LOS ANGELES MAYOR ERIC GARCETTI PROCLAIMS “WILL & GRACE DAY” IN CELEBRATION OF THE START OF PRODUCTION

LOS ANGELES MAYOR ERIC GARCETTI PROCLAIMS “WILL & GRACE DAY” IN CELEBRATION OF THE START OF PRODUCTION

NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt, “Will & Grace” Cast and Executive Producers Gathered for the Aug. 2 Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. – Aug. 2, 2017 – NBC Entertainment and Universal Television celebrated the start of production of “Will & Grace” with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Stage 22 on the Universal Studios backlot today.

NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt, executive producers David Kohan and Max Mutchnick, executive producer/director James Burrows and the “Will & Grace” cast – Debra Messing, Eric McCormack, Megan Mullally and Sean Hayes – gathered as Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti read a proclamation announcing “Will & Grace Day.”

"It’s so important to bring back the characters represented on this show – now more than ever,” said Garcetti. “No one makes change by yelling at the news coming through their Facebook feed. They make it by embracing and celebrating the diverse faces of America.”

Regarding “Will & Grace,” Greenblatt added: “It’s always about something. It’s sophisticated and witty and all those things, but at the forefront is that it’s really funny. That’s because of the incredible cast and our two creators.”

“Wherever there are two men married who can’t get a cake with two grooms on top, we’ll be there. Whenever there’s a transgender person who is not able to pee where they want or serve in the military, we’ll be there. And wherever there’s a straight guy who doesn’t know how to cuff his pants, we’ll be there,” said Mutchnick.

The series, which earned 16 Emmy Awards during its initial 1998-2006 run, was both groundbreaking and critically applauded for bringing gay characters to a national TV audience.

“Will & Grace” returns to NBC on Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT beginning Sept. 28.