Remember a while back when Alec Baldwin was all “Show’s over!” in regard to 30 Rock’s next season? He hasn’t commented on the series’ longevity in recent days, but executive producer and Saturday Night Live godfather Lorne Michaels has. And all I have to say is… uh oh.
New York Magazine’s Vulture blog had a chat with Michaels and asked about the upcoming season for the show. If Baldwin bails, he says, “I can’t imagine doing the show without Alec, but I couldn’t imagine doing [Saturday Night Live] without Chevy. And we’re still on the air.”
Now, don’t get me wrong. 30 Rock boasts an amazing ensemble. Tina Fey’s brilliant in five million ways. Jack McBrayer, aside from being adorable, earnestly delivers some of the show’s best one-liners (case in point: “I’m a real good sex person. I do it all the different ways”). Tracy remains – true to self, maybe – a loose cannon in the best way imaginable. Jane Krakowski, Scott Adsit, Judah Friedlander are all wonderful.
Alec Baldwin is the patriarch of the dysfunctional 30 Rock family, and the narrative is unimaginable without him. Who would Liz Lemon go to for weirdly helpful advice in the face of her inevitable crises? Who else would harness – or amplify – Tracy’s insane hang-ups? Who can speak with a gravelly, masculine, Bruce Wayne-like voice aside from Baldwin? And the Jack Donaghy hair! Irreplaceable!
Lest you leave here not having born witness to Baldwin’s brilliance, here’s a clip that demonstrates why Jacky D is the man – and why Baldwin is an incredible comedic actor.
