30 Rock

This article is about the television series. For the skyscraper and the series namesake, see 30 Rockefeller Plaza.

30 Rock
Black background with yellow and white block lettering.
Genre
Created byTina Fey
ShowrunnersTina Fey
Robert Carlock
Starring
ComposerJeff Richmond
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons7
No. of episodes139 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
Producers
Production locations
EditorKen Eluto
Camera setup
Running time22 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkNBC
ReleaseOctober 11, 2006 (2006-10-11) –
January 31, 2013 (2013-01-31)
ReleaseJuly 16, 2020 (2020-07-16) (special)
Infobox instructions (only shown in preview)

30 Rock is an American 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 are located and where Saturday Night Live is written, produced, and performed.[1] The series was produced by Lorne Michaels's Broadway Video (which also produces Saturday Night Live) and Fey's Little Stranger, in association with NBCUniversal.[2]

30 Rock episodes were produced in a single-camera setup (with the exception of the two live episodes that were produced in the multiple-camera setup)[3] and were filmed in New York.[4][5] The pilot episode premiered on October 11, 2006,[6] 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, Grizz Chapman, and Maulik Pancholy.[2]

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",[7] the show was influential in its extensive use of cutaways. 30 Rock won several major awards (including Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Comedy Series in 2007, 2008, and 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,[8] 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,[9] something which Fey herself has made light of.[10]

In 2009, Comedy Central and WGN America bought the syndication rights to the show, which began airing on both networks on September 19, 2011;[11] the series also entered into local broadcast syndication on the same day.[12] 30 Rock is regarded as a landmark series, and one of the greatest television series of all time, particularly the 21st century.[13][14][15] Its series finale in particular has been named as one of the greatest in television history by several publications.[16][17][18] In 2013, the Writers Guild of America West named 30 Rock the 21st best-written television series of all time.[14]

  1. ^ Belek, Cassie (September 19, 2007). "Rock Solid Comedy Shines in First Season". The Observer. UK. Archived from the original on December 6, 2008. Retrieved August 3, 2008.
  2. ^ a b "About 30 Rock" (Press release). NBC Universal Media Village. Archived from the original on October 11, 2009. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  3. ^ Laporte, Nicole (June 12, 2007). "Why don't smart comedies draw big audiences?". Variety. Archived from the original on November 14, 2020. Retrieved May 23, 2008.
  4. ^ "New York–Based Television Programs". Backstage. August 24, 2006. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved February 23, 2008.
  5. ^ "30 Rock on location". New York Daily News. March 19, 2008. Archived from the original on May 28, 2008. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  6. ^ "Jane Krakowski Joins Cast Of NBC's "30 Rock"". August 17, 2006. Archived from the original on November 14, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  7. ^ St. James, Emily (October 15, 2010). "30 Rock: "Live Show"". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on November 14, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  8. ^ "30 Rock". Television Academy. Archived from the original on May 15, 2013. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
  9. ^ Friedman, Emily (January 13, 2009). "Celebs Flock to '30 Rock' Despite Low Ratings". ABC News. Archived from the original on November 14, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  10. ^ Wilson, Craig (April 4, 2011). "Tina Fey puts on her big-girl 'Bossypants'". USA Today. Archived from the original on November 14, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
  11. ^ 30 Rock Goes Large In Syndication, TVbytheNumbers, July 9, 2009.
  12. ^ Pastorek, Whitney (July 8, 2009). "'30 Rock' syndication run to start in 2011". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on September 26, 2011. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference huffingtonpost was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ^ a b NA, NA (2013). "101 Best Written TV Series List". WGA. Archived from the original on January 10, 2014. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  15. ^ Barns, Spencer (October 23, 2013). "The Best (and Worst) of "30 Rock"". The Backlot. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  16. ^ Feinberg, Daniel (October 1, 2013). "15 best series finales in TV history". HitFix. Archived from the original on October 7, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  17. ^ The Playlist Staff (October 1, 2013). "The 16 Best And Worst TV Series Finales". IndieWire. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  18. ^ "The 9 Best Series Finales". HuffPost. December 20, 2013. Archived from the original on November 14, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2022.