The third season of 30 Rock, an American television comedy series, consists of 22 episodes that aired from October 30, 2008 to May 14, 2009 on the NBC network in the United States. The show follows Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, Alec Baldwin, Jane Krakowski, and others as they produce a fictitious live sketch comedy television series TGS. Salma Hayek and Jon Hamm make recurring guest appearances as love interests. The season was produced by Broadway Video, Little Stranger, and NBC Universal; the executive producers were series creator Fey, Lorne Michaels, Marci Klein, David Miner, and Robert Carlock.
In this season, Liz Lemon (Fey) focuses on her personal life, trying to adopt a child and find a new romantic partner. Meanwhile, Jack Donaghy (Baldwin) pursues a new relationship, Jenna Maroney (Krakowski) undertakes a new Janis Joplin-based film project, and Tracy Jordan (Morgan) enjoys the success of his video game developed at the end of the previous season.
The third season aired under NBC's promotional banner "Comedy Night Done Right" on Thursdays at 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The season was critically acclaimed and received 22 nominations at the Primetime Emmy Awards, the most for a single show in 2009. The season broke 30 Rocks own record of 17 nominations for the most nominated comedy season at the Primetime Emmys. The season was released on DVD as a three-disc boxed set under the title 30 Rock: Season 3 on September 22, 2009, by Universal Studios.
Synopsis Season 3 continues from the epilogue of the Season 2 finale, "Cooter". Jack returns to NBC, Liz tries to adopt a baby, Tracy enjoys the success of his pornographic video game, and Jenna sues Tracy for not properly compensating her. Season-long plots include Jack meeting a new love interest, Elisa (Salma Hayek), and the search for his real father (Alan Alda). Liz also finds a new love interest, Dr. Drew Baird (Jon Hamm), while going through cutbacks and discovering her potential to host a talk show. Jenna is cast as a Janis Joplin-type character in a biographical film that could not obtain the life rights to Janis Joplin.
Cast and characters Ten actors received star billing. Tina Fey portrayed Liz Lemon, the head writer of a fictitious live-sketch-comedy television series TGS. The TGS cast consists of three actors. The lead actor is the loose cannon movie star Tracy Jordan, portrayed by Tracy Morgan. His co-stars are the dense Jenna Maroney, portrayed by Jane Krakowski, and Josh Girard, who is also a writer for TGS, portrayed by Lonny Ross. (No direct link. Browse to "Networks & Programs", "NBC Entertainment", "30 Rock" and click "Credits.") Ross's role in the show was substantially reduced this season, appearing in only four episodes as the character Josh is dismissed by his coworkers as "forgettable". Behind the scenes of TGS, Alec Baldwin played the NBC network executive Jack Donaghy and Jack McBrayer played the naïve NBC page Kenneth Parcell. Scott Adsit acted as the TGS producer Pete Hornberger. In the fictional writers' room, Judah Friedlander portrayed trucker hat-wearing staff writer Frank Rossitano, Keith Powell played the Harvard University alumnus and TGS staff writer James "Toofer" Spurlock, and Katrina Bowden acted as writers' assistant Cerie Xerox. Other cast members include Maulik Pancholy as Jonathan, Grizz Chapman as Grizz Griswold, and Kevin Brown as "Dot Com" Slattery. The cast featured recurring characters, including John Lutz as J.D. Lutz, and Chris Parnell as Dr. Leo Spaceman.
Salma Hayek had a recurring guest appearance in six episodes as Elisa, a nurse for Jack Donaghy's mother and Donaghy's eventual love interest. She first appeared in "Señor Macho Solo" and made her final appearance in "The Ones". TV critic Alan Sepinwall praised the show for finding the "comic potential" in Hayek, rather than casting her as "The Beautiful Woman Who the Funny Character is Lusting After," his characterization of her previous limited appearances in comedies. Steve Buscemi appeared in the episodes "The Natural Order" and "Mamma Mia" as Lenny Wosniak, a private detective occasionally hired by Donaghy. Alan Alda appeared in the episodes "Mamma Mia" and "Kidney Now!" as Milton Greene, a man believed to be Jack Donaghy's father. Jon Hamm also appears for a brief romance with Liz, which has a one-episode follow-up in season 4. Tina Fey said that, during casting, she asked Lorne Michaels whether Hamm was funny, and whether he was "a dick", before offering him the role.
Cameo appearances include Jennifer Aniston, Steve Martin, Megan Mullally, Peter Dinklage, and Oprah Winfrey. News articles announcing Aniston's appearance described 30 Rock as "a haven for guest appearances from big names in entertainment" due to its setting in the entertainment industry. The show's creators solicit guest appearances for particular storylines. Celebrity cameos have been described as a promotional marketing strategy for the show. Writing for The Daily News, Christina Kinon argues that the show succeeded in attracting cameos because they are also rewarding for the guest stars: seven of the guest stars in season two were nominated for Emmy Awards, and the show's humor gives serious stars a chance to be self-deprecating and "hip". Aniston's cameo episode, "The One with the Cast of Night Court", pokes fun at the show's use of cameos by using the title to reference Aniston's series Friends (which had recently concluded) while focusing the plot around the fact that it also starred the cast of 1980s sitcom Night Court.
Main cast Tina Fey as Liz Lemon, the head writer of TGS, a live sketch comedy television show. Tracy Morgan as Tracy Jordan, a loose cannon movie star and cast member of TGS. Jane Krakowski as Jenna Maroney, a vain, fame-obsessed TGS cast member and Liz's best friend. Jack McBrayer as Kenneth Parcell, a naïve, television-loving NBC page from Georgia. Scott Adsit as Pete Hornberger, the witty and wise producer of TGS. Judah Friedlander as Frank Rossitano, an immature staff writer for TGS. Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy, a high-flying NBC network executive and Liz's mentor. Katrina Bowden as Cerie Xerox, the young, attractive TGS general assistant. Keith Powell as James "Toofer" Spurlock, a proud African-American staff writer for TGS. Lonny Ross as Josh Girard, a young, unintelligent TGS cast member. Kevin Brown as Walter "Dot Com" Slattery, a member of Tracy's entourage. Grizz Chapman as Warren "Grizz" Griswold, a member of Tracy's entourage. Maulik Pancholy as Jonathan, Jack's assistant who is obsessed with him.
Recurring cast John Lutz as J.D. Lutz, a lazy, overweight TGS writer who is often ridiculed by his co-workers. Salma Hayek as Elisa Pedreira, a Puerto Rican nurse and Jack's love interest. Chris Parnell as Dr. Leo Spaceman, a physician who practices questionable medical techniques. Todd Buonopane as Jeffrey Weinerslav, an employee in General Electric's human resources department. Jon Hamm as Dr. Andrew "Drew" Baird, a pediatrician and Liz's neighbor who she takes a romantic interest in. Elaine Stritch as Colleen Donaghy, Jack's cold and overbearing mother. Alan Alda as Milton Greene, Jack's biological father. Steve Buscemi as Lenny Wosniak, a private investigator hired by Jack. Marceline Hugot as Kathy Geiss, Don Geiss' socially awkward middle-aged daughter. Nancy O'Dell as herself Sherri Shepherd as Angie Jordan, Tracy's no-nonsense wife. Rip Torn as Don Geiss, CEO of General Electric and Jack's boss and mentor. Meredith Viera as herself
Guest stars Clay Aiken as himself (Episode: "Kidney Now!") Harry Anderson as himself (Episode: "The One with the Cast of Night Court") Jennifer Aniston as Claire Harper, Liz and Jenna's old roommate from college. (Episode: "The One with the Cast of Night Court") Will Arnett as Devon Banks, Jack's nemesis and NBC's Vice President of West Coast News, Web Content and Theme Park Talent Relations. (Episode: "Do-Over") Sara Bareilles as herself (Episode: "Kidney Now!") Roger Bart as Brad Halster, a consultant hired to slash TGS's budget. (Episode: "Cutbacks") Beastie Boys as themselves (Episode: "Kidney Now!") Mary J. Blige as herself (Episode: "Kidney Now!") Billy Bush as himself (Episode: "Señor Macho Solo") Elvis Costello as himself (Episode: "Kidney Now!") Sheryl Crow as herself (Episode: "Kidney Now!") Peter Dinklage as Stewart LaGrange, a diplomatic attaché at the United Nations who Liz dates. (Episode: "Señor Macho Solo") Steve Earle as himself (Episode: "Kidney Now!") Donald Glover as a gay kid. (Episode: "Kidney Now!") Jackie Hoffman as Rochelle Gaulke, the defendant in a case in which Liz is on the jury. (Episode: "The Funcooker") Wyclef Jean as himself (Episode: "Kidney Now!") Norah Jones as herself (Episode: "Kidney Now!") Calvin Klein as himself (Episode: "The Bubble") Larry King as himself (Episode: "Larry King") Talib Kweli as himself (Episode: "Kidney Now!") Matt Lauer as himself (Episode: "Generalissimo") Cyndi Lauper as herself (Episode: "Kidney Now!") Adam Levine as himself (Episode: "Kidney Now!") John Lithgow as himself (Episode: "Goodbye, My Friend") Patti LuPone as Sylvia Rossitano, Frank's stereotypical Italian-American mother. (Episode: "Goodbye, My Friend") Steve Martin as Gavin Volure, an agoraphobic entrepreneur who takes an interest in Liz. (Episode: "Gavin Volure") Michael McDonald as himself (Episode: "Kidney Now!") John McEnroe as himself (Episode: "Gavin Volure") Rhett Miller as himself (Episode: "Kidney Now!") Moby as himself (Episode: "Kidney Now!") Janel Moloney as Jessica, a member of Liz's graduating class from high school. (Episode: "Reunion") Megan Mullally as Bev, Liz's hostile adoption agent. (Episode: "Do-Over") Diane Neal as Erin, a member of Liz's graduating class from high school. (Episode: "Reunion") Don Pardo as Sid, the TGS announcer. (Episode: "Cutbacks") Paula Pell as Paula Hornberger, Pete's wife. (Episode: "Kidney Now!") Markie Post as herself (Episode: "The One with the Cast of Night Court") Robert Randolph as himself (Episode: "Kidney Now!") Charlie Robinson as himself (Episode: "The One with the Cast of Night Court") Amy Schumer as a stylist. (Episode: "Mamma Mia") Maria Thayer as Jennifer Rogers, a blind woman who Kenneth has a crush on. (Episode: "St. Valentine's Day") Adam West as himself (Episode: "Apollo, Apollo") Brian Williams as himself (Episode: "The Ones") Oprah Winfrey as herself (Episode: "Believe in the Stars") Dean Winters as Dennis Duffy, Liz's immature ex-boyfriend. (Episode: "Apollo, Apollo") Rachael Yamagata as herself (Episode: "Kidney Now!")
Episodes
Production NBC announced the renewal of 30 Rock for a third season in April 2008, while the second season was midway through its run after a hiatus caused by the 2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike. At the time, the show's viewership was considered modest in size but reportedly "among the most upscale on TV", justifying the renewal. The renewal of 30 Rock also coincided with Fey's increased public profile for her film Baby Mama. At the renewal, actor Jack McBrayer stated, "That anxiety we had last year has dissipated."