30 Rock season 3 explained

Season Number:3
Bgcolour:
  1. 0257AC
Image Alt:Two men in suits, a black man in a yellow jacket, a blond woman in green, and a brunette woman in black with glasses on a box labeled "30 ROCK SEASON 3"
Num Episodes:22
Network:NBC
Episode List:List of 30 Rock episodes

The third season of 30 Rock, an American television comedy series, consists of 22 episodes and began airing on October 30, 2008, on the NBC network in the United States.[1] [2] The season was produced by Broadway Video, Little Stranger, and NBC Universal; the executive producers were series creator Tina Fey, Lorne Michaels, Marci Klein, David Miner, and Robert Carlock.

In this season, Liz focuses heavily on her personal life, trying to adopt a child and find a new romantic partner. Meanwhile, Jack Donaghy pursues a new relationship, Jenna Maroney undertakes a new Janis Joplin-based film project, and Tracy Jordan enjoys the success of his video game developed at the end of the previous season.

The third season aired under NBC's promotional banner "Comedy Night Done Right" on Thursdays at 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time.[3] [4] The season was critically acclaimed and received 22 Emmy Award nominations, the most for a single show in 2009.[5] The nominations broke 30 Rock's own record (17) for the most nominated comedy in a single Primetime Emmy Award ceremony.[6] The season was released on DVD as a three-disc boxed set under the title 30 Rock: Season 3 on September 22, 2009, by Universal Studios.[7]

Synopsis

Season 3 continues from the epilogue of the Season 2 finale, Cooter. Jack tries to get his job—and his promotion—back. Meanwhile, Liz tries to adopt a baby, while Tracy enjoys the success of his pornographic video game as Jenna sues him for not properly compensating her.

Season-long plots include Jack meeting a new love interest, Elisa (Salma Hayek), and the search for his real father (portrayed by Alan Alda). Liz also finds a new love interest, Dr. Drew Baird (Jon Hamm), while going through cutbacks and discovering her potential to host a talk show. Jenna is cast as a Janis Joplin-type character since the life rights to Janis Joplin could not be obtained. Kenneth Parcell's (Jack McBrayer) age is also revealed to be questionable. It is also revealed, in the penultimate episode of season 7, that Jack and Jenna were romantically involved throughout season 3.

Crew

The third season was produced by Broadway Video, Little Stranger, Inc., and Universal Media Studios and aired on NBC. The executive producers were series creator Tina Fey, Lorne Michaels, Marci Klein, David Miner, and Robert Carlock. Jack Burditt, John Riggi, and Ron Weiner acted as co-executive producers. The producers for the season were Alec Baldwin, Jerry Kupfer, and Don Scardino with Diana Schmidt and Irene Burns as co-producers. JoAnn Alfano had been the executive producer for the first and second seasons and vacated that position afterward. Ron Weiner became a co-executive producer after being a story editor for the second season. Alec Baldwin, who plays Jack Donaghy in the series, became a producer for the third season.[8]

There were 11 directors through the season. Those who directed multiple episodes were series producer Don Scardino, Gail Mancuso, and Beth McCarthy. There were eight directors who each directed one episode throughout the season: Steve Buscemi, Todd Holland, Constantine Makris, John Riggi, Ken Whittingham, Tricia Brock, Millicent Shelton, and Scott Ellis.[9] Series writers who penned episodes this season include Tina Fey,[10] Robert Carlock,[11] Jack Burditt,[12] John Riggi,[13] and Matt Hubbard.[14]

Cast

See also: List of 30 Rock characters.

Ten actors received star billing. Tina Fey portrayed Liz Lemon, the head writer of a fictitious live-sketch-comedy television series TGS.[15] The TGS cast consists of three actors. The lead actor is the loose cannon movie star Tracy Jordan, portrayed by Tracy Morgan. The co-stars are the dense Jenna Maroney, portrayed by Jane Krakowski and Josh Girard, who is also a writer for TGS, portrayed by Lonny Ross.[8] [16] Jack McBrayer played the naïve NBC page Kenneth Parcell.[16] [17] Scott Adsit acted as the witty and wise TGS producer, Pete Hornberger.[16] [18] Judah Friedlander portrayed trucker hat-wearing staff writer Frank Rossitano.[16] [19] Alec Baldwin played the NBC network executive Jack Donaghy.[16] Donaghy's full corporate title for the majority of the season is "Head of East Coast Television and Microwave Oven Programming".[16] [20] Keith Powell played the Harvard University alumnus and TGS staff writer James "Toofer" Spurlock.[8] [16] Katrina Bowden acted as writers' assistant Cerie Xerox.[8] [16] Other cast members include, Maulik Pancholy as Jonathan,[21] Grizz Chapman as Grizz Griswold,[22] and Kevin Brown as "Dot Com" Slattery.[23] The cast featured recurring characters, including John Lutz as J.D. Lutz,[24] and Chris Parnell as Dr. Leo Spaceman.[25]

Salma Hayek had a recurring guest appearance in six episodes as Elisa, a nurse for Jack Donaghy's mother and Donaghy's eventual love interest.[26] She first appeared in "Señor Macho Solo" and made her final appearance in "The Ones". Steve Buscemi appeared in the episodes "The Natural Order" and "Mamma Mia" as Lenny Wosniak, a private detective occasionally hired by Donaghy.[27] [28] Alan Alda appeared in the episodes "Mamma Mia" and "Kidney Now!" as Milton Greene, a man believed to be Jack Donaghy's father.[28] [29]

Main cast

Recurring cast

Guest stars

Episodes

See also: List of 30 Rock episodes.

Reception

Critical reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, the season has an approval rating of 92% with an average score of 8.3 out of 10 based on 38 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "Brandishing its trademark silliness with vigor, 30 Rocks third season hits the ground running and cements its reputation as one of the smartest, funniest comedies on television."[30] Robert Canning of IGN called the third season "a series at the top of its game", scoring the season a 9.3 out of 10. In particular, Canning noted that the "first half of the year ... had the most focus."[31] Canning said the premiere episode "Do-Over" was "filled to capacity with comedy",[32] called "Señor Macho Solo" "near perfect",[33] but said the story for the finale "Kidney Now!" was "fun" but "average for a season finale."[34] Alynda Wheat of Entertainment Weekly, reviewing the DVD release, gave the season an A−.[35] Jeremy Medina of Paste magazine also reviewed the premiere, saying it was "sort of like the first day of school after summer vacation: sort of awkward at times, but fast and buoyant and warmly familiar all the same".[36] Brian Lowry of Variety was more critical, calling the third season "wildly uneven" and saying 30 Rock was "merely a good comedy whose shortcomings prevent it from joining the ranks of great ones."[37] The season is also noted by critics positively due to the praise of Tracy Morgan and Jack McBrayer's performance. Metacritic, which gives a score based on critical reviews, gave the season a rating of 84/100 from 17 reviews, signifying "universal acclaim".[38]

Ratings

The season premiere, "Do-Over", received 8.7 million viewers and was the highest-rated episode of the series. The sixth episode "Christmas Special" would break that mark, garnering 8.9 million viewers. Digital Video Recorder (DVR) accounted for an average additional 1.2 million viewers for episodes of the third season. 30 Rock is the most popular series among upscale viewers, defined as those who have an income higher than $100,000 a year, on the broadcast networks.[39] The show averaged 7.7 million viewers through the first ten episodes, a ratings level that Variety called "solid" and credited to pairing the show with The Office on NBC's Thursday schedule.[40] The season finale, "Kidney Now!", aired on May 14, 2009, and was viewed by 5.7 million viewers.

Awards and nominations

This season of 30 Rock received 22 Emmy Award nominations, the most for a show in 2009,[5] breaking 30 Rock own record for the most nominated comedy in a single Primetime Emmy Award year (previously 17).[6] At the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards, 30 Rock won two Creative Arts Emmy Awards, "Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series" and "Outstanding Picture Editing for a Comedy Series", for the episode "Apollo, Apollo".[41] The show won three Primetime Emmy Awards: "Outstanding Comedy Series", Alec Baldwin won "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series" for his role as Jack Donaghy, and Matt Hubbard won "Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series" for his work on "Reunion".[42] Tina Fey, though nominated, did not win "Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series", which she had won the previous year; Toni Collette from The United States of Tara won instead. CNN called the decision a "mild surprise", saying Fey was the "heavy favorite".[43]

Distribution

30 Rock is broadcast in Canada, the United Kingdom (UK), and Australia, in addition to the United States. The show was simulcast in Canada on Citytv.[44] This season of 30 Rock was shown in Australia on the Seven Network at 11:30 p.m. local time[45] starting on February 2, 2009.[46] The third season began in the UK on October 5, 2009, on Comedy Central, moving from Five where the previous season had aired.[47]

The season was released on DVD by Universal Studios on September 22, 2009, in the United States and Canada after it had completed an initial broadcast run on NBC.[7] The DVD set is scheduled for Australian release on November 11, 2009.[48] The 3-disc set of 22 episodes has a 1.78:1 aspect ratio, Dolby Surround 2.0 and 5.1, and English and Spanish subtitles.[49] In addition to the episodes, the DVD set special features included unaired scenes, featurettes, and audio commentary on the select episodes, "Flu Shot", "Goodbye, My Friend", "The Bubble", "Apollo, Apollo", "The Ones", "Mamma Mia" and "Kidney Now!".[49]

Notes and References

  1. News: Kristin . Dos Santos . Kristin Dos Santos . Breaking: 30 Rock Picked Up! . . April 2, 2008 . August 19, 2008 . April 18, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090418053247/http://uk.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b13355_breaking_30_rock_picked_up.html . live .
  2. Web site: NBC sets 2008–09 premiere dates . August 20, 2008 . West . Dave . May 28, 2008 . Digital Spy. https://web.archive.org/web/20080802103031/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/a96837/nbc-sets-2008-09-premiere-dates.html. August 2, 2008 . live.
  3. NBC's Returning Drama Life Gets Four Hours Of Primetime Originals In Two Weeks On September 29, October 3, 6 And 10 And New Drama My Own Worst Enemy Premieres October 13 For A Run Of Originals In Fall . NBC Universal Media Village . July 21, 2008 . August 19, 2008 . In Other Changes, New Comedy Kath & Kim (now 8:30–9 p.m. ET) Switches Time Periods with 30 Rock (Now 9:30–10 p.m. ET) on Thursdays..
  4. News: Jon . Hein . Is Comedy Night Being Done Right? . https://web.archive.org/web/20080529141908/http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Hein-Sight/Comedy-Night-Right/800038049. May 29, 2008 . TV Guide. April 22, 2008 . July 30, 2008.
  5. 61st Primetime Emmy Award Nominations. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. September 20, 2009 . September 17, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090806092641/http://cdn.emmys.tv/downloads/2009/61stemmys_noms.pdf . August 6, 2009.
  6. Emmy Awards: Top-nominated Broadcast Network . . July 16, 2009 . September 17, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090719101925/http://www.nbc.com/news/2009/07/16/emmy-awards-nbc-top-nominated-broadcast-network . July 19, 2009.
  7. Web site: Lambert . David . 30 Rock - 3rd Season of the Tina Fey/Alec Baldwin Show is Officially Announced . June 16, 2009 . . September 17, 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090925095217/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/30-Rock-Season-3/12112 . September 25, 2009 .
  8. Web site: 30 Rock: Credits . September 17, 2009 . NBC Universal Media Village . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100717005921/http://www.nbcumv.com/mv/ . July 17, 2010 . (No direct link. Browse to "Networks & Programs", "NBC Entertainment", "30 Rock" and click "Credits.")
  9. 30 Rock - Season 3 - Episode Breakdown . September 17, 2009 . .
  10. News: 30 Rock – "Do Over" . . September 17, 2009 .
  11. News: 30 Rock – "Believe In The Stars" . . September 17, 2009 .
  12. News: 30 Rock – "The One With The Cast Of Night Court" . . September 17, 2009 .
  13. News: 30 Rock – "Gavin Volure" . . September 17, 2009 .
  14. News: 30 Rock – "Reunion" . . September 17, 2009 .
  15. Web site: Tina Fey channels SNL on 30 Rock . March 23, 2008 . October 11, 2006 . . August 3, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170803211854/http://www.today.com/popculture/tina-fey-channels-snl-30-rock-wbna15206996 . live .
  16. Web site: About 30 Rock . October 23, 2009 . NBC. https://web.archive.org/web/20091011082628/http://www.nbc.com/30-rock/about/. October 11, 2009 . live.
  17. News: Rick . Porter . 30 Rock talk with Jane Krakowski and Jack McBrayer . Zap2it . October 3, 2007 . March 24, 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131212084512/http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2007/10/30-rock-talk-with-jane-krakowski-and-jack-mcbrayer.html . December 12, 2013 .
  18. News: Scott Adsit - Biography . October 23, 2009 . .
  19. News: Lindsay . Robertson . Q&A with 30 Rock's Judah Friedlander . . October 23, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091015060056/http://www.snmag.com/INTERVIEWS/Celebrity-Interviews/QA-with-30-Rock-s-Judah-Friedlander.html . October 15, 2009 . dead .
  20. Pilot . Pilot (30 Rock) . 30 Rock . 30 Rock . . . . October 11, 2006 . 1 . 1.
  21. Gregory . Kirschling . Maulik Pancholy: You Might Know Me From... . . May 4, 2007 . July 30, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080830032418/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20037736%2C00.html . August 30, 2008 . live .
  22. Web site: Grizz Chapman . https://web.archive.org/web/20150805171618/http://www.nytimes.com/movies/person/1472958/Grizz-Chapman/biography . dead . August 5, 2015 . Movies & TV Dept. . . 2015 . July 30, 2008.
  23. News: Gillian . Reagan . 30 Rocks Kevin Brown to Die Laughing . . February 18, 2008 . July 30, 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090803131404/http://www.observer.com/2008/30-rocks-kevin-brown-die-laughing . August 3, 2009 .
  24. News: Rachel . Sklar . 30 Rock Live! Dry-Humping, Boob-Grabbing And Other Fun Times At The UCB . . November 20, 2007 . July 30, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080723184421/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/11/20/30-rock-live-dryhumping_n_73470.html. July 23, 2008 . live.
  25. Chris Parnell - Credits . September 18, 2009 . . February 1, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100201061655/http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/chris-parnell/credits/196232 . live .
  26. Salma Hayek to Recur on NBC'S Two-time Emmy-Winning '30 Rock' . NBC Universal Media Village . October 10, 2008 . September 17, 2009.
  27. The Natural Order . NBC Universal Media Village . April 30, 2009 . September 17, 2009.
  28. Mamma Mia! . NBC Universal Media Village . May 7, 2009 . September 17, 2009.
  29. Kidney Now! . NBC Universal Media Village . May 14, 2009 . September 17, 2009.
  30. Web site: 30 Rock: Season 3 . Rotten Tomatoes . November 13, 2021 . November 13, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211113132133/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/30-rock/s03 . live .
  31. Web site: 30 Rock: Season 3 Review . September 23, 2009 . Canning . Robert . May 21, 2009 . IGN . October 21, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121021151714/http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/05/21/30-rock-season-3-review . live .
  32. Web site: Do-Over Review . September 23, 2009 . Canning . Robert . October 28, 2008 . IGN . October 21, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121021151720/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/10/28/30-rock-do-over-review . live .
  33. Web site: Senor Macho Solo Review . September 23, 2009 . Canning . Robert . January 9, 2009 . IGN . October 21, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121021151727/http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/01/09/30-rock-senor-macho-solo-review . live .
  34. Web site: Kidney Now! Review . September 23, 2009 . Canning . Robert . May 15, 2009 . IGN . October 21, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121021151734/http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/05/15/30-rock-kidney-now-review . live .
  35. 30 Rock: Season 3 . September 23, 2009 . Wheat . Alynda . September 15, 2009 . . May 25, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110525115946/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20304595,00.html . live .
  36. 30 Rock review. Season 3 Premiere—"Do-Over" . September 23, 2009 . Medina . Jeremy . October 30, 2008 . . June 12, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090612085659/http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/tv_detail/2008/10/30-rock-review-season-three-premire-do-over.html . dead .
  37. News: 30 Rock Review - TV Show Reviews . . Lowry . Brian . October 16, 2008 . October 6, 2009 . April 30, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090430104523/http://variety.com/review/VE1117938733.html?categoryid=32&cs=1 . live .
  38. Web site: 30 Rock: Season 3 . September 23, 2009 . . August 22, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100822183129/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/30-rock/season-3 . live .
  39. NBC Results For The Primetime Week Of November 17–23 . NBC Universal Media Village . November 25, 2008 . December 2, 2008 . 30 Rock has been adding an average 1.2 million viewers to its previously reported "live plus same day" numbers when "live plus seven day" viewing is counted. 30 Rock is the most upscale show in primetime network television, with a 147 index of adults 18–49 living in homes with $100,000+ incomes..
  40. News: '30 Rock' brings solid ratings . . Kissell . Rick . April 3, 2009 . September 17, 2009 . April 10, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090410150818/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118002109.html?categoryId=2522&cs=1 . live .
  41. 61st Creative Arts Emmy Award winners. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. September 12, 2009 . September 17, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20091007021400/http://cdn.emmys.tv/downloads/2009/CRTV09winners_pressrel.pdf. October 7, 2009 . live.
  42. 61st Primetime Emmy Award winners. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. September 20, 2009 . September 17, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20091007021501/http://cdn.emmys.tv/downloads/2009/ptemmys09winners_pressrel.pdf. October 7, 2009 . live.
  43. News: 'Mad Men,' '30 Rock' top Emmy Awards. Duke. Alan. CNN. September 20, 2009. September 17, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20091004093720/http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/09/20/emmy.night/index.html. October 4, 2009 . live.
  44. Web site: Do-Over - 30 ROCK . . October 30, 2008 . October 8, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091105184435/http://www.citytv.com/toronto/show/micro/episode/599 . November 5, 2009 . dead .
  45. News: 30 Rock — TV Reviews . October 27, 2009 . Cooke . Dewi . July 21, 2008 . . Melbourne . July 20, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090720133430/http://www.theage.com.au/news/tv-reviews/30-rock/2008/07/18/1216163131731.html . live .
  46. Web site: Week 7:TV Tonight . October 8, 2009 . Knox . David . February 9, 2009 . TV Tonight . September 17, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200917074913/https://tvtonight.com.au/2009/02/week-7-2.html . live .
  47. News: US hit comedy 30 Rock to move to the Comedy Central channel. guardian.co.uk. Guardian News and Media Limited 2009 . September 30, 2009 . October 8, 2009 . London . Leigh . Holmwood. https://web.archive.org/web/20091003104803/http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/sep/30/30-rock-comedy-central. October 3, 2009 . live.
  48. Web site: Buy 30 Rock - Season 3 DVD. DVD Orchard. October 7, 2009. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110706104049/http://www.dvdorchard.com.au/ProductS1TV.asp?PND=167563&CS=1&NoCache=0.6329462. July 6, 2011.
  49. Web site: 30 Rock: Season 3, NBC Universal Store. Universal Studios. October 5, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120227135952/http://www.nbcuniversalstore.com/detail.php?p=104620&v=nbc_tv-on-dvd . February 27, 2012.

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