Lionsgate and NBC Universal Television Distribution to Release Series Finale of Iconic TV Show 'Will & Grace' Twelve Days After Its Premiere Network Airing

Lionsgate and NBC Universal Television Distribution to Release Series Finale of Iconic TV Show 'Will & Grace' Twelve Days After Its Premiere Network Airing

WILL & GRACE SERIES FINALE

Last Episode of This Award-Winning Show Will Air May 18; Series Finale DVD to Hit Stores and NBCUniversalStore.com on May 30

SANTA MONICA, Calif., May 8 /PRNewswire/ -- NBC's hit comedy series "Will & Grace" may be coming to an end in May, but fans of the critically-acclaimed TV show will soon be able to own the final episode. Lionsgate (NYSE:LGF) Toronto, the leading independent filmed entertainment studio, and NBC Universal Television Distribution, are following the releases of the first four seasons of this innovative series on DVD, by offering viewers a piece of television history -- the DVD release of the WILL & GRACE SERIES FINALE, just twelve days after its premiere on television. Lionsgate will soon follow with the fifth season on DVD, to be released later this year.

This 45-minute, unforgettable episode which brings the multiple storylines to a close will have viewers laughing and crying along with the Emmy(R) Award-winning cast, including Debra Messing, Eric McCormack, Megan Mullally and Sean Hayes. Currently in its eighth season, "Will & Grace" will air its last episode on May 18, 2006, and the WILL & GRACE SERIES FINALE DVD will be released on May 30, 2006 for the suggested retail price of $9.98. Special features on the WILL & GRACE SERIES FINALE DVD include cast and crew interviews and a behind-the-scenes featurette produced exclusively for this release. The featurette and interviews will be filmed during the last weeks of production on the ground-breaking sitcom, following the cast from their first table-read of the script, through rehearsals and the final taping of the show.

The wildly popular "Will & Grace" has remained one of television's highest-rated comedies during its eight year run. The series is the recipient of 12 Emmy(R) Awards including Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actor/Actress in a Comedy Series (McCormack/Messing) and Outstanding Supporting Actor/Actress in a Comedy Series (Hayes/Mullally). Furthermore, the show has won an additional 26 awards from organizations as varied as SAG (Screen Actors Guild), People's Choice Awards and GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation). The Chicago Tribune declared, "The show has always been funny, often as laugh-out-loud funny as anything else seen on TV," while TV Guide said the show, " ... sparkles with snappy dialogue."

"The final episode of 'Will and Grace' marks the end of an era," said Steve Beeks, President, Lionsgate. "While the show's success can be measured in so many ways -- awards, ratings, longevity, acclaim -- it is really about the ability of the viewers to identify and relate to the characters that made us want to tune in each week. We are well aware that this final episode will become an instant must-have piece of television history, and we jumped at the opportunity to be able to bring it to DVD so soon after its television airing."

ABOUT "WILL & GRACE"

The hilariously clever "Will & Grace" features gay lawyer, Will (McCormack), and his interior designer best friend, Grace (Messing), on their journey to find friendship and love in all the wrong places. To make things even more interesting, Grace's sarcastic and spoiled assistant, Karen (Mullally), and Will's flamboyant and sassy friend, Jack (Hayes), are added into the mix, as well as numerous celebrity guest appearances.

Having first aired in 1998, "Will & Grace" has received both ratings success and critical acclaim. It has maintained its status as one of the top comedies during NBC's "Must See TV" Thursday lineup. To date, the show has been nominated for 73 Emmy(R) Awards, 27 Golden Globe(R) Awards, 17 SAG Awards, 12 People's Choice Awards, eight GLAAD Media Awards, two TV Guide Awards and one Directors Guild Award. It has also been nominated for seven Television Critics Association Awards, six American Comedy Awards and five Producers Guild Awards. In 2005, "Will & Grace" tied for being one of the most nominated series of the season and received its highest number of Emmy(R) nominations (15) in one year. Also, all four primary cast members have won Emmy(R) Awards for their roles, which makes "Will & Grace" the third show in television history to achieve such an accomplishment.

Emmy(R) Award winners David Kohan and Max Mutchnick are the creators and executive producers of "Will & Grace." James Burrows (NBC's "Frasier," "Friends") serves as director and executive producer, while Gary Janetti, Tracy Poust, Jon Kinnally and Tim Kaiser are executive producers and showrunners. "Will & Grace" is a production of KoMut Entertainment, in association with NBC Universal Studios and Three Sisters Entertainment.

ABOUT LIONSGATE

Lionsgate is the leading independent filmed entertainment studio. Fresh off the number one box office hits MADEA'S FAMILY REUNION, HOSTEL and SAW II and the Best Picture Academy Award (R)-winning CRASH, Lionsgate is a premier producer and distributor of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment and video-on-demand content. Its prestigious and prolific library is a valuable source of stable, recurring revenue and is a foundation for the growth of the Company's core businesses. The Lionsgate brand name is synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the globe. For more information, visit www.lionsgate.com.

ABOUT NBC UNIVERSAL TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION

NBC Universal is a leader in providing entertainment programming to the domestic and international marketplaces. Its NBC Universal Television Distribution division is responsible for the global distribution of NBC Universal product to all forms of television throughout the world.

This includes distribution of current and library film and television product in the pay, free and basic markets, as well as the domestic syndication of first-run syndicated TV programs and theatrical and TV movie packages. NBC Universal's vast library of theatrical and television titles includes more than 4,000 feature films and more than 40,000 episodes of television programming. NBC Universal's world-class filmed entertainment library offers customers a compelling selection of titles, including such contemporary hit feature films as DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS, THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS, THE MUMMY RETURNS, and BRUCE ALMIGHTY, as well as classics including the Academy Award(R)-winning ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT (1929), TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (1962), THE DEER HUNTER (1978) and SCHINDLER'S LIST (1993). NBC Universal's library is also home to some of pop culture's most popular classic television programs, including Magnum, P.I., Miami Vice, The A-Team, Alfred Hitchock Presents, Murder, She Wrote and Columbo.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Elizabeth Atler Jodie Magid/Jennifer Sandler
Bender/Helper Impact Lionsgate
212.689.6360, elizabeth_atler@bhimpact.com 212.386.6885/310.255.4072

Katrina Florence
NBC Universal Television Distribution
818.777.3233, Katrina.Florence@nbcuni.com

WILL & GRACE SERIES FINALE DVD SPECIFICS
Street Date: May 30, 2006
Order Date: May 3, 2006
Feature Run Time: 45 minutes
Rating: N/A
DVD SRP: $9.98
DVD Catalog #: 19392
DVD SPECIAL FEATURES*:
- "The Last Words" featurette -- Interviews with the cast
- "The Final Bow" featurette -- Go behind the scenes to experience
the final moments of the show

* DVD special features subject to change.

Source: Lionsgate

CONTACT: Elizabeth Atler of Bender/Helper Impact, +1-212-689-6360,
elizabeth_atler@bhimpact.com, for Lionsgate; or Jodie Magid, +1-212-386-6885,
or Jennifer Sandler, +1-310-255-4072, both of Lionsgate; or Katrina Florence
of NBC Universal Television Distribution, +1-818-777-3233,
Katrina.Florence@nbcuni.com

Web site: http://www.lionsgate.com/
http://www.nbcuniversalstore.com/

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