30 Rock season 3
| 30 Rock season 3 | |
|---|---|
| Season 3 | |
 | |
| No. of episodes | 22[1] |
| Release | |
| Original network | NBC |
| Original release | October 30, 2008 – present |
| Season chronology | |
The third season of 30 Rock, an American television comedy series, began on October 30, 2008 on the NBC network in the United States.[2] 30 Rock is centered around The Girlie Show with Tracy Jordan (commonly known as TGS), a fictional sketch comedy series, and its head writer Liz Lemon, portrayed by Tina Fey. The series follows Liz as she juggles her job and her personal life.
The season is expected to consist of 22 episodes,[1] each of which will be approximately 22 minutes long, excluding commercials. 30 Rock's third season is being aired on Thursdays at 9:30 pm Eastern Standard Time.[3] The third season will air under NBC's promotional banner "Comedy Night Done Right".[4]
Crew
This season is produced by Broadway Video, Little Stranger and NBC Universal and airs on NBC, a terrestrial television network in the United States. The executive producers are creator Tina Fey, Lorne Michaels, Marci Klein, David Miner and Robert Carlock with Jack Burditt, John Riggi and Ron Weiner acting as co-executive producers. Producers for the season were Alec Baldwin, Jerry Kupfer and Don Scardino with Diana Schmidt and Irene Burns acting as co-producers.[5]
Joann Alfano, an executive producer for the first and second seasons, left her post as executive producer this season. Also, Ron Weiner became a co-executive producer after being a story editor for the second season. Alec Baldwin, who plays Jack Donaghy in 30 Rock, became a producer for the third season.[5]
So far this season, the directors have been Don Scardino and Gail Mancuso. Series writers who have penned episodes so far this season have been Tina Fey,[6] Robert Carlock,[7] Jack Burditt[8] and John Riggi.[9]
Cast
This season has a cast of twelve actors who receive star billing. Tina Fey portrays Liz Lemon, the head writer of a fictitious live sketch comedy television series named TGS with Tracy Jordan (commonly known as just TGS).[10] The TGS cast consists of two actors. The lead actor is the loose cannon movie star Tracy Jordan, portrayed by Tracy Morgan.[10] The co-star is the dense, limelight-craving Jenna Maroney, portrayed by Jane Krakowski.[11] Jack McBrayer plays the naïve NBC page, Kenneth Parcell.[12] Scott Adsit acts as the witty and wise TGS producer, Pete Hornberger.[13] Judah Friedlander portrays the wise-cracking, trucker hat wearing, repulsive staff writer Frank Rossitano.[14] Alec Baldwin plays the former high flying NBC network executive Jack Donaghy[15] and Maulik Pancholy acts as Jack's loyal assistant Jonathan.[16] Keith Powell plays the Harvard University alumnus and TGS staff writer James "Toofer" Spurlock.[17] Katrina Bowden acts as the writers assistant Cerie Xerox.[17][18] Grizz Chapman and Kevin Brown, respectively, play the members of Tracy's "entourage" Grizz Griswold and "Dot Com" Slattery.[19]
Reception
Ratings
The season premiere, "Do-Over", garnered 8.7 million viewers. This was the highest rated episode of the series.[20] This season, when Digital Video Recorder viewers are factored into 30 Rock's ratings, an average of 1.2 million viewers has been added to each episodes viewer total. It is also the most popular series among upscale viewers, who have an income higher than $100,000 a year, on the broadcast networks.[21]
Episodes
| # Series | # Episode | Title | Director | Writer(s) | Original airdate | Prod. Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | 1 | "Do-Over" | Don Scardino | Tina Fey | October 30, 2008 | 301 |
|
Liz tries to stop the TGS staff from ruining her chances at adoption when an adoption agency evaluator, named Bev (Megan Mullally), comes to 30 Rock to determine whether Liz would make a good mother. Jack returns from Washington D.C. and starts his job again at GE, only to discover he has been demoted. Jack tries to get his old job and office back from Devon Banks (Will Arnett) and Kathy Geiss (Marceline Hugot). A feud between Tracy and Jenna wreaks havoc among the TGS staff. | ||||||
| 38 | 2 | "Believe in the Stars" | Don Scardino | Robert Carlock | November 6, 2008 | 302 |
|
To get out of jury duty, Liz flies to Chicago only to be seated next to Oprah Winfrey on her return flight to New York. An argument between Tracy and Jenna leads to a "social experiment" to prove who is right. Kenneth challenges Jack's morality after it is found out that NBC faked some olympic events during the summer as a ratings stunt. | ||||||
| 39 | 3 | "The One with the Cast of Night Court" | Gail Mancuso | Jack Burditt | November 13, 2008 | 303 |
|
Liz's former roommate from Chicago, Claire Harper (Jennifer Aniston), comes to visit her and Jenna. She develops a stalker-like obsession with Jack. Kenneth is unhappy with the new page uniforms so Tracy decides to cheer him up with the help of Night Court cast members Harry Anderson, Markie Post and Charlie Robinson. | ||||||
| 40 | 4 | "Gavin Volure" | Gail Mancuso | John Riggi | November 20, 2008 | 305 |
|
Liz meets one of Jack's friends, the eccentric businessman Gavin Volure (Steve Martin), when the pair attend a dinner party with guests including John McEnroe. Gavin, after offering Jack a secret business opportunity, becomes enamored with Liz. Jack encourages the relationship until it appears that there is more to Gavin than meets the eye. Also, Kenneth invests his money in Gavin's business. Meanwhile, Tracy fears that his children, Tracy Jr. and George Foreman Jordan, are trying to kill him. | ||||||
| 41 | 5 | "Reunion" | Beth McCarthy | Matt Hubbard | December 4, 2008 | 304 |
| 42 | 6 | "Christmas Special" | Don Scardino | Kay Cannon & Tina Fey | December 11, 2008 | TBA |
|
In the Christmas episode, Liz decides to help a charity for underprivileged children after her parents ditch their holiday plans. Jack's mother, Colleen (Elaine Stritch), stops Jack from going on a Christmas vacation so he ends up taking his frustration out on the TGS staff. The TGS crew have to ditch their own plans for a holiday-themed episode of TGS with Tracy Jordan. | ||||||
References
- 30 Rock Photography. NBC Universal Media Village. Retrieved 2008-02-21.
- 30 Rock Storylines. NBC Universal Media Village. Retrieved 2008-02-21
- 30 Rock Episodes. TV Guide. Retrieved 2008-11-15.
- ^ a b Dos Santos, Kristin (2008-04-02). "Breaking: 30 Rock Picked Up!". E! Online. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ West, Dave (2008-05-28). "NBC sets 2008–09 premiere dates". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2008-08-20.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "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" (Press release). NBC Universal Media Village. 2008-07-21. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
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.
- ^ Hein, Jon (2008-04-22). "Is Comedy Night Being Done Right?". TV Guide. Retrieved 2008-07-30.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ a b "30 Rock: Credits". NBC Universal Media Village. Retrieved 21 November 2008.
- ^ "30 Rock – "Do Over"". Variety. Retrieved 21 November 2008.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help); Unknown parameter|curly=ignored (help) - ^ "30 Rock – "Believe In The Stars"". Variety. Retrieved 21 November 2008.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help); Unknown parameter|curly=ignored (help) - ^ "30 Rock – "The One With The Cast Of Night Court"". Variety. Retrieved 21 November 2008.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help); Unknown parameter|curly=ignored (help) - ^ "30 Rock – "Gavin Volure"". Variety. Retrieved 21 November 2008.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help); Unknown parameter|curly=ignored (help) - ^ a b "Tina Fey channels SNL on 30 Rock". MSNBC. 2006-10-11. Retrieved 2008-03-23.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Jane Krakowski joins the cast of new NBC comedy 30 Rock" (Press release). NBC Universal Media Village. 2007-08-17. Retrieved 2008-03-02.
{{cite press release}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Porter, Rick (2007-10-03). "30 Rock talk with Jane Krakowski and Jack McBrayer". Zap2it. Retrieved 2008-03-24.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Scott Adsit: Actor, Writer, Improviser". Filmography. Variety. Retrieved 2008-03-24.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Robertson, Lindsay (2007-04-13). "Judah Friedlander's Hats on 30 Rock". Comedy Central. Retrieved 2008-03-24.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Andreeva, Nellie (2006-02-17). "Baldwin eyes Fey's NBC pilot". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2008-03-24.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Kirschling, Gregory (2007-05-04). "Maulik Pancholy: You Might Know Me From..." Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2008-07-30.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ a b "30 Rock; Thursdays on NBC (8:30-9 p.m. ET); Season Premiere: Thursday, October 4". NBC Universal Media Village. Retrieved 2007-10-14.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Dos Santos, Kristen (2008-03-04). "Exclusive! 30 Rock Scores Will Arnett, Chris Kattan and Mariah Carey (in Our Dreams)". E! Online. Retrieved 2008-03-05.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Grizz Chapman". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-07-30.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Update: 30 Rock Set New Series Highs In 18–49 And Total Viewers" (Press release). NBC Universal Media Village. 2008-10-31. Retrieved 2008-11-21.
The third season premiere of 30 Rock scored new series-high numbers, delivering a 4.1 rating, 10 share in adults 18–49 and 8.7 million viewers overall.
- ^ "NBC Results For The Primetime Week Of November 17–23" (Press release). NBC Universal Media Village. 2008-11-25. Retrieved 2008-12-02.
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.