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Last year, the revival went better than even the most optimistic NBC exec might have imagined.
It felt more seamless than I thought.
We sit in the same chairs around a table, as we did 11 years ago.
Mutchnick: I just look at this like it was a ten-year hiatus.
But the show never went away.
You were basically defrosting the show after years in storage.
Defrosting is actually a good way of putting it.
Now we actually have to cook them.
Mutchnick: To use a sports analogy, this season we needed to move the volleyball down the field.
[Pause] I hope that registered as a joke.
Karens gotten divorced …
Mutchnick: And Wills going to meet somebody.
I think we can tell you that its Matt Bomer.
Is it a tough balancing act to change those dynamics?
Youre alreadyrenewed for a season three, since your former bossBob Greenblattgave you early pick-ups.
But Bob gave us a luxury that you dont get when you make these shows anymore.
Having that is an incredible gift from Bob Greenblatt, whos the No.
1 reason that all of this has worked out.
Fear about ratings is one reason why creators like Ryan Murphy say theyre signing up with Netflix or Amazon.
Theres nothing to gain from reading those tea leaves.
I honestly give a shot to avoid them.
Mutchnick: The truth is, it doesnt matter for us because we are not motivated by it.
Its never driven us to work less hard or harder, right?
That wiring is already in place the withholding mothers do that for you.
]We dont need ratings to make us deliver the best product we can every week.
She doesnt know it.
Im the one in the dark.
I cant decide if its better or worse.
And I think, But is it better?
There wasnt really social media whenWill & Gracewas first on the air.
Now you get instant feedback to every episode, every scene, every joke.
Does that make a difference in what ends up on screen?Mutchnick: It doesnt for me.
I judge how well the shows doing off of that studio audience.
Maybe its antiquated, but its the way I judge how well the shows doing.
Sometimes I find it instructive and helpful, just in terms of what people really responded to.
That can be instructive, actually.
Theres one power hitter that we have thats new,John Quaintance.
Kohan: But hes worked with us on a number of shows.
He knows our voices.Suzanne Martinis new, but shes not.
Shes so skilled and such a veteran.
Shes become a key voice in the room.
Mutchnick: The rest of the staff was with us from the beginning.
Kohan: Their sweat is in this.
They have a sense of ownership of these characters just like we do.
Culture has changed a lot in the decade you were away.
Gay people kissing each other used to be a big deal for TV, and now its pretty standard.
Kohan: As you do.
Mutchnick: As boys do when they shower together.
We have these two gay men taking a shower together and nobody made mention of it.
No one at the web link, no one from the writing room, and none of the actors.
Two guys talking about their relationship while taking a shower?
Whats your reaction toHollywood going crazy with revivals?
Since NBC gave the go-ahead to your show, weve had new versions ofRoseanneandMurphy Brown.
ABC is developing a newDesigning Women.
Fox broughtLast Man Standingback from the dead.
Is this a good thing?Mutchnick: Im all for it.
The more of this, the better.
Theres room for everyone, and if people respond, whats the bad in it?
Kohan: I never thought of us being the vanguard of any kind of movement here.
Why would we do that?
The novelty has worn off.
Then it occurred to me that it isnt about the novelty.
Its about the comfort of it.
Its about the familiarity.
Theres something very comforting about this show, for the fans of it.
Mutchnick: Or all these shows.
We were filming a show that week.
Did the show ever make reference to 9/11?Mutchnick: No.
Kohan: I dont know how you make any kind of response to 9/11 funny.
Mutchnick: There just are areas that we cant touch.
9/11 is an obvious one.
Princess Dianas death was another one.
And its a big swing for us.
So, were taking that on.
You got political in a few episodes last season.
Whats it like making comedy in the Trump era?Kohan: Its difficult.
With this administration, the divisions in the country are real.
These are absolutely tragic circumstances, you know?
But the essential [nature] of this administration is funny.
I mean, if it wasnt so awful, it does feel like a Keystone cop situation.
The biggest buffoonish joke, the least qualified person, becomes president?
Mutchnick: We [shot] an episode last night where we built the wall on our set.
Mrs. Walker bought a portion of the wall.
Oh, Lord.Mutchnick: We tell a story at the wall in El Paso, Texas.
Were not giving too much away, but she does end up in jail with an immigrant.
So in that sense, its a little bit more political.
Mutchnick: I actually think we deal with Trump a lot less this season.
We talk more about how the world is impacting these characters.
Kohan: Right, but we know who looms over it.
Because of the early order, you shoot your episodes well before they air.
Does that make it more difficult to do topical humor?
Or do you just have to think ahead?
Kohan: But we do have anA Star Is Bornjoke!
What can you tell us about it?Mutchnick: Right now, we are writing towards a wedding.
It says on the board in the writers room, The Wedding but it doesnt say whose.
If we knew, maybe wed tell you!
So its not Jacks wedding?Kohan: Jack is engaged …
Mutchnick: … but someone loves Grace.
Someone is going to love Will.
And Karen is dating a serious person.
NBC has announced a ton of guest stars for the new season.
Anyone else you want to tell me about?Mutchnick: Leslie Jordan is back.
Molly Shannon is coming back.
Is there anyone still left on your wish list?Kohan: Honestly, no.
I have very little interest in stunt casting.
Thats not something that excites us.
Mutchnick: But I wouldnt kick Michelle Obama out of bed.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
