One of the current best shows on television is NBC’s 30 Rock, created by and starring Tina Fey as Liz Lemon. Season Four of 30 Rock is particularly successful in that the shows cast has established comedic territory and a group vibe that will make you laugh out loud episode after episode.
Celebrity Recurring Roles
Another aspect that makes 30 Rock special is it visiting actors and characters, some of whom are recurring, some of whom show up for a single episode. Will Arnett has a recurring role on 30 Rock as Devon Banks, a gay competitor of Jack Donaghey whom we have had the pleasure of seeing before. Arnett is a brilliant comedic performer, (viewers may remember him as Gob on Arrested Development), who is the perfect foil for the equally talented and husky-voiced Alec Baldwin. Arnett appears on Episode 2 entitled "Into the Crevasse".
In Episode 6 of 30 Rock entitled “Sun Tea” former U.S. Vice-President Al Gore makes a humorous and non-wooden appearance as himself. While this may seem singularly freaky, this is actually Gore’s second appearance on 30 Rock. Julianne Moore has a recurring role in this season of 30 Rock as Jack Donaghy’s childhood crush. Moore is hilarious as the redhead Irish Catholic with a wicked bad Boston accent. Jan Hooks has a fun, recurring role as Jenna’s trailer trash mom who cuts a secret deal with Jack.
30 Rock Stays Current
30 Rock also keeps itself fresh and funny by incorporating current events into the show for added relevance and credibility. For example, in Episode 4 Jack comes down with bedbugs, something that is currently plaguing New York City. In another episode of 30 Rock, a groomsman at a wedding is also a Somali pirate with mandatory big, pirate sword.
Perhaps one of the great mysteries of television is that while Season Four of 30 Rock garners 15 Emmy Award nominations it fails to win in any of the categories. 30 Rock on NBC continues to be one of the best, fast-paced, ensemble, comedy television shows with consistent, smart and funny writing. If laughter is the best medicine, 30 Rock is the cure. Really. Read some great quotes from Season Four of 30 Rock here.
- Tina Fey as Liz Lemon
- Tracy Morgan as Tracy Jordan
- Jane Krakowski as Jenna Maroney
- Jack McBrayer as Kenneth Parcell
- Scott Adsit as Pete Hornberger
- Judah Freidlander as Frank Rossitano
- Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy
- Keith Powell as James “Toofer” Spurlock
- Katrina Bowden as Cerie Xerox
- Maulik Pancholy as Jonathan
- Grizz Chapman as Grizz Griswold
- Kevin Brown as “Dot Com” Slattery
- John Lutz as J.D. Lutz
- Directed by Don Scardino, Beth McCarthy Miller, John Riggi, Gail Mancuso, Stephen Lee Davis, Millicent Shelton, Jeff Richmond
- Written by Tina Fey, Robert Carlock, John Riggi, Matt Hubbard, Ron Weiner, Josh Siegal & Dylan Morgan, Kay Cannon, Steve Hely, Vali Chandrasekaran & Tom Ceraulo, Tracey Wigfield & Jon Haller, Jack Burditt & Tracey Wigfield, and Paula Pell
Mary Rayme - Mary Rayme is a graphic designer and arts educator with a BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore.
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