In its heyday, Will & Grace had so many guest stars it was practically The Love Boat (with Jack, Your Cruise Director). These guest spots ranged from hilarious (Matt Damon as a straight guy who just wants to sing) and iconic (Cher, naturally) to misfires (Ellen DeGeneres as a nun?) and outright bombs (Madonna or Britney, take your pick).
Since its return last fall, the classic sitcom has continued its guest star tradition with both new and returning celebs, including Grace and Will's ex-loves (Harry Connick, Jr. as Leo Markus, Bobby Cannavale as Vince D'Angelo), a couple of Karen's many nemeses (Minnie Driver as Lorraine Finster, Leslie Jordan as Beverly Leslie), recurring faves Nurse Sheila (Laura Kightlinger) and Val Bassett (Molly Shannon) and, coming soon, Blythe Danner as Will's mom Marilyn and Alec Baldwin as the mysterious Malcolm Widmark.
Of course, we'd love to see even more blasts from the past, and now that Will & Grace has been renewed for yet another season already they'll have plenty of opportunities to bring back some of our old favorites, such as...
(In alphabetical order, click on character name for a video clip.)
1. Candice Bergen as Candice Bergen
The multiple Emmy winner (or is it People's Choice Awards?) can warm up for the pending return of Murphy Brown by sparring with Karen yet again; imagine their debate about the pros and cons of a certain commander-in-chief.
2. Sandra Bernhard as Sandra Bernhard
Picture it: Will and Grace once again cross paths with the comedienne (who will also be in the upcoming Roseanne revival) and, since Sandra doesn't remember them, they become pals again... until Grace breaks out in song.
3. Veronica Cartwright as Judith McFarland
Jack has already mentioned his loving but clueless mother ("What is she, headless?") in the current season, a perfect set up to bring her back for a long-awaited second appearance. How about a dinner party with Marilyn?
4. Cher as Cher
Dear NBC: Just. Make it. Happen. Signed: The Grateful Gays of the World.
5. Michael Douglas as Gavin Hatch
Connect the dots... Gavin was a closeted cop who took a shine to Will. Jack's current boyfriend is a cop just out of the closet. How about a blind double date? Woof!
6. Christine Ebersole as Candy Pruitt
Candy was one of Karen's many high society rivals, the one with a penchant for plastic surgery. Imagine her now in the age of Botox.
7. Woody Harrelson as Nathan
Leo who? We always thought Nathan was the true love of Grace's life, and his bohemian vibe played well off of the straight(ahem)-laced Will. So how about a round two?
8. Dan Futterman as Barry
Don't you want to see where Barry is at now? Karen's cousin, who was Eliza Dolittle-d into a handsome head-turner by Will and Jack, has been out for awhile now... time enough surely to give Will a second chance.
9. Parker Posey as Dorleen
What a hoot it would be to see Posey (who'll play a gender-swapped Dr. Smith in Netflix's Lost in Space reboot) yet again as Dorleen, Jack's high-strung supervisor during his all-to-brief stint at Barney's.
10. Jamie-Lynn Sigler as Ro D'Angelo
Let's face it: Will & Grace was never too kind to lesbians during its original run (remember the cringe-inducing couple played by Edie Falco and Chloë Sevigny? Yikes). They can make up for it now with an encore appearance of Vince's sister Ro, who Jack convinced to come out to her family that one memorable Thanksgiving.
There are just two episodes left of Will & Grace this season, so you'll know where to find me the next two Thursday nights...!
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