“We Love Lucy”: Will & Grace Pays Tribute to I Love Lucy in a Special Episode
As *Will & Grace* nears its series finale, the NBC revival delivered a memorable tribute to another iconic sitcom, *I Love Lucy*. In the episode titled “We Love Lucy,” the main cast of *Will & Grace* is transported into re-created sets of the 1950s classic, bringing Lucille Ball’s timeless comedy back to life.
The episode begins with Grace (Debra Messing), Karen (Megan Mullally), and Jack (Sean Hayes) each vying to prove they could best portray Lucy Ricardo, played by the legendary Lucille Ball. They turn to Will (Eric McCormack), who assumes the role of Ricky Ricardo in the episode’s reimagined scenes, to act as the judge of their comedic performances.
**A 20-Year Dream Fulfilled**
This tribute episode had been a dream of *Will & Grace* star Debra Messing for two decades, dating back to the original run of the show. However, it wasn’t until the three-season revival that the idea became a reality, thanks to a suggestion from Bob Greenblatt, former chairman of NBC Entertainment. Greenblatt encouraged the show’s creators, David Kohan and Max Mutchnick, to explore the parallels between *Will & Grace* and *I Love Lucy*.
“Once we made the decision to have the characters talk about *I Love Lucy*, everything came together,” Mutchnick explained. By allowing Will and Grace to express their admiration for the classic sitcom, the writers found a natural way to integrate the tribute into the episode.
**Re-Creating Iconic Scenes**
The episode showcases famous scenes from *I Love Lucy* through fantasy sequences, with each *Will & Grace* character embodying the different personalities of the original cast. Grace (Messing), Karen (Mullally), and Jack (Hayes) alternate roles alongside McCormack’s steady portrayal of Ricky Ricardo.
Some of the most beloved moments from *I Love Lucy* are reimagined, including the famous “Vitameatavegamin” commercial, where Grace takes on Lucy’s physical comedy; the “Chocolate Factory” scene, with Jack as Lucy and Grace as Ethel Mertz; and the iconic “Grape-Stomping” sequence, starring Karen as Lucy.
Messing, in particular, was both excited and intimidated by the opportunity to pay homage to Lucille Ball. “My whole life, I dreamt of playing her,” Messing admitted. “But I also swore I’d never do it because she’s untouchable.” When it came time to film the “Vitameatavegamin” scene, Messing’s meticulous preparation paid off. She studied Lucy’s performance closely, noting every gesture, pause, and expression to capture the magic of Ball’s comic timing. The results were nothing short of impressive, with Mutchnick recalling that the live studio audience’s laughter mirrored the reactions from the original *I Love Lucy* recording.
**A Tribute Years in the Making**
The recreation of these iconic scenes was no small feat. Kohan and Mutchnick described the episode as the most production-heavy and technically challenging they had ever undertaken. To ensure authenticity, every department—from production and wardrobe to hair, makeup, and set design—was tasked with replicating the original *I Love Lucy* sets down to the smallest detail.
In addition to building exact replicas of Lucy and Ricky’s apartment, the candy factory, and the wine vineyard, the production team sourced 14,000 pieces of milk chocolate, 1,200 pounds of black grapes, and 48 bottles to match the Vitameatavegamin prop. Costumes were meticulously crafted, and each actor spent up to five hours in makeup to achieve their transformations.
For the *Will & Grace* cast and crew, the episode was more than just a technical achievement—it was an emotional journey. Messing, who described her experience as Lucy as “a privilege,” was moved to tears upon seeing her reflection as the beloved character. “It felt like the greatest gift we could be given,” she said.
**The Arnaz Family’s Blessing**
One of the most significant moments of the production was receiving permission from Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz’s children, Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr., to recreate the *I Love Lucy* scenes. This was the first time the Arnaz family had granted such approval, making the episode a historic event in itself.
Lucie Arnaz not only gave her blessing but also appeared in the episode as the See’s Candies foreman in the “Chocolate Factory” scene, adding a special layer of significance. Her involvement, along with the presence of her child—Lucille Ball’s great-grandchild—on set, added an emotional depth to the tribute.
**Honoring a Legacy**
For the creators and cast of *Will & Grace*, the episode was a celebration of the art of sitcom performance. Both *I Love Lucy* and *Will & Grace* share a legacy of groundbreaking humor, relying on expert comedic timing and physicality. “It takes such an expert level of actor and comic to be able to do what the company of *I Love Lucy* was able to do,” Mutchnick remarked. “And our cast can do it just as well.”
As *Will & Grace* app
roaches its final episode, this tribute to *I Love Lucy* serves as a fitting way to honor the legacy of two of television’s most beloved comedies. For Messing, stepping into Lucy Ricardo’s shoes was both a dream come true and a way to pay homage to the woman who inspired her career in comedy. “She taught me what I think is funny,” Messing reflected. “In a way, she helped create my comic sensibility.”
In the end, *We Love Lucy* is more than just a tribute—it’s a testament to the enduring impact of Lucille Ball and *I Love Lucy*, whose influence on comedy and television continues to resonate today.
