View source for 30 Rock

{{Short description|American television sitcom (2006–2013)}}
{{about|the television series|the skyscraper and the series namesake|30 Rockefeller Plaza}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox television
| image                = 30Rock logo.svg
| alt                  = Black background with yellow and white block lettering.
| genre                = {{unbulleted list|[[Sitcom]]|[[Satire]]|[[Farce]]}}
| creator              = [[Tina Fey]]
| showrunner           = Tina Fey<br>[[Robert Carlock]]
| starring             = {{unbulleted list|Tina Fey|[[Tracy Morgan]]|[[Jane Krakowski]]|[[Jack McBrayer]]|[[Scott Adsit]]|[[Judah Friedlander]]|[[Alec Baldwin]]|[[Katrina Bowden]]|[[Keith Powell]]|[[Lonny Ross]]|[[Kevin Brown (actor)|Kevin Brown]]|[[Grizz Chapman]]|[[Maulik Pancholy]]|[[John Lutz]]}}
| composer             = [[Jeff Richmond]]
| country              = United States
| language             = English
| num_seasons          = 7
| num_episodes         = 139
| list_episodes        = List of 30 Rock episodes
| executive_producer   = {{unbulleted list|[[Lorne Michaels]]|Tina Fey|[[Marci Klein]]|[[David Miner (television producer)|David Miner]]|[[JoAnn Alfano]]|Robert Carlock|Jeff Richmond|[[John Riggi]]|[[Jack Burditt]]}}
| producer             = {{unbulleted list|Alec Baldwin|[[Jerry Kupfer]]|[[Don Scardino]]}}
| editor               = Ken Eluto
| location             = {{Plainlist|
*  [[Silvercup Studios]]
* [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]]
}}
| camera               = {{unbulleted list|[[Single-camera setup|Single-camera]] (137 episodes)|[[Multiple-camera setup|Multi-camera]] (2 episodes)}}
| runtime              = 22 minutes
| company              = {{unbulleted list|[[Broadway Video]]|[[Little Stranger (film company)|Little Stranger, Inc.]]|[[Universal Television]]}}
| network              = [[NBC]]
| first_aired          = {{Start date|2006|10|11}}
| last_aired           = {{End date|2013|01|31}}
| first_aired2         = {{Start date|2020|07|16}} (special)
}}
'''''30 Rock''''' is<!--Do not change this to "was"; we continue using "is" after a TV show concludes.--> an American [[satire|satirical]] [[sitcom]] television series created by [[Tina Fey]] that originally aired on [[NBC]] from October 11, 2006, to January 31, 2013. The series, based on Fey's experiences as head writer for ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'', takes place behind the scenes of a fictional live [[sketch comedy]] show depicted as airing on NBC. The series's name refers to [[30 Rockefeller Plaza]] in New York City, where the [[NBC Studios (New York City)|NBC Studios]] are located and where ''Saturday Night Live'' is written, produced, and performed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/09/19/Scene/Rock-Solid.Comedy.Shines.In.First.Season-2976690.shtml |title=Rock Solid Comedy Shines in First Season |access-date=August 3, 2008 |author=Belek, Cassie |date=September 19, 2007 |work=The Observer |location=UK |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206021522/http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/09/19/Scene/Rock-Solid.Comedy.Shines.In.First.Season-2976690.shtml |archive-date=December 6, 2008 }}</ref> The series was produced by [[Lorne Michaels]]'s [[Broadway Video]] (which also produces ''Saturday Night Live'') and Fey's [[Little Stranger (film company)|Little Stranger]], in association with [[NBCUniversal]].<ref name="nbcseriespress">{{cite press release | url=http://www.nbc.com/30-rock/about/ | title=About 30 Rock| publisher=[[NBC Universal]] Media Village | access-date=February 18, 2012 | archive-date=October 11, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091011082628/http://www.nbc.com/30-rock/about/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
''30 Rock'' episodes were produced in a [[single-camera setup]] (with the exception of the two [[live television|live episodes]] that were produced in the [[multiple-camera setup]])<ref name="singlecamera">{{cite news |first=Nicole |last=Laporte |title=Why don't smart comedies draw big audiences? |url=https://variety.com/2007/scene/awards/why-don-t-smart-comedies-draw-big-audiences-1117966809/ |work=Variety |date=June 12, 2007 |access-date=May 23, 2008 |archive-date=November 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114234947/https://variety.com/2007/scene/awards/why-don-t-smart-comedies-draw-big-audiences-1117966809/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and were filmed in New York.<ref name="filminglocations">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.backstage.com/bso/rossreports/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003118275 |title=New York–Based Television Programs |access-date=February 23, 2008 |date=August 24, 2006 |magazine=[[Backstage (magazine)|Backstage]]|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930014912/http://www.backstage.com/bso/rossreports/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003118275 |archive-date = September 30, 2007}}</ref><ref name="location">{{cite news |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/30-rock-location-gallery-1.93842 |title=''30 Rock'' on location |access-date=February 8, 2022|date=March 19, 2008 |work=New York Daily News| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080528134050/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/galleries/30_rock_on_location/30_rock_on_location.html| archive-date= May 28, 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> The [[Pilot (30 Rock)|pilot episode]] premiered on October 11, 2006,<ref name="premieredate">{{cite web|url=https://www.accessonline.com/articles/jane-krakowski-joins-cast-of-nbcs-30-rock-55381|title=Jane Krakowski Joins Cast Of NBC's "30 Rock"|date=August 17, 2006 |access-date=February 8, 2022|archive-date=November 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114234906/https://www.accessonline.com/articles/jane-krakowski-joins-cast-of-nbcs-30-rock-55381/|url-status=live}}</ref> and seven seasons followed. The series stars Fey with a supporting cast that includes [[Alec Baldwin]], [[Tracy Morgan]], [[Jane Krakowski]], [[Jack McBrayer]], [[Scott Adsit]], [[Judah Friedlander]], [[Katrina Bowden]], [[Keith Powell]], [[Lonny Ross]], [[John Lutz]], [[Kevin Brown (actor)|Kevin Brown]], [[Grizz Chapman]], and [[Maulik Pancholy]].<ref name="nbcseriespress" />
Tonally, ''30 Rock'' uses [[surreal humor]] to parody the complex corporate structure of NBC and its parent companies [[General Electric]] and [[Comcast]]. Described as "a live-action cartoon",<ref>{{cite web|last1=St. James|first1=Emily|title=30 Rock: "Live Show"|url=https://www.avclub.com/30-rock-live-show-1798166261|website=The A.V. Club|date=October 15, 2010|access-date=February 8, 2022|archive-date=November 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114234855/https://tv.avclub.com/30-rock-live-show-1798166261|url-status=live}}</ref> the show was influential in its extensive use of [[Cutaway (filmmaking)|cutaways]]. ''30 Rock'' won several major awards (including [[Primetime Emmy Award]]s for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series|Outstanding Comedy Series]] in [[59th Primetime Emmy Awards|2007]], [[60th Primetime Emmy Awards|2008]], and [[61st Primetime Emmy Awards|2009]] and nominations for every other year it ran) and appeared on many critics' year-end "best of" 2006–2013 lists. Over the course of the series, it was nominated for 103 Primetime Emmy Awards and won 16,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.emmys.com/shows/30-rock |title=30 Rock |work=[[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences|Television Academy]] |access-date=October 5, 2015 |archive-date=May 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515050653/http://www.emmys.com/shows/30-rock |url-status=live }}</ref> in addition to numerous other nominations and wins from other awards shows. Despite the high praise, the series struggled in the ratings throughout its run,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=6630515|title=Celebs Flock to '30 Rock' Despite Low Ratings|work=ABC News|last=Friedman|first=Emily|date=January 13, 2009|access-date=February 8, 2022|archive-date=November 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114234903/https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=6630515&page=1#.UMhVYIOvHl8|url-status=live}}</ref> something which Fey herself has made light of.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/books/2013/06/28/tina-fey-puts-on-her-big-girl-bossypants/2470177/|title=Tina Fey puts on her big-girl 'Bossypants'|work=USA Today|last=Wilson|first=Craig|date=April 4, 2011|access-date=December 12, 2012|archive-date=November 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114234950/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/books/2013/06/28/tina-fey-puts-on-her-big-girl-bossypants/2470177/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2009, [[Comedy Central]] and [[WGN America]] bought the [[Broadcast syndication|syndication]] rights to the show, which began airing on both networks on September 19, 2011;<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121015114100/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/07/09/30-rock-goes-large-in-syndication/22572/ 30 Rock Goes Large In Syndication], ''TVbytheNumbers'', July 9, 2009.</ref> the series also entered into local broadcast syndication on the same day.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Pastorek |first1=Whitney |title='30 Rock' syndication run to start in 2011 |url=https://ew.com/article/2009/07/08/nbc-sells-30-rock-offnetwork-for-syndication-beginning-2011/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=February 8, 2022 |date=July 8, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926105903/http://www.news-briefs.ew.com/2009/07/08/nbc-sells-30-rock-offnetwork-for-syndication-beginning-2011/ |archive-date=September 26, 2011}}</ref> ''30 Rock'' is regarded as a landmark series, and one of the greatest television series of all time, particularly the 21st century.<ref name="huffingtonpost"/><ref name="NA 2013">{{cite web|url=http://www.wga.org/content/default.aspx?id=4925|title=101 Best Written TV Series List|work=WGA|last=NA|first=NA|year=2013|access-date=January 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110083226/http://www.wga.org/content/default.aspx?id=4925|archive-date=January 10, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="thebacklotreview">{{cite web|url=http://www.thebacklot.com/the-best-and-worst-of-30-rock/10/2013/|title=The Best (and Worst) of "30 Rock"|work=The Backlot|last=Barns|first=Spencer|date=October 23, 2013|access-date=April 1, 2014}}</ref> [[Last Lunch|Its series finale]] in particular has been named as one of the greatest in television history by several publications.<ref name="hitfixreview">{{cite web|url=http://www.hitfix.com/galleries/15-best-series-finales-in-tv-history#1 |title=15 best series finales in TV history |work=HitFix |last=Feinberg |first=Daniel |date=October 1, 2013 |access-date=April 1, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007135214/http://www.hitfix.com/galleries/15-best-series-finales-in-tv-history |archive-date=October 7, 2013 }}</ref><ref name="IndieWireReview">{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2013/10/the-16-best-and-worst-tv-series-finales-93080/|title=The 16 Best And Worst TV Series Finales|work=IndieWire|author=The Playlist Staff|date=October 1, 2013|access-date=February 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407070211/http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/in-honor-of-breaking-bad-the-best-and-worst-series-finale-20131001?page=2#blogPostHeaderPanel|archive-date=April 7, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="HuffingtonPostReview">{{cite news|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/best-series-finales_n_4466215|title=The 9 Best Series Finales|newspaper=HuffPost|date=December 20, 2013|access-date=February 8, 2022|archive-date=November 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114234916/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/best-series-finales_n_4466215|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2013, the [[Writers Guild of America West]] named ''30 Rock'' the 21st best-written television series of all time.<ref name="NA 2013"/>
==Premise==
[[Liz Lemon]] is head writer and showrunner of the [[NBC]] [[sketch comedy]] series ''TGS with Tracy Jordan'' (originally called ''The Girlie Show''), produced in Studio 6H in [[30 Rockefeller Plaza]]. She supervises cast and crew, including star [[Jenna Maroney]], her best friend, while working with network executive [[Jack Donaghy]] and [[NBC page|page]] [[Kenneth Parcell]]. In the first episode, Jack forces Liz to hire the unpredictable [[Tracy Jordan]] as co-star.
Episodes often depict conservative Jack and liberal Liz's disagreements, Jenna's attempts to become a film star, Tracy's immature behavior, and the characters' romantic and personal lives. The show satirizes the cultures of NBC, parent company [[General Electric]], and the entertainment industry. The network airs programs like [[reality television|reality shows]] ''MILF Island'', ''Queen of Jordan'' and ''America's Kidz Got Singing'' as well as paranormal drama ''Hunchbacks'', and game shows ''Gold Case'' and ''Celebrity Homonym''. In later seasons, the show depicts the network being acquired by Philadelphia-based media company Kabletown, a fictionalization of the [[acquisition of NBC Universal by Comcast]].
==Development and production==
===Conception===
In 2002, Fey was the head writer and a performer on the television show ''Saturday Night Live'' (''SNL''). She pitched the show that became ''30 Rock'' to NBC, originally as a sitcom about [[United States cable news|cable news]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Hiatt|first1=Brian|title=The Last Days of '30 Rock'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-news/the-last-days-of-30-rock-63797/|access-date=February 8, 2022|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=January 31, 2013|archive-date=June 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170627224924/http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/the-last-days-of-30-rock-20130131|url-status=live}}</ref> NBC Entertainment president [[Kevin Reilly (executive)|Kevin Reilly]] felt that "Fey was using the news setting as a [[Fig leaf#Metaphorical use|fig leaf]] for her own experience and [he] encouraged her to write what she knew."<ref name="dev_1">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1535853,00.html |title=Do Not Adjust Your Set |first=James |last=Poniewozik |access-date=October 16, 2007 |date=September 18, 2006 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009001021/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C1535853%2C00.html |archive-date=October 9, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The show was subsequently reworked to revolve around an ''SNL''-style sketch show. After being presented to Reilly once more, the show was set to air during the 2005–2006 television season.
In May 2003, Fey signed a contract with NBC to remain in her ''SNL'' head writer position until at least the 2004–2005 television season and to develop a primetime project to be produced by Broadway Video and NBC Universal.<ref name="dev_2">{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Schneider |title=Peacock updates ''SNL'' anchor's deal |url=https://variety.com/2003/scene/news/peacock-updates-snl-anchor-s-deal-1117885681/ |work=Variety |date=May 5, 2003 |access-date=February 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206085913/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117885681.html?categoryid=1236&cs=1&query=tina+fey+snl+2004%2D05 |archive-date=December 6, 2008 }}</ref> Filming was postponed due to Tina Fey's first pregnancy.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoINgNgCx3Q Interview: Tina Fey] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114234918/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoINgNgCx3Q |date=November 14, 2020 }}, ''[[The Adam Carolla Show (terrestrial radio)|Adam Carolla Show]]'', October 25, 2006.</ref>
During the 2004–2005 [[Television pilot#Pilot season|pilot season]], a pilot was announced named ''Untitled Tina Fey Project''. The ''30 Rock'' pilot focused on the boss of a variety show who must manage her relationships with the show's volatile star and its charismatic executive producer. The storyline evolved into one that dealt with a head writer of a variety show who dealt with both of the stars, as well as the show's new network executive.<ref name="dev_3">{{cite news |first=Josef |last=Adalian |author2=Schneider, Michael |title=Bruck finds ''Ring'' leader |url=https://variety.com/2005/scene/markets-festivals/bruck-finds-ring-leader-1117917293/ |work=Variety  |date=February 1, 2005 |access-date=February 8, 2022}}</ref> ''30 Rock'' was officially given the green light to air May 15, 2006, along with a 13-episode order.<ref name="greenlit13eps">{{cite news |first=Eric |last=Goldman |title=Upfronts Announcement: NBC's Schedule for 2006–2007 Season |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/05/16/upfronts-announcement-nbcs-schedule-for-2006-2007-season |website=IGN |date=May 15, 2006 |access-date=February 8, 2022 |archive-date=November 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101015656/https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/05/16/upfronts-announcement-nbcs-schedule-for-2006-2007-season}}</ref>
The series underwent further changes during the months leading up to and following its debut. A May 2006 press release mentioned that sketches from ''The Girlie Show'' would be made available in their entirety on NBC's broadband website, DotComedy.com. The idea was to air the fictitious ''TGS with Tracy Jordan'' online.<ref name="Consoli">{{cite news |first=John |last=Consoli |author2=Berman, Marc |title=NBC Upfront: Unveils DotComedy.com; ''Kidnapped'', ''Studio 60'' Set for Fall |url=http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002502554 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070612101404/http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002502554 |archive-date=June 12, 2007 |work=Mediaweek |date=May 15, 2006 |access-date=April 1, 2008}}</ref> This aspect of the series was abandoned prior to its debut.
===Filming===
Interior scenes for ''30 Rock'' were mostly filmed at [[Silvercup Studios]] in Long Island City, Queens, New York City (Studio 8H in 30 Rock in Manhattan for two live episodes).<ref name="filminglocations" /> In the episodes "[[Cleveland (30 Rock)|Cleveland]]" and "[[Hiatus (30 Rock)|Hiatus]]", [[Battery Park City, Manhattan]], and [[Douglaston, Queens]], doubled for [[Cleveland, Ohio]] and [[Needmore, Pennsylvania]], respectively.<ref name="cleveneedmorelocations">{{cite news|first=Matt |last=Webb Mitovich |title=Funny Business: Tina Fey Previews 30 Rock's Future |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/funny-business-tina-38033/ |work=[[TV Guide]] |date=June 12, 2007 |access-date=February 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080523072255/http://www.tvguide.com/News/funny-business-tina/070612-02 |archive-date=May 23, 2008 }}</ref> The show often built elaborate sets, once using a set that took three days to build for only six seconds of screen time.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Wyatt|first1=Edward|title=Werewolf Bar Mitzvah|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/25/arts/television/25were.html|work=The New York Times|date=October 25, 2007 |access-date=September 27, 2014|archive-date=November 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114234857/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/25/arts/television/25were.html?_r=0|url-status=live}}</ref> In the episode "[[Gavin Volure]]", [[stock footage]] of the [[Arkansas Governor's Mansion]] was used for exterior shots of the home of [[Steve Martin]]'s character.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jon |last=Gambrell |title=Arkansas Governor's Mansion Has "30 Rock" Cameo |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/26/governors-mansion-has-30_n_146578.html |work=The Huffington Post |date=November 25, 2008 |access-date=November 28, 2008 |archive-date=November 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114234915/https://www.huffpost.com/?err_code=404&err_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.huffingtonpost.com%2F2008%2F11%2F26%2Fgovernors-mansion-has-30_n_146578.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
The title sequence comprises photos and videos of 30 Rockefeller Plaza and features the series regulars. The sequence ends with a [[Time-lapse photography|time lapse]] of the building and then a title card reading "30&nbsp;Rock". The sequence remained mostly the same throughout the series, although changes were made to most of the actors' images.
===Music===
The series features a "jaunty" [[jazz]] [[Film score|score]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://thephoenix.com/Boston//RecRoom/47984-Uncertain-Fey-t/ |title=Uncertain Fey-t |access-date=June 6, 2008 |last=Miliard |first=Mike |date=September 25, 2007 |newspaper=The Boston Phoenix}}</ref> Most of the [[incidental music]] melody is played by either [[clarinet]], [[bass clarinet]], [[saxophone]], or [[String instrument|strings]], often as wildly varying renditions of the usual central theme. The music is composed by Fey's husband, [[Jeff Richmond]], who is also a producer for ''30&nbsp;Rock''. Richmond wrote the theme music, which was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Theme Music.<ref name="30music">{{cite news |first=Jacques |last=Steinberg |title=''30 Rock'' Lives, and Tina Fey Laughs |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/23/arts/television/23stei.html|work=The New York Times |date=September 23, 2007 |access-date=May 18, 2008 |archive-date=November 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114234924/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/23/arts/television/23stei.html?_r=1&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin |url-status=live }}</ref> Seven short, original songs have been featured in episodes, five of which were performed by Krakowski,<ref name="plotreference">{{cite episode |title=Pilot |episode-link=Pilot (30 Rock) |series=30 Rock |credits=Writer: Tina Fey; Director: [[Adam Bernstein]] |network=[[NBC Universal]] |station=[[NBC]] |airdate=October 11, 2006 |season=1 |number=1}}</ref><ref name="jacktor">{{cite episode |title=Jack-Tor |series=30 Rock |credits=[[Robert Carlock]] (writer); [[Don Scardino]] (director) |network=[[NBC Universal]] |station=[[NBC]] |airdate=November 16, 2006 |season=1 |number=5 }}</ref><ref name="hardball">{{cite episode |title=Hard Ball |series=30 Rock |network=[[NBC Universal]] |station=[[NBC]] |credits=Writer: [[Matt Hubbard]]; Director: [[Don Scardino]] |airdate=February 22, 2007 |season=1 |number=15}}</ref><ref name="seinfeldvision">{{cite episode |title=SeinfeldVision |series=30 Rock| credits=Writer(s): Tina Fey; Director: [[Don Scardino]] |network=[[NBC Universal]] |station=[[NBC]] |airdate=October 4, 2007 |season=2 |number=1}}</ref><ref name="cooter">{{cite episode |title=Cooter |series=30 Rock |credits=Tina Fey (writer); Don Scardino (director) |network=[[NBC Universal]] |station=[[NBC]] |airdate=May 8, 2008 |season=2 |number=15}}</ref> another performed by Fey and [[Jason Sudeikis]],<ref name="120review">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/04/20/30-rock-cleveland-review |title=''30 Rock'': "Cleveland" Review |access-date=February 8, 2022 |last=Canning |first=Robert |date=April 20, 2007 |website=IGN |archive-date=June 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120612020950/http://tv.ign.com/articles/782/782310p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and another performed by Morgan.<ref name="werewolf">{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2007/11/01/tracy-morgans-1/ |title=Tracy Morgan's "Werewolf Bar Mitzvah" Uncut |access-date=June 1, 2008 |last=Bierly |first=Mandi |date=November 1, 2007 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080530154850/http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2007/11/tracy-morgans-1.html| archive-date= May 30, 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref>
The show also covered three existing songs,<ref name="206ep">{{cite episode |title=Somebody To Love |series=30 Rock |credits=Tina Fey & [[Kay Cannon]] (writers); [[Beth McCarthy-Miller|Beth McCarthy]] (director) |network=[[NBC Universal]] |station=[[NBC]] |airdate=November 15, 2007 |season=2 |number=6}}</ref><ref name="209ep">{{cite episode |title=Episode 209 |series=30 Rock |credits=[[Tami Sagher]] (writer); [[Don Scardino]] (director) |network=[[NBC Universal]] |station=[[NBC]] |airdate=December 13, 2007 |season=2 |number=9}}</ref><ref name="210review" /> including the song "[[Midnight Train to Georgia]]" by [[Gladys Knight and the Pips]]. The song had its lyrics altered to accommodate the character Kenneth being "misinformed about the time [of the 11:45 train]".<ref name="210review">{{cite web |url=http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/01/10/30-rock-episode-210/ |title=''30 Rock'': "Episode 210" |access-date=June 1, 2008 |last=Sassone |first=Bob |author-link=Bob Sassone |date=January 10, 2008 |publisher=[[AOL]]'s [[TV Squad]]| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080530115910/http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/01/10/30-rock-episode-210/| archive-date= May 30, 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> The song "Oh My" performed by The Gray Kid is heard throughout the episode "The Source Awards", which was mixed with a piano arrangement composed by Richmond.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.graykid.com/index2.html |title=The Gray Kid |access-date=December 10, 2015 |publisher=The Gray Kid |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915022746/http://www.graykid.com/index2.html |archive-date=September 15, 2008 }}</ref> "Kidney Now!", a rendition of the popular song, "[[We Are the World]]", is performed by various artists in the season-three finale. Other popular songs have been featured (with blessings by the singers), such as "[[I Will Remember You (Sarah McLachlan song)|I Will Remember You]]" or "[[Bitch (Meredith Brooks song)|Bitch]]".
The ''[[30 Rock Original Television Soundtrack]]'' was released by the Relativity Music Group on November 16, 2010.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Breihan |first1=Tom |title=Listen: Tina Fey and Christopher Cross Duet on a Song From the "30 Rock" Soundtrack |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/40621-listen-tina-fey-and-christopher-cross-duet-on-a-song-from-the-30-rock-soundtrack/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=November 30, 2021 |date=November 5, 2010}}</ref>
===Internet content===
On April 2, 2008, NBC announced ''30 Rock 360'', an online extension of the ''30&nbsp;Rock'' series. The extension featured Jack Donaghy's Online Business Courses (or ''Jack U''). Users could also read Jack's blogs and upload their own business advice in video form. Users could submit sketches for ''TGS with Tracy Jordan'' and act out skits from ''TGS''. The feature reopened ''Ask Tina'', an interactive [[Knowledge market|question and answer]] platform in which users could ask Fey questions. Fey answered the questions in video form.<ref name="30rock360_1">{{cite press release |title=NBC Digital Entertainment Brings More Video, Original Content and Interactivity for Summer and Fall Season Programming |author=[[NBC Universal]] Media Village |publisher= The Futon Critic |date=April 2, 2008 |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2008/04/02/nbc-digital-entertainment-brings-more-video-original-content-and-interactivity-for-summer-and-fall-season-programming--27137/20080402nbc02/ |access-date=April 3, 2008}}</ref> ''Ask Tina'' was a fixture on NBC.com's ''30 Rock'' section throughout the first season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbc.com/30_Rock/video/index.shtml#mea=93131 |title=''30 Rock'': ''Ask Tina'' |access-date=April 3, 2008 |last=Fey |first=Tina |author-link=Tina Fey |publisher=[[NBC]].com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080402063934/http://www.nbc.com/30_Rock/video/index.shtml |archive-date=April 2, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Cast and characters==
{{Main|List of 30 Rock characters}}
===Main===
''30 Rock'' features an [[ensemble cast]].<ref name="nbcseriespress" /> The seven roles that receive star [[billing (film)|billing]] during the [[opening credits]] are:
* [[Tina Fey]] as [[Liz Lemon]], a "sexually frightened know-it-all" and head writer of ''TGS with Tracy Jordan''
* [[Tracy Morgan]] as [[Tracy Jordan]], the loose-cannon, crazy, and unpredictable star of ''TGS''
* [[Jane Krakowski]] as [[Jenna Maroney]], the original star of ''The Girlie Show'', co-star of ''TGS'' and Liz's constantly attention-seeking, arrogant, narcissistic, and clueless best friend
* [[Jack McBrayer]] as [[Kenneth Ellen Parcell]], a cheerful, simple-minded, obedient [[Southern United States|Southern]]-born [[NBC page]] who "lives for television"
* [[Scott Adsit]] as [[Pete Hornberger]], the "sane," quick-witted producer of ''TGS'', who often reveals embarrassing details about his family life
* [[Judah Friedlander]] as [[Frank Rossitano]], a [[trucker hat]]-wearing, [[Puer aeternus|manchildish]], sarcastic writer at ''TGS'' whose hat bears a different phrase in every episode
* [[Alec Baldwin]] as [[Jack Donaghy]], the decisive, controlling, suave, and occasionally senseless network executive who constantly interferes with the goings-on at ''TGS''
Beginning with season two, several actors received star billing after the opening credits.<ref name="nbcseriespress" />
* [[Katrina Bowden]] as [[Cerie Xerox]], Liz's beautiful, laid-back assistant, who usually wears revealing outfits to work, much to the delight of the writers' room (seasons 2–7; recurring season 1)
* [[Keith Powell]] as [[James "Toofer" Spurlock]], a ''TGS'' writer who is "two for one," a Harvard guy and a black guy, and the polar opposite of both Tracy and Frank (seasons 2–7; recurring season 1)
* [[Lonny Ross]] as [[Josh Girard]], a young and immature ''TGS'' writer and co-star, known for his impressions (seasons 2–4; recurring season 1)
* [[Kevin Brown (actor)|Kevin Brown]] as [[Dot Com (30 Rock)|Walter "Dot Com" Slattery]], an erudite member of Tracy's entourage who is also a [[Wesleyan University]]-trained stage actor (seasons 3–7; recurring seasons 1–2)
* [[Grizz Chapman]] as [[Characters of 30 Rock#Grizz|Warren "Grizz" Griswold]], a gentle giant member of Tracy's entourage (seasons 3–7; recurring seasons 1–2)
* [[Maulik Pancholy]] as [[List of recurring characters on 30 Rock#Jonathan|Jonathan]], Jack's loyal and overprotective personal assistant, who at times appears to be in love with Jack (seasons 3–5, 7; recurring seasons 1–2)
* [[John Lutz]] as [[J. D. Lutz]], a lazy, overweight ''TGS'' writer who is often insulted or made fun of by the rest of the staff (seasons 4–7; recurring seasons 1–3)
===Recurring===
* [[Dean Winters]] as [[List of 30 Rock characters#Dennis Duffy|Dennis Duffy]], Liz's irresponsible ex-boyfriend
* [[Chris Parnell]] as [[List of 30 Rock characters#Leo Spaceman|Leo Spaceman]], Tracy's [[quackery|quack]] doctor who regularly provides him with experimental treatments
* [[Jason Sudeikis]] as [[List of 30 Rock characters#Floyd DeBarber|Floyd DeBarber]], a lawyer working in 30 Rockefeller who dates Liz before moving home to Cleveland
* [[Rachel Dratch]] appears as several minor characters in seasons 1, 5, and 6, including 4 episodes as [[List of 30 Rock characters#Greta Johansen|Greta Johansen]], a cat wrangler working on ''TGS''
* [[Sue Galloway]] as [[List of 30 Rock characters#Sue LaRoche-Van der Hout|Sue LaRoche-Van der Hout]], a French-Dutch writer hired by ''TGS'' and often referred to as "girl writer"
* [[Cheyenne Jackson]] as [[List of 30 Rock characters#Danny Baker|Jack "Danny" Baker]], a ''TGS'' cast member added in the fourth season
* [[James Marsden]] as [[List of 30 Rock characters#Criss Chros|Criss Chros]], Liz's boyfriend and later husband, who ran a hot dog stand in his first episodes of the series
===Casting===
Fey worked with Jen McNamara and [[Adam Bernstein]] for the casting of the series.<ref name="rockcasting">{{cite web |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/television/Interview-Tina-Fey-Talks-About-30-Rock-Part-1-9723.html |title=Interview: Tina Fey Talks About ''30 Rock'' (Part 1) |access-date=July 8, 2008 |author=West, Kelly|date=April 1, 2008 |publisher=Cinema Blend| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080625085840/http://www.cinemablend.com/television/Interview-Tina-Fey-Talks-About-30-Rock-Part-1-9723.html| archive-date= June 25, 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> Fey's first act as [[casting director]] was to cast herself as the lead character, Liz Lemon, who is said to be much like Fey herself when she first became head writer on ''SNL''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbc.com/30_Rock/video/#mea=34901 |title=''30 Rock'' Exclusive Video Clips&nbsp;– NBC Official Site |publisher=Nbc.com |access-date=April 12, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091001023916/http://www.nbc.com/30_Rock/video/ |archive-date=October 1, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The next actor to be cast was Tracy Morgan as Tracy Jordan,<ref name="dev_5">{{cite news |title=NBC comedy a reunion for Morgan, Fey |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001657605 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=December 1, 2005 |access-date=April 1, 2008 }} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> who was then a former castmate of Fey's in ''SNL''. Morgan was asked by Fey to play the role, and he believed it was "right up [his] alley and it was tailor made for [him]".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://au.tv.ign.com/articles/736/736916p1.html |title=IGN Interview: ''30 Rock's'' Tracy Morgan |access-date=July 8, 2008 |author=Fickett, Travis |date=October 17, 2006 |website=IGN |archive-date=July 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713005316/http://au.tv.ign.com/articles/736/736916p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Fey said that the character of Kenneth was written with McBrayer in mind. McBrayer is an old friend of Fey's (they worked together at Second City in Chicago), and she "really wanted him for that part and was very happy when no one objected".<ref name="rockcasting"/>
[[Rachel Dratch]], Fey's longtime comedy partner and fellow ''SNL'' alumna, was originally cast to portray Jenna. Dratch played the role in the show's original pilot, but in August 2006, Krakowski was announced as Dratch's replacement, with Dratch remaining involved in the show playing various characters.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-janekrakowskijoins30rock,0,1779072.story |title='Ally' Cat Krakowski Joins '30 Rock' |access-date=October 16, 2007 |date=August 17, 2006 |publisher=Zap2it |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118180456/http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-janekrakowskijoins30rock%2C0%2C1779072.story |archive-date=January 18, 2008 }}</ref> Fey explained the change by noting that Dratch was better-suited to playing a variety of side characters,<ref name="ctvhope">{{cite news |url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20061009/fey_tv_061009 |title=Fey hopeful about success of ''30 Rock'' |author=Canadian Press |date=October 9, 2006 |access-date=September 2, 2008 |publisher=[[CTV Television Network|CTV]] |archive-date=June 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604060054/http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Entertainment/20061009/fey_tv_061009/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> which was suitable when the show intended to feature actual sketches from ''TGS with Tracy Jordan''. However, this aspect of the show was scrapped,<ref name="Consoli"/> thus they required more of a straight-ahead acting part for the role of Jenna.
Although Fey went on to say, "Rachel and I were both very excited about this new direction,"<ref name="ctvhope"/> Dratch said that she was not happy with the media's depiction of the change as a demotion;<ref name="nymag-dratch">{{cite news|url=https://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/22836/ |title=Rachel Rolls With It |author=Rosenblum, Emma |date=October 16, 2006 |access-date=March 25, 2022 |work=[[New York (magazine)|New York Magazine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323141443/https://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/22836/|archive-date=March 23, 2022 |url-status=live  }}</ref> furthermore, she was also skeptical about the reasons she was given for the change and was not happy with the reduction in the number of episodes in which she would appear.<ref name="nymag-dratch" /> Following the first season, Dratch only appeared in a handful of episodes.
Shortly following the casting of McBrayer and Dratch, Baldwin was cast as Jack, the "totally uncensored" vice president of East Coast Television and Microwave Oven Programming.<ref name="dev_7">{{cite news |first=Nellie |last=Andreeva |title=Baldwin eyes Fey's NBC pilot |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002034584 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=February 17, 2007 |access-date=April 1, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080505233527/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002034584  |archive-date = May 5, 2008}}</ref> Fey said that the character of Jack was written with Baldwin in mind, and she was "very pleasantly surprised when he agreed to do it".<ref name="rockcasting"/> Judah Friedlander was cast as Frank Rossitano, a staff writer of ''The Girlie Show''. Friedlander had never met Fey before auditioning for a role in ''30&nbsp;Rock''. His character was based on at least two writers with whom Fey used to work at ''SNL'', but he has said that he "certainly brought some of [his] own things to it, as well".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07109/777779-352.stm |title=''30 Rock'' Star Rockets into Pittsburgh |access-date=August 4, 2008 |date=April 19, 2007 |newspaper=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]}}</ref> Finally, Scott Adsit was cast as Pete Hornberger, a longtime friend of Liz's and producer of ''The Girlie Show''. Adsit, an old friend of Fey's, also had his character written based on him.<ref name="rockcasting"/>
Following ''SNL''{{'}}s ongoing tradition,<ref name="NBC">{{cite web | url=http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/photos/political-cameos/8575 | title=Political Cameos | publisher=[[NBC]] | access-date=March 4, 2012}}</ref> ''30&nbsp;Rock'' had several real-life politician [[cameo appearance|cameo]]s, including [[Al Gore]] (twice), [[Nancy Pelosi]] (series finale)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/click/2013/02/nancy-pelosi-appears-on-rock-finale-155861.html?hp=r16 | title=Nancy Pelosi Appears on '30 Rock' Finale | date=February 2013 | publisher=[[Politico]] | access-date=February 2, 2013 | archive-date=November 14, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114235021/https://www.politico.com/blogs/click/2013/02/nancy-pelosi-appears-on-30-rock-finale-155861 | url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Condoleezza Rice]] (as Jack's former love interest).<ref name="TDB">{{cite news | url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/galleries/2011/04/16/politicians-television-cameos.html | title=Politicians' Television Cameos: Condoleezza Rice on 30 Rock | newspaper=[[The Daily Beast]] | access-date=March 4, 2012| date=April 16, 2011 }}</ref>
==Episodes==
{{main|List of 30 Rock episodes}}
{{:List of 30 Rock episodes}}
===Season 1===
{{Main|30 Rock season 1}}
Season one began airing on October 11, 2006,<ref name="premieredate" /> and featured 21 episodes.<ref name="21episodess1">{{cite web |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/30-Rock/7374 |title=30 Rock&nbsp;– 1st Season DVD Date Announced |access-date=March 26, 2008 |last=Lambert |first=David |date=May 25, 2007 |publisher=[[TVShowsOnDVD.com]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080325234742/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/30-Rock/7374 |archive-date=March 25, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The season finale aired on April 26, 2007.<ref name="s1finale">{{cite press release |title=NBC springs into action on Thursdays with return of ''30 Rock'' on April 5, a night filled with super-sized comedies and laughs |publisher=[[NBC Universal]] Media Village |date=March 17, 2007 |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20070312nbc04 |access-date=March 23, 2008 }}</ref> Jack Donaghy, the "Head of East Coast Television and Microwave Oven Programming" at General Electric (GE), is transferred to work at the NBC headquarters, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, and retool the late-night sketch-comedy series ''The Girlie Show''. The show's cast and crew are outraged by this, especially head writer Liz Lemon and main actress Jenna Maroney. Jack proceeds to wreak havoc on ''The Girlie Show'', forcing Liz to hire off-the-wall movie star Tracy Jordan. He again irritates the cast and crew of ''The Girlie Show'' when he changes the name to ''TGS with Tracy Jordan'' (or just ''TGS'').
As the season progresses, the episodes become less about ''TGS'' and more about how the characters deal with juggling their lives and their jobs&nbsp;. Specifically, Liz, but other characters are also explored. Episodes also become less self-contained, and various story arcs develop in the second half of the season. For example, the first major story arc centers on Liz's relationship with [[Dennis Duffy]] ([[Dean Winters]]), "The [[Pager|Beeper]] King". Other story arcs include Jenna promoting her movie ''[[The Rural Juror]]''; Tracy going on the run from the Black Crusaders; Jack's engagement, which was eventually called off, to a [[Christie's]] auctioneer named [[List of 30 Rock characters#Phoebe|Phoebe]] ([[Emily Mortimer]]); and another relationship of Liz's with [[List of 30 Rock characters#Floyd DeBarber|Floyd]] (Sudeikis).
===Season 2===
{{Main|30 Rock season 2}}
Season two began airing on October 4, 2007,<ref name="secondseasonprem">{{cite press release |title=Television superstar Jerry Seinfeld returns to NBC to guest-star as himself in NBC's ''30&nbsp;Rock'' during comedy's second-season premiere October 4 |publisher=[[NBC Universal]] Media Village |date=July 16, 2007 |url=http://thefutoncritic.com/news/2007/07/16/television-superstar-jerry-seinfeld-returns-to-nbc-to-guest-star-as-himself-in-nbcs-30-rock-during-comedys-second-season-premiere-october-4-24949/20070716nbc02/ |access-date=March 26, 2008 }}</ref> and featured 15 episodes.<ref name="s2dvdreg1">{{cite web |url=http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/30-Rock-Season-2-Extras/9979 |title=''30 Rock''&nbsp;– 2nd Season Release Date Jumps A Week Forward, Announces Extras |access-date=June 17, 2008 |last=Lambert |first=David |date=July 3, 2008 |publisher=[[TVShowsOnDVD.com]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705064228/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/30-Rock-Season-2-Extras/9979 |archive-date=July 5, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The second season was originally intended to consist of 22 episodes, but the order was cut to 15 due to the [[2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike]].<ref name="episodesleft">{{cite news|first=Michael |last=Ausiello |author-link=Michael Ausiello |title=UPDATED Strike Chart: How Long Before Your Shows Go Dark? |url=http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Ausiello-Report/Strike-Chart-Long/800026937 |work=[[TV Guide]] |date=November 9, 2007 |access-date=May 25, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517163026/http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Ausiello-Report/Strike-Chart-Long/800026937 |archive-date=May 17, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="afterwga">{{cite news|url=http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Ausiello-Report/Wga-Strike-Favorite/800032698 |title=UPDATED! After the Strike: When Your Favorites Will Return! |access-date=May 25, 2008 |last=Ausiello |first=Michael |author-link=Michael Ausiello |date=February 7, 2008 |work=[[TV Guide]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080520043618/http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Ausiello-Report/Wga-Strike-Favorite/800032698 |archive-date=May 20, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The season finale aired on May 8, 2008.<ref name="cooteratings">{{cite news|first=Stuart |last=Levine |title=ABC wins tight Thursday race |url=https://variety.com/2008/tv/news/abc-wins-tight-thursday-race-1117985392/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080602022343/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117985392.html?categoryid=14&cs=1&nid=2563 |url-status=live |archive-date=June 2, 2008 |work=Variety |date=May 9, 2008 |access-date=May 9, 2008 }}</ref> After Liz broke up with Floyd in the summer, she is looking for ways to rebound. When [[Jerry Seinfeld]] confronts Jack about a new marketing campaign which featured clips of Seinfeld's sitcom, ''[[Seinfeld]]'', in all NBC shows, he has a chance encounter with Liz that gives her some much-needed advice. During the ''TGS'' summer hiatus, Jenna becomes overweight due to performing in the [[Broadway show]] ''Mystic Pizza: The Musical'' (based on the real 1988 film ''[[Mystic Pizza]]''). Tracy has encountered some marital problems with his wife [[List of 30 Rock characters#Angie Jordan|Angie Jordan]] ([[Sherri Shepherd]]) and they become separated, but later reunite.
===Season 3===
{{Main|30 Rock season 3}}
Season three began airing October 30, 2008, and concluded on May 14, 2009. The show experienced a large ratings and popularity spike this season after Tina Fey's highly praised performance as Sarah Palin on'' SNL''. This is also the season where the show made Primetime Emmy Award history, being nominated for 22 awards. The season consisted of 22 episodes.<ref name="nbc08fallsked">{{cite news |first=Josef |last=Adalian |title=Full NBC schedule takes shape |url=https://variety.com/2008/scene/features/full-nbc-schedule-takes-shape-1117983342/ |work=Variety |date=April 2, 2008 |access-date=April 2, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080412140418/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117983342.html?categoryid=14&cs=1 |archive-date=April 12, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="season3_1">{{cite news|first=Kristin |last=Dos Santos |author-link=Kristin Dos Santos |title=Breaking: ''30 Rock'' Picked Up! |url=http://uk.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/index.html?uuid=4ab706ce-8f1c-4380-a00b-733dd32ef7c7 |publisher=[[E! Online]] |date=April 2, 2008 |access-date=April 2, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206193630/http://uk.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/index.html?uuid=4ab706ce-8f1c-4380-a00b-733dd32ef7c7 |archive-date=December 6, 2008 }}</ref><ref name="s3premiere">{{cite news |first=James |last=Hibberd |title=NBC announces fall premiere dates |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3idd76da9cd5a7a6acf068db4180bb63a2 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=May 23, 2008 |access-date=May 23, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080526032317/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3idd76da9cd5a7a6acf068db4180bb63a2  |archive-date = May 26, 2008}}</ref> [[Oprah Winfrey]] guest-starred in the second episode, playing herself (actually a drug-induced hallucination of Liz's), as well as [[Jennifer Aniston]] playing Liz's ex-roommate. [[Salma Hayek]]<ref>[https://www.tvguide.com/News/30-Rock-casting-20189.aspx Salma Hayek Will Rock Jack Donaghy's World] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114235014/https://www.tvguide.com/news/30-rock-casting-20189/ |date=November 14, 2020 }}" ''[[TV Guide]]''. October 10, 2008. Retrieved October 10, 2008.</ref> also appeared for a multiple-episode arc, portraying Jack's new girlfriend, Elisa. Other guest stars this season included [[John Lithgow]], [[Kerry Butler]], [[Megan Mullally]], [[Peter Dinklage]], and Steve Martin.<ref name="oprah">{{cite web|url=http://uk.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b27027_oprah_winfrey_in_final_talks_guest_on.html|title=Exclusive! Oprah Winfrey In Final Talks to Guest on 30 Rock!|access-date=September 3, 2008|last=Dos Santos|first=Kristin|author-link=Kristin Dos Santos|date=September 3, 2008|publisher=E! Online&nbsp;– Watch with Kristin| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080908105308/http://uk.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b27027_oprah_winfrey_in_final_talks_guest_on.html| archive-date= September 8, 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> [[Jon Hamm]] played Liz's love interest and neighbor for several episodes.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2008-12-03-hamm-30rock_N.htm|title=Don Draper and Liz Lemon?: Hamm to guest on '30 Rock'|date=December 3, 2008|work=USA Today|agency=Associated Press|access-date=February 10, 2009|archive-date=November 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114235011/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2008-12-03-hamm-30rock_N.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Alan Alda]] appeared in the season's final two episodes as Milton Greene, Jack's biological father.
===Season 4===
{{Main|30 Rock season 4}}
The fourth season premiered on October 15, 2009. Like the previous season, it also consisted of 22 episodes. A recurring story arc early in the season revolved around Jack's request that Liz cast a new actor for ''TGS'' and Liz's subsequent search for the perfect comedian, much to Jenna and Tracy's dismay, who fear losing their spotlight. The show fictionalizes the [[acquisition of NBC Universal by Comcast]], announced during the season, by portraying the network being acquired by Philadelphia-based cable company Kabletown. The latter half of the season focused on complementary story arcs: Jack's inability to choose between his two girlfriends, Liz's inability to find a boyfriend to live up to her expectations, and Jenna's relationship with a Jenna Maroney impersonator. The season also featured such guest stars as [[Jeff Dunham]], [[Julianne Moore]], [[Jon Bon Jovi]], [[Cheyenne Jackson]], Sherri Shepherd, [[Will Forte]], [[Elizabeth Banks]], [[Michael Sheen]], [[Matt Damon]], and [[James Franco]].
===Season 5===
{{Main|30 Rock season 5}}
''30 Rock'' premiered its fifth season on September 23, 2010.<ref>{{cite web |last=Gorman |first=Bill |url=http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/05/16/nbc-2010-fall-schedule-revealed/51502 |title=NBC 2010 Fall Schedule Revealed |publisher=Tvbythenumbers.com |access-date=January 4, 2011 |archive-date=May 19, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100519112615/http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/05/16/nbc-2010-fall-schedule-revealed/51502 |url-status=dead }}</ref> An [[Live Show|episode of ''30 Rock'''s fifth season]] was produced and broadcast live, twice, on the evening of October 14, 2010. The two separate performances resulted in a live telecast of the episode to American viewers on both the West and East Coasts, to ensure both would view a live performance. Produced in front of a live audience, the episode aired at 8:30&nbsp;pm EDT and PDT on NBC. A ratings success, the episode was also met with positive reviews.<ref name="collider.com">{{cite web |url=https://www.collider.com/2010/07/31/30-rock-live-episode-october-14-tina-fey-alec-baldwin-nbc/ |title=30 ROCK Airing Live Episode October 14 |publisher=Collider.com |date=July 31, 2010 |access-date=January 4, 2011 |archive-date=November 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114235010/https://collider.com/30-rock-live-episode-october-14-tina-fey-alec-baldwin-nbc/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Seidman |first=Robert |url=http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/10/15/thursday-finals-the-big-bang-theory-30-rock-the-office-outsourced-greys-anatomy-fringe-all-adjusted-up/68224 |title=Thursday Finals: The Big Bang Theory, $#*!, 30 Rock, The Office, Outsourced, Grey's Anatomy, Fringe All Adjusted Up |publisher=Tvbythenumbers.com |access-date=January 4, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101017022226/http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/10/15/thursday-finals-the-big-bang-theory-30-rock-the-office-outsourced-greys-anatomy-fringe-all-adjusted-up/68224 |archive-date=October 17, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Emily |last=VanDerWerff |url=https://www.avclub.com/30-rock-live-show-1798166261 |title="Live Show" |newspaper=The A.V. Club |date=October 15, 2010 |access-date=October 6, 2019 |archive-date=October 30, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101030055639/http://www.avclub.com/articles/live-show%2C46199/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Season five focuses on Liz Lemon's continuing relationship with Carol Burnett ([[Matt Damon]]), Jack's start into fatherhood with fiancée Avery Jessup (Elizabeth Banks), struggling with the merger of NBCUniversal with Kabletown, Tracy's foray into getting an [[List of persons who have won Academy, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Awards|EGOT]], and Kenneth's attempt to get back to NBC. Aside from featuring the return of Rachel Dratch in "Live Show," other guest stars include Matt Damon, Elizabeth Banks, [[Susan Sarandon]] (as Frank's former teacher- who was in prison due to their relationship while he was a student- and present girlfriend), [[Paul Giamatti]] (as one of the ''TGS'' editors), Sherri Shepherd, [[Queen Latifah]], [[Rob Reiner]], [[John Amos]], Jon Hamm (reprising his role as Drew, Liz Lemon's former love interest who despite being a doctor, she dumped for being too dumb), [[Julia Louis-Dreyfus]] (playing the reimagined version of Liz Lemon and also as herself playing this character in "Live Show"), [[Bill Hader]], [[Chris Parnell]], [[Kelsey Grammer]] (playing himself), [[Buck Henry]], [[David Gregory (journalist)|David Gregory]], [[John Slattery]], [[Daniel Sunjata]], [[Will Forte]], [[Kelly Coffield Park]], [[Elaine Stritch]], [[Condoleezza Rice|Dr. Condoleezza Rice]], Alan Alda, [[Cheyenne Jackson]], [[Robert De Niro]] (playing himself), Dean Winters, [[Ken Howard]], [[Vanessa Minnillo]], [[Brian Williams]] (playing himself), [[Richard Belzer]], [[Ice-T]], [[John Cho]], [[Chloë Grace Moretz]] (as Kaylie Hooper – the granddaughter of Kabletown CEO Hank Hooper and Jack's sworn enemy as heir to the Kabletown throne), [[Terrence Mann]] (as oceanographer [[Robert Ballard|Bob Ballard]]), [[Cristin Milioti]] (as Abby Flynn in "''TGS'' Hates Women"), [[Eion Bailey]], [[Adriane Lenox]], [[Michael Keaton]], [[Margaret Cho]] (as Avery's kidnapper, North Korean dictator [[Kim Jong-il]]), and [[Tom Hanks]] (as himself in "100: Part 1" and "100: Part 2").
===Season 6===
{{Main|30 Rock season 6}}
The sixth season debuted mid-season on January 12, 2012, to accommodate Tina Fey's second pregnancy.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ausiello |first=Michael |url=http://www.tvline.com/2011/11/nbc-scheduling-changes-grimm-up-all-night/ |title=NBC Midseason Shake-Up: Community Benched, Plus Three Shows on the Move |website=TVLine |date=November 14, 2011 |access-date=July 10, 2013 |archive-date=March 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316001330/http://www.tvline.com/2011/11/nbc-scheduling-changes-grimm-up-all-night/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Season six finds Liz emotionally maturing while in a new relationship; Jack continues to attempt to recover his wife from [[North Korea]] and find his identity at Kabletown, Kenneth moves up (and later down) the corporate ladder. Jenna reaches a new level of fame due to being a judge on a reality show and considers settling down with boyfriend Paul.
===Season 7===
{{Main|30 Rock season 7}}
''30 Rock'' returned for a final, abbreviated season consisting of 13 episodes,<ref name="NP">{{cite news |title=Updated (2): 'Parenthood' Renewed; '30 Rock' Renewed for a Final Season + Picks Up Dramas 'Do No Harm' & 'Infamous'|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/05/10/parenthood-renewed-30-rock-renewed-for-a-final-season/133419/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513005940/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/05/10/parenthood-renewed-30-rock-renewed-for-a-final-season/133419/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 13, 2012 |work=TV By the Numbers |date=May 11, 2012 |access-date=May 13, 2012}}</ref> which began airing on October 4, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title=NBC Announces Aggressive And Staggered Season Premiere Strategy For Fall 2012 |url=http://www.nbc.com/news/2012/06/14/nbc-announces-aggressive-and-staggered-season-premiere-strategy-for-fall-2012/ |publisher=NBC |access-date=July 13, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120707015919/http://www.nbc.com/news/2012/06/14/nbc-announces-aggressive-and-staggered-season-premiere-strategy-for-fall-2012/ |archive-date=July 7, 2012 }}</ref> Alec Baldwin reportedly approached NBC and offered to cut his pay for ''30 Rock'' to be renewed for a full seventh and eighth seasons, stating on [[Twitter]]: "I offered NBC to cut my pay 20% in order to have a full 7th and 8th seasons of ''30 Rock''. I realize times have changed."<ref name="paycut">{{cite web|url=http://www.crushable.com/2012/10/04/entertainment/alec-baldwin-wants-more-30-rock-season-7-tina-fey-379/|title=Now Alec Baldwin Wants To Make More 30 Rock, But It's Too Little, Too Late|work=Crushable|last=Zutter|first=Natalie|date=October 4, 2012|access-date=February 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130204063820/http://www.crushable.com/2012/10/04/entertainment/alec-baldwin-wants-more-30-rock-season-7-tina-fey-379/|archive-date=February 4, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Season seven continues to develop the relationship between Liz and Criss ([[James Marsden]]), as the pair try for children and consider getting married. Meanwhile, Jack attempts to improve his prospects at the company, first by trying to "tank" NBC and convince Kabletown CEO Hank Hooper (Ken Howard) to sell it, and later by plotting to discredit Hooper's granddaughter and future CEO, Kaylee Hooper ([[Chloë Grace Moretz]]). Ultimately, however, he begins to wonder if he is truly happy. Elsewhere, Tracy has found success with his new movie studio, which produces comedy films mostly starring African American actors, similarly to [[Tyler Perry]]; Jenna prepares to marry her long-term boyfriend Paul (Will Forte), and Kenneth has started a relationship with Hazel ([[Kristen Schaal]]), unaware that she is using him to get her moment on ''TGS''.
==Reception==
===Critical response===
[[File:Alec Baldwin by Gage Skidmore.jpg|thumb|upright|Alec Baldwin's performance as Jack Donaghy was praised by critics.]]
''30 Rock'' has received critical acclaim from critics and audiences since its release. Chris Harnick, writing in the ''[[Huffington Post]]'', has ranked it along with ''[[I Love Lucy]]'' and ''[[Seinfeld]]'' as one of the great TV comedies.<ref name="huffingtonpost">{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-harnick/goodbye-30-rock-finale-tina-fey_b_2573146.html|title=Goodbye, '30 Rock': Why The Tina Fey Comedy Was So Special|last=Harnick|first=Chris|date=January 30, 2013|work=Huffington Post|access-date=April 1, 2014|archive-date=November 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114235023/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/goodbye-30-rock-finale-tina-fey_b_2573146|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Writers Guild of America West]] listed it as the 21st best written TV series.<ref name="NA 2013" />  Its [[Last Lunch|series finale]] has been rated highly by several publications. [[HitFix]] ranked it the 15th best series final,<ref name="hitfixreview" /> [[IndieWire]] included it in its list of 16 best series finals,<ref name="IndieWireReview" /> and HuffPost named it the 5th best.<ref name="HuffingtonPostReview" />
The first season of ''30 Rock'' was reviewed favorably by critics.<ref>{{cite news |last=Simonini |first=Ross |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/23/magazine/23wwln-comedy-t.html |title=Comedy – The Sitcom Digresses – 30 Rock |work=The New York Times |date=November 21, 2008 |access-date=October 31, 2011 |archive-date=November 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114234934/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/23/magazine/23wwln-comedy-t.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Metacritic]]'' gave the pilot episode a score—a weighted average based on the impressions of a select thirty-one critical reviews—of 67 out of 100.<ref name="metascore">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/shows/30rock |title=''30 Rock'' Series: NBC, Wednesday 8:00 pm (30&nbsp;minutes) |access-date=February 27, 2008 |website=[[Metacritic]] |archive-date=November 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114234921/https://www.metacritic.com/tv/30-rock/season-1 |url-status=live }}</ref> Robert Abele of ''[[LA Weekly]]'' declared that the show was a "weirdly appropriate and hilarious symbol of our times".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.laweekly.com/film+tv/tv/battle-of-the-network-stars/14845/ |title=Battle of the Network Stars |access-date=April 4, 2008 |last=Abele |first=Robert |date=October 25, 2006 |newspaper=[[LA Weekly]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224031400/http://www.laweekly.com/film%2Btv/tv/battle-of-the-network-stars/14845/ |archive-date=December 24, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Dorothy Rabinowitz of ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' wrote that the "standard caution is relevant—debut episodes tend to be highly polished. All the more reason to enjoy the hilarious scenes and fine ensemble cast here".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB116008368469484155 |title=This Is the Funny One |access-date=April 4, 2008 |last=Rabinowitz |first=Dorothy |date=October 6, 2006 |work=The Wall Street Journal| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080226040802/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB116008368469484155.html| archive-date= February 26, 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> Some less favorable reviews were received from Brian Lowry of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]''. Lowry said, "Despite her success with ''Mean Girls'', Fey mostly hits too-familiar notes in the pilot. Moreover, she's a limited protagonist, which is problematic."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117931792.html?categoryId=32&cs=1 |title=''30 Rock'' (Series&nbsp;– NBC, Wed. Oct. 11, 8&nbsp;p.m.) |access-date=April 4, 2008 |last=Lowry |first=Brian |date=October 8, 2006 |work=Variety |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080223164006/http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117931792.html?categoryid=32&cs=1 |archive-date=February 23, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Maureen Ryan of the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' criticized "''30&nbsp;Rock'' for being less than the sum of its parts, and, as an entry in the [[single-camera]] comedy sweepstakes, it fails to show either the inspired inventiveness of ''[[Arrested Development (TV series)|Arrested Development]]'' or provide the surprisingly perceptive character studies of ''The Office''".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2006-10-11-0610100347-story.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220326030927/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2006-10-11-0610100347-story.html |archive-date=March 26, 2022 |title=NBC looking for laughs with 2 new sitcoms |access-date=March 25, 2022 |last=Ryan |first=Maureen |date=October 9, 2006 |work=Chicago Tribune |url-status=live }}</ref>
At the end of 2006, ''LA Weekly'' listed ''30 Rock'' as one of the best "Series of the Year".<ref name="LAW">{{cite news|url=https://www.laweekly.com/sit-up-and-watch/ |author=Able, Robert |newspaper=[[LA Weekly]] |title=Sit Up and Watch |access-date=March 25, 2022 |date=December 27, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115001216/https://www.laweekly.com/sit-up-and-watch/ |archive-date=November 15, 2021}}</ref> The show also appeared on similar year end "best of" 2006 lists published by ''[[The New York Times]]'',<ref name="NYT">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/24/arts/television/24stan.html|title=Where the Tube Beats YouTube|first=Alessandra|last=Stanley|work=The New York Times|date=December 24, 2006|access-date=October 16, 2007|archive-date=November 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114234934/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/24/arts/television/24stan.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[The A.V. Club]]'',<ref name="avclub_1">{{cite news|url=https://www.avclub.com/crosstalk-the-best-tv-of-2006-1798210758 |title=Crosstalk: The Best TV Of 2006 |access-date=March 25, 2022 |last=Murray |first=Noel |author2=Tobias, Scott |date=January 10, 2007 |newspaper=[[The A.V. Club]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612190607/https://www.avclub.com/crosstalk-the-best-tv-of-2006-1798210758 |archive-date=June 12, 2021}}</ref> ''[[The Boston Globe]]'',<ref name="metabestof06">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/bests/2006/ |title=Best of 2006: TV Critic Top Ten Lists |access-date=April 6, 2008 |website=[[Metacritic]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209070634/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/bests/2006/ |archive-date=February 9, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'',<ref name="metabestof06" /> ''Entertainment Weekly'',<ref name="metabestof06" /> the ''Los Angeles Times'',<ref name="metabestof06" /> the ''[[Miami Herald]]'',<ref name="metabestof06" /> ''[[People Weekly]]'',<ref name="metabestof06" /> and ''TV Guide''.<ref name="metabestof06" /> The ''[[Associated Press]]'' wrote that NBC's "Thursday night comedy block—made up of ''[[My Name Is Earl]]'', ''[[The Office (American TV series)|The Office]]'', ''[[Scrubs (TV series)|Scrubs]]'', and ''30 Rock''—is consistently the best night of prime time viewing for any network."<ref name="AP">{{cite news|title=NBC leads year's best series|first=Terry |last=Morrow|url=http://www.newsobserver.com/105/story/526251.html|agency=Associated Press|access-date=October 16, 2007|date=December 29, 2006 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071011150958/http://www.newsobserver.com/105/story/526251.html |archive-date = October 11, 2007}}</ref> In 2007, it appeared on ''The Boston Globe''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> "best of" list<ref name="metabestof07">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/bests/2007/ |title=Best of 2007: TV Critic Top Ten List |access-date=April 6, 2008 |website=[[Metacritic]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220050244/https://www.metacritic.com/tv/bests/2007/|archive-date=December 20, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> as well as the "best of" lists of the ''Chicago Sun-Times'',<ref name="metabestof07" /> the ''Chicago Tribune'',<ref name="metabestof07" /> ''Entertainment Weekly'',<ref name="metabestof07" /> the ''Los Angeles Times'',<ref name="metabestof07" /> ''Newark Star-Ledger'',<ref name="metabestof07" /> ''The New York Times'',<ref name="metabestof07" /> ''[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]'',<ref name="metabestof07" /> ''[[The San Francisco Chronicle]]'',<ref name="metabestof07" /> ''[[The San Jose Mercury News]]'',<ref name="metabestof07" /> ''TV Guide'' and ''[[USA Today]]''.<ref name="metabestof07" /> ''30 Rock'' was named the best series of 2007 by ''Entertainment Weekly''.<ref name="metabestof07" />
At the end of 2009, ''[[Newsweek]]'' magazine ranked ''30 Rock'' as the best comedy on TV in the past decade,<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Alston |first=Joshua |url=http://2010.newsweek.com/top-10/funniest-tv-comedies/nbc-30-rock.html |title=30 Rock TV – Funniest TV Shows – Newsweek 2010 |magazine=Newsweek |access-date=January 4, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100926050800/http://2010.newsweek.com/top-10/funniest-tv-comedies/nbc-30-rock.html |archive-date=September 26, 2010 }}</ref> and at the end of 2010, ''[[Metacritic]]'' reported that the show ranked 12th place in their list of collected Television Critic Top Ten Lists.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dietz |first=Jason |url=http://features.metacritic.com/features/2010/tv-critics-pick-ten-best-tv-shows-of-2010/ |title=The Scorecard: Critics pick the best TV shows of 2010 |website=[[Metacritic]] |date=December 13, 2010 |access-date=February 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110111180448/http://features.metacritic.com/features/2010/tv-critics-pick-ten-best-tv-shows-of-2010/ |archive-date=January 11, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> At the end of 2012, a poll undertaken by ''[[60 Minutes]]'' and ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]'' named ''30 Rock'' the seventh greatest sitcom of all time.<ref name="seventhgreatest">{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2012/12/03/seinfeld-voted-greatest-sitcom/|title=Is Seinfeld the Greatest Sitcom of All Time?|work=TV Line|last=Gelman|first=Vlada|date=December 3, 2012|access-date=February 3, 2013|archive-date=February 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201050909/http://tvline.com/2012/12/03/seinfeld-voted-greatest-sitcom/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2013, the [[Writers Guild of America]] named ''30 Rock'' as one of the best-written television series of all time, ranking it at 21st place.<ref name="NA 2013"/> In 2019, the series was ranked 12th on ''[[The Guardian]]'' newspaper's list of the 100 best TV shows of the 21st century.<ref>{{cite web |title=The 100 best TV shows of the 21st century |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/sep/16/100-best-tv-shows-of-the-21st-century |website=The Guardian |date=September 16, 2019 |access-date=September 23, 2019 |archive-date=November 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101054025/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/sep/16/100-best-tv-shows-of-the-21st-century |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2023, ''Variety'' ranked ''30 Rock'' #22 on its list of the 100 greatest TV shows of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/lists/greatest-tv-shows-of-all-time/30-rock-3/|title=The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time|website=Variety|date=December 20, 2023|access-date=December 24, 2023}}</ref>
===Awards and nominations===
{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by 30 Rock}}
Capping its critically successful [[30 Rock (season 1)|first season]], ''30 Rock'' won the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series]] and Elaine Stritch was awarded [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series|Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series]] in September 2007 for her work as a guest actress in the season one finale episode, "[[Hiatus (30 Rock)|Hiatus]]".<ref name="07emmywinners">{{cite press release |title=Academy of Television Arts and Sciences 59th Primetime Emmy Awards |publisher=[[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]] |date=September 16, 2007 |url=http://www.emmys.org/downloads/2007/pte59emmywinners.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229000948/http://www.emmys.org/downloads/2007/pte59emmywinners.pdf |archive-date=February 29, 2008 |access-date=February 18, 2008}}</ref> Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin were nominated in the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series|Outstanding Lead Actress]] and [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series|Outstanding Lead Actor]] in a comedy series categories, respectively.<ref name="07emmynoms">{{cite web|url=http://www.emmys.org/awards/2007pt/59thnominations.php |title=The 59th Primetime Emmy Awards and Creative Arts Emmy Awards Nominees are... |access-date=February 18, 2008 |publisher=[[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725022024/http://www.emmys.org/awards/2007pt/59thnominations.php |archive-date=July 25, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> "[[Jack-Tor]]" and "[[Tracy Does Conan]]" were both nominated for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series|Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series]].<ref name="07emmynoms" /> ''30 Rock'' received four [[Creative Arts Emmy Award]]s.<ref name="07emmynoms" /> Alec Baldwin received the [[Golden Globe Award]] for [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy|Best Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy]] in 2007.<ref name="globes07">{{cite web|url=http://www.goldenglobes.org/nominations/year/2006 |title=Nominations and Winners 2007 |access-date=March 7, 2008 |publisher=[[Hollywood Foreign Press Association]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811201216/http://www.goldenglobes.org/nominations/year/2006/ |archive-date=August 11, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Baldwin also received the [[Screen Actors Guild Award]] for [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series|Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series]] in 2007.<ref name="sagawards07">{{cite news|title='Dreamgirls' and 'Sunshine' Dreams Come True |url=http://www.etonline.com/sag2007/2007/01/38574/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215033320/http://www.etonline.com/sag2007/2007/01/38574/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 15, 2008 |publisher=[[Entertainment Tonight]] |date=January 28, 2007 |access-date=February 18, 2008 }}</ref> The show also received various other guild award nominations during its first season<ref name="dgaawards07">{{cite web|url=http://www.dga.org/news/dgamonthly-0207/awrdsnews_tvcatsannounce-0207.php3 |title=DGA Announces Nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in the television categories of Dramatic Series Night, Comedy Series, Musical Variety, Reality Programs, Daytime Serials and Children's Programs for 2006 |access-date=March 7, 2008 |date=February 2007 |work=Newsletter |publisher=[[Directors Guild of America]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070823175245/http://www.dga.org/news/dgamonthly-0207/awrdsnews_tvcatsannounce-0207.php3 |archive-date=August 23, 2007 }}</ref><ref name="wga07noms">{{cite press release|title=2007 Writers Guild Awards Television & Radio Nominees Announced |publisher=[[Writers Guild of America, West]] |date=December 13, 2006 |url=http://www.wga.org/subpage_newsevents.aspx?id=2267 |access-date=March 7, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071205212901/http://www.wga.org/subpage_newsevents.aspx?id=2267 |archive-date=December 5, 2007 }}</ref> and the [[Peabody Award]].<ref>[http://www.peabodyawards.com/award-profile/30-rock 67th Annual Peabody Awards], May 2008.</ref>
[[File:Tina Fey (4839740507) (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|upright|Fey won six Primetime Emmy Awards for her work on ''30 Rock''.]]
In 2008, Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin both won [[Screen Actors Guild Award]]s.<ref name="sagawards08">{{cite news |first=Pamela |last=McClintock |title='Country' takes top SAG film award |url=https://www.variety.com/awardcentral_article/VR1117979715.html?nav=news&categoryid=1983&cs=1 |work=Variety |date=January 27, 2008 |access-date=February 18, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080131122426/http://www.variety.com/awardcentral_article/VR1117979715.html?nav=news&categoryid=1983&cs=1 |archive-date=January 31, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The series took home the Writers Guild of America Award for [[Writers Guild of America Awards 2007#Comedy Series|Best Comedy Series]] in 2008.<ref name="wga08winners">{{cite web |title=2008 WRITERS GUILD AWARDS WINNERS ANNOUNCED {{!}} Press Room |url=https://www.wgaeast.org/2008-writers-guild-awards-winners-announced/ |website=Writers Guild of America, East |access-date=March 25, 2022 |date=February 9, 2008}}</ref> It also received the Danny Thomas Producer of the Year Award in Episodic Series&nbsp;– Comedy from the [[Producers Guild of America]] in 2008.<ref name="pga2007awards">{{cite news|first=Leslie |last=Simmons |title='No Country' Tops PGA Awards |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/no-country-tops-pga-awards-104033/ |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=February 4, 2008 |access-date=March 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127010343/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/no-country-tops-pga-awards-104033/ |archive-date=November 27, 2021}}</ref> ''30 Rock'' received 17 Primetime Emmy Award nominations for its [[30 Rock (season 2)|second season]], meaning it was the second-most nominated series of the year.<ref name="08emmynoms">{{cite web|url=http://www.emmys.tv/awards/primetime-emmy-awards/2008/nominationswinners-0 |title=The 60th Primetime Emmy Awards and Creative Arts Emmy Awards Nominees are... |access-date=July 17, 2008 |date=July 17, 2008 |publisher=[[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090706233139/http://cdn.emmys.tv/awards/2008pte/60thpte_noms.php |archive-date=July 6, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> These 17 nominations broke the record for the most nominations for a comedy series, meaning that ''30 Rock'' was the most-nominated comedy series for any individual Primetime Emmy Award year. The previous holder of this record was ''[[The Larry Sanders Show]]'' in [[48th Primetime Emmy Awards|1996]] with 16 nominations.<ref name="emmyrecord">{{cite news|first=Tom |last=O'Neil |title=''30 Rock'' breaks comedy record at Emmy nominations |url=http://goldderby.latimes.com/awards_goldderby/2008/07/30-rock-and-joh.html |work=Los Angeles Times |date=July 18, 2008 |access-date=July 24, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723143630/http://goldderby.latimes.com/awards_goldderby/2008/07/30-rock-and-joh.html |archive-date=July 23, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''30 Rock'' also won the [[TCA Awards|Television Critics Association Award]] for [[TCA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Comedy|Outstanding Achievement in Comedy]].<ref name="tca08winners">{{cite news |first=Stuart |last=Levine |title=''Mad Men'' tops TCA Awards |url=https://variety.com/2008/film/awards/mad-men-tops-tca-awards-1117989202/ |work=Variety  |date=July 19, 2008 |access-date=July 20, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080822032513/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117989202.html?categoryId=14&cs=1  |archive-date = August 22, 2008}}</ref>
In 2008, ''30 Rock'' completed a sweep of the major awards at the [[60th Primetime Emmy Awards]]. The show won Outstanding Comedy Series, Alec Baldwin was recognized as Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, and Tina Fey was given the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. This marked the eighth time in the Primetime Emmy Awards history that a show won best series plus best lead actor and actress.<ref name="sweep">{{cite news |first=Tom |last=O'Neil |title=''30 Rock'' finally rocks the Emmys, sweeping the trifecta |url=http://goldderby.latimes.com/awards_goldderby/2008/09/emmy-30-rock.html |work=Los Angeles Times |date=September 21, 2008 |access-date=September 22, 2008 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080925032217/http://goldderby.latimes.com/awards_goldderby/2008/09/emmy-30-rock.html| archive-date= September 25, 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> Tina Fey also won the award for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series|Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series]] for the second-season finale episode, "[[Cooter (30 Rock)|Cooter]]".
[[File:Tina Fey and the cast and crew of 30 Rock at the 67th Annual Peabody Awards.jpg|thumb|Tina Fey and the cast and crew of ''30 Rock'' at the 67th Annual Peabody Awards]]At the [[66th Golden Globe Awards]], ''30 Rock'' won the award for [[Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy|Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy]], Alec Baldwin won [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy|Best Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy]], and Tina Fey won [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy|Best Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy]].<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2008-12-12 |url=http://www.goldenglobes.org/nominations/index.html |publisher=Golden Globes |title=Nominations & Winners |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216165254/http://www.goldenglobes.org/nominations/index.html |archive-date=16 December 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
At the 67th Annual Peabody Awards, ''30 Rock'' received the [[Peabody Award]] for the show's 2007 episodes.<ref name="peabody_2">{{cite web|title=30 Rock (NBC) |publisher=[[Peabody Award]]s |date=April 2, 2008 |url=http://www.peabody.uga.edu/winners/details.php?id=2488 |access-date=April 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100610211215/http://www.peabody.uga.edu/winners/details.php?id=2488 |archive-date=June 10, 2010 }}</ref> Upon announcing the award, the Peabody Board commended the show for being "not only a great workplace comedy in the tradition of ''[[The Mary Tyler Moore Show]]'', complete with fresh, indelible secondary characters, but also a sly, gleeful satire of corporate media, especially the network that airs it".<ref name="peabody_1">{{cite press release|title=67th Annual Peabody Awards Winners Announced |publisher=[[PR Newswire]] |date=April 2, 2008 |url=http://www2.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/04-02-2008/0004785346 |access-date=April 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111019071909/http://www2.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=%2Fwww%2Fstory%2F04-02-2008%2F0004785346 |archive-date=October 19, 2011 }}</ref>
In 2009, ''30 Rock'' received a record-breaking 22 Primetime Emmy Award nominations and won five of them, including [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series|Outstanding Comedy Series]], [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series|Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series]] (Baldwin), and [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series|Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series]] for "[[Reunion (30 Rock)|Reunion]]".<ref name="22_emmys">{{cite press release |title='30 Rock' leads Emmy nominations with 22 bids |work=USA Today |date=July 20, 2009 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/test/test2/2009-07-20-30RockTest2_N.htm |access-date=August 10, 2009 |archive-date=January 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130105090854/http://www.usatoday.com/test/test2/2009-07-20-30RockTest2_N.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> It received 15 Primetime Emmy Award nominations in 2010, including the series' fourth consecutive nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (Baldwin), and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (Fey).<ref name="10emmynoms">{{cite press release|title=62nd Primetime Emmy Award Nominations|publisher=[[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]]|url=http://www.emmys.com/sites/emmys.com/files/62ndemmys_noms_1.pdf|access-date=July 16, 2010|archive-date=March 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322002755/http://www.emmys.com/sites/emmys.com/files/62ndemmys_noms_1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> ''30 Rock'' received 9 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, in 2011 and 13 in 2012.
In 2013, ''30 Rock''{{'}}s [[30 Rock (season 7)|seventh and final season]] received 13 Primetime Emmy Award nominations (the most of any comedy series and the most of any final season of a comedy series), including Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Fey, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Baldwin, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Krakowski, directing, two nominations for writing, and its seventh consecutive nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series, bringing the series' total number of nominations to 103. The series' casting directors won their third prize for Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series, while Tina Fey and [[Tracey Wigfield]] won for their writing for the series finale, "[[Last Lunch]]".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://ew.com/article/2013/09/22/emmys-2013-winners-list/|title=Emmys 2013: The complete winners list|work=EW.com|access-date=March 23, 2018|language=en|archive-date=November 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114235002/https://ew.com/article/2013/09/22/emmys-2013-winners-list/|url-status=live}}</ref>
At the [[19th Screen Actors Guild Awards]], both Fey and Baldwin won for their performances in the [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series|Female]] and [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series|Male]] comedy categories, respectively, while the cast received their final nomination for [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series|Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sag-awards-2013-argo-jennifer-415722|title=SAG Awards 2013: 'Argo,' Jennifer Lawrence, Daniel Day-Lewis Score Victories|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=March 23, 2018|language=en|archive-date=November 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114234936/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sag-awards-2013-argo-jennifer-415722|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Ratings===
Below, "Rank" refers to how well ''30 Rock'' rated compared to other television series which aired during primetime hours of the corresponding television season; for example, in its first year, 101 television series were rated higher. The television season begins in September of any given year and ends in May of the following year. "Viewers" refers to the average number of viewers for all original episodes (broadcast in the series' regular timeslot) of ''30 Rock'' aired during the television season. Although the viewer average may be higher for some seasons than others, the rank will not necessarily be higher. This is due to the number of programs aired during primetime. In some seasons, more regular programs may be aired during primetime than in others.
<onlyinclude>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Season
! rowspan="2"| Timeslot ([[Eastern Time Zone (North America)|ET]])
! colspan=2| Premiered
! colspan=2| Ended
! rowspan="2"| TV Season
! rowspan=2| Rank
! rowspan=2| Viewers<br />(in millions)
|-
! Date
! span style="line-height:100%;"| Premiere<br />Viewers<br />(in millions)
! Date
! span style="line-height:100%;"| Finale<br />Viewers<br />(in millions)
|-
| [[30 Rock (season 1)|1]]
! span style="font-weight:normal; line-height:100%;"| Wednesday 8:00 pm (October 11&nbsp;– November 1, 2006)<br />Thursday 9:30 pm (November 16, 2006&nbsp;– March 8, 2007)<br />Thursday 9:00 pm (April 5–26, 2007)
| style="line-height:110%"| October 11, 2006
! 8.13<ref name="101ratings">{{cite magazine |first=Rick |last=Kissell |title=NBC's ''Rock'' solid in premiere |url=https://variety.com/2006/scene/markets-festivals/nbc-s-rock-solid-in-premiere-1117951807/ |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=October 12, 2006 |access-date=January 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106184459/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117951807?refCatId=1275 |archive-date=November 6, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| style="line-height:110%"| April 26, 2007
! 4.72<ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] Medianet|date=May 1, 2007|url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=050107_08 |title=Weekly Program Rankings (Apr. 23–29)|access-date=June 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528005702/http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=050107_08|archive-date=May 28, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>
![[2006–2007 United States network television schedule|2006–2007]]
! style= |  #102<ref name="2006-07 primetime wrap">{{cite news |title=2006–07 primetime wrap |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/2006-07-primetime-wrap-137223 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111123050638/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/2006-07-primetime-wrap-137223 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 23, 2011 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=May 25, 2007 |access-date=October 14, 2007}}</ref>
! style= | 5.8<ref name="2006-07 primetime wrap" />
|-
| [[30 Rock (season 2)|2]]
! span style="font-weight:normal; line-height:100%;"| Thursday 8:30 pm (October 4, 2007&nbsp;– April 17, 2008)<br />Thursday 9:00 pm (December 13, 2007)<br />Thursday 9:30 pm (April 24&nbsp;– May 8, 2008)
| style="line-height:110%"| October 4, 2007
! 7.33<ref name="201ratings">{{cite magazine |url=https://variety.com/2007/scene/markets-festivals/friday-night-lights-lights-up-nbc-1117973599/ |title=''Friday Night Lights'' Lights up NBC |access-date=January 15, 2013|last=Kissell |first=Rick |date=October 7, 2007 |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref>
| style="line-height:110%"| May 8, 2008
! 5.45<ref name="215ratings">{{cite web|publisher=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] Medianet|date=May 13, 2008|url=https://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=051308_06|title=Weekly Program Rankings (May 5–11)|work=ABC Medianet|access-date=June 2, 2023|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107183044/http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=051308_06|archive-date=January 7, 2009}}</ref>
![[2007–2008 United States network television schedule|2007–2008]]
! style= |  #111<ref name="2008final">{{cite news|title=Season Program Rankings from 09/24/07 to 05/25/08 |url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=052808_06 |publisher=[[ABC Television Network]] |date=May 28, 2008 |access-date=May 25, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100413172935/http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=052808_06 |archive-date=April 13, 2010 }}</ref>
! style= |  6.5<ref name="2008final"/>
|-
| [[30 Rock (season 3)|3]]
! span style="font-weight:normal; line-height:100%;"| Thursday 9:30 pm (October 30, 2008&nbsp;– May 14, 2009)
| style="line-height:110%"| October 30, 2008
! 8.66<ref name="301ratings">{{cite web|publisher=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] Medianet|date=November 4, 2008|url=https://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=110408_05|title=Weekly Program Rankings (Oct. 27-Nov. 2)|work=ABC Medianet|access-date=June 2, 2023|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090527141935/http://www.abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=110408_05|archive-date=May 27, 2009}}</ref>
| style="line-height:110%"| May 14, 2009
! 5.70<ref name="322ratings">{{cite web|last=Seidman|first=Robert|url=http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/05/19/top-nbc-primetime-shows-may-11-17-2009/19091|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091118060340/http://tvbythenumbers.com:80/2009/05/19/top-nbc-primetime-shows-may-11-17-2009/19091|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 18, 2009|title=Top NBC Primetime Shows, May 11–17, 2009|publisher=TV by the Numbers|date=May 19, 2009|access-date=June 2, 2023}}</ref>
![[2008–2009 United States network television schedule|2008–2009]]
! style= |  #69<ref name="2009final">{{cite web |url=http://www.abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=052709_07 |title=SEASON RANKINGS (THROUGH 5/24) |publisher=ABC Medianet |date=May 27, 2009 |access-date=April 12, 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120526075316/http://www.abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=052709_07 |archive-date=May 26, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
! style= |  7.5<ref name="2009final"/>
|-
| [[30 Rock (season 4)|4]]
! span style="font-weight:normal; line-height:100%;"| Thursday 9:30 pm (October 15, 2009&nbsp;– May 20, 2010)<br />Thursday 9:00 pm (January 14, 2010)<br />Thursday 8:30 pm (April 22, 2010)
| style="line-height:110%"| October 15, 2009
! 6.39<ref name="401ratings">{{cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/10/16/broadcast-finals-bones-the-office-greys-anatomy-the-mentalist-up-private-practice-down-a-tick/30682 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110420223237/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2009/10/16/broadcast-finals-bones-the-office-greys-anatomy-the-mentalist-up-private-practice-down-a-tick/30682 |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 20, 2011 |title=Broadcast Finals: ''Bones'', ''The Office'', ''Grey's Anatomy'', ''The Menatalist'' up; ''Private Practice'' down a tick |work=[[TV by the Numbers]]|last=Seidman |first=Robert |date=October 16, 2009 |access-date=January 30, 2011}}</ref>
| style="line-height:110%"| May 20, 2010
! 5.36<ref name="422ratings">{{cite news|url=https://www.ratingsryan.com/2022/01/broadcast-cable-nielsens-20100523.html|title=Broadcast & Cable Nielsens: Week Ending May 23, 2010|date=January 23, 2022|work=Ratings Ryan|access-date=June 2, 2023|archive-date=June 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603051046/https://www.ratingsryan.com/2022/01/broadcast-cable-nielsens-20100523.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
![[2009–2010 United States network television schedule|2009–2010]]
! style= |  #86<ref name="2010final">{{cite news|first=Bill |last=Gorman |title=Final 2009–10 Broadcast Primetime Show Average Viewership |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/06/16/final-2009-10-broadcast-primetime-show-average-viewership/54336/ |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=June 16, 2010 |access-date=May 27, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605180041/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/06/16/final-2009-10-broadcast-primetime-show-average-viewership/54336/ |archive-date=June 5, 2011 }}</ref>
! style= |  5.9<ref name=2010final/>
|-
| [[30 Rock (season 5)|5]]
! span style="font-weight:normal; line-height:100%;"| Thursday 8:30 pm (September 23 – December 9, 2010)<br />Thursday 10:00 pm (January 20 – May 5, 2011)<br />Thursday 10:30 pm (April 28, 2011)
| style="line-height:110%"| September 23, 2010
! 5.91<ref name="501ratings">{{cite web|url=http://yourentertainmentnow.com/2010/10/01/broadcast-tv-ratings-for-thursday-september-30-2010/|title=Broadcast TV Ratings for Thursday, September 30, 2010|last=Calabria|first=Rosario T.|work=Your Entertainment Now|date=October 1, 2010|access-date=June 2, 2023|archive-date=July 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718150158/http://yourentertainmentnow.com/2010/10/01/broadcast-tv-ratings-for-thursday-september-30-2010/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| style="line-height:110%"| May 5, 2011
! 4.20<ref name="523ratings">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/05/06/thursday-final-ratings-american-idol-big-bang-theory-csi-the-mentalist-community-the-vampire-diaries-adjusted-up-bones-parks-recreation-adjusted-down/91817|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110509160055/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/05/06/thursday-final-ratings-american-idol-big-bang-theory-csi-the-mentalist-community-the-vampire-diaries-adjusted-up-bones-parks-recreation-adjusted-down/91817|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 9, 2011|title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'American Idol,' 'Big Bang Theory,' 'CSI,' 'The Mentalist,' 'Community,' 'The Vampire Diaries' Adjusted Up; 'Bones,' 'Parks & Recreation' Adjusted Down|last=Seidman|first=Robert|work=TV by the Numbers|date=May 6, 2011|access-date=May 6, 2011}}</ref>
![[2010–2011 United States network television schedule|2010–2011]]
! style= |  #106<ref name="2011final">{{cite news|first=Bill |last=Gorman |title=2010–11 Season Broadcast Primetime Show Viewership Averages |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/06/01/2010-11-season-broadcast-primetime-show-viewership-averages/94407/ |website=[[TV by the Numbers]] |date=June 1, 2011 |access-date=June 7, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110625190807/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/06/01/2010-11-season-broadcast-primetime-show-viewership-averages/94407/ |archive-date=June 25, 2011 }}</ref>
! style= |  5.3<ref name=2011final/>
|-
| [[30 Rock (season 6)|6]]
! span style="font-weight:normal; line-height:100%;"| Thursday 8:00 pm (January 12 – March 8, 2012)<br />Thursday 9:00 pm (January 26, 2012)<br />Thursday 8:30 pm (March 15 – May 17, 2012)
| style="line-height:110%"| January 12, 2012
! 4.47<ref name="601ratings">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/01/13/thursday-final-ratings-big-bang-theory-adjusted-up-private-practice-adjusted-down/116462/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115011846/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/01/13/thursday-final-ratings-big-bang-theory-adjusted-up-private-practice-adjusted-down/116462/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 15, 2012|title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'Big Bang Theory' Adjusted Up; 'Private Practice' Adjusted Down|last=Seidman|first=Robert|date=January 13, 2012|access-date=January 16, 2012}}</ref>
| style="line-height:110%"| May 17, 2012
! 2.84<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/05/18/thursday-final-ratings-american-idol-greys-anatomy-30-rock-adjusted-up-touch-scandal-adjusted-down/134984/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522001613/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/05/18/thursday-final-ratings-american-idol-greys-anatomy-30-rock-adjusted-up-touch-scandal-adjusted-down/134984/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 22, 2012|title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'American Idol', 'Grey's Anatomy', '30 Rock' Adjusted Up; 'Touch', 'Scandal' Adjusted Down|last=Bibel|first=Sara|date=May 18, 2012|work=TV by the Numbers|access-date=May 18, 2012}}</ref>
![[2011–2012 United States network television schedule|2011–2012]]
! style= |  #130<ref name="2012final">{{cite news |first=Bill |last=Gorman |title=Complete List Of 2011–12 Season TV Show Viewership: 'Sunday Night Football' Tops, Followed By 'American Idol,' 'NCIS' & 'Dancing With The Stars' |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/05/24/complete-list-of-2011-12-season-tv-show-viewership-sunday-night-football-tops-followed-by-american-idol-ncis-dancing-with-the-stars/135785/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527223446/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/05/24/complete-list-of-2011-12-season-tv-show-viewership-sunday-night-football-tops-followed-by-american-idol-ncis-dancing-with-the-stars/135785/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 27, 2012 |website=[[TV by the Numbers]] |date=May 24, 2012 |access-date=May 25, 2012}}</ref>
! style= |  4.6<ref name=2012final/>
|-
| [[30 Rock (season 7)|7]]
! span style="font-weight:normal; line-height:100%;"| Thursday 8:00 pm (October 4, 2012 – January 31, 2013)<br />Wednesday 8:00 pm (October 31, 2012)
| style="line-height:110%"| October 4, 2012
! 3.46<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/10/05/thursday-final-ratingsthe-x-factor-last-resort-30-rock-greys-anatomy-the-office-adjusted-up-two-and-a-half-men-person-of-interest-scandal-elementary/151704/ |title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'The X Factor', 'Last Resort', '30 Rock', 'Grey's Anatomy', 'The Office' Adjusted Up; 'Two and a Half Men', 'Person of Interest', 'Scandal', 'Elementary' 'Rock Center' & 'The Next' Adjusted Down |work=TV by the Numbers |last=Bibel |first=Sara |date=October 5, 2012 |access-date=October 5, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007175716/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/10/05/thursday-final-ratingsthe-x-factor-last-resort-30-rock-greys-anatomy-the-office-adjusted-up-two-and-a-half-men-person-of-interest-scandal-elementary/151704/ |archive-date=October 7, 2012 }}</ref>
| style="line-height:110%"| January 31, 2013
! 4.88<ref name="712/713ratings">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/02/01/thursday-final-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-adjusted-up-no-adjustments-for-scandal-american-idol-or-do-no-harm/167587/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130204032124/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/02/01/thursday-final-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-adjusted-up-no-adjustments-for-scandal-american-idol-or-do-no-harm/167587/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 4, 2013|title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory' Adjusted Up; No Adjustments for 'Scandal', 'American Idol' or 'Do No Harm'|work=TV by the Numbers |last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|date=February 1, 2013|access-date=February 1, 2013}}</ref>
![[2012–2013 United States network television schedule|2012–2013]]
! style= |  #99<ref name="2013final">{{cite web|last=Patten|first=Dominic|title=Full 2012–2013 TV Season Series Rankings|url=https://deadline.com/2014/05/tv-season-series-rankings-2013-full-list-2-733762/|work=Dateline|access-date=May 24, 2013|date=May 24, 2013|archive-date=June 28, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130628235235/http://www.deadline.com/2013/05/tv-season-series-rankings-2013-full-list/|url-status=live}}</ref>
! style= |  4.6<ref name=2013final/>
|}
</onlyinclude>
The pilot episode generated 8.13&nbsp;million viewers,<ref name="ratings_variety">{{cite news|first=Rick |last=Kissell |title=NBC's ''Rock'' solid in premiere |url=https://variety.com/2006/scene/markets-festivals/nbc-s-rock-solid-in-premiere-1117951807/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20100328051704/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117951807.html?categoryid=1275&cs=1&query=30+rock+3.2 |url-status=live |archive-date=March 28, 2010 |work=Variety |date=October 12, 2006 |access-date=February 27, 2008 }}</ref> the series' highest ratings until that of its third-season premiere which garnered 8.5&nbsp;million viewers. In its original timeslot of Wednesday at 8:00&nbsp;pm [[Eastern Time Zone|EST]], the show averaged 6.23&nbsp;million viewers.<ref>{{cite press release |title=I. T. R. S. Ranking Report 01 through 112 (out of 112 programs) Daypart: Primetime Mon-Sun |publisher=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] Medianet |date=November 7, 2006 |url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=110706_06 |access-date=April 3, 2008 |archive-date=December 6, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206014844/http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=110706_06 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''30 Rock'' aired on Wednesdays for its first four episodes. The season's lowest ratings were achieved by "Jack the Writer" and "Hard Ball" which both achieved 4.61&nbsp;million viewers.<ref name="104ratings">{{cite press release|title=I. T. R. S. Ranking Report 01 through 102 (out of 102 programs) Daypart: Primetime Mon-Sun |publisher=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] Medianet |date=November 7, 2006 |url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=110706_05 |access-date=April 3, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528010416/http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=110706_05 |archive-date=May 28, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="115ratings">{{cite press release|title=I. T. R. S. Ranking Report 01 through 99 (out of 99 programs) Daypart: Primetime Mon-Sun |publisher=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] Medianet |date=February 27, 2007 |url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=022707_06 |access-date=April 3, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209232550/http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=022707_06 |archive-date=December 9, 2014 }}</ref> The season-two premiere, "[[SeinfeldVision]]" was viewed by 7.33&nbsp;million viewers, the highest rating since the pilot.<ref>{{cite press release|title=I. T. R. S. Ranking Report 01 through 102 (out of 102 programs) Daypart: Primetime Mon-Sun |publisher=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] Medianet |date=October 9, 2007 |url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=100907_06 |access-date=April 3, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218051739/http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=100907_06 |archive-date=February 18, 2015 }}</ref> On January 10, 2008, ''30 Rock'' entered a hiatus due to the [[2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike]].<ref name="episodesleft" /> [[Episode 210|The episode]] that aired on that date was viewed by 5.98&nbsp;million viewers.<ref>{{cite press release|title=I. T. R. S. Ranking Report 01 through 95 (out of 95 programs) Daypart: Primetime Mon-Sun |publisher=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] Medianet |date=January 15, 2008 |url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=011508_03 |access-date=April 3, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501042129/http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=011508_03 |archive-date=May 1, 2011 |url-status=live  }}</ref> The second-season finale, "[[Cooter (30 Rock)|Cooter]]", which aired on May 8, 2008, was viewed by 5.6&nbsp;million viewers.<ref name="cooteratings"/>
On December 29, 2006, [[Nielsen Media Research]] (NMR) reported the results of having, for the first time, monitored viewers who use a [[digital video recorder]] to record shows for later viewing. NMR reported that ''30 Rock'' adds nearly 7.5% to its total audience every week as a result of viewers who use a DVR to record the show and then watch it within a week of its initial airing.<ref>{{cite news|title=''Studio 60'' Gets Bump from DVRs |url=http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-studio60mosttimeshiftedshow,0,4559331.story?coll=zap-tv-mainheadline |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070308160740/http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-studio60mosttimeshiftedshow%2C0%2C4559331.story?coll=zap-tv-mainheadline |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 8, 2007 |publisher=Zap2it |date=December 29, 2006 |access-date=April 3, 2008 }} RetrieveOctober d 14, 2007.</ref> A March 2007 report from ''MAGNA Global'', based on NMR data about viewership ranked by among adults 25–54, shows that as of the time of the report ''30 Rock''{{'}}s viewers have a median income of $65,000, high enough to place the show tied at 11th in affluence with several other shows. This is during a period where for the season ''30 Rock'' is tied at number 85 in the 18–49 demographic.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Kevin |last=Downey |title=In their TV tastes, the rich are different |url=http://www.medialifemagazine.com/artman/publish/article_10573.asp |magazine=Media Life Magazine |date=March 5, 2007 |access-date=October 14, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930154554/http://www.medialifemagazine.com/artman/publish/article_10573.asp |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> During its second season, ''30 Rock'' ranked in fourth place, against all primetime programming, for television series which are watched by viewers with income above $100,000.<ref name="07-08demogroups">{{cite news |first=James |last=Hibberd |title=For the networks, season didn't rate; Chart: Show ratings by demo |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3i6e06ab8971554c64624b9b5f980db683?pn=4 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080531130038/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3i6e06ab8971554c64624b9b5f980db683?pn=4 |archive-date=May 31, 2008 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=May 23, 2008 |access-date=June 24, 2008 }}</ref> Following Fey's popular impressions of Alaskan governor [[Sarah Palin]] on ''Saturday Night Live'', the third-season premiere was seen by 8.5&nbsp;million viewers, making it the highest-viewed episode in the series.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/01/arts/television/01arts-30ROCKSHINES_BRF.html?ref=television |title= ''30 Rock'' Shines on Thursday Night |access-date= November 2, 2008 |last= Toff |first= Benjamin |date= October 31, 2008 |work= The New York Times |archive-date= November 14, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201114235019/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/01/arts/television/01arts-30ROCKSHINES_BRF.html?ref=television |url-status= live }}</ref> The premiere earned a 4.1 preliminary adults 18–49 rating, an increase of 21% from the second-season premiere.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thrfeed.com/2008/10/30-rock-returns.html|title='30 Rock' returns to series high|last=Hibberd|first=James|date=October 31, 2008|publisher=The Live Feed|access-date=November 1, 2008}}</ref>
===Similarities to other media===
Two shows debuting on [[2006–07 United States network television schedule|2006–07 NBC lineup]], ''30 Rock'' and ''[[Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip]]'', revolved around the off-camera happenings on a ''Saturday Night Live''-analogue sketch comedy series. Similarities between the two led to speculation that only one of them would be picked up. Baldwin said, "I'd be stunned if NBC picked up both shows. And ours has the tougher task, as a comedy, because if it's not funny, that's it."<ref name="newyorker">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.newyorker.com/archive/2006/04/24/060424ta_talk_friend |title=Who's on First Dept: Shows about Shows |access-date=August 1, 2008 |author=Friend, Tad |date=April 24, 2006|magazine=The New Yorker| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080911001913/http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2006/04/24/060424ta_talk_friend| archive-date= September 11, 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> [[Kevin Reilly (executive)|Kevin Reilly]], then president of NBC Entertainment, was supportive of Fey, describing the situation as a "high-class problem":
{{blockquote|I just can't imagine the audience would look at both shows, choose one and cancel the other out. In some ways, why is it any different than when there have been three or four cop shows on any schedule, or ''[[Scrubs (TV series)|Scrubs]]'' and ''[[ER (TV series)|ER]]'', which are tonally very different?<ref name="nytimesbid">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/06/arts/television/06fey.html?ei=5088&en=7f7d8807a835ac72&ex=1301976000&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&pagewanted=print |title=Tina Fey's Brash Bid for Prime Time |access-date=August 3, 2008 |author=Steinberg, Jacques |date=April 6, 2006 |work=The New York Times |archive-date=November 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114234939/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/06/arts/television/tina-feys-brash-bid-for-prime-time.html |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
Evidence of the overlapping subject matter between the shows, as well as the conflict between them, arose when [[Aaron Sorkin]], the creator of ''Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip'', asked [[Lorne Michaels]] to allow him to observe ''Saturday Night Live'' for a week, a request Michaels denied.<ref name="newyorker" /> Despite this, Sorkin sent Fey flowers after NBC announced it would pick up both series, and wished her luck with ''30 Rock''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/tv/archives/105252.asp |title=Tina Fey's Weekend Update: Aaron Sorkin calls her out! |access-date=July 31, 2008 |author=McFarland, Melanie |date=July 22, 2006 |newspaper=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929102552/http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/tv/archives/105252.asp |archive-date=September 29, 2007 |url-status=live  }}</ref> Fey said, "it's just bad luck for me that in my first attempt at prime time I'm going up against the most powerful writer on television. I was joking that this would be the best pilot ever aired on [[Trio (TV network)|Trio]]. And then Trio got canceled."<ref name="newyorker" /> Fey wound up "beating" Sorkin when ''Studio 60'' was canceled after one season and ''30 Rock'' was renewed for a second. Though ''30 Rock''{{'}}s first-season ratings proved lackluster and were lower than those of ''Studio 60'',<ref name="2006-07 primetime wrap" /> ''Studio 60'' was more expensive to produce.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/seven/05012007/tv/studio_sinks__not_30_rock_tv_michael_starr.htm |title=''Studio'' Sinks, Not ''30 Rock'' |access-date=August 4, 2008 |author=Starr, Michael |date=May 1, 2007 |work=New York Post |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070503021121/http://www.nypost.com/seven/05012007/tv/studio_sinks__not_30_rock_tv_michael_starr.htm |archive-date=May 3, 2007 }}</ref>
One early promo for ''30 Rock'' portrayed Alec Baldwin mistakenly thinking he would meet Sorkin,<ref>{{cite video|people=Tina Fey; Alec Baldwin |title=30 Rock Series Premiere Promo |url=http://30rockfan.org/media/videos/spot2.wmv |format=[[Windows Media Video|WMV]] |medium=Promo |publisher=[[NBC]] |access-date=April 2, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081030023016/http://30rockfan.org/media/videos/spot2.wmv |archive-date=October 30, 2008 }}</ref> and when asked on her "Ask Tina" space what she thought of the criticism that ''30 Rock'' received, Fey jokingly replied that people who did not like it were probably confusing it with ''Studio 60''.<ref>{{cite video|people=Tina Fey |title=Ask Tina&nbsp;– 12/14/06 |url=http://www.nbc.com/30_Rock/video/#mea=51031 |format=Stream |publisher=[[NBC]] |location=New York City, New York |access-date=April 2, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080401235219/http://www.nbc.com/30_Rock/video/ |archive-date=April 1, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> However, none of ''30 Rock''{{'}}s producers have given ''Studio 60'' any serious criticism, positive or negative. In a November 1, 2006, interview, Fey said she had seen the first two episodes of ''Studio 60''. When asked what her impressions were, she jokingly replied, "I can't do [[impressionist (entertainment)|impressions]] of [[Bradley Whitford]] and [[Matthew Perry]]."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.avclub.com/content/node/54729 |title=Interviews: Tina Fey |access-date=December 23, 2007 |last=Murray |first=Noel |date=November 1, 2006 |newspaper=[[The A.V. Club]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070623070743/http://www.avclub.com/content/node/54729 |archive-date=June 23, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
At least five ''30 Rock'' episodes have briefly parodied ''Studio 60'':
* "[[Jack the Writer]]" contains a self-referring [[walk and talk]] sequence, such sequences being commonly used on ''Studio 60'' and Aaron Sorkin's previous shows.<ref name="tvguide">{{cite web|url=http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TV-Show-Blog/30-Rock/November-1-2006/700010940 |title=November 1, 2006: "Nuts to You, McGullicuty!" |access-date=August 9, 2008 |last=Webb Mitovich |first=Matt |date=November 2, 2006 |work=[[TV Guide]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080921163644/http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TV-Show-Blog/30-Rock/November-1-2006/700010940 |archive-date=September 21, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* "[[Jack-Tor]]": Liz tries to quote global education statistics, only to mess up and realize that she does not know what she is talking about.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/746/746564p1.html |title=30 Rock: "Jack-Tor" Review |access-date=December 23, 2007 |last=Canning |first=Robert |date=November 17, 2006 |website=IGN| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080117203933/http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/746/746564p1.html| archive-date= January 17, 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref>
* "[[Jack Meets Dennis]]": Liz says the upcoming show will be "worse than that time we did that Gilbert and Sullivan parody." The second episode of ''Studio 60'', "The Cold Open," included a parody of the "[[Major-General's Song]]" on the show-within-the-show.
* "[[The Fabian Strategy]]": In the ending sequence, Kenneth watches the credits for ''TGS'', which include [[Ricky Tahoe|Ricky]] and [[Ron Oswald|Ronnie]] as writers, the two ex-head writers on ''Studio 60''.
* "[[Plan B (30 Rock)|Plan B]]": Aaron Sorkin appears as himself as Liz is attempting to get a new job at NBC's ''[[The Sing-Off]]''. Sorkin explains to Liz that he, too, is having trouble finding work writing for television, despite having written such works as ''[[The West Wing]]'', ''[[A Few Good Men]]'', and ''[[The Social Network]]''. Liz adds ''Studio 60'' to that list, but Sorkin tells her to "shut up". The two of them also engage in Sorkin's signature "Walk and Talk" during their exchange, leading them to where they started the conversation, which Liz points out.
Some critics have compared ''30 Rock'' to ''[[The Mary Tyler Moore Show]]'', with parallels drawn between the relationship of Liz and Jack and that of [[Mary Richards]] and [[Lou Grant (fictional character)|Lou Grant]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2007/03/30/30-rock-just-mary-tyler-moore-show/ |title=There's 'Moore' to '30 Rock' Than Meets the Eye |access-date=December 23, 2007 |date=April 2, 2007 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070630050836/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20033306,00.html |archive-date=June 30, 2007 |url-status=live |first=Kera |last=Bolonik  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://nwitimes.com/articles/2007/01/19/entertainment/entertainment/371a8d51218c1834862572660075efb8.txt |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070624211625/http://nwitimes.com/articles/2007/01/19/entertainment/entertainment/371a8d51218c1834862572660075efb8.txt |archive-date=June 24, 2007 |title=Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin help make '30 Rock' funny |access-date=December 23, 2007 |last=Moore |first=Frazier |date=January 19, 2007 |publisher=nwitimes.com |url-status=live  }}</ref> It has also been compared to ''[[That Girl]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/time100/article/0,28804,1595326_1595332,00.html |title=Tina Fey |access-date=December 23, 2007 |last=Poniewozik |first=James |work=Time Magazine |date=May 3, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226192701/http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/time100/article/0%2C28804%2C1595326_1595332%2C00.html |archive-date=December 26, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mediavillage.com/jmentr/2006/10/11/jmer-10-11-06/ |title=30 Rock Brings New Energy to Television Comedy |access-date=December 23, 2007 |last=Martin |first=Ed |date=October 11, 2006 |publisher=[[Media Village]]|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071111021121/http://www.mediavillage.com/jmentr/2006/10/11/jmer-10-11-06/ |archive-date = November 11, 2007}}</ref> Like ''That Girl'' and ''Mary Tyler Moore'', ''30 Rock'' is a sitcom centering on an unmarried, brunette career woman living in a big city where she works in the television industry. ''That Girl'' was parodied in the opening segment of ''30 Rock''{{'}}s [[Pilot (30 Rock)|pilot]].
==Syndication==
It was announced in 2009 that off-network syndication rights for ''30 Rock'' had been acquired by [[Comedy Central]] and [[WGN America]] for about $800,000 an episode.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.backstage.com/bso/news-and-features-news/comedy-central-lands-on-30-rock-1003992005.story |title=Comedy Central Lands on '30 Rock' |access-date=April 6, 2011 |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |publisher=Backstage.com | date=July 8, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Littleton|first=Cynthia|title='30 Rock' cable ready: Show nabs big bucks in off-network sales|url=https://variety.com/2009/scene/markets-festivals/30-rock-cable-ready-1118005760/|work=Variety|date=July 7, 2009|access-date=April 21, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108040500/https://variety.com/article/VR1118005760?refCatId=14|archive-date=November 8, 2012}}</ref> Between 2011 and 2014, the show was syndicated on local broadcast television stations in the United States.
==Aborted potential spin-off and removed episodes==
In 2019, Tina Fey and ''30 Rock'' co-showrunner [[Robert Carlock]] received a straight-to-series order for an untitled comedy series from NBC. The original script was meant to see Baldwin reprise Jack Donaghy's role and was to follow his political career as mayor of New York following the series finale. Baldwin was in negotiations for a year to star in the project before dropping out. [[Ted Danson]] replaced Baldwin as the lead character, and the series setting was changed to [[Los Angeles]] to accommodate Danson's wish to remain in his home city. Following this, the series (now titled ''[[Mr. Mayor]]'') was rewritten to lose any connections to ''30 Rock''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/rambling-reporter/nbcs-ted-danson-tina-fey-comedy-was-originally-a-30-rock-spinoff-1229574|title=NBC's Ted Danson-Tina Fey Comedy Was Originally a '30 Rock' Spinoff|access-date=August 9, 2019|date=August 8, 2019|last=Goldberg|first=Lesley|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref>
On June 22, 2020, at the request of Fey and Carlock, NBC announced that four episodes of the series that depict actors in [[blackface]] would be removed from streaming services and taken off circulation on TV.
Fey stated: "As we strive to do the work and do better in regards to race in America, we believe that these episodes featuring actors in race-changing makeup are best taken out of circulation. I understand now that 'intent' is not a free pass for white people to use these images. I apologize for pain they have caused".  The episodes that were removed are the [[30 Rock (season 3)|third season]] episode "[[Believe in the Stars]]" and the [[30 Rock (season 5)|fifth season]] episode "[[Christmas Attack Zone]]", both of which featured Jenna in blackface; the [[30 Rock (season 6)|sixth season]] episode "[[Live from Studio 6H]]", which featured guest star [[Jon Hamm]] in blackface; and the east coast version of the [[30 Rock (season 5)|fifth season]] episode "[[Live Show]]". The lattermost's west coast version remained. The decision to remove the episodes came amid [[George Floyd protests|protests]] over the [[murder of George Floyd]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/23/arts/television/30-rock-blackface-Tina-fey.html|title=Streaming Services Remove '30 Rock' Blackface Episodes|work=[[The New York Times]]|last=Hauser|first=Christine|date=June 23, 2020|access-date=June 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701053435/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/23/arts/television/30-rock-blackface-Tina-fey.html|archive-date=July 1, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Reunion special ==
{{main|30 Rock: A One-Time Special}}
On June 16, 2020, NBC announced that it would produce a one-off, hour-long reunion special, which premiered on July 16. The hour-long special aired with no commercial interruptions, but [[Product placement|featured promotions and tie-ins]] for programs airing across NBCUniversal properties (including its new streaming platform [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]]) for the [[2020–21 United States network television schedule|2020–21 television season]] — effectively acting as a substitute for a physical [[Upfront (advertising)|upfronts]] presentation due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. The special was produced with the involvement of NBCUniversal Creative Partnerships. The same day, an accompanying online summit for media and advertisers included an early screening of the special, while the special became available on Peacock and aired on other NBCUniversal cable networks on July 17. A number of major NBC affiliate groups declined to air the special, citing concerns over its aim to be a vehicle for promoting NBCUniversal's cable networks and Peacock.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Petski|first=Denise|date=June 16, 2020|title='30 Rock' Returns To NBC For Upfront Special|url=https://deadline.com/2020/06/30-rock-returns-to-nbc-for-upfront-special-1202960679/|access-date=July 14, 2020|website=Deadline|language=en|archive-date=November 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114234932/https://deadline.com/2020/06/30-rock-returns-to-nbc-for-upfront-special-1202960679/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Hayes|first=Dade|date=July 14, 2020|title='30 Rock' Reunion Special Won't Air On Majority Of NBC Affiliates As Stations Push Back On Peacock Promo|url=https://deadline.com/2020/07/30-rock-reunion-special-wont-air-on-majority-of-nbc-affiliates-as-stations-push-back-on-peacock-promo-1202985534/|access-date=July 14, 2020|website=Deadline|language=en|archive-date=November 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114235032/https://deadline.com/2020/07/30-rock-reunion-special-wont-air-on-majority-of-nbc-affiliates-as-stations-push-back-on-peacock-promo-1202985534/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Adalian|first=Josef|date=July 14, 2020|title=Blerg, Most NBC Stations Won't Air the 30 Rock Reunion|url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/07/30-rock-reunion-nbc-peacock-boycott.html|access-date=July 14, 2020|website=Vulture|language=en-us|archive-date=November 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114234934/https://www.vulture.com/2020/07/30-rock-reunion-nbc-peacock-boycott.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=NBC Affiliates Opt Out of '30 Rock' Upfront Special|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/nbc-affiliates-opt-30-rock-upfront-special-1303177|access-date=July 14, 2020|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=July 14, 2020 |language=en|archive-date=November 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114235031/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/nbc-affiliates-opt-30-rock-upfront-special-1303177|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Home media==
[[Universal Pictures Home Entertainment|Universal Studios Home Entertainment]] released all seven seasons on DVD in addition to releasing a complete collection bundle. The complete DVD and Blu-ray sets were released through Mill Creek Entertainment on April 21, 2020.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Prange |first1=Stephanie |title='30 Rock' Complete Series Set Coming From Mill Creek April 21 on DVD and Blu-ray |url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/30-rock-complete-series-set-coming-from-mill-creek-april-21-on-dvd-and-blu-ray/ |website=Media Play News |access-date=November 30, 2021 |date=January 16, 2020}}</ref>
===Episode downloads and online streaming===
Episodes of ''30 Rock'' are available to download for a per-episode fee, to U.S. residents only, via [[Amazon Video]], Apple's [[iTunes Store]], [[Google Play]]. Back when the show was still running, it was also available on the now-defunct "NBC Direct" service. In addition to paid downloads, all seven seasons can be [[streaming media|streamed]] on [[Hulu]] in the U.S. with a paid subscription, having moved there from [[Netflix]] on October 1, 2017, under a new agreement with [[NBCUniversal Television Distribution|NBCUniversal Television]] and New Media Distribution.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2017/09/suck-it-netflix-30-rock-is-going-to-hulu-this-october.html|title=Suck It, Netflix Nerds! 30 Rock Is Going to Hulu This October|website=Vulture|first=Jackson|last=McHenry|date=September 27, 2017|access-date=July 12, 2018|archive-date=November 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114235033/https://www.vulture.com/2017/09/suck-it-netflix-30-rock-is-going-to-hulu-this-october.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The previous Netflix deal had existed for much of the show's run, and lasted several years after.<ref>{{cite news |title=Netflix and NBC Universal Announce Online Deal For ''Heroes'' and Other Popular Series |url=http://www.netflix.com/MediaCenter?id=6429 |publisher=[[Netflix]] |date=November 26, 2007 |access-date=April 3, 2008 |archive-date=December 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091227073008/http://www.netflix.com/MediaCenter?id=6429 |url-status=live }}</ref>
All 7 seasons of ''30 Rock'' (barring the aforementioned four episodes removed from circulation) returned to Netflix on August 1, 2021,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.glamour.com/story/coming-to-netflix-in-august-2021 |title=Coming to Netflix in August 2021: All 7 Seasons of 30 Rock, and So Much More |website=Glamour |first=Christopher |last=Rosa |date=July 21, 2021 |access-date=September 13, 2021}}</ref> and were removed from the service on July 31, 2022, and the series moved to [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]] while remaining on Hulu.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://decider.com/2022/07/31/30-rock-leaving-netflix-where-to-watch-30-rock-after-leaves-netflix-hulu-peacock/ |title='30 Rock' Is Leaving Netflix: Where To Watch The Popular Tina Fey Sitcom Online|website=Decider |first=Josh |last=Sorokach |date=July 31, 2022 |access-date=November 28, 2022}}</ref>
===DVD releases===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|-
!style="width:5em;"|Season
!style="width:10em;"|Region 1
!style="width:10em;"|Region 2
!style="width:10em;"|Region 4
!style="width:3em;"|Discs
!Extras
|-
|One
|September 4, 2007
|March 17, 2008
|April 30, 2008
|3
|style="text-align:left;"| Episode commentaries, outtakes and deleted scenes (region 1 only)<ref>{{cite news |first=David |last=Lambert |title=Studio Decides to Sell both Season Set DVDs, and Split-Season Version |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/30-Rock/7593 |publisher=[[TVShowsOnDVD.com]] |date=July 3, 2007 |access-date=April 3, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410154213/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/30-Rock/7593 |archive-date=April 10, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|Two
|October 7, 2008
|May 25, 2009
|January 8, 2009
|2
|style="text-align:left;"| Episode commentaries, outtakes, deleted scenes, the [[table read]] for the episode "[[Cooter (30 Rock)|Cooter]]", ''30 Rock'' Live at the UCB Theatre, a behind-the-scenes look at an episode of ''Saturday Night Live'' which was hosted by Tina Fey, and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Presents: An Evening With ''30 Rock''<ref name="s2dvdreg1" />
|-
|Three
|September 22, 2009
|April 5, 2010
|November 11, 2009
|3
|style="text-align:left;"| Episode commentaries, outtakes, deleted scenes, the [[table read]] for the episode "[[Kidney Now!]]", behind-the-scenes with the Muppets, 1-900-OKFACE, The Making of "He Needs a Kidney", photo gallery
|-
|Four
|September 21, 2010
|February 14, 2011
|November 3, 2010
|3
|style="text-align:left;"| Episode commentaries, deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes, extended episodes, ''[[Ace of Cakes]]'' episode, "Tennis Night in America" music video, photo gallery<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/tv/30-rock-season-6-limited-edition/671597 |title=30 Rock DVD news: Box Art and Press Release for 30 Rock – Season 4 |website=TVShowsOnDVD.com |access-date=January 4, 2011 |archive-date=October 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023144258/http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/tv/30-rock-season-6-limited-edition/671597 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|Five
|November 29, 2011
|March 12, 2012
|November 3, 2011
|3
|style="text-align:left;"| Episode commentaries, deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes of "[[30 Rock Live]]"
|-
|Six
|September 11, 2012
|April 15, 2013
|November 7, 2012
|3
|style="text-align:left;"| Episode commentaries, deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes of "[[Live from Studio 6H]]"
|-
|Seven
|May 7, 2013
|May 5, 2014
|November 28, 2013
|2
|style="text-align:left;"| Episode commentaries, deleted scenes, animated webisodes, series finale retrospective
|-
|Complete<br />Collection
|January 12, 2014
|May 5, 2014
|November 28, 2013
|20
|style=text-align:left'"| All features from individual release
|}
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
==External links==
{{sister project links|display=''30 Rock''|d=Q189350|c=Category:30 Rock|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|wikt=no|s=no|species=no}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{TV Guide show |281135|30 Rock}}
* {{IMDb title|0496424}}
{{30 Rock}}
{{Navboxes
|title = [[List of awards and nominations received by 30 Rock|Awards for ''30 Rock'']]
|list =
{{EmmyAward ComedySeries 2001-2025}}
{{GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Individual Episode}}
{{GoldenGlobeTVComedy 1990–2009}}
{{Producers Guild of America Award for Best Episodic Comedy}}
{{ScreenActorsGuildAwards EnsembleTVComedy 2000–2009}}
{{TCA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Comedy}}
{{Writers Guild of America Award for Television: Comedy Series}}
}}
{{Tina Fey}}
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{{Good article}}
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