30 Rock season 1 explained

Season Number:1
Bgcolour:
  1. ced343
Network:NBC
Num Episodes:21
Episode List:List of 30 Rock episodes

The first season of the television comedy series 30 Rock originally aired between October 11, 2006, and April 26, 2007, on NBC in the United States. The season was produced by Broadway Video, Little Stranger and NBC Universal, and the executive producers were series creator Tina Fey, Lorne Michaels, JoAnn Alfano, Marci Klein, and David Miner.

The series focuses on TGS with Tracy Jordan, a fictional sketch comedy series, and its head writer Liz Lemon, portrayed by Fey, as she juggles her job and her personal life. The season consisted of 21 episodes; 19 episodes were approximately 22 minutes long, and the other two episodes were approximately 26 minutes long due to NBC "supersizing" those episodes. The season moved timeslots three times during its run. The first four episodes aired on Wednesdays at 8:00 pm,[1] the next thirteen episodes aired on Thursdays at 9:30 pm, and the final four episodes aired on Thursdays at 9:00 pm.

The season received generally favorable reviews, and was nominated for ten Emmy Awards: six Primetime Emmy Awards and four Creative Arts Emmy Awards. Despite critical success, the series struggled in the ratings,[2] and the first season averaged 5.8 million viewers for all 21 episodes. The 30 Rock first season DVD box set was released on September 4, 2007, in Region 1 format, and was released on March 17, 2008, in Region 2 format.[3]

Synopsis

The season begins with the introduction of Liz Lemon, the head writer of The Girlie Show, a live sketch comedy series which airs on NBC. When The Girlie Shows network executive Gary dies, Jack Donaghy replaces him. Jack, the head of east coast television and microwave oven programming, makes many changes to The Girlie Show, including adding Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan), a loose cannon movie star, to the show's cast and changing the title of The Girlie Show to TGS with Tracy Jordan. Various story arcs are explored, including the rivalry between Tracy and Jenna Maroney (Jane Krakowski), Liz's relationships with Dennis Duffy (Dean Winters) and Floyd Debarber (Jason Sudeikis) and Jack's relationship with Phoebe (Emily Mortimer). Most importantly, the relationship between Jack and Liz develops as he offers to be her mentor, which becomes the anchor of the show. A few minor story arcs are carried over into season two, including Cerie Xerox's (Katrina Bowden) ongoing engagement to the unseen character Aris and Pete Hornberger (Scott Adsit) living with Liz to deal with his marital problems with his wife, Paula Hornberger (later seen in "Greenzo" played by Paula Pell).

Crew

The season was produced by Broadway Video, Little Stranger, Inc. and NBCUniversal and aired on NBC in the United States. The executive producers were creator Tina Fey, Lorne Michaels, JoAnn Alfano, Marci Klein and David Miner, with Brett Baer, Dave Finkel, Jack Burditt, and John Riggi acting as co-executive producers.[4] Robert Carlock acted as co-executive producer from the episode "Pilot" until the episode "Black Tie." Carlock was then credited as an executive producer, starting with the episode "Up All Night" onwards, except for the episode "The C Word" which was aired out of production order. Producers for the season were music composer Jeff Richmond and Jerry Kupfer, with Irene Burns, Matt Hubbard and Diana Schmidt acting as co-producers.

There were eight different directors throughout the season. The staff writers were Tina Fey, John Riggi, Robert Carlock, Jack Burditt, Dave Finkel, Brett Baer, co-producer Matthew Hubbard and Kay Cannon who all wrote, or co-wrote at least two episodes. Daisy Gardner, who co-wrote the episode "The Source Awards" with Robert Carlock, was a guest writer. Those who directed more than one episode were supervising producer Adam Bernstein, Gail Mancuso, Don Scardino, Michael Engler, and Beth McCarthy. There were three directors who only directed one episode each throughout the season; they were Juan J. Campanella, Scott Ellis, and Dennie Gordon. Fey and Carlock acted as the show runners for the season.[5]

Cast

See also: List of 30 Rock characters. Seven actors received star billing during season one. Tina Fey portrayed Liz Lemon, the head writer of a fictitious live sketch comedy television series named TGS with Tracy Jordan (commonly known as TGS).[6] The TGS cast consists of three actors, two of whom are part of the main cast of the first season of 30 Rock. They are the loose cannon movie star Tracy Jordan, portrayed by Tracy Morgan and the dense, limelight-craving Jenna Maroney, portrayed by Jane Krakowski.[7] Jack McBrayer played the naïve Southern-born NBC page, Kenneth Parcell.[8] Scott Adsit acted as the witty and wise TGS producer, Pete Hornberger.[9] Judah Friedlander portrayed the wise-cracking, trucker hat wearing, repulsive staff writer Frank Rossitano.[10] Alec Baldwin played the high flying NBC network executive Jack Donaghy who, at the beginning of the season, is employed to retool TGS.[11] Donaghy's full title at the start of the series is "Head of East Coast Television and Microwave Oven Programming."[12]

The season also includes a number of secondary characters including Keith Powell as James "Toofer" Spurlock, a writer for TGS, and Lonny Ross as Josh Girard who is a staff writer of TGS as well as a TGS cast member. Katrina Bowden was TGSs general assistant, Cerie Xerox. These actors were promoted to main cast members in season two.[13] Other recurring roles include Maulik Pancholy as Jonathan, Grizz Chapman as "Grizz" Griswold, Kevin Brown as "Dot Com" Slattery,[14] John Lutz as J.D. Lutz,[15] and Chris Parnell as Dr. Leo Spaceman.[16]

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 84% with an average score of 7.5 out of 10 based on 44 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "It isn't as consistently as funny as it could be, considering its pedigree, but 30 Rock is a clever, wacky comedy that benefits from a strong ensemble cast."[17] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, gave the season a score of 67 out ot 100 based on the impression of 31 critical reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[18] The pilot episode was generally well received;[19] however, Marc D. Allan of The Washington Post said that "viewers who tuned in for the first month or more saw shows that weren't consistently funny", but after a few episodes "the writers discovered the core of the series—the push-pull between Fey's character, Liz Lemon, the harried head writer of The Girlie Show, and Alec Baldwin's domineering network executive, Jack Donaghy—that 30 Rock found its rhythm." Henry Goldblatt of Entertainment Weekly, whilst reviewing the DVD release of the season, called 30 Rock "[the 2006 –2007 television season's] finest sitcom". Goldblatt said that the episodes "Hard Ball" and "The Break Up" were "some of the strongest episodes", and awarded the first season an "A" grade.[20]

Christopher Monfette of IGN thought that season one was "well-written and hilariously-performed" and that it was "refreshing to travel through the season and watch these characters grow and evolve". Monfette gave the season a score of 8 out of 10.[21] UGO Entertainment's Kyle Braun said that the season "didn't start out as the funniest new show of 2006", but he praised the seasons progression, proclaiming "now that the show has found its audience, it's hard to argue with the laughs thrown down from high atop 30 Rockefeller Plaza."[22] Anna Johns of TV Squad said that she was "particularly excited for the later two-thirds of the season, when Tina Fey and Tracy Morgan got into their groove and the supporting characters started getting better story lines."[23] After six episodes, NBC picked 30 Rock up for a 21-episode season on December 1, 2006.[24] [25] [26]

Ratings

The pilot episode garnered 8.13 million viewers, finishing third in its timeslot of 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time.[27] After three further low rated airings on the following three Wednesdays, including a series low of 4.61 million viewers,[28] [29] [30] NBC decided to move 30 Rock to Thursdays at 9:30 pm. Its first airing on a Thursday night was on November 16, 2006.[31] Along with this change, the even lower rated comedy Twenty Good Years was put on hiatus and later cancelled.[32] [33] 30 Rocks first Thursday airing was viewed by 5.19 million viewers.[34] The series then received ratings of a consistent amount of around 5.5 million viewers till the episode "Hard Ball" when a series low, set by the episode "Jack the Writer," was met with just 4.61 million viewers watching the episode.[35] After a further three episodes, which were higher rated than "Hard Ball," NBC moved 30 Rock to 9:00 pm on Thursdays,[36] serving as a lead-in to Scrubs. Upon its first airing at 9:00 pm, the episode "Fireworks," a "supersized" episode attracted the attention of 5.37 million viewers. 30 Rock aired at 9:00 pm for four episodes. The season finale, "Hiatus," was watched by 4.72 million people.[37] The first season averaged 5.8 million viewers for all 21 episodes. Out of all regular primetime programming that aired during the 2006–2007 American television season, 30 Rock ranked #102 out of #142 according to the Nielsen ratings system.[38]

Awards

See also: List of 30 Rock awards and nominations.

Notes and References

  1. NBC Swaps Wednesday-Night Time Periods for New Fall Comedies '30 Rock' and 'Twenty Good Years' . . . August 31, 2006 . July 12, 2021.
  2. Web site: DVD reviews: 30 Rock: Season 2 | Martyrs . Harkness, Alistair . May 23, 2009 . . October 25, 2009 . June 26, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200626095001/https://www.scotsman.com/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/dvd-reviews-30-rock-season-2-martyrs-2466352 . live .
  3. Web site: 30 Rock: Season 1 (3 Discs) . February 21, 2008 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20080318232401/http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/3305133/30-Rock-Season-1/Product.html . March 18, 2008 . dead .
  4. Web site: NBC Primetime Schedule . March 23, 2008 . July 8, 2006 . Memorable TV . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080508054741/http://www.memorabletv.com/tvusa/tvpreview/july06/nbcprimetimeschedule.htm . May 8, 2008 .
  5. Web site: Pencils Down Means Pencils Down . March 23, 2008 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20080501075439/http://www.wga.org/subpage_member.aspx?id=2529 . May 1, 2008 . dead .
  6. 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 .
  7. Jane Krakowski Joins the Cast of New NBC Comedy "30 Rock" . . . August 17, 2007 . July 12, 2021.
  8. News: Rick . Porter . '30 Rock' talk with Jane Krakowski and Jack McBrayer . Zap2it . October 3, 2007 . March 24, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080506092107/http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2007/10/30-rock-talk-wi.html . May 6, 2008 . dead .
  9. News: Scott Adsit: Actor, Writer, Improviser . March 24, 2008 . Filmography . . https://web.archive.org/web/20080506164517/http://www.variety.com/profiles/people/main/110233/Scott%20Adsit.html?dataSet=1 . May 6, 2008.
  10. News: Lindsay . Robertson . Judah Friedlander's Hats on '30 Rock' . . April 13, 2007 . March 24, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080316133754/http://ccinsider.comedycentral.com/cc_insider/2007/04/judah_friedland.html . March 16, 2008 . dead .
  11. News: Nellie . Andreeva . Baldwin eyes Fey's NBC pilot . . February 17, 2006 . March 24, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080505233527/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002034584 . May 5, 2008 . live .
  12. Pilot . Pilot (30 Rock) . 30 Rock . 30 Rock . . . . October 11, 2006 . 1 . 1.
  13. Web site: 30 Rock; Thursdays on NBC (8:30-9 p.m. ET); Season Premiere: Thursday, October 4 . October 14, 2007 . NBC Universal Media Village.
  14. 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 .
  15. 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.
  16. 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 .
  17. Web site: 30 Rock: Season 1 . Rotten Tomatoes . November 13, 2021 . November 13, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211113130626/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/30-rock/s01 . live .
  18. Web site: 30 Rock: Season 1 . February 27, 2008 . . September 8, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100908050112/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/30-rock/season-1 . live .
  19. News: Marc . D. Allan . August 26, 2007 . Polished 'Rock' Rolls On . September 2, 2007 . The Washington Post . November 2, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121102233433/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/22/AR2007082201741.html . live .
  20. 30 Rock: Season 1 (2007) . March 25, 2008 . Goldblatt . Henry . August 31, 2007 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20080422120445/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20054076%2C00.html . April 22, 2008 . live .
  21. Web site: 30 Rock DVD Review . March 25, 2008 . Monfette . Christopher . August 29, 2007 . . August 13, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130813092130/http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/08/30/30-rock-dvd-review . live .
  22. Web site: 30 Rock Season One DVD Review . March 25, 2008 . Braun . Kyle . . https://web.archive.org/web/20080506114915/http://www.ugo.com/ugo/html/article/?id=17785 . May 6, 2008 . dead .
  23. Web site: 30 Rock comes to DVD on Sept. 4 . March 25, 2008 . Johns . Anna . July 25, 2007 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20080423234819/http://www.tvsquad.com/2007/07/25/30-rock-comes-to-dvd-on-sept-4/ . April 23, 2008 . dead .
  24. Josef . Adalian . NBC orders full season of '30 Rock' . . December 1, 2006 . March 25, 2008 . May 6, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080506152649/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117954876.html?cs=1&s=h&p=0 . live .
  25. Web site: Neil . Wilkes . Full season for Tina Fey's 30 Rock . . December 3, 2006 . March 25, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080321201811/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/a40279/full-season-for-tina-feys-30-rock.html. March 21, 2008 . live.
  26. News: Nine More for '30 Rock' . Zap2it . December 1, 2006 . March 25, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080506092713/http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-nbcpicksup30rockforfullseason%2C0%2C1068703.story . May 6, 2008 . live .
  27. Rick . Kissell . NBC's 'Rock' solid in premiere . . October 12, 2006 . February 27, 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080506152621/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117951807.html?categoryid=1275&cs=1&query=30+rock+3%2E2 . May 6, 2008 .
  28. Rick . Kissell . Peacock's not laffing . . October 19, 2006 . March 24, 2008 . May 6, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080506152632/https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117952286.html?categoryid=1236&cs=1&query=30+rock+wednesday . live .
  29. Rick . Kissell . 'Lost' up, 'Nine' down for ABC . . October 26, 2006 . March 24, 2008 . May 6, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080506152640/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117952697.html?categoryid=1275&cs=1&query=30+rock+wednesday . live .
  30. Rick . Kissell . Football drives NBC win . . November 7, 2006 . March 24, 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080506152645/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117953495.html?categoryid=1275&cs=1&query=30+rock+wednesday+4.6 . May 6, 2008 .
  31. NBC Re-Makes Two-Hour Comedy Block on Thursdays with Return of 'Scrubs' and Move of '30 Rock' to Join 'My Name Is Earl' and 'The Office' Beginning November 30 . . . October 25, 2006 . July 12, 2021.
  32. News: Colin . Mahan . NBC tweaks Thursday, 30 Rock . . November 6, 2006 . March 24, 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090123135827/http://www.tv.com/story/6905.html?q= . January 23, 2009 .
  33. Jennifer . Armstrong . Mo' Better Tube . . May 14, 2007 . March 29, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080316151108/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20038789%2C00.html . March 16, 2008 . live .
  34. I. T. R. S. Ranking report 01 thru 99 (out of 99 programs) Daypart: Primetime Mon-Sun . ABC Medianet . November 21, 2006 . March 24, 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120217155931/http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=112106_06 . February 17, 2012 .
  35. Season high for 'Grey's' . March 11, 2008 . Kissell . Rick . February 23, 2007 . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080506152716/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117960045.html?categoryid=1043&cs=1&query=30+rock+2%2E4+4%2E6 . May 6, 2008 .
  36. News: Marc . Berman . NBC Flips 30 Rock With Scrubs . Mediaweek . March 13, 2007 . March 29, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071128093604/http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003557351 . November 28, 2007 . dead .
  37. I. T. R. S. Ranking report 01 thru 99 (out of 99 programs) Daypart: Primetime Mon-Sun . ABC Medianet . May 1, 2007 . March 24, 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090107091615/http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=050107_08 . January 7, 2009 .
  38. Web site: 2006-07 primetime wrap . March 25, 2008 . May 25, 2007 . . January 2, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120102063804/http://www1.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/features/e3ifbfdd1bcb53266ad8d9a71cad261604f . dead .

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "30 Rock season 1".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.