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Just when
it seemed a huge risk to present TV audiences with yet another prime-time
sitcom where gay characters enjoy lead roles—considering the demise of
Ellen Degeneres’ landmark show, once her quirky character came out of
the closet—NBC dared to unleash Will and Grace in 1999,
almost with a vengeance!
Despite the
brazen dialogue, sexual innuendoes and gay inside jokes that run throughout
the show, TV audiences tuned in each week and loved what they saw, especially
when the zanier characters—Jack and Karen—spat out rude or naughty lines
and other wild zingers that went over the top. Now, in 2001, the audience
for this runaway Emmy award hit is huge and diverse, and is showing no
signs of going away any time soon.
Actually,
Will and Grace is just another classic screwball comedy,
but with a twist: None of the characters have a problem with any of the
others being gay. Homophobia is not a hot-button issue, and gays are not
shown struggling to be accepted in the straight world. However, the reason
for the sitcom’s success most certainly is the saucy, bold writing and
the flat-out funny performances of the entire cast.
Interestingly,
the show’s colorful personalities reflect the individual astrological
patterns of this fine acting ensemble, especially regarding each actor’s
Sun and Moon signs. Each has unconsciously created a character based on
his or her own birth chart dynamics.
Will
 As
gay attorney Will Truman, Aries Eric McCormack is full of dash and spunk.
Like Aries, he’s fired up and ready to get going in the world. Will’s
sharp mind matches his Aries boyish charm, although he is thirty something
and determined to stay that age. Like Aries, Will exudes a youthful vitality
and possesses a healthy sense of self-assertion. He also has the gumption
to achieve his immediate goals, just like this headstrong, ambitious sign.
Although
Will is quick to get things off his chest, he’s more at odds with himself
in the romance department. Similarly, Aries types are reluctant to face
their thorny fears of intimacy, since commitment to a serious, long-term
relationship could mean compromising one’s personal autonomy. Actually,
McCormack’s Moon in Aquarius suggests his instinctive feel for free-spirited
characters who have problems staying emotionally engaged in close partnerships.
It’s doubtful that his character will ever settle down into any union
that subdues his fiery, freedom-loving energies. As Will, Eric McCormack
thus has no trouble drawing inspiration from his own vibrant Aries/Aquarius
personality.
Grace
Leo Debra Messing plays Grace Adler, an interior designer who, while organized,
disciplined and hard-working in her career, is privately a bit of an emotional
mess. Grace fits Messing’s Sun-in-Leo traits well. She’s proud of her
creative efforts, eager to make a first-rate impression on her clientele
and is in need of major recognition and praise for her talents. Yet as
Debra also has a slew of planets in flaw-finding Virgo, Grace shows a
strong work ethic, but her insecurity drives her to achieve perfect results.
Still, Debra’s Leo energy allows Grace to be dramatic and enthusiastic,
although in an innocently self-absorbed manner.
Grace also
displays a few traits of Messing’s Moon in Taurus. She’s determined, sometimes
stubborn but also warmly loyal and down-to-earth with her feelings—she’s
no phony. Like Taurus, Grace fully invests herself in those she values.
Messing’s Moon sign gives her an instinctive feel for people who strongly
attach themselves to others for needed doses of steady affection. Despite
her ups and downs, Grace is able to gather inner strength, and patiently
endures as she slowly builds material security for herself. Debra Messing’s
character wonderfully portrays this Leo/Taurus challenge.
Jack
As
Will’s flaming gay buddy, Jack McFarland was obviously a hyperactive handful
as a kid. He still hasn’t grown up. Cancer Sean Hayes plays this expressive,
yet touchy character who often gets his feathers ruffled. When sensing
rejection, Jack either pouts or lashes out with "drama-queen"
intensity. He's gushy one minute but snappish and defensive the next.
The immature, hyper-sensitive, baby-like side of Cancer dominates Jack’s
narcissistic personality. Still, viewers realize that his bark is worse
than his bite since all he really seeks is love, acceptance and lots of
reassuring attention.
However,
as Hayes’ Moon is in feisty, independent Aries, Jack also is an emotional
bundle of contradictions. While craving Cancerian affection during those
times when he talks sweetly in his little boy voice, he’ll suddenly flare
up in a hot-headed Aries way when he feels he’s been denied or mistreated
(that’s when he storms out the door or throws a loud hissy fit). One moment
his fiery emotions egg him on to "do his thing" and not give
a damn, but next, his dependent Cancerian side demands unconditional,
maternal approval from his close pals. Sean Hayes does a terrific job
in acting out this common Cancer/Aries dilemma.
Karen
As
Grace’s sassy "assistant," Scorpio Megan Mullally brilliantly
plays Karen Walker. Wealthy socialite Karen looks and acts well heeled.
In her own mind, she knows she’s a cut above the rest. But she’s also
a hardcore boozer with a wicked tongue and an endless thirst for her "pick-me-up"
cocktails whenever life starts to get too real. Scorpio, an emotionally
intense sign, is prone toward deep fixations and sometimes self-destructive
compulsions. Despite its surface display of power and control, its darker
side battles internal demons. Although we never see Mullally’s character
get too down in the dumps about anything, we realize that she’s one unhappy,
confused gal who has turned denial into an art form.
Meanwhile,
her Scorpio stinger is barbed wire sharp and ready to strike at any easy
target. She quickly sees through people’s baloney. Yet, the fact that
Karen doesn’t come off as cruel or mean-spirited is a credit to Mullally’s
comic genius. While we sense Karen’s hidden baggage, we still laugh heartily
at the unvarnished truths fueling her outrageous social commentary—thanks
to Mullally’s fiery, outspoken Moon in Sagittarius. This Moon sign can’t
help but find humor in everything, and thus has little trouble poking
fun at life’s sacred cows. Like a Sagittarius Moon, Karen is also prone
toward exaggeration and adopts a smart-mouth attitude. Megan Mullally
thus draws from her own Scorpio/Sagittarius complexities to make her conflicted
but comic character fascinatingly fun to watch.
Die-hard
fans of this show would do well to learn more about the Sun and Moon signs
I’ve mentioned just to gain extra insights into the psychological motivations
of all four characters and the talented actors who expertly play them
each week.
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