Debra Messing: We tried doing an I Love Lucy homage during Will & Grace's first run

Entertainment Weekly

"I believe, you know, 20 years ago when we were talking about things we wanted to do for fun on the show besides the live episodes, we talked about a live musical episode, and then someone also brought up I Love Lucy, and it was made very clear immediately that that would never be an option," Messing says in discussing tonight's I Love Lucy tribute. She adds: "Because of the rights. Lucie Arnaz and her brother (Desi Arnaz Jr.) have rights to everything, obviously, and they have never in their lives given anybody the permission to replicate any of the iconic scenes that are so, so precious to so many people. So we were just beside ourselves when we heard that Lucie Arnaz had given us permission, and was actually going to participate as well, which was obviously the icing on the cake. I think I actually started to tear up when we got the news because I just, I couldn't believe it. It really, it meant so much to me personally, it was an incredibly emotional experience, and it just felt like the ultimate gift for our last season."