Myths about “30 Rock”

Posted by Maximum Fun on 4th October 2007

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Since 30 Rock won an Emmy, a lot of urban legends have spread about the show. Here are two of the most egregious:

* “The show started poorly.” No, it didn’t. It was always funny, you just had an attitude at first, and/or didn’t get it. Is it tighter than it was in the first episode? Yeah, sure, like any sitcom. But it was great from the start. You’re just covering your ass.

* “The show’s success is largely due to Alec Baldwin.” Yes, Alec Baldwin is funny. No, he is NOT the only or even main funny thing on the show. He is just the thing that you were already familiar with, Mr. TV Writer. Actually, Tracy Morgan is funnier, and Jack McBrayer is just as funny.

The television press made the same sorts of odd psuedo-attacks on the Office in the early days, which they now seem to regard as the greatest show ever. I think we’re lucky to live in a world where these shows are on network television.

That said… I hope they straighten out the Rachel Dratch situation this year. She is one of my favorite comic actresses, but she was awful on the show last year. Not because she did a bad job portraying her various characters, but rather because her broad characterizations broke the tone of the show. She was performing them as written, but she consistently felt shoehorned in to the show’s world. Wait… except for the cat wrangler. I liked the cat wrangler.

Anyway, I’m rambling. I shouldn’t blog before 9AM.

Update: Todd Jackson has some great thoughts on all this on Dead-Frog.