TCA: Sean Hayes’ ‘Sean Saves the World’ Is ‘Post-Gay’

The new NBC sitcom's star and executive producer gives a nod to his former series "Will & Grace"

Sean Hayes returns to comedy with his new NBC sitcom, "Sean Saves the World."

On the new series, Hayes plays a divorced gay dad who switches from being the weekend parent to the fulltime parent of a teen daughter after his ex-wife exits their lives.

Conversation during the Television Critics Association press tour quickly moved to Hayes' groundbreaking 90s comedy, "Will & Grace," and its impact on the gay rights movement and Television programming.

"I think, of course, it was impactful," Hayes said. "But to say that having been on it, I don’t want to sound egotistical. To remove myself from 'Will & Grace,' I would like to believe that it had a great influence on the gay movement in America. According to Joe Biden, it did."

Also read: TCA: NBC Execs Say Canceled 'New Normal' May Have Been 'Ahead of Its Time'

After the failure of Ryan Murphy's gay family comedy, "The New Normal," NBC seems to be downplaying any political goals or messages of "Sean Saves the World."

"For this show, which I consider a post-gay show in that there's a gay man in the center of it but it's not about being gay," executive producer Victor Fresco said. "I think without 'Will and Grace,' we wouldn't be possible."

Linda Lavin, Thomas Lennon and Megan Hilty also star on the multi-camera show, which premieres Oct. 3.

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