Thank You Will & Grace

It is quite a big statement to say that one show can make a difference, but I have no hesitation to say that 'Will & Grace' did. It was the first show ever to have 2 lead characters that were gay. It showcased a gay man very differently than what had previously been seen. Homosexuals were often absent from mainstream shows or shown in a very stereotypical manner, 'Will & Grace' managed to avoid all stereotypes (or instead choosing to mock them) whilst still remaining true. The reason I am talking about 'Will & Grace' is because it is 15 years to the day from the airing of the first episode. Eight years, 83 Emmy nominations and 16 wins, 27 Golden Globe nominations, 17 Screen Actor's Guild nominations and 7 wins and millions of laughs later it came to an end.

It quickly became one of my favourite shows as I love a good american sitcom. The whole 'gay' aspect was completely lost on me at a younger age as I didn't really notice it. For me it was like a more grown up version of 'Friends'. I can still watch re-runs everyday and still laugh at it. My favourite character will always be Karen. She was a rich stuck up bitch with a heart when it mattered. Even though I do have a favourite, I don't hate any character that have ever been on the show. Will, Grace, Jack and Rosario made this show epic aswell.

Even though 'Friends' started the trend for guest stars, it was 'Will & Grace' that stepped it up a notch. They had Madonna, Cher, Elton John, Jennifer Lopez, Michael Douglas, Matt Damon and Janet Jackson to name a few.The best guest star they ever had will always be Molly Shannon in my eyes, Val was an amazing and crazy character and I always look forward to her episodes.

I will always be thankful for this show as it showed in an honest way that been gay was okay. They were the first show to show a man-on-man kiss. They were the first show to have a gay couple adoption. They were the first show to show a gay man as a man. Yes, Jack was a flamboyant character and was quite over the top, but Will equalled him out - he was a normal guy, who just happened to be gay.

The one thing I will always hate about 'Will & Grace' is how it ended. It shot forward 18 years in to the future. It showed that Will and Grace didn't speak for the entire time. So the request for a reunion episode is pointless. Unless of course they wait for another 10 years so the actors can catch up to the characters.

This show was one of a kind and it will never be replicated. I own every single episode on DVD (some even twice) and when I finish a run of 'Friends' I reach straight for the 'Will & Grace' boxset. I can quote this show perfectly and often do. The only thing that sucks is that the show never really took off in England. A lot of people are aware of it but not a lot have seen it. I blame E4 for not buying the rights, instead letting a cable channel (LivingTV) buy it.

I heard a rumour a few years back that a Broadway version of the show, mainly focused on Karen, was been produced. I call dibs on front row centre.

The Craigy's Will & Grace Edition

Favourite Main Character - Karen

Favourite Secondary Character - Rosario/Beverly Lesley

Favourite Guest Character - Val

Favourite Episode - 'Bed, Bath and Beyond'

Favourite Cameo - Cher

Favourite Season - 4 and 5 ( A Tie)

Favourite Love Interest - Leo

Favourite Dramatic Moment - Will & Grace argument over insemination 'I asked for one month ...'

Favourite Musical Moment - Jack and Karen 'Unforgettable'

Favourite WTF Moment - Jack has a son

Fake Friends

I watch a lot of TV. A lot. So obviously I get people envy; envy in the sense that I want these people to exist because I think they would make the best friends. Obviously I love my real friends, but as the great Craig Chambers once said 'You can never have too many friends!' Naturally I made a list of some people that need to be real that only exist on the box. (I enjoy making lists almost as much as watching TV).

Amy Farrah Fowler (The Big Bang Theory)
She is a smart cookie, loves her friends and has a bit of wit in that noggin of hers. Also as she slowly adjusts to a social life I could convince her all of my opinions are right - so no arguments.

Phoebe Buffay-Hannigan (Friends)
I could attend all of her gigs and she could give me free massages. I love her attitude to life and I bet if I spent just 5 minutes with her some of my cares would drift away.

Karen Walker (Will & Grace)
She is rich. Filthy rich. She looks after her friends. So then I would be rich. That's all I want from life.

Gloria Pritchett (Modern Family)
I am probably one of the few people to love her voice. I would have her shout at everybody in the street.

Spencer Reed (Criminal Minds)
He is extremely intelligent and can read something like 15,000 words a minute. If I have a book that I want to know the ending of quickly I would have him round quick-sharpish.

Raven Baxter (That's So Raven)
Can't hurt to have a psychic around (much). Everything looks like fun when you are around her. Also within my clumsy life it would be nice to have someone to warn me of the traps ahead.

Leslie Knope (Parks and Recreation)
She is just positive 100% of the time. Never a sad moment. She even laughs when she heard she lost her election. I need positive people around me as I can be a Debbie Downer at times.

Cameron Tucker (Modern Family)
It was a toss up between him and Phil. I just feel Cam would turn every frown upside down. I would feel normal standing next to his extreme ways and hysterics - or I would join in, nothing wrong with being dramatic.

Blair Waldorf (Gossip Girl)
Everybody needs a bitchy friend. And who better to have then the Queen B herself. She runs the New York elite and makes no apologies. She has power, I like people with power.

Veronica Mars (Veronica Mars)
I love her wit, sarcasm and attitude. Plus having a private investigator as a buddy must have its privileges - also she is gorgeous and would look nice to stand near.

The H.B.I.C (Head Bitch in Charge)

One of my favourite type of character in any show, film, book whatever is a Bitch. They bring humour and shock. You are surprised to see how far they will go and you love it when it goes too far. These characters can seem soulless,  but for me they exude power and this is why people hate them. So, I thought I would list 10 of my favourite Bitches and some of my favourite quotes.

Janine Butcher
The ultimate soap star Bitch of all time in my opinion. She even murdered her husband by pushing him off a cliff whilst he was telling her he loved her.
'If only he hadn't been so romantic! If only he just didn't have so much love in him! If only he'd worn slip-on shoes!'

Karen Walker
One of my favourite characters of all time. She is rich, mean and no one is more important to her than herself.
'Lord. Would you look at these people. Why anybody would choose to be homeless is beyond me.'

Courtney (Jawbreaker)
The original mean girl. She even went further and accidently killed her friend - and she didn't give a shit.
'Ok, reality check, Liz is in the trunk of this car. And she is dead. That is a sad, fucked up thing, but you are going to walk into that school and strut your shit down the hallway like everything is peachy fucking keen.'

Regina George
She may not have been the original mean girl, but she is the best.
Gretchen: 'And even in fancy countries like the United States and England, seven out of ten girls have a negative body image.'
Regina George: 'Who cares? Six of those girls are right!'

Miranda Priestly
Apparently based upon the wonderful Anna Wintour. A hard as nails magazine editor.
'I said to myself, go ahead. Take a chance. Hire the smart, fat girl. I had hope. My God. I live on it. Anyway, you ended up disappointing me more than, um- more than any of the other silly girls.'

Blair Waldorf
The ultimate high school mean girl socialite - except she has a heart that constantly gets broken.
'I have been cordial to you for the last 52 minutes. Do you have any idea the psychological torture that I've endured being nice to you?'


Veronica (Heathers)
A new girl who tried to fit in, unfortunately her life spirals into a continuous cycle of hate, unintentional murder and indifference, as she exacts revenge on her enemies, also known as her best friends. 
'Betty Finn was a true friend and I sold her out for a bunch of Swatch dogs and Diet Coke heads. Killing Heather would be like offing the wicked witch of the west... wait east. West! God! I sound like a fucking psycho.'

Wilhelmina Slater
Another magazine editor, not in the same league as Miranda but still amazing.
'What Daniel's trying to say is, kiss your loved ones goodbye and expect to come home to dead pets!'

Bellatrix
She killed Sirius and tries to kill Hermione - a true bitch in my opinion.
'Neville Longbottom is it? How's mum and dad' (His mum and dad are dead; she killed them)

Angelica C. Pickles
The first Bitch we are introduced to as a child.
[pushing way towards wedding cake] 'Hey lady, you ever hear of a thigh blaster?'