Sean Hayes: More Than Just Jack 
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Actress Debra Messing (Grace) is out sick again this week, so "Will & Grace" is still on temporary hiatus from taping. But -- as a preview to my set visit -- I tracked down her co-star, Sean Hayes (Jack), to ask him about his phenomenal success on the series and the glamour of Hollywood. You Don't Know Jack
Sean Hayes is sitting in a broken down U-Haul truck on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles. He is helping a friend move today -- or was, until the truck decided to stop working. It's rush-hour traffic and everyone is honking because the U-Haul is blocking the lane.  "It was a nightmare," Hayes tells me later. "It was all messed up." It sounds like something that would happen to his television alter-ego Jack McFarland on the mega-hit NBC comedy "Will & Grace." But no one on Melrose was laughing. As for "Will & Grace," America just can't tune in enough. Will, Grace And Don't Forget Karen
Will Truman (Eric McCormick) and Grace Adler (Messing) are perfect for each other. But, there's a slight problem in the romance department -- Will is gay and Grace is straight. The show explores the relationship of these two successful New Yorkers as they deal with life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Jack McFarland (Hayes) is Will's best guy friend. Colorful and caustic, Jack puts the spike into the Will-and-Grace punch. Jack is both quick and funny, and the fact that Jack is gay adds to his appeal.  Grace's ultra-rich and outrageous assistant Karen Walker (Megan Mullally) rounds out the cast of characters. She is sugar and spice, but far from nice. And that makes her one of our favorites, too. The four pals stumble through scenarios that would only happen to you and your friends (well, maybe your friends aren't as nuts as mine …). It is a sensational show with wide-spread appeal -- proven in demographic pull, ratings and critical acclaim. Jack Attack
Hayes himself has become somewhat of an icon. Insiders say he is now the Peacock network's most requested star for interviews and appearances. His manager typically receives 80 publicity requests a day. In the coming weeks, Hayes is scheduled to appear in GQ, People Magazine, and Vanity Fair. And in the last couple of months, you might have also caught him on "Letterman," "The Tonight Show," "Roseanne," "Rosie O'Donnell Show," and "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" among others. Hayes is like Visa -- he's "everywhere you want to be." Oprahland, USA
Hayes grew up in Glen Ellyn, a suburb outside of Chicago. He enjoyed early success in the Chicago theater community, including a stint with the famed Second City improvisational group. But it in 1995, he moved to Los Angeles with several friends to be closer to the action.  His star turn came when he landed the title role in the Trimark picture "Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss." The film received critical praise at the Sundance Film Festival and gave Hayes' career the momentum it needed.
Soon after, while working on the East Coast, he was offered the chance to audition in Los Angeles for the character of "Will" in a new pilot called "Will & Grace." Hayes declined. Later, when he got back to Los Angeles, the producers called him to read for the part of Will's best friend, a crazy and big-hearted character named Jack. This time, he agreed to read for the part. Sean vs. Jack
As it often happens to television people, fans confuse Hayes with his character. But he says that he doesn't mind being confused with the nutty and energetic Jack. "I think Jack is a nice person, but I'm really not like Jack at all," he tells me. "I don't go out, party or anything. I don't have as much energy as he does!" Just Sean
 Remember that group of friends who moved with him from Chicago? They're still very close, and Hayes finds that both his friends and his family keep him grounded. There is no star treatment at the Hayes house. "Last year, when my mom found out that I was coming home for Christmas, she said, 'Good, you can help wrap presents.' When I got home, there were about 500 presents waiting to be wrapped -- all covered with Post-It notes." Things never change with Mom, even when you are a television star. Hayes' stock is sky-high in Hollywood and he has enjoyed tremendous success in a short period of time. But today, Hayes isn't on a glitzy talk show or schmoozing with Hollywood types at Morton's. He's in a U-Haul on Melrose because he's promised a friend he'd help her move. "Everything is fine now," he says. "She's all settled in." And maybe, that's why America has fallen in love with him. Hayes is a really nice guy -- albeit ultra-talented -- but a nice guy all the same. Fan Sites: What's The Buzz? Ford Model Agency and the Tommy Hilfiger Color Collection launched a national model search in Beverly Hills on Oct. 14. The nine-city search is looking for women ages 18-25 who are "on the cutting edge of fashion and style, but who represent diversity and independence." Unfortunately, many of the women I know who represent "diversity and independence" don't have time to show up for a model search -- they're too busy in law school. Folk singers Peter, Paul, & Mary did their part in remembering slain college student Matthew Sheppard. The singers led the memorial service that marked the one-year anniversary of Sheppard's brutal murder in Wyoming. He was allegedly killed because he was gay. Oscar winner Nicholas Cage is bent out of shape (but not hurt) after a fender-bender in Burbank this week. The actor's chauffeur-driven Bentley had a "Face-Off" with a Toyota on his way to a taping of "The Tonight Show." But, while no one was injured, we can't say the same about the cars. On a personal note, this week's column is dedicated to T.T., a phenomenal woman. I'll explain later ... Next Column: - The sexy Pam Grier talks about Warren Beatty's run for Prez and reveals why she still mows the lawn.
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