
In the season 3 episode 'The Definition of Marriage' of the TV show 'Will & Grace', Grace marries James, who is Will's boyfriend, to prevent his deportation. The wedding ceremony is a surprise organised by Karen, with Hall & Oates performing and James serenading Will with Stevie Wonder's 'As'. The marriage is short-lived as James's cruel behaviour comes to light in the following episode, and the marriage is quickly annulled.
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What You'll Learn

James serenades Will with Stevie Wonder's 'As'
In the episode "The Definition of Marriage" of Will & Grace, Grace marries James to prevent him from getting deported and to let him pursue a relationship with Will. During the wedding ceremony, James serenades Will with Stevie Wonder's song "As". However, he later admits that he was high on one of Karen's drugs and does not recall the event or even know the song's lyrics.
James's character meets Will in the episode "Von Trapped" at a screening for Memoirs of a Geisha, which Will mistook for a Sound of Music sing-along. They hit it off but didn't see each other again until a chance encounter in Los Angeles, where they fell in love.
The wedding ceremony in "The Definition of Marriage" also featured a performance by Hall and Oates. The episode first aired in 2006 and is the 204th episode overall.
In a separate but similar incident, Stevie Wonder serenaded James Corden's wife on the Late Late Show. Wonder sang "I just called, to say, James loves you," over the phone to Corden's wife, who listened in surprise. Corden joked that he was getting a lot of "brownie points" for the gesture.
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Hall & Oates perform 'Maneater' and 'Private Eyes'
In the Will & Grace episode "The Definition of Marriage", Hall & Oates perform Maneater and Private Eyes at Grace Adler and James Hanson's wedding. The episode, which aired in 2006, sees Grace preparing for her green card marriage to her Canadian boyfriend, James. Her friend, Will Truman, is also involved in the wedding preparations.
Hall & Oates are an American musical duo, with Daryl Hall singing lead vocals and John Oates playing electric guitar and providing backing vocals. In the episode, they perform two of their songs: Maneater (1982) and Private Eyes (1981).
As Grace walks down the aisle, Hall & Oates begin to sing Maneater. However, as James and Will want to share a private moment, the duo switch to performing Private Eyes.
The episode also includes references to Hall & Oates' longevity in the music industry, with one of the characters, Karen Walker, claiming that she did Jell-O shots with them in the 70s or 80s.
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James's cruel behaviour ends his relationship with Will
James and Will's relationship starts off well, with the two hitting it off when they first meet. However, James's true colours are revealed in the episode "Grace Expectations", where it is discovered that he has acted cruelly towards a disabled nurse and abandoned his handicapped boyfriend. This behaviour sours their relationship, and Will ends things with James.
James first meets Will in the episode "Von Trapped", where the pair get on well. They don't see each other again until they have a chance encounter in Los Angeles, where they fall for each other. Will's friend Grace agrees to marry James to prevent his deportation, allowing him to stay in the US and pursue a relationship with Will.
The wedding ceremony takes place in the episode "The Definition of Marriage", where James serenades Will with the Stevie Wonder song "As". James later admits that he was high on drugs at the time and doesn't remember the event.
Despite the romantic start to their relationship, it is soon revealed that James has a history of cruel behaviour. In the episode "Grace Expectations", it comes to light that James has mistreated a disabled nurse and abandoned a handicapped boyfriend. This behaviour is understandably upsetting to Will, who ends their relationship.
The sudden end to James and Will's relationship left many fans feeling disappointed, with some expressing that they wished the relationship had been given more time to develop. Despite this, the cruel behaviour exhibited by James towards those in vulnerable positions is inexcusable, and it is understandable that Will would choose to end their relationship as a result.
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James's wedding vow mentions Grace's red hair
In the Will & Grace episode "The Definition of Marriage", Grace marries James to prevent his deportation. During the ceremony, James serenades Will with Stevie Wonder's "As", a song that is also featured in actor Taye Diggs's 1999 film The Best Man.
James's wedding vow to Grace includes a mention of her distinctive red hair:
> It's a kind of red that you really don't see that often, outside the Raggedy family.
Referencing the Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy dolls traditionally made with red yarn hair, James's vow acknowledges the uniqueness of Grace's hair colour.
The episode also features a surprise wedding ceremony thrown by Karen, with Hall & Oates performing and Grace's mother Bobbi in attendance. Despite feeling indifferent about the wedding, Grace goes through with it, and James officially becomes an American by marrying her.
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James's family history of serious alcoholism
James, played by Taye Diggs, mentions that his family has a history of "serious alcoholism". This is revealed in the episode "The Definition of Marriage", where Grace and James get married so that James can avoid deportation.
James's family history of alcoholism could be a significant factor in his life and a potential source of personal struggle. Alcoholism is a disease that can have devastating consequences on individuals and families. It is a chronic condition characterized by a preoccupation with alcohol and a loss of control over consumption, leading to negative impacts on health, relationships, and social functioning.
Growing up in a family with a history of alcoholism can have lasting impacts on an individual's life. It is possible that James experienced a tumultuous childhood, witnessing the negative effects of alcoholism firsthand within his family. This may have included observing family members struggling with addiction, the associated emotional and behavioural changes, and the potential consequences such as legal, financial, or health problems.
The impact of a family history of alcoholism can manifest in various ways. James may have internalized the stress and trauma of witnessing a loved one struggle with addiction. This could have influenced his own attitudes and behaviours towards alcohol and potentially increased his risk for developing similar problems. It is also possible that he experienced feelings of shame, guilt, or embarrassment due to the perceived family secret or stigma associated with alcoholism.
Additionally, a family history of alcoholism can disrupt family dynamics and stability. James may have experienced a chaotic home environment, parental neglect, or even abuse due to the presence of alcoholism in the family. This could have impacted his sense of security, trust, and emotional well-being. It may have also influenced his interpersonal relationships and ability to form secure attachments.
The revelation of James's family history of alcoholism adds depth to his character and provides insight into potential personal challenges he may be facing. It is a significant issue that could have far-reaching consequences and may have influenced his relationships, behaviours, and overall well-being.
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Frequently asked questions
A: The episode is called "The Definition of Marriage".
A: Grace marries James to prevent him from getting deported so he can pursue a relationship with Will.
A: James sings Stevie Wonder's "As" to Will, which was also featured in actor Taye Diggs's 1999 film "The Best Man".
A: Hall & Oates perform at the wedding.






















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