Reception
"Grace, Replaced" brought in 12.9 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 9.6 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 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".
The episode received generally positive reception. Alan Sepinwall and Matt Zoller Seitz of The Star-Ledger were complimentary towards "Grace, Replaced", writing that the episode "is a winner, packed with witty dialogue." 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 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'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 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 . Someday soon she'll have her own sitcom. Bet on it." Tom Feran of The Plain Dealer reported that Shannon's appearance on the show would make "a good introduction for viewers curious about Will & Grace." The Boston Globe's Matthew Gilbert enjoyed the actress in "Grace, Replaced", writing that she is appealing as the Grace replacement.
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“Satire is a sort of glass, wherein beholders do generally discover everybody’s face but their own; which is the chief reason for that kind of reception it meets in the world, and that so very few are offended with it.”
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