at Warner Bros Studio in Burbank and The Safran Company for several years. Based on her vast taste and range of knowledge, many consider Andrea to be a walking IMDb who knows dozens of underrated movies and is a vital assesst to any trivia night. While movies are her expertise, Andrea is also a diehard fan of iconic shows including The Sopranos, Boardwalk Empire, Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone, Will & Grace and South Park. Some of her favorite filmmakers are Walt Disney,John Huston, Fritz Lang, Alfred Hitchcock, John Ford, Mel Brooks, Quentin Tarantino, Martin Scorsese and Howard Hawks.
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The 90s hit show, Will & Grace, was a monumental sitcom that still reigns as one of the best series of all time and is noted for its pivotal cast of memorable characters played by Debra Messing, Eric McCormack, Sean Hayes, and Megan Mullally. From breaking down various social barriers to featuring an array of epic guest stars, including Debbie Reynolds, Blythe Danner, and Woody Harrelson, Will & Grace is a top-notch series that changed the landscape of prime-time television forever. Out of the series' eleven seasons, there are a ton of signature episodes that have a special place in fans' hearts, but there are some like "Bacon and Eggs," and "Lows in the Mid-Eighties," that belong in a category of their own.
While Will & Grace is full of unforgettable episodes that could fill several lists, there are some, such as "All About Christmas Eve," "Me and Mr. Jones," and the two-part episode, "The Moveable Feast," which are simply some of the series' absolute best episodes. From the finale of Season 6, "I Do. Oh, No, You Di-in't," to "Last Ex to Brooklyn" starring Oscar-winning actress, Mira Sorvino, these are the 15 best episodes of Will & Grace, ranked!
15 "Coffee & Commitment"
Season 3, Episode 3 (2001)
Eric McCormack as Will Truman holding a card open in front of Debra Messing as Grace Adler in Will & Grace
Image via NBC
Season 3, episode 3, "Coffee & Commitment," has the perfect balance of endearment and comedy that makes it one of the best Will & Grace episodes. When everyone is invited to Joe's (Jerry Levine) and Larry's (Tim Bagley) wedding, Will becomes frustrated with Grace when she assumes that she can add her name to the card of his wedding gift for the couple. While Will and Grace bicker throughout the ceremony, Karen tries to help Jack kick his addiction to coffee, but she soon finds herself climbing the walls when she discovers that there's no alcohol and, of course, only coffee is being served.
The episode brings some sensitive feelings to the surface for both Will and Grace, but after blaming each other for why their lives aren't turning out the way they expected, they realize the genuine reasons lie within themselves in a heartfelt revelation. While McCormack and Messing bring the emotional tone of the episode, Mullally and Hayes are a riot throughout the entire episode, slapping each other to keep it together while also trying to be a support for one another in their own unique way.
14 "A-Story, Bee-Story"
Season 6, Episode 5 (2003)
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With another Doctors Without Borders trip coming up, Will tries to convince Grace's husband, Leo (Harry Connick Jr.) to reconsider leaving for Cambodia and tries to persuade him by taking him out for the day. Meanwhile, Karen coaches Jack for an upcoming gay spelling bee and as the contest approaches, the pressure of the competition begins to come between them and their friendship.
In Season 6, episode 5, "A-Story, Bee Story," the spelling bee is the main highlight and features some of the funniest banter and slapstick comedy between Mullally and Hayes. Between the variety of words and Karen's attempt at "helping" her friend with his final word, it's hard not to rank this as one of the series' best episodes. That being said, Will and Leo aren't without their own fair share of comedic antics that show the distinct parallels between the two characters, who could not be more opposite.
13 "Homojo"
Season 5, Episode 15 (2003)
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When Karen discovers that her husband, Stanley, has been cheating on her with a young English woman, Lorraine Finster (Minnie Driver), she leaves him and sends Jack to her place to get some of her things. While there, Jack meets Karen's newest nemesis, who tries to win him over with fashion and bonbons. Once Karen learns about Lorraine's sneaky attempts to steal her best friend, the two come face to face and engage in a hilarious tug-of-war over him that leaves Jack completely torn between the two women.
Driver appeared in several episodes of Will & Grace, but Season 5, episode 15, "Homojo," is without a doubt her best episode. Similar to Karen, Lorraine tries to win Jack over with money and shiny objects, putting his friendship with Karen to the ultimate test and eventually resulting in the two women calling for him like a confused puppy, unsure of whom to run to. While the fight over Jack is one for the books, Lorraine and Karen also go through a whirlwind of witty quips and one-liners that add a whole other humorous layer to this top-notch episode.
12 "Sex, Losers and Videotapes"
Season 5, Episode 19 (2003)
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While Grace borrows Will's apartment to make a sexy tape to send to Leo, Will is still licking his wounds from his latest failed relationship and has become cynical about love. When he shares his woes with his boss, Mr. Stein (Gene Wilder), and Karen, the three decide to start an anti-romance club where they drink and bask in the glow of being single. Unfortunately, their little club begins to shrink when Mr. Stein starts to take a liking to Karen and the two begin to secretly see each other.
Wilder appeared as Mr. Stein in two episodes, marking the legendary actor's final on-screen appearances, and considering Wilder is best known for his incredible comedy, the role is more than fitting for him. In Season 5, episode 19, "Sex, Losers and Videotapes," Wilder gets to show off his comedic chops accompanied by Mullally and McCormack, who all make an equally hysterical trio. Considering Wilder's contributions to the series and his uncanny chemistry with McCormack and Mullally, it by far reigns as one of the greatest Will & Grace episodes of all time.
11 "There But for the Grace of Grace"
Season 2, Episode 21 (2000)
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Will & Grace is known for having some of the greatest guest stars appear throughout the show, but one of the most highly marginalized guest stars is tap dancing legend, Gregory Hines, who played Will's boss and one of Grace's boyfriends, Ben Doucette. In Season 2, episode 21, "There But for the Grace of Grace," Karen is supposed to make Stanley a home-cooked meal but doesn't know the first thing about cooking. She reluctantly accepts help from Ben, who turns out to be a fabulous force in the kitchen as well as on the dance floor.
At one point in the episode, Jack challenges Ben to a dance-off, thinking he is a phenomenal dancer, and goes into a random routine of steps. Not wanting to upstage Jack, Ben declares him the winner, but when he leaves, Karen counts him off to reveal the actor's incredible tap dancing skills, which he makes look effortless. Even though Hines appeared in eight episodes, "There But for the Grace of Grace," stands out as his finest, mainly because of his "dance off" with Jack, where he showcases his outstanding dancing skills.
10 "I Do. Oh, No, You Di-in't"
Season 6, Episode 24 (2004)
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As Karen and her future husband, Lyle Finster (John Cleese), prepare for their big day in Las Vegas, Will learns some unsettling news about Leo and his recent Doctor Without Borders trip in Cambodia that could damage his and Grace's marriage. While Will tries to save his best friend's relationship, Jack gets the opportunity to perform as a backup dancer for Rosario's (Shelley Morrison) childhood friend and award-winning singer, Jennifer Lopez, at Karen and Lyle's reception.
Even though Season 6, episode 24, "I Do. Oh, No, You Di-in't" reveals Leo's shocking infidelity, it's still considered to be one of the best episodes, mainly because of Lopez's guest appearance. On top of Lopez's star-studded performance, the episode also features a hilarious cameo by legendary actor and Clue star Tim Curry, who plays Lyle's brother, Marion Finster, and adds his own touch of cheeky humor to this memorable episode.
9 "All About Christmas Eve"
Season 5, Episode 11 (2002)
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Since Grace (Debra Messing) and Leo have tickets to the classic Christmas show, The Nutcracker, on Christmas Eve, Will decides to spend the holiday with Karen and Jack at the luxurious Palace Hotel, but when Leo gets paged by the hospital, Grace calls Will to take his ticket. Will manages to get to the theater in time for the show, but unfortunately, so does Leo, which results in an ongoing game of terrible timing and a final realization that neither Leo nor Will really wants to see The Nutcracker.
Season 5, episode 11, "All About Christmas Eve," puts Will in a relentless game of tug-of-war between Grace and Karen, and Jack, who make him perform a series of ridiculous stunts to get back into their good graces. From having to sing The 12 Days of Christmas as The Count from Sesame Street to Leo and Will arguing about who gets the ticket, the episode is a non-stop laughter fest that highlights the true spirit of the holidays. The episode concludes with an iconic moment of all the characters adorned in white cotton bathrobes dancing through the hotel room, making it one of the best Will & Grace episodes.
8 "Bathroom Humor"
Season 8, Episode 11 (2006)
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Karen invites Grace, Will, and Jack to an extravagant birthday party she's hosting for herself which features an impressive guest list of A-list celebrities. The trio is excited to finally be included in Karen's circle of famous friends, but when Beverly Leslie (Leslie Jordan) reveals to them that Karen has thrown the exclusive event for the last ten years, Grace, Will, and Jack try to figure out why she had never invited them before, pitting the three friends together that ends with a messy fight in the bathroom.
Season 8, Episode 11, "Bathroom Humor" was the show's second live episode, which was also filmed in Karen's extremely large bathroom. With only one set to work with, the cast shows off their comedic chops with hysterical slapstick and improvised moments and even tries to refrain from breaking character as Karen scolds them while they're caked in baby powder and lotion. The episode adds an authentic tone to the show that just reinforces why audiences fell in love with these four fabulous friends and the overall show in the first place.
7 "24"
Season 5, Episode 24 (2003)
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When Karen wants to scatter Stanley's ashes at sea, Will, Grace, and Jack accompany her on her private yacht, but they quickly discover that Stanley's former mistress, Lorraine Finster (Minnie Driver), somehow managed to sneak aboard for the occasion. As Lorraine tries to convince Karen to give her some of Stanley's estate, Grace finds Leo's bag along with an unsettling letter inside from his attractive colleague (Patricia Arquette).
Only a show like Will & Grace could manage to take a somber event like spreading the ashes of a loved one and turn it into a wild, unexpected whirlwind of an episode that ultimately ends on a shocking cliffhanger regarding Leo and Grace. Between Will and Jack singing along to Elton John's Crocodile Rock to Karen and Lorraine's over-the-top fighting like two spoiled children, Season 5, episode 24, "24," is without a doubt one of the best Will & Grace episodes.
6 "Bacon and Eggs"
Season 5, Episode 2 (2002)
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While stalking Kevin Bacon, Jack ends up being hired by the actor as his new personal assistant and is unaware that Jack is actually his stalker. Since Jack is busy with his new position, he doesn't have a lot of time to stalk Bacon, who secretly believes if no one is stalking him, then he must be losing his credibility. Meanwhile, Grace anxiously awaits the result of her at-home pregnancy test and is unexpectedly visited by the handsome Dr. Leo Markus, who could put a halt to Grace and Will's current plans to have a baby.
According to Bacon, his appearance on Will & Grace in Season 5, episode 2, "Bacon and Eggs" is one that his fans mention the most to him, declaring it as one of his finest performances and, honestly, it's easy to see why. While he's flawless in the entire episode, nothing tops him and McCormack reenacting the iconic routine from Bacon's 1984 movie, Footloose, which is just pure comedy gold as well as one of the most memorable moments in television history.