"Grace, Replaced" is the eighteenth episode of the first season of the American television series Will & Grace. It was written by Katie Palmer and directed by series producer James Burrows. The episode originally aired on NBC in the United States on April 8, 1999. Actors Molly Shannon, Leigh-Allyn Baker, and Tom Gallop guest starred on "Grace, Replaced".
In the episode, Grace's (Debra Messing) job forces her to work overtime, which leads to Will (Eric McCormack) feeling neglected. As a result, he seeks solace in the company of a new neighbor, Val (Shannon). Meanwhile, Jack (Sean Hayes) is annoyed that he has to perform community service for assaulting a meter maid.
Before the airing, NBC moved the program to Thursdays at 8:30 p.m., after it was a success in the Tuesday lineup. This was Palmer's first written episode, and was Burrows' 18th directed episode. It originally aired on NBC in the United States on April 8, 1999. Before the airing of the episode, it was confirmed that actress Molly Shannon would guest star as Val, a new neighbor in Will and Grace's apartment building. This episode would be Shannon's first appearance on the show, with her later guest starring in the episodes "Girls, Interrupted", "Last of the Really Odd Lovers", "Fagel Attraction", and "One Gay at a Time".
Reception
thumb|right|upright|[[Molly Shannon guest starred in the episode. Her appearance was well received by critics.]]
"Grace, Replaced" brought in 19.1 million American viewers upon its original broadcast in the United States, and making it the seventh highest-rated show during the week of April 5–11, 1999. Originally, Will & Grace aired on Mondays, but due to insufficient viewership, NBC decided to move the program to Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m., which was a success as viewers tuned in. The network then changed the time slot from Tuesdays to Thursdays at 8:30 p.m., between Friends and Frasier, with this episode becoming a success as it attracted its highest audience ratings of the season. The previous episode, "Secrets and Lays", was watched by 13.3 million viewers. Many believed this decision was a good one, with a contributor of The Buffalo News commenting that the time slot change suggested that NBC felt that Will & Grace had a better chance of becoming a success than the current sitcom Jesse. In a report in The Star-Ledger it said that the decision of Will & Grace airing on Thursdays was a good benefit on behalf of NBC as the program was "the only watchable comedy". Monica Collins of the Boston Herald said that the episode "is one of the best of the series so far". The Dallas Morning News writer Ed Bark noted that "Grace, Replaced" was "another energetic, generally amusing" episode. Bark, in regards to Jack and Karen, said that the two together "sometimes are almost more than the scenery can bear." Aaron Barnhart for The Kansas City Star called the episode riotous, and said that the show "with [its] pop-culture jokes delivered at blistering speed, outsized performances from 'supporting' players Sean Hayes and Megan Mullally, and a camaraderie between platonic pals Eric McCormack and Debra Massing that would make even Plato blush." Ted Cox of the Daily Herald was less positive about the episode, reporting that this episode "looked like more of the same", recounting the show's past story lines, and past NBC programs. Chicago Tribune<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Steve Johnson opined that the episode "starts strong and then goes awry [...] It's funny for a while [...] But then it takes it to a ludicrous level, selling out its own internal logic by conspiring to put [Molly] Shannon and Messing into a ... catfight. At its best this series works a groove of pop-culture savvy; this visit from The Three Stooges by way of Dynasty will have you rolling your eyes in dismay."
Critics praised Shannon's performance in the episode. Bark wrote, "...the talented Ms. Shannon is winningly glossy and brassy [in this episode]. Someday soon she'll have her own sitcom. Bet on it." The Boston Globe<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Matthew Gilbert enjoyed the actress in "Grace, Replaced", writing that she is appealing as the Grace replacement.