October 11, 2006 30 Rock, starring Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, and Tracy Morgan, debuts on NBC.
The latest creation by SNL master mind, Lauren Michaels is a sitcom developed by one time SNL Head Writer, Tina Fey. Having proved her onscreen likability with her turn anchoring the "Weekend Update" segment of the Saturday Night sketch-comedy show, Fey is ready to branch out. And with a great supporting cast that includes SNL chum Tracy Morgan and Academy Award nominee, Alec Baldwin it looks like Fey may have better luck than most SNL alums.
The set up is that Tina Fey's character, Liz Lemon, is the head writer and executive show runner of a sketch comedy show called "TGS with Tracy Jordan". This situation, obviously, seems plausible enough. The delightfully awkwardly daffy Liz must deal with an arrogant new boss (Baldwin) and a crazy new star (Morgan), all while trying to run a successful television show without losing her mind.
One of the main complications for Liz is that the late night sketch comedy show was formerly called "The Girlie Show", starring her close friend and major drama queen Jenna Maroney (Jane Krakowski) who is not happy with the change of the show's focus (which was on her). Another is that the new executive vice president (Baldwin) decides to take Liz under his wing and turn around TGS, which, "for years has been unable to find the proper audience it deserves" (or so says management). To do that, Baldwin's character (Jack) brings on an unhinged, wildly unpredictable comedian played by Morgan. His crazy lifestyle and daily antics should ideally turn the series into a ratings hit. Right?
However, Liz is more often than not out of her depths trying to control her odd ball writing staff, the NBC page program, keeping Tracy on a short leash, and getting him to get along with previous star, Jenna proves to be one disaster after another. Let the comedy ensue!