Andy Greene - author of The Office: The Untold Story of the Greatest Sitcom of the 2000s: An Oral History
30 Rock is undoubtedly one of the greatest sitcoms in history, and its complete story has finally been told, thanks to this riveting book. A must-read for any fan of the show.
David Rabinowitz - Oscar winner and cowriter of BlacKkKlansman
Not only a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at one of the best sitcoms of this century, but also a testament to just how much hard work goes into making great television. For fans of 30 Rock––and comedy TV in general––it’s a must-read.
Bradley Whitford
It’s a miracle when a TV show works. Mike Roe gives us a terrific behind-the-scenes look at one of the greatest television comedies ever. I devoured it in a jealous rage.
author of Poking a Dead Frog - Mike Sacks
"One of the best histories of a sitcom I've ever read. I can't imagine a more definitive look at one of the most influential and wonderful comedies of the past twenty years."
From the Publisher
It’s a miracle when a TV show works. Mike Roe gives us a terrific behind-the-scenes look at one of the greatest television comedies ever. I devoured it in a jealous rage.”—Bradley Whitford
“30 Rock is undoubtedly one of the greatest sitcoms in history, and its complete story has finally been told, thanks to this riveting book. A must-read for any fan of the show.”—author of The Office: The Untold Story of the Greatest Sitcom of the 2000s: An Oral History, Andy Greene
"One of the best histories of a sitcom I've ever read. I can't imagine a more definitive look at one of the most influential and wonderful comedies of the past twenty years."—Mike Sacks, author of Poking a Dead Frog
“Not only a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at one of the best sitcoms of this century, but also a testament to just how much hard work goes into making great television. For fans of 30 Rock––and comedy TV in general––it’s a must-read.”—Oscar winner and cowriter of BlacKkKlansman, David Rabinowitz
Kirkus Reviews
2021-08-31
A wide-ranging tour through a landmark TV comedy.
Few sitcoms can compete with 30 Rock in a jokes-per-minute contest. That alone makes this lovingly researched unpacking of every episode in the Tina Fey series worthwhile for fans. But Roe, an arts and entertainment editor, comedy writer, and producer, provides a broader context for the show’s success. Sure, the author explains where the show’s catchphrases—e.g., “I want to go to there” and “blerg!”—originated and how its most memorable moments (remember “Werewolf Bar Mitzvah”?) came together. Roe goes deep on the ratings-challenged show’s struggle to stay on the air, even with a star-studded cast, including Fey, Alec Baldwin, and Tracy Morgan, and the support of powerful Saturday Night Live honcho Lorne Michaels. The author also meticulously chronicles the show’s influences and, through interviews, takes readers into the writers room to get a sense of the craftsmanship. However, his research has limits. His quotes from Fey, Baldwin, and Morgan come from DVD commentaries and other interviews. That leaves questions like why Fey replaced her friend Rachel Dratch with Krakowski unanswered—though Roe offers educated guesses, including that “test audiences didn’t respond to Dratch.” Roe fares far better when he takes the show to task for its actors’ use of blackface and questionable jokes at the expense of minorities. “That really hurt,” the show’s prop master Kevin Ladson told Roe, explaining how he felt when he saw Krakowski on stage in blackface portraying football player Lynn Swann. “And I said, ‘I really want to know how this gets a pass.’ ” Calling out the show’s issues makes the overwhelming praise throughout the book that much more believable.
Roe’s studious examination effectively details the brilliance—and blemishes—of an entertainment gem.
