Andrew Rannells joined the “Will & Grace” fray this week to make out with Will (Eric McCormack) and sing some catchy tunes as a so-called “conversion therapist.”
The 39-year-old actor told TheWrap that it was a thrill to be part of a show he has loved since college, and that the revived sitcom hasn’t skipped a beat, including its willingness to take on topical issues. Rannells and fellow guest star Jane Lynch appeared on Thursday night’s episode as newlyweds who run the gay-conversion camp that Jack’s (Sean Hayes) grandson attends.
“They definitely tackle that head on, for sure,” the “Big Mouth” voice actor said about “Will & Grace” targeting the Trump era.
He pointed out that he admires the show’s focus on the people at the heart of the NBC comedy: “Our episode has some subversive political comment in it, but for the most part, it’s more character-driven by those characters who are there.”
Rannells added, “It was the craziest situation, being at the table read and looking at those four actors and being like, ‘How is this possible that I’m here?’”
“Will & Grace” co-creators Max Mutchnick and David Kohan told TheWrap that they decided to give Jack a gay grandson in order to comment on vice president Mike Pence’s link to conversion therapy.
“We don’t recognize it as a form of therapy — we only recognize it as a form of torture,” Mutchnick said.
“Will & Grace” airs Thursdays at 9/8c on NBC.