Lorraine Finster

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Lorraine Finster (played by Minnie Driver) is a fictional character created on the television show Will & Grace, appearing in seasons 5 and 6 of the show.

First appearing in season 5 in the "Homojo" episode, Lorraine was cattily known as the British Tart who stole Karen Walker's husband Stanley from her, whilst working in the cafeteria of a white collar prison, despite her already being involved with a handsome embezzler.

Lorraine's second crime against Karen was befriending Jack McFarland. The friendship saw an instant bond between the two and revealed Lorraine was once a stripper. However Jack inadvertently revealed the friendship to Karen prompting an angry showdown between the two:

Jack: "So it's.... it's okay?"

Karen: "Oh cutie! Of course it is! Come here you!"

(Karen walks towards Jack arms outstretched, but instead of hugging Jack she puts him in a head lock)

Karen shouts: "You back-stabbing boy bitch! You are NEVER NEVER to see her again, do you hear me? You stay away from that London hog or I'll put fish hooks in your nipples and fly you off the Chrysler building, you got that?!"

(Karen throws Jack on the floor and puts one foot on him)

Karen(sighing): "Why do you make me do this to you?"

Jack continued to see Lorraine forcing Karen to make him choose, which resulted in Jack staying loyal to his friend Karen. Karen angrily announced to Lorraine "You listen to me little missy - you may have taken my steer, but I'll be damned if you'll take my queer."

[edit] Stanley's funeral

Lorraine's next appearance was in the penultimate episode of the season at the funeral of Stanley Walker. (Stanley was later revealed to be alive and that the ashes being scattered in the last episode were dust and rice krispies. At the funeral Karen greets Lorraine with the usual contempt commenting on being able to see her English Muffin, but finds her more than a match with a retort about her Yankee Doodles.

Karen is revealed as the beneficiary of Stanley's will after a bitter fight and after the funeral Lorraine is escorted from Karen's home, but not before being relieved of various jewelery hidden on her person, a necklace down her top, a parcel of jewels up her dress and a 'diamond tiara up my bum'.

[edit] Lorraine vs. Karen - Woman Overboard

As Karen bids farewell to Stanleys ashes, Lorraine appears onboard having stowed away with the driver. She brings Stanley's 'sweet 16' toupee and then demands some of Stan's money from Karen 'the drunken sea-hag'. After Karen refuses to hand over any money, Lorraine then fights with Karen and throws her overboard with Rosario following.

Lorraine is not seen onboard again and it is unknown how she escaped from the vessel.

Lorraine also had a dog called Chompers, which was given to Diane (played by Mira Sorvino)(Will's only female lover, in Season 6 episode 2, "Last Ex to Brooklyn".) Chompers was discovered living off of bits of turkey in Stans trouser cuffs having been abandoned by Lorraine in Season 5. Karen wanted to keep the dog but it reminded her of Lorraine as 'she used to sit on the couch and gnaw at her ass too'.

[edit] Lorraine and Lyle

Lorraine and Karen meet again in 'The Accidental Tsuris" when Lorraine discovers that Karen has been in contact with her father Lyle Finster (played by John Cleese), who has being pursuing her with vigor.

Karen: I've looked all over for you. Where the hell have you been?

Lorraine: In the chorus line of Taboo, the new Boy George musical.

Karen: (suddenly conversational) You know, that's funny. I was going to go see that last week when I was at the 2-for booth, but saw Little Shop instead.

Lorraine:(enthusiastically) How was it?

Karen: I felt the plant phoned it in.

Lorraine warns Karen away from her father, only for Karen to seduce him and leave a trail for Lorraine to find them. Lyle then chooses Karen over Lorraine in what he calls a difficult decision "second only to deciding whether to raise you as a boy or a girl", hinting at a hermaphroditic past for Lorraine.

[edit] Lorraine and Karen befriended

When Lorraine shows up at the Manse with her career in Taboo over and 'literally naked under this coat'. Karen agrees to let her stay there on the condition that a percentage of her prostitution earnings go to the house. Lorraine and Karen bicker forcing Lyle to leave Karen and for Lorraine to get them back together, becoming friends with Karen in the process. The relationship between the two appears to be very much a love-hate one, with a certain degree of respect between the two for each other as strong women. However rivalry and loathing were the origins of the friendship with neither wanting to give in to the other.