30 Rock is a real gem of network comedy amongst the slew of crap that's out there. It's sharp, funny as hell, and smart. The whole cast is great, and near the top of the list is Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy.
As the Vice President of East Coast Television and Microwave Oven Programming (the second part is very important to him) and more importantly, Liz Lemon's (Tina Fey) boss, Jack is a man's man and a self-proclaimed business genius. Although Liz originally resents Jack's chauvinistic side and doesn't appreciate the changes he brings to The Girle Show, he becomes a sort of mentor to her and they begin and odd but charming friendship.
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| Listen very carefully, Lemon. |
Much of the show hinges on their relationship-the way they at least try to help each other out with personal problems, their back and forth about relationships, their disagreements about what to put on the show and how to handle their actors. They're almost always about business, but when it comes down to it they're friends on the most basic level and they're always funny to watch.
So...what happens when you take Jack out of the equation? You still have all the other comic mishaps that make 30 Rock great-the problems with lead actors Jenna and Tracy (Jane Krakowski and Tracy Morgan), Liz's issues with finding a good man, dealing with the childish writers. But when all that happens, Liz doesn't have Jack to go to anymore to gripe, and Jack can't take jabs at Liz's taste in things like TV (Bridalplasty) and work-appropriate attire.
In addition, you lose Jack's stories of trying to be the best Reagan conservative and all-American ivy league man, like racing home to make sure his child isn't born in Canada (which would be unacceptable)
Whoa. That's a big part of the show missing. Can the show go on without Jack? Damn good question. If the show were to go on, it would seem to make the most sense that Jack either leaves his position for another job or is promoted to something that means he has to leave NYC.
So if that happens...might I suggest this man takes his place?
Wait, hear me out! Yes, Devon Banks is Jack's sworn enemy and has been painted as someone we should in a lot of ways root against, despite the fact that he's one of the funniest TV characters in a while and steals every scene he's in.
But I feel like Devon could be a fitting replacement for Jack. He's also an aggressive, often self-centered businessman who does a lot of seemingly crazy things to get what he wants. At the same time, he could take the show in a new direction while a lot of the same stuff that makes it great would stay the same.
Think about it-we'd still have Liz's awkward issues with men, entertaining side stories with Pete, Frank, and the writers, plus hilarious arguments and joint plots by Tracy and Jenna and, of coures, the ridiculous Kenneth. While the Liz/Jack relationship is, as I mentioned, a huge part of the show, all these other parts can be equally as great.
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| Typical Kenneth |
And when it does get down to Devon as the new boss, who's to say Fey and the rest of the writers can't flesh him out more? Devon's been in a number of episodes and he's been a great character, but I feel like we've just started to scratch the surface. It could be a great opportunity for the character to grow and at the same time fit the new role. Will Arnett has proven already to be one of the funnier TV actors today, and his style seems to be a great fit for 30 Rock. There's still plenty of opportunity for Devon to be the character he's been so far and simultaneously develop a relationship with Liz and the rest of the TGS crew.
What do you think-would 30 Rock work without Baldwin or should it stop after he leaves?
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6 comments:
Interesting, Will Arnett is (possibly) going to take over the boss role on The Office...that would probably affect his availability on 30 Rock, if it happens.
March 24, 2011 at 3:23 PMLove '30 Rock', but it should end after Alec leaves. I get fed up with TV shows making sacrifices along the way. It'd be nice to just have it end perfectly, with everybody still in it.
March 24, 2011 at 5:31 PMI absolutly adore 30 Rock, but think that it should definately end if Alec leaves. While Banks could be a funny replacement, the show has spent 5 years building up the Jack/Liz relationship and to take it away would be taking away a big part of the show. Like the previous comment says, it would be better just to end the show right rather than to have to write anyone off (wish that they would have done that on the Office with Steve).
March 24, 2011 at 6:39 PMI do definitely see your guys' point in that a lot of TV shows who have tried to go on after a major character left have turned out really poorly. I can see how Tina Fey and the other writers could make it work, but yours is a good point to consider.
March 24, 2011 at 10:54 PMThanks for reading (and for posting civil comments)!
Yeah, The Office should end as an above poster mentioned...doing it without Carell is merely pointless. It's like doing MASH without Hawkeye or something. Or The Simpsons without Homer.
March 26, 2011 at 6:29 AMI don't watch enough 30 Rock (a general life failing I will have to rectify at some point via DVDs), but I suspect the same is probably true here. In general, when major characters depart, shows should end.
Reps for Baldwin told Perez Hilton on Thursday that while the actor's contract with "30 Rock" does end in 2012, he has no plans to quit acting or leave the show. The CNN interview in which Baldwin mentions wanting a life away from Hollywood, according to that report, is from back in March.
March 26, 2011 at 8:43 PMHE'S NOT LEAVING PEOPLEZ!!!
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