Why do you think NBC never scheduled Will and Grace directly after Friends. I mean it would have made sense and increased W&G's viewership. Everything after Friends lost viewers then Will and Grace aired and viewership went up. I

NBC mostly used the post-Friends slot to prop up borderline shows. Will & Grace never needed it - it was a self-starter.

NBC needed an anchor at 9:00pm once Frasier moved back to Tuesdays