Chapter 5
The gang arrives in L.A. and taken by limo to the KoMut Entertainment Office where they are expected, and escorted inside. Once there, the producers greet them warmly and introduce them to four other people.
"We had extensive try-outs for your roles and have settled on these actors for the show."
Will and his friends gape at the actors. None of them were very well-known as yet, but the resemblances were uncanny. It looked like an identical twins convention happening in the office. They all shook hands with one another as Mr. Mutchnick introduced them. "Will Truman, this is Eric McCormack. Grace Adler…Debra Messing…Karen Walker, meet Megan Mullally. Jack…Jack."
Jack has noticed himself in a nearby mirror and is primping in front of it, not paying any attention to what's going on. Will goes over to him and steers his friend back to the group.
Mutchnick continues, "Mr. McFarland, this is Sean Hayes, who will be portraying you on the show.
"Well…hello, handsome!" Jack purrs as he shakes Sean's hand. Sean is a little startled, but smiles.
"I'd like them to work with you a day or two – observe you and get to know your mannerisms before we start filming. I think they have their work cut out for them," Kohan offers.
An interesting time follows as the actors observe, sometimes disbelievingly, their counterparts and their relationship dynamics. They work at miming the others and read and re-read and rehearse the pilot script, making any changes needed. Megan is trying very hard to get Karen's voice just right. Sean has to work at mimicking Jack's walking style and hand movements. Debra wonders where Grace's gets her frenetic energy. Eric must develop the rapid speech pattern of Will. The fab four sometime even make suggestions - almost in the capacity of acting coaches and watch with rapt interest as director James Burrows gradually molds the cast into a group with real chemistry. They continue to be amazed, especially at the set constructed to look like Will's apartment and the 9th floor of 155 Riverside Drive from the photos taken. Grace's studio was done from drawings she provided. Finally, the evening for the first taping arrives. A studio audience assembles at Stage 17…
ANNOUNCER: From Stage 17 in Studio City, California... In 5, 4, 3, 2, 1... WILL & GRACE THEME PLAYS. THE STUDIO LIGHTS COME UP. ERIC (AS WILL) IS ON THE SET WATCHING TV AND TALKING TO GRACE ON THE PHONE)
WILL: What are you doing?
GRACE: Hanging out.
WILL: Come over.
GRACE: Will, I can't.
WILL: Come on, Grace. You know you want to.
GRACE: Of course I want to, but--
WILL: It's going to be a good one. I can feel it.
GRACE: It's always good. Still--
WILL: You're not going to come over, you want me to, uh... talk you through it?
GRACE: It's tempting, but I think I'll watch ER here.
WILL: Another night alone with my clicker.
THE AUDIENCELAUGHS UPROARIOUSLY. THE GANG STANDING OFFSTAGE SMILING BROADLY PUTS THEIR ARMS AROUND ONE ANOTHER AND EMBRACE…THE REST IS HISTORY…