Over five years since NBC’s 30 Rock aired its final episode, star and creator Tina Fey recently suggested a reboot could happen soon. However, it wouldn’t have the same comedic formula that made the show so popular during its seven-season run.
From 1997 to 2006, Fey rose to stardom on Saturday Night Live after developing her skills at The Second City, Chicago’s esteemed improvisational collective. During her time on SNL, Fey initially worked as a writer before making her first appearance on camera. But once Adam McKay left the show to pursue his directing career, Fey broke new ground by filling his place as SNL’s head writer, becoming the first woman to earn that title. She also co-hosted over 100 episodes of SNL's Weekend Update while developing a new series that would ultimately become 30 Rock, which was based on Fey’s own experiences working under Lorne Michaels. In 2002, Fey won an Emmy Award for her writing at SNL, and she later earned five more for 30 Rock.
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Last night, Fey appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, reuniting with her former Weekend Update co-anchor. When pressed about a potential 30 Rock reboot, Fey initially played it off with her deadpan comedy, only to admit that a new series could be a possibility. During the interview, she referenced her collaborator Robert Carlock, who co-executive produced 30 Rock and co-created Fey’s Netflix series Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. When speaking with Fallon, Fey discussed potential storylines, but she made it clear that a traditional 30 Rock reboot would be “too easy.”
On May 30, Season 4 of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt will premiere, and Fey will return to The Tonight Show next month to promote her upcoming SNL hosting gig. Meanwhile, 30 Rock star Tracy Morgan has returned to network television with TBS’ The Last O.G., this coming after he nearly lost his life during a 2014 car accident that killed comedian James McNair. Earlier this month, 30 Rock’s Jane Krakowski confirmed that reboot discussions have indeed taken place, and NBC has also reportedly expressed interest in rebooting The Office, a comedy series that ran parallel to Fey’s beloved primetime sitcom. On social media, 30 Rock enthusiasts are obviously anxious for a brand new series.
So, what’s your opinion on NBC reboots? For Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Fey gave Ellie Kemper (The Office) a large platform for her quirky comedy, and she just may be the ideal candidate for a 30 Rock spinoff. With Fey, anything is possible, and whatever she decides on will undoubtedly be original.