WebProNews

Tag: 30 rock

  • Jane Krakowski: From ’30 Rock’ to ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’

    Jane Krakowski worked alongside Tina Fey in 30 Rock and now stars in Fey’s new Netflix comedy, The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. Jane spoke recently on her role as Jacqueline Vorhees–the woman for whom Kimmy Schmidt (played by The Office’s Ellie Kemper) nannies after being held captive for years by a cult leader. How does Vorhees differ from Jane Krakowski’s 30 Rock role as Jenna Maroney? Are the roles the same or completely different?

    “I’ve always approached them very differently, and it was certainly conscious on Tina and Robert Carlock’s agenda to make them as different as possible,” Jane Krakowski says of the two roles. “At first I was taken aback when people were saying that, because I find the characters so different at their core and in their heart, and I think also because I shot all 13 episodes and I know where this character grows. But in the first few episodes, I see why people would feel that way, especially in the beginning, before you learn more about her. But as I say, I’ve never approached them the same. There’s a vulnerability to Jacqueline that Jenna never had an ounce of on 30 Rock, so I find that they come from very different places.”

    “Tina said to me—which was good to learn after 30 Rock had finished filming—was that at her core, Jenna was a horrible person and Jacqueline is not,” Krakowski adds. “It was good for me to learn that in hindsight after all of the seasons of 30 Rock! But I do think the characters are very different. The sense of humor is written by the same creators and the comedy has the same tone and pace as 30 Rock, and since I’m associated with both, I think people will naturally put that together.”

    Tina Fey obviously saw something very valuable in Jane Krakowski in order to give her the part of Jacqueline Vorhees on The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt–even though the role was created and Krakowski dropped into it at the very last minute. In a like manner, Jane Krakowski no doubt saw something spectacular in Tina Fey’s new creation, and realized that even if she was an afterthought, it was no doubt a good one.

    Are these two ladies a guaranteed comedy mix–even if Krakowski’s two roles differ so greatly? The only thing they really have in common is that each plays (or played) off the lead role–Jenna Maroney off Tina Fey’s Liz Lemon and Jacqueline Vorhees off Ellie Kemper’s Kimmy Schmidt. Will what worked so well once work well again?

    Jane Krakowski earned four Emmy nods for her role as Jenna Maroney. Might she find herself reaping similar nominations in her role as Jacqueline Vorhees, too?

    The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is available on Netflix now. Will you be checking out Ellie Kemper and Jane Krakowski in their latest roles?

  • Tina Fey Calls Ellie Kemper’s ‘Kimmy Schmidt’ Delightful

    Tina Fey has done it again. The SNL alum and 30 Rock star has created yet another hilarious sitcom–this time for Netflix. Starring Ellie Kemper from The Office and Bridesmaids fame, The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is about a 20-something woman who escaped a cult to start over in New York City.

    “She’s just delightful,” Fey said in an interview with People magazine. “She is so intelligent and energetic and adorable.”

    “I think she is so likable and warm and skilled that I hope people really enjoy watching her,” Tina Fey adds.

    Ellie Kemper is just as excited about Tina Fey as Fey is about her. She calls her role in The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt a ‘dream come true.’

    “I was very excited,” Kemper says of meeting Fey for the first time. “She’s Tina Fey!”

    Ellie Kemper works with a rat on The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. Does she harbor any grudges toward Tina Fey for having a rat as a co-star?

    “It was a showbiz rat, so it was calm,” Kemper explains. “It almost felt like a small kitten so it felt doable.”

    Tina Fey created Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt with another 30 Rock alum–Robert Carlock. That combination of talents–along with actors like Alec Baldwin, Jane Krakowski, Tracy Morgan, and Jack McBrayer–made for a hit sitcom that ran for seven seasons.

    Has Tina Fey found the same with Ellie Kemper (Jane Krakowski stars in the Netflix series, too) in The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt?

  • Alec and Hilaria Baldwin Share the News That They are Expecting Another Child in 2015 Via Instagram

    Alec and Hilaria Baldwin announced on Instagram Thursday that their family will be increasing in 2015.

    Hilaria posted a beautiful sunset photo of husband Alec holding their 16-month-old daughter, Carmen Gabriela, as she touches her momma’s bare belly that shows little evidence yet of pregnancy.

    “The sun has set on 2014,” Hilaria captioned the beach photo. “2015 is going to be very exciting as we are thrilled to announce we are expecting another little addition to our family!”

    The 56-year-old 30 Rock alum made his own announcement via Twitter on Thursday.

    “2015 equals Mommy, Daddy, Carmen and a special guest star…,” he wrote.

    Happy New Year

    A photo posted by Hilaria Thomas Baldwin (@hilariabaldwin) on

    This will be the couple’s second child. Alex is also dad to daughter Ireland, 19, with ex-wife Kim Basinger.

    Alec married the 30 year-old yoga instructor in June 2012, and they welcomed little Carmen on Aug. 23, 2013.

  • Tina Fey Joked About Cosby Rape Allegations Back on SNL and 30 Rock

    Word is out that Tina Fey has been hip to Bill Cosby’s alleged rape-y behavior for a long time. While Hannibal Buress may have ben the latest comedian to call Cos out on the allegations, Fey has worked that material at least twice.

    The first occasion was in a 2005 episode of Saturday Night Live’s regular “Weekend Update” segment with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler hosting.

    The video is below, which shows the initial SNL joke. But here is a transcription of the full bit, including Poehler’s comments afterward.

    Tina Fey: A California lawyer alleged Wednesday that thirty years ago, Bill Cosby drugged her and tried to molest her, and after she fought back, he dropped two hundred-dollar bills on a table and fled. Cosby says he can’t be held responsible for his actions, since at the time he was suffering from, (imitating Bill Cosby) ‘the brain damage’.

    Amy Poehler: That’s funny. Is Kenan coming out to imitate Bill Cosby now?

    Tina Fey: (still as Bill Cosby) No, Kenan is not coming out because of the ‘Fat Albert,’ and the money, and the sequels!

    Amy Poehler: (also as Bill Cosby) Of course he can’t talk about the boobies, and the groping, and the pudding pops.

    Tina Fey: Because it would upset Mr. Cosby, and his wife, Camiiillle.

    (Kenan Thompson walks in and stands behind Tina and Amy)

    Kenan Thompson: Wow, thanks for that. Great job, you guys. I didn’t say any of that, because Kenan Thompson loves to work, OK? Peace. (walks off; some applause)

    Tina Fey: Wow, Kenan Thompson loves to work, everybody.

    Amy Poehler: Loves to work? Who doesn’t?

    But, wait. That’s not the last time Fey worked Cosby into a piece like this. Years later, when writing and starring on 30 Rock, she wrote in another bit with Tracy Morgan. In this scene, Alec Baldwin’s character Jack Doneghy is trying to convince Tracy Morgan to return to his show. He brings someone in to impersonate Bill Cosby in a phone call to Tracy. It does not go well.

    No video is available, here is the transcript.

    Cosby Impersonator: I want you to come back to the TGS for the people who like the jokes and the things.

    Tracy: Bill Cosby?! You got a lot of nerve getting on the phone with me after what you did to my Aunt Paulette!

    Cosby Impersonator: I think you’re confusing me with someone else.

    Tracy: 1971. Cincinnati. She was the cocktail waitress with the droopy eye!

    Cosby Impersonator: I’m the guy … With the pudding …

    Tracy: You trying to tell me what to do, Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable with your light-ass kids?! Jack, why would you make me talk with this man?!

    Another interesting factoid is that Hannibal Buress, whose comments about Cosby blew the whole thing open more recently, used to work with Fey on 30 Rock.

  • Tracy Morgan Spotted Out in N.J., Using Walker

    Tracy Morgan Spotted Out in N.J., Using Walker

    Tracy Morgan was spotted out and about for the first time since sustaining critical injuries in a serious highway crash in June, when the luxury van in which he was riding was crashed into by a truck owned by Walmart. The 30 Rock star was seen in New Jersey on Wednesday, and was getting around with the aid of a walker.

    Morgan’s lawyer told reporters in November that the actor and comedian is still struggling with his recovery. He suffered a broken leg, broken femur, broken nose, and broken ribs in the crash that killed his good friend and fellow comedian James McNair.

    “Mr. Morgan is a fighter,” Benedict Morelli told reporters outside a federal courthouse in Trenton, New Jersey, after attending a meeting with Walmart’s attorneys last month. “He’s fighting to get better. If there’s a chance to be back to the Tracy Morgan he once was, he is going to try to do that. We just don’t know. But is he doing much better? He’s doing better.”

    The accident that injured Tracy Morgan and killed McNair occurred almost six months ago when the Walmart truck driver slammed into the back of Morgan’s limo on the New Jersey Turnpike. Tracy Morgan was being chauffeured on his return from a tour date in Delaware.

    Morgan filed a lawsuit against Walmart claiming the company was “careless and negligent in the ownership and operation of its motor vehicle, which caused Mr. Morgan to suffer severe personal injuries.” Walmart has since filed a countersuit, faulting Tracy Morgan for not wearing a seatbelt.

    While it’s good to see Tracy Morgan is able to get out, it’s sad seeing the vital, hilarious comic suffering and struggling to get around with a walker. While some reports say he may never fully regain his former abilities, everyone hopes his ongoing therapies are least somewhat successful and serve to help him get back as much of his mobility and cognitive ability as possible.

  • Tina Fey and Amy Poehler Are As Hilarious As Ever in Golden Globes Promo

    Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will once again host the Golden Globes this year. In a new promo for the telecast, the duo claim it could be the same old, run-of-the-mill Fey-Poehler pairing like we see year in and year out.

    “This is our third time. How are we going to keep it fresh?” Poehler asks in the promo. “Uh, we’re not,” Fey replies.

    It’s highly doubtful anyone would mind even if it’s exactly the same… these two are hilarious just standing there.

    And it’s no wonder NBC asked them back for a third year considering they received rave reviews and solid ratings the past two years as hosts of the awards’ show.

    However, Poehler and Fey seem to enjoy minimizing their star power.

    “We don’t think we would be able to get in unless we were hosting,” Poehler says. “Not anymore,” Fey adds.

    Both are Golden Globe recipients. Poehler took home an award for her work as Leslie Knope in Parks and Recreation and Fey took home two trophies for 30 Rock.

    As for this year, it sounds like Poehler has a few goals lined up for this year’s telecast.

    “So, I’m going to try and get Julia Louis-Dreyfus to smile, for once,” Poehler says in the promo.

    “Good luck,” Fey retorts.

    If Poehler is to be believed, this will be the last time the two host the show together.

    “It’s the law of diminishing returns, which is why this is our last time,” Poehler said during a recent appearance on Today. “Unless you want to be a perennial host, there’s nowhere to go but down!”

    The 72nd Annual Golden Globes air at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT Jan. 11 on NBC.

  • Tracy Morgan Crash: Driver Seeks to Delay Lawsuit

    Tracy Morgan Crash: Driver Seeks to Delay Lawsuit

    Tracy Morgan was seriously injured and James McNair was killed when Kevin Roper slammed into the limo van in which they were traveling back in June. Now Roper has filed a request to delay a federal lawsuit. His criminal case will proceed. Roper’s attorney filed a motion asking to put Tracy Morgan’s lawsuit on hold pending the outcome of Kevin Roper’s criminal case.

    Kevin Roper has pleaded not guilty to one count of death by auto and four counts of assault by auto in the June 7 crash. Tracy Morgan suffered leg and rib injuries. He spent several weeks in the hospital as well as in rehab. Three other passengers in the limo van were injured, two of them seriously. Fellow comedian James McNair was killed.

    Roper’s attorney, David Glassman, contends that letting the federal case proceed would force his client to defend two actions at once, even though he isn’t named in Morgan’s lawsuit.

    Tracy Morgan filed a lawsuit against Walmart, which owns the truck Kevin Roper was driving. He is seeking punitive and compensatory damages. Kevin Roper is not named as a defendant in the suit, though allegations are made against him.

    A preliminary investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board said Kevin Roper was driving 65 mph in the 60 seconds before he slammed into the van. The speed limit on that stretch of the New Jersey Turnpike is 55 mph. It was lowered to 45 mph the night of the crash because of construction.

    Tracy Morgan–of Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock fame–was traveling home from a show in Delaware when the truck hit his limo van.

  • Tina Fey Remembers Jan Hooks, Bashes Rob Schneider

    While appearing on Elle’s Women in Hollywood Awards Monday night, Tina Fey took the time to pay tribute to Saturday Night Live star Jan Hooks, who passed away on Oct. 9 at age 57.

    Fey said that she thought Hooks was an amazing actress and comedian and didn’t get the recognition she deserved.

    It was Fey’s decision to cast Hooks to play Jane Krakowski’s mother on 30 Rock, and Fey said that she knew from the beginning that she was perfect for the role.

    “We needed to cast Jane Krakowski’s estranged Florida dirtbag mother, and I thought, My God, do you think we could get Jan Hooks?” Fey said to Vanity Fair. “And the answer was like, ‘Yeah, you can get her.’ She was living in Woodstock. And the phone was not ringing.”

    “It made me sad when she passed, and it made me mad at the time how available she was,” Fey added. “Jan should have had a bigger career. Jan deserved a big movie career. Certainly as big as Rob Schneider’s f*cking career. She was a bigger star on SNL.”

    Fey also said that Hooks was a little nervous to start acting again, but she caught on quickly and fit right in with everyone else on set.

    “She was actually a little shy about jumping back into the game,” Fey recalled about Hooks’ return to television. “And she came down and she was so funny. We did a scene where Jenna and her mother are reunited [and they] sing their duet that they used to sing in pageants when Jenna was a child. And it was a mother and a daughter singing to each other, ‘Do that to me one more time . . . ‘”

    “And it was so funny and the crew was so mesmerized,” she added. “It was all at once the most ridiculous and heartbreaking and beautiful [and] weird mother-daughter relationship. And I’m so proud of it.”

    Nevertheless, Hooks was an important part of SNL and a role model for Tina Fey. She will be missed dearly by everyone who knew her as a friend, comedian or actress.

  • Bernadette Peters Joins Other Theatre Greats in Tribute to Elaine Stritch

    Bernadette Peters will join a slew of other theatre greats to pay tribute to the legendary actress, Elaine Stritch, in Everybody, Rise! A Celebration of Elaine Stritch.

    The all-star tribute, which will feature reminiscences and performances on the life and career of the late Tony and Emmy-winning actress, who died on July 17 at the age of 89, will be held 4 p.m. Nov. 17, at The Al Hirschfeld Theatre.

    Under the direction of George C. Wolfe, a portion of the contributions collected during the celebration will be donated to the Elaine Stritch Scholarship Fund at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting

    The Honorary Producing Committee for the tribute includes Chiemi Karasawa, Carol Fineman, Rob Bowman, Hal Prince, Hunter Ryan Herdlicka, Julie Keyes, Rick Borutta, Mindy Cohn, Joseph Rosenthal, Cheryl Wiesenfeld and Will Gaines.

    Everybody, Rise! is a collaborative effort and includes the participation of Jujamcyn Theaters/Jordan Roth, Kinky Boots the Musical and IAC, The Nederlander Organization, Lyn and Norman Lear, Terry Hekker and Steinway & Sons.

    Stritch is known as Alec Baldwin‘s mother on NBC’s 30 Rock, but she was best known for her work in the theatre, which includes her candid one-woman show At Liberty and the Stephen Sondheim musical Company.

    A limited number of tickets will be available to the general public on the day of the event on a first-come, first-served basis at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, which is located at 302 West 45th Street in New York City.

    Details on how and when tickets will be available will be released closer to the date of the event.

  • Tina Fey Owes Alec Baldwin For Some Parenting Skills She Learned While Working With the Actor on ’30 Rock’

    Tina Fey owes Alec Baldwin.

    The This Is Where I Leave You actress told David Letterman Friday that working with Baldwin really prepared her for the challenges of motherhood.

    “I feel like I try to use some techniques I learned working with Alec,” Fey said on her appearance on Late Night With David Letterman.

    Fey said what she learned from Baldwin is particularly handy in dealing with her three-year-old daughter, Penelope. The 30 Rock alum and husband Jeff Richmond also have an older, nine-year-old daughter, Alice.

    “She starts preschool in a couple weeks, which I think is gonna be real interesting,” Fey said of Penelope. “Once I finally got her into preschool, and it was a done deal, I was like, ‘Hey, let me tell you some stuff about her. She is not potty-trained, she’s allergic to nuts, and she bites. So, I gotta go!’ It’s the preschool hat trick! She thinks she’s [potty-trained] so that’s good. She likes to wear underpants, and then it all goes wrong.”

    Penelope may need to work on her potty-training skills, but Fey says her little one has other talents.

    “I feel like she’s a very smart little one,” the SNL alum told Letterman. “She just is very willful. We have this little library that we go to in our neighborhood and on Sundays they have a thing where they put out toys. They put out like, a dollhouse, and all these little cars and toys, and she loves it. But, it only goes until like 11 a.m. I see the clock ticking and I go, ‘Alright, I gotta start planning how we’re gonna get outta here… how we’re gonna get out of here alive.’”

    Fey said she uses the same psychology she used on her 56-year-old 30 Rock co-star.

    “I feel like I try to use some techniques I learned working with Alec,” she admitted. “It’s like, I’m gonna present the idea that we might leave now, but make [her] think it’s her idea. It would work better with Alec than with the baby.”

    In the end, Fey just picked up the stubborn little girl and carried her out of the library, kicking and screaming all the way.

  • Tina Fey Uses Parenting Technique

    Tina Fey told David Letterman in an interview on Friday that techniques she developed working with Alec Baldwin help her deal with her strong-willed three-year-old.

    Tina has three-year-old Penelope and nine-year-old Alice. Apparently, Penelope is quite a handful.

    So much so, that she has to plan ahead and consider the fact that Penelope’s fits are not a matter of if, but a matter of when.

    Tina Fey told Letterman a hilarious anecdote about an incident with Penelope where she had to use the skill set she honed on Baldwin while filming 30 Rock.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvpVolktFSU

    “She just is very willful. We have this little library that we go to in our neighborhood and on Sundays they have a thing where they put out toys. They put out like, a dollhouse, and all these little cars and toys, and she loves it. But, it only goes until like 11:00 a.m.”

    Fey continued, “I see the clock ticking and I go, ‘Alright, I gotta start planning how we’re gonna get outta here… how we’re gonna get out of here alive.’”

    Her plan doesn’t go as planned, but she narrowly missed “destroying” another little girl and a huge dollhouse.

    As she explained to Penelope that she had to behave if she wanted to come back, Tina Fey said Penelope declared that she wanted to “hurt everybody” and “hit and kick every peoples”.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxxBCYJRSss

    This attitude ought to be interesting as little Penelope starts preschool!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVh7KJW0cFU

    Tina Fey says she didn’t tell preschool staff about the bad stuff until Penelope was already accepted.

    “Once I finally got her into preschool, and it was a done deal, I was like, ‘Hey, let me tell you some stuff about her. She is not potty-trained, she’s allergic to nuts, and she bites. So, I gotta go!’ It’s the preschool hat trick! She thinks she’s [potty-trained] so that’s good. She likes to wear underpants, and then it all goes wrong.”

    Oh, how I wish I could be a fly on that preschool wall! Good luck to Tina Fey on the next 15 years of her life!

  • Kendall Jenner, Hailey Baldwin Strut Their Stuff in Bikinis

    Kendall Jenner and pal Hailey Baldwin strutted their stuff in itsy bitsy, teeny weeny, not-yellow-or-polka-dot bikinis as they hung out together recently in New York. This isn’t the first time the girls have done this either. Not so long ago they showed off their bikini bodies in an Instagram video at a home on the water at an undisclosed location.

    There’s no doubt whatsoever that Kendall Jenner has reaped the benefits of being raised in the Keeping Up With the Kardashians family. She has been introduced to all the exciting, rich people and has learned that showing off her assets can often lead to just about anything she wants. Of course Kendall has excellent assets, and they have played a role in landing her some top-notch modeling gigs lately. Being part of the reality show clan hasn’t hurt her career either.

    In this first bikini-strutting shot, Kendall Jenner and Hailey Baldwin are sitting atop some sort of giant stuffed elephant. And even though neither girl shared the purpose or location of said creature, Kendall did dub him their ‘friend.’

    “this is our elephant friend, Billard,” the Instagram caption reads.

    Hailey Baldwin–daughter of 30 Rock star Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger–shared this Instagram video of what appears to be a dance party, and includes Jaden Smith, Kendall Jenner, and Willow Smith with her.

    All work and no play could make Kendall Jenner a boring girl, but that definitely hasn’t been the case this summer. In addition to hanging out with Hailey Baldwin and strutting her stuff in her bikini, she’s actually been hard at work on that aforementioned modeling career. In fact, Kendall graces two Teen Vogue covers for September.

    Might Kendall Jenner bypass all of her Keeping Up With the Kardashians family members and actually make a name for herself that isn’t reality-show related? If she continues with these top-of-the-rung modeling gigs, she may well become the one member of the clan who breaks completely free. She’d best steer clear of momager Kris Jenner, however. She’ll no doubt be wanting her piece of that proverbial pie.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Adam Levine: No Pay for ‘Begin Again’

    Adam Levine, coach on The Voice and front man for Maroon 5, stars in the upcoming film Begin Again, and he received no pay whatsoever for his role. He did it solely for the experience and earned nothing more than his first feature film credit.

    “I did this movie for no money,” he said during an interview with USA Today.

    The singer, who is engaged to Behati Prinsloo and involved in a hilarious bromance with fellow Voice coach Blake Shelton, simply wanted the experience of acting in a feature film.

    “I’m very lucky that I’m in that position,” Levine said. “I want to have good experiences. I don’t want to do a bunch of s–t that I hate. I want to treat [acting] completely differently because I have the very fortunate luxury of not having to think of this in terms of money.”

    According to a recent feature in The Hollywood Reporter, Adam Levine made about $35 million–just in 2013. He certainly didn’t need to do this film for pay.

    Adam Levine plays the ‘bad boy ex-boyfriend’ of Keira Knightley’s character in Begin Again. He, of course, sings and plays guitar in the film as well. It has opened in theaters nationwide.

    While this is Adam’s first time in a feature film, it’s not exactly his first foray into acting. He played himself in a 30 Rock cameo appearance and he also acted in a few episodes of FX’s American Horror Story back in 2012.

    Given Adam Levine’s well-rounded career he will likely be a huge part of the box office draw for Begin Again. The Voice fans and Maroon 5 fans are likely to flock to theaters to see their beloved prankster and singer make his big screen acting debut. Even though he’s receiving no pay, he might very well be one of the reasons the film becomes the box office blockbuster it is predicted to be.

    Will you be checking out Adam Levine in Begin Again?

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Comcast Wants to Put Its Logo Atop 30 Rock in Attempt to Become Black Hole of American Hatred

    At 30 Rockefeller plaza stands one of New York City’s most recognizable skyscrapers. Hoisted atop the 70-story home of NBC offices and studios sits a giant GE logo.

    But you’d be more likely to hear the building called ’30 Rock’ or even the ‘RCA Building’ – the former due to its address, of course, and the latter due to its first and longtime tenant, the Radio Corporation of America. Whether you call it ’30 Rock’ or the ‘RCA Building’ is likely a matter of age.

    Either way, the famous tower may soon have a new name for people to ignore or speak with derision – The Comcast Building.

    The New York Times reports that Comcast, America’ most-beloved practitioner of the dark arts, has applied for a “certificate of appropriateness” from the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission to take down the 24 foot-tall GE logo and replace is with a giant Comcast logo.

    Although the proposed Comcast logo would only stand 12 feet tall, its LED glow would likely be one of the most visible additions to the NYC skyline. Comcast has also proposed a 10 foot-tall NBC peacock logo to rest atop the Comcast sign. As you probably know, Comcast recently bought out GE’s 49 percent stake in NBCUniversal. Comcast owns you, and they want to make sure the whole world knows it.

    The move has already been approved by the local community board, so the Landmarks Preservation Commission is the last hurdle between NYC and a giant Comcast logo on one of its most iconic structures.

    Of course, it’s not like Comcast is trying to stick a 30-foot sign on top of the Empire State Building. 30 Rock has always had a giant corporate logo resting on its head – so in reality it would just amount to swapping the logo of one giant business for another.

    But we’re in a climate of Comcast hate right now. Insatiable, all-encompassing, demonic hatred, in fact. The type that eats at one’s soul and likely makes them a less-healthy person simply for harboring such ill will toward another. This shit is biblical. As regulators decide if they’re going to let Comcast acquire Time Warner Cable, surveys continue to award the two companies as the most hated in America.

    Comcast is #1, by the way.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Tracy Morgan Critical, Fellow Comic Killed in Crash

    Tracy Morgan is in critical condition at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Jersey, as are three of the people who were also in his limo bus following a serious crash on the New Jersey Turnpike. One of his passengers, fellow comic James McNair–often billed as Jimmy Mack–died in the crash. Comedians Ardie Fuqua and Harris Stanton are among those in critical condition. The six-vehicle pile up occurred in the wee hours of Saturday morning after Morgan and his team performed a stand up routine in Delaware on Friday night.

    The limo bus that was transporting the former Saturday Night Live cast member and 30 Rock star and his passengers overturned when it was hit by a tractor trailer.

    James McNair was 63 years old and lived in Peekskill, New York. He was a close friend of Tracy Morgan as well as one of his writers. He hosted “The Original Uncle Jimmy Mack’s Amateur Hour.”

    Tracy Morgan’s publicist issued an official statement to the media following the accident.

    “His family is now with him and he is receiving excellent care,” Kay said. “We don’t anticipate much of a change in his condition today but will provide a further update once more information becomes available.”

    Many people have reached out with prayers and well wishes for Morgan via Twitter.

    The New Jersey Turnpike was closed for five hours following the crash as the investigation began. A reconstruction team was brought in because there was a fatality involved.

    Tracy Morgan received an Emmy nomination for his role on 30 Rock back in 2009. In addition to SNL and 30 Rock he starred in The Tracy Morgan Show which lasted just one season. He has appeared on the big screen as well, starring in The Longest Yard, Rio, and Why Stop Now, among other films.

    In 2010 the actor and comedian was the recipient of a successful kidney transplant that prevented a lifetime of dialysis. Life hasn’t always been easy for Morgan, who has long been estranged from his mother. He started performing as a comic as a means of emotional and financial survival.

    Tracy Morgan was married for 23 years to high school sweetheart Sabrina Morgan. They divorced in 2009 and are the parents of three sons. Morgan and fiancee Megan Wollover have a daughter, Maven, who was born last July.

    Prayers are likely being said by people from all around the world as Tracy Morgan fights for his life. Prayers are also desperately needed for the loved ones of his friend James McNair–Jimmy Mack, who didn’t survive the horrendous crash.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Margaret Cho to Star in Tina Fey’s New Fox Comedy

    Margaret Cho earned an Emmy nomination for her guest spot on 30 Rock by hilariously playing both Kim Jong-Il and Kim Jong-Un. Now, the Drop Dead Diva actress and comedienne is reteaming with Tina Fey and writer Matt Hubbard in Fey’s new untitled Fox comedy series. According to the The Hollywood Reporter, Cho will star as Laura Thibault, the president of Cabot College. The sitcom’s story jumpstarts when Cho’s character reluctantly decides to allow males into the once all-female university.

    The multi-camera show will also feature actress Bonnie Dennison, Third Watch, as a sophomore feminist who is unhappy about the president’s decision to allow men on campus. Other cast members include Jack Cutmore-Scott from Broadway, Chelsey Lately’s Fortune Feimster and Brandon Jones from CSI.

    The comedy will go into production this March. However, you may not have to wait until next fall to see the pilot. Fox is switching to a year-round format to reflect the changing landscape of television in the modern age. Fox Entertainment Chairman Keven Reilly told reporters last week why the change was inevitable. “The broadcasting development and scheduling system was built in a different era, when there were three networks monopolizing all the talent and all the audience. Typically, the networks currently make 80 to 100 pilots in the course of a few months, which ends up diluting the talent pool and a show’s chances of going the distance.”

    Tina Fey will serve as executive producer of the comedy. Matt Hubbard wrote the pilot. He will also serve as executive producer along with Robert Carlock, Pam Fryman and Robert Carlock. Cho is still set to appear on Lifetime’s Drop Dead Diva for the comedy/drama’s upcoming sixth season. No exact date has been announced for the premiere but fans can expect to see Diva sometime later this year.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Amy Poehler And Tina Fey Reveal Golden Globe Promos [Video]

    As if viewers were not excited enough to see the comedic duo of Tina Fey and Am Poehler return as the host of the Golden Globes, the two of them have filmed three short promos for the show. They hosted the show last year, and are back for another round after their great success the first time time

    For the first time in history, it was also announced earlier this year that Amy Poehler and Tina Fey would return as the hosts in 2014 and 2015, while usually the hosts are only announced for one year at a time.

    After several hosts that come before them, and most recently Rick Gervais, who was highly criticized for his hosting job, it is quite an honor for the two of them to be able to host the award show for three years in a row.

    The nominees for the 71st Golden Globes were released yesterday, with American Hustle and 12 Years A Slave leading the way as the top films of the year.

    In terms of television, Breaking Bad received the most nominations, in a year that saw a breakout year for Netflix as a network, earning six nominations, and is second to only HBO.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X66DXHX7Ki0

    The two comedic actresses have been two of the closest friends since their days on Saturday Night Live together, and it clearly shows when they are on the stage together. Throughout the clips that NBC posted of the two of them, they joke back and forth about how the 2014 Golden Globes will be “more glamorous and grand than ever before.”

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUjTfad4ndo

    They also joke about their close relationship when Tina Fey jokes that they are in love with each other, and Amy Poehler simultaneously states that they are best friends, causing a hilarious reaction between the two of them.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYGsvs9jr-8

    Since leaving Saturday Night Live, both actresses have had great success. They are both nominated this year for Best Actress in A Comedy Series- Tina Fey for 30 Rock and Amy Poehler for Parks and Recreation.

    Arguably two of the funniest women in Hollywood, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are set to take the stage as hosts on January 12th. The broadcast will air live at 8 p.m. on NBC, and is presented by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

    In case anyone forgot just how funny the two of them were during last year’s show, here is another look at their opening monologue.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6BW3QWfJpc

    Image via Youtube

  • Breaking Bad Snags Multiple Golden Globe Nominations

    Breaking Bad just finished its five-year run, and as one of the most popular television shows of all time, it is no wonder that the show received all of the television nominations that it could get at the Golden Globe Awards. The fan favorite aired on AMC, and it is the only show from the channel that also includes hit shows The Wakling Dead and Mad Men, to get a nomination.

    The Golden Globes have several surprises in terms of shows that are nominated this year, although everyone knew that Breaking Bad would come up big when the Golden Globe nominations were announced. Breaking Bad was very popular in its final season especially, after all of its fans were able to catch up, and had one of the best series finales in history.

    The nominations were announced this morning for the show that honors the top performers in both film and television. The full list of nominees can be seen here, with Breaking Bad leading the pack, along with The Big Bang Theory, and the Netflix original, House Of Cards.

    With the success of House Of Cards, among others, Neflix was able to earn six nominations for this year’s award show, second to only HBO, which tends to dominated TV cateogries.

    Breaking Bad also came away with similar results when it came to the nominations at the SAG Awards, which were released yesterday. 30 Rock is also a big contender this year, despite only airing a few of its episode this year.

    In terms of films at this year’s Golden Globes, American Hustle and 12 Years A Slave will be leading the way with seven nominations each.

    Breaking Bad features an outstanding cast that was also nominated for the Best Ensemble category in the SAG Awards, and the show received Golden Globe nominations for Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, and Best Television Series-Drama. Coming off of the success of Breaking Bad, Aaron Paul also recently got a new gig accompanying a talking horse in an animated Netflix original show called BoJack Horseman.

    While it is nominated for everything else, the surprising snub for the show is the fact that Anna Gunn, who played Skylar White, was not nominated for her performance. One of the other biggest snubs is certainly completely leaving out both HBO hit Game of Thrones and Showtime’s Homeland.

    It is no surprise that Breaking Bad has snagged more nominations than other television show after becoming Netflix’s most popular show, being ranked far ahead of its original shows House Of Cards, and Orange Is The New Black, which was surprisingly left out of the Golden Globes ceremony in the Best Television Series-Drama category.

    Breaking Bad leads the pack of television shows, in a very competitive year that saw Netflix change the way people watch television more than before with its own original shows. Tune in on Sunday, January 12th in order to see who will win.

    Image via Facebook

  • American Hustle, 12 Years A Slave Lead Golden Globe Nominations

    After one of the best years in recent film history, the Golden Globe nominations were announced this morning. American Hustle and 12 Years A Slave, two of the most talked about films as of recently, lead the pack with seven nominations each.

    Unlike the Academy Awards, the Golden Globes divide their nominations into separate categories for comedy and drama, which ironically allows for American Hustle and 12 Years A Slave, the two most nominated films, to not be nominated against each other. It also features categories for television while the Academy features nominations for films.

    The SAG nominations were also released yesterday with 30 Rock and Breaking Bad leading the TV categories. The SAG Awards also gave Best Ensemble nominations for both American Hustle and 12 Years A Slave, the award show’s equivalent to the Best Picture category, due to the fact that the show concentrates on the actors rather than the films themselves.

    Returning from their excellent success of hosting last year, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will host the live telecast of the 71st annual Golden Globe Awards.

    The full list of nominations for the Awards can be seen here.

    As with any year, fans and critics are disappointed with certain films being left out. What do you feel were the biggest snubs this year? Comment.

    American Hustle has an outstanding ensemble cast that includes Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence, and Jeremy Rener. The Golden Globes gave nominations to each actor with the exception of Jeremy Renner, Best Picture-Musical Or Comedy, Best Directer for David O. Russell, and Best Screenplay for David O. Russell.

    American Hustle has been highly praised as the best film of the year already, and the cast combines Russell’s cast from his past two big hit films, The Fighter and Silver Linings Playbook, which both received several nominations in every award show.

    12 Years A Slave is directed by Steve Mcqueen and features a story about Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a freed black man who is forced into slavery. Mcqueen and Ejiofor have both received nominations for the film as well as two of the biggest supporting actors in the film, his master, played by Michael Fassbender, and a fellow slave, Lupita Nyong’o.

    The film is also nominated for Best Picture-Drama, a category that it is likely to win.

    Each year, a different celebrity’s daughter is chosen to represent the awards as the Miss Golden Globe, giving her the opportunity to stand on the stage greeting the winners, and get presented to the audience. This year, Sosie Bacon, the daughter of Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick was given the honor that Francesca Eastwood had last year.

    Only time will tell how many awards American Hustle and 12 Years A Slave ended up taking home, but with the most nominations, and not having to compete against one another, both films have excellent chances at success at the Golden Globe Awards. Tune in on Sunday, January 12th in order to see who will win the big awards.

    Image via Facebook

  • 30 Rock, Breaking Bad Lead TV Nominations At The SAG Awards

    Despite being off the air, and only airing for a brief time in the year 2013, 30 Rock somehow managed to still get involved with this year’s award season. The NBC fan favorite was very popular in its 7 season run, and it is no surprise that the show has found a way to stick around just a little bit longer.

    30 Rock and Breaking Bad are shows that have ended in the past year, yet they continue to stick around, and have gained more nominations at the Screen Actors Guild Awards than any other show.

    The full list of nominations for the award show was released today, and features the top television shows, and the top films of the year.

    For those that were not fortunate enough to have watched the series, 30 Rock takes place in the NBC studios where Liz Lemon, Jack Donaghy, and the rest of the hilarious ensemble cast attempt to put together “TGS With Tracy Jordan,” a sketch-comedy show that stars Tracy Morgan on the show.

    The thing that makes the SAG Awards unique to other awards show is that the awards are picked by the actors, which makes it even more special for them when they win. 30 Rock received three nominations, which is the most that a show of its type can receive.

    The show earned a nomination for Best Ensemble, in addition to Best Actor In A Comedy Series for Alec Baldwin, and Best Actress In A Comedy Series for Tina Fey. This marks the eighth time that 30 Rock, which ran for seven seasons, has competed at the SAG Awards.

    Last year, both Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin won awards for the show

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAmd5__4ty0

    30 Rock‘s competition in the Best Ensemble category has a handful of favorites, and no surprises with Arrested Development, Modern Family, Veep, and The Big Bang Theory.

    Ironically, Veep is the only comedy that was on a cable channel to receive a nomination, much unlike the drama category, which features nominations from Boardwalk Empire (HBO), Homeland (Showtime), Breaking Bad (AMC), Game Of Thrones (HBO) and Downton Abbey (PBS).

    While 30 Rock certainly should not be given any of the three awards simply because it is the last chance the show has to get them, it has been known to happen in some cases. It was a show that was praised highly by critics and fans alike, and anything that it gets will certainly be well-deserved. Fans are aching in the comedy category after losing both 30 Rock and Arrested Development, two of the five nominated shows of 2013.

    The SAG Awards will be simulcast live on both TNT and TBS on Jan. 18 at 8 p.m.

    Relive some of Liz Lemon’s greatest moments.

    Image via Youtube

  • Alec Baldwin: Talk Show Cancelled

    Alec Baldwin: Talk Show Cancelled

    No one will be Up Late With Alec Baldwin any more. Both MSNBC and Baldwin have confirmed to the media that the late night talk show has been cancelled. The show was initially suspended for two weeks following a gay slur he purportedly made to a photographer.

    Alec Baldwin claimed he didn’t use the anti-gay slur, blaming the accusation on unclear audio. He issued an apology via the MSNBC website just the same.

    “I would like to address the comments I made this past week.

    I did not intend to hurt or offend anyone with my choice of words, but clearly I have – and for that I am deeply sorry. Words are important. I understand that, and will choose mine with great care going forward. What I said and did this week, as I was trying to protect my family, was offensive and unacceptable. Behavior like this undermines hard-fought rights that I vigorously support. I understand “Up Late” will be taken off the schedule for tonight and next week.

    I want to apologize to my loyal fans and to my colleagues at msnbc – both for my actions and for distracting from their good work. Again, please accept my apology.”

    Whether or not Baldwin’s apology was a case of too little, too late, or the network’s solid stance on political correctness, the 30 Rock star is now a man without a show. Fortunately he has that pretty wife and new baby to occupy his newly acquired free time.

    Do you think MSNBC was too harsh in canceling Alec Baldwin’s late night talk show or do you believe they acted appropriately? Jay Leno, Jimmy Fallon and David Letterman will likely have a field day with this one.

    Image via Wikimedia