Fred Astaire and Ginger Chicken

Fred Astaire and Ginger Chicken is the twentieth episode of the sixth season and 142nd overall.

The episode features the first time Grace meets Will's boyfriend Vince.

Synopsis[]

Meeting Vince[]

Everyone is worried that Grace has not met Vince yet, whom Will started dating recently. Will expresses how co-dependent his relationship with Grace is that he needs her approval to know whether or not he likes somebody.

When Vince finally comes over, Grace seems aloof and goes to her home in Brooklyn before dinner. Will, who is troubled that she walked out on a free meal, asks her and she confesses how seeing the two of them together "happy and gay" made her worried that she and Leo may never be like that again.

Replacing Karen[]

As Jack teaches Karen how to foxtrot for her wedding reception, she informs him that their friendship will soon be over because she will be with Lyle all the time. Karen warns Jack that all relationships between a gay man and a straight woman must end or else they will end up like Will and Grace.

Jack holds an audition for a new Karen and hires Phyllis. Karen, however sees how happy he is with her replacement and demands that they remain together even after her wedding.

In the final scene, Jack and Karen gracefully dance from his apartment to the elevator.

Cast[]

Main[]

Guest[]

Bobby Cannavale (Vince)
Amy Farrington (Phyllis)
Adrienne Alitowski (Woman)

Notes[]

The episode aired on April Fools' Day 2004, hence the jokes in the first scene.
Title is a play on the famous Hollywood dancing duo Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.
Vince's obsession with his hair is referenced.
Will mentions that Grace that she hates the word "panties". He also mentions her missing her SATs to wait for warm donuts at Winchell's Donuts. However Winchell's is a chain with location only in the western US, not New York state where Grace lived and would have taken the SATs.
Debra Messing is heavily pregnant at the time of filming that she had to wear a poncho to cover her bump.

Cultural references[]

Will saw the 2004 Broadway revival of the musical Fiddler on the Roof with Vince.
Jack claims that his grandfather was one of the first ballerinas to land on the beach at Normandy on D-Day, which he humorously claims stands for "Dance Day".
Jack changes the name of Phyllis to "Angie Dickinson... or Dicky Angenson" after the movie star.
Karen mentions going to the famous 70s nightclub Studio 54 known for its celebrity guest lists and open club drug use. Liza Minelli was a regular at the club.

Quotes[]

Wilma, I saw you and your new boyfriend last night at the theater. Between the Jews on stage and the homos in the audience, it was like paying 100 bucks to hang out here. — Karen, comparing the theater and Will and Grace's apartment

Jack:	You look handsome.
Will:	Thank you.
Jack:	April fool's. Ahehehe.
Will:	You got me. You are so clever.
Jack:	Thank you.
Will:	April fool's.

Some people were born to dance. You were born to drink. — Jack, to Karen

Every healthy relationship between a gay man and a straight woman has a sell-by date. Do you really want to end up like Will and Grace? — Karen, ending her relationship with Jack

Will:	We went to see the revival "Fiddler on the Roof." And we shared a box of Fiddle Faddle. And so I said, "Hey, it's too bad we're not eating this on the roof, 'cause then it would be "Fiddle Faddle on the Roof."
Jack:	Please keep that to yourself. The religious right already hates us enough.

Just the thought of another woman spanking your fruity booty in a platonic fashion sickens me. That heinie's miney! — Karen, jealous of Phyllis