Pilot (30 Rock)

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“Pilot”
30 Rock episode

Liz and Jack look on at The Cat Lady sketch.
Episode no. Season 1
Episode 1
Written by Tina Fey
Directed by Adam Bernstein
Guest stars Katrina Bowden
Tom Broecker
Teddy Coluca
Tabbie Conrad
Gary Cowling
Rachel Dratch
Kevin Dorff
Anita Durst
Maulik Pancholy
Keith Powell
Emana Rochelle
Lonny Ross
Ciaran Tyrell
Alison White
Production no. 101
Original airdate October 10, 2006
Episode chronology
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– "The Aftermath"
30 Rock (season 1)
List of 30 Rock episodes

"Pilot" is the first episode of the first season of the American situation comedy 30 Rock, which premiered on October 10, 2006 on CTV in Canada.[1] It aired on October 11, 2006 on NBC in the United States, its country of origin,[2] and October 11, 2007 in the United Kingdom.[3] The episode was directed by Adam Bernstein and written by executive producer and series creator Tina Fey.

Liz Lemon, who is the head writer of the fictional sketch comedy series The Girlie Show, is introduced in this episode. This episode also introduces The Girlie Show's new network executive, Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) as well as the shows writers, cast, writer's assistant, and the NBC page, Kenneth Parcell (Jack McBrayer). The episode focuses on Jack trying to get Liz to hire the film star Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan) as part of the cast of The Girlie Show. It also highlights some of The Girlie Show crew's reactions to the addition of Jordan,[4] a plot which would be present in the first half of the first season.[5]

Contents

[edit] Plot

Liz Lemon, the head writer of the fictional television series The Girlie Show, is getting a hot dog before work when a conflict with a fellow commuter leads her to buy $150 worth of hot dogs. When she arrives at work, Liz and the producer Pete Hornberger (Scott Adsit) meet with The Girlie Show's new network executive Jack Donaghy. Jack alerts her that he would like her to hire Tracy Jordan, star of the film Honkey Grandma Be Trippin', as part of the cast. Liz is sceptical due to Tracy's past record of various infamous stunts.

Liz, against her own judgement, meets with Tracy at a restaurant which they have to leave because they serve food which Tracy does not like. Tracy and Liz then travel to a southern fried chicken restaurant. After the meeting, Tracy offers to take Liz back to the studio, but he makes a detour to a strip club in the Bronx. While trying to get home, Liz learns that Pete was fired earlier that day by Jack. Tracy and Liz eventually arrive at the studio halfway through the live broadcast of the show. Liz tells Tracy to go out on stage and talk which he does. This is much to co-star Jenna Maroney's (Jane Krakowski) shock.

[edit] Production

Top: Jenna as portrayed by Rachel Dratch.Bottom: Jenna as portrayed by Jane Krakowski.
Top: Jenna as portrayed by Rachel Dratch.
Bottom: Jenna as portrayed by Jane Krakowski.

Rachel Dratch originally played the role of Jenna DeCarlo, in an unaired pilot for 30 Rock. This was until August, 2006 when executive producer Lorne Michaels announced that Dratch would no longer be playing the role in the series. Despite this, Michaels did say that Dratch would appear in various episodes in a different role. Dratch appears as The Girlie Show's cat wrangler in this episode.[6] Later during that same month, NBC announced that Jane Krakowski had replaced Dratch in the role of Jenna.[7][8][9] The character was also renamed Jenna Maroney. As promised by Michaels, Dratch appeared in eleven of the first season episodes. Her various characters were Greta Johansen who is The Girlie Show's cat wrangler,[4][10][11] Maria the maid,[5] Elizabeth Taylor,[12] Blue Man who is a hallucination that can only be seen by Tracy and Liz,[13] Pamela Smew who is the leader of a sensitivity training group,[14] Barbara Walters,[15] Vlem the prostitute,[16] Martha Blanch who is an anti-Girlie Show protester,[17] and Dr. Beauvoir who is Liz's doctor.[18] Additionally, an uncredited actress played the role of Cerie Xerox, Liz's lazy personal assistant, in the unaired pilot; that actress was later replaced by Katrina Bowden.[4][19]

In 2002, Fey, who was then the head writer and a performer on Saturday Night Live (SNL), pitched the pilot that became this episode to NBC, originally as a situation comedy about cable news. The NBC Entertainment president, who was then Kevin Reilly, felt that "Fey was using the news setting as a fig leaf for her own experience and [he] encouraged her to write what she knew."[20] The pilot, and subsequent series, was then reworked to revolve around an SNL style series. In May, 2003, Fey signed a contract with NBC to remain in her SNL head writer position until at least the 2004–2005 television season. As part of the contract, Fey would have to develop a primetime project to be produced by Broadway Video, Lorne Michaels' production company, and NBC Universal.[21] During the 2004–2005 pilot season, a pilot project was announced named Untitled Tina Fey Project. The pilot which became 30 Rock was about the head writer of a variety show who has to manage her relationships with the show's volatile star and executive producer. The storyline evolved into one that dealt with a head writer of a variety show who dealt with both the stars as well as the variety show's new network executive.[22]

[edit] Reception

In the U.S., the episode remains the highest rated episode of the series, in total viewers, although the episode "SeinfeldVision" currently holds the title of the title of highest rated episode of the series in the key adults 18–49 demographic.[23] This episode was viewed by 8.13 million viewers and received a rating of 2.9/8 in the key adults 18–49 demographic according to the Nielsen Ratings system.[24] The 2.9 refers to 2.9% of all 18–49 years olds in the U.S. and the 8 refers to 8% of all 18–49 year olds watching television at the time of the broadcast, in the U.S. In the United Kingdom, the episode attracted 700,000 viewers which was a 6% of the viewing audience at the time of the broadcast.[3]

Many critics thought that casting Jane Krakowski over Rachel Dratch, for the role of Jenna, was a good idea.
Many critics thought that casting Jane Krakowski over Rachel Dratch, for the role of Jenna, was a good idea.

Metacritic gave the episode a Metascore—a weighted average based on the impressions of a select thirty-one critical reviews—of 67 out of 100.[25] "Pilot" received generally good reviews.[25][26] Tom Gliatto of People Weekly declared 30 Rock "the best new sitcom of the fall."[27] Robert Abele described the series as "a weirdly appropriate and hilarious symbol of our times."[28] Anna Johns of AOL's TV Squad declared 30 Rock the best new comedy of the season. She felt that Tracy Jordan's line "I'm from the government and I'm here to inspect the chicken nuggets" was "confoundingly funny." Having viewed the original pilot, Johns felt that using Jane Krakowski instead of Rachel Dratch in the Jenna role was a "smart move."[29] Keith Watson of Metro, a free British newspaper, stated that "It may just be a Mary Tyler Moore Show for the [21st century] but 30 Rock, er, rocks." Watson rated the episode 4 out of 5 stars.[30] Dorothy Rabinowitz of The Wall Street Journal praised the "hilarious scenes and fine ensemble cast" particularly commenting on Jack McBrayer's performance as Kenneth Parcell and Rachel Dratch's portrayal of the cat-wrangler, Greta Johansen.[31]

Despite the mostly positive reviews, some critics disagreed. Oscar Dahl of BuddyTV felt that this episode might be the worst episode of 30 Rock, not living up to the show's potential.[32] San Francisco Chronicle's Tim Goodman said, regarding the aired version of this episode that "the original [episode] was funnier."[33] Tom Shales of Washington Post said that "the show needs a better premise and funnier dialogue". Despite this, Shales said that 30 Rock "is not a self-important bore like Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip", and praised Tracy Morgan's performance as Tracy Jordan.[34] The New York Times's Alessandra Stanley said that "Nothing very funny happens on 30 Rock until Alec Baldwin enters the room, and suddenly this new NBC sitcom comes alive". Stanley further praised Baldwin's performance, as Jack Donaghy, saying that "Baldwin has a slyly absurd comic presence that is bigger and brighter than any joke or character actor on the show".[35]

The director of this episode, Adam Bernstein, was nominated for the Directors Guild of America Award for "Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series", in 2007.[36] Bernstein lost to Richard Shepard for his work on the episode of Ugly Betty, "Pilot".[37] Shepard would later direct an episode of season two of 30 Rock, named "Episode 210".

[edit] References

  1. ^ Fall 2006 Premiere Dates. CTV. Retrieved on 2008-03-07.
  2. ^ Wilkes, Neil. "NBC announces Fall premiere dates", Digital Spy, 2006-07-23. Retrieved on 2008-06-04. 
  3. ^ a b Brook, Stephen. "Californication entices 1m viewers", Media Guardian, 2007-10-12. Retrieved on 2008-02-27. 
  4. ^ a b c "Pilot". Writer(s): Tina Fey; Director: Adam Bernstein. 30 Rock. NBC Universal. NBC. 2006-10-11. No. 1, season 1.
  5. ^ a b "The Aftermath". Writer(s): Tina Fey; Director: Adam Bernstein. 30 Rock. NBC Universal. NBC. 2008-10-18. No. 2, season 1.
  6. ^ Schneider, Michael. "Inside Move: Dratch latched to multiple Rock roles", Variety, 2006-08-14. Retrieved on 2008-03-02. 
  7. ^ NBC Universal Media Village (2006-08-17). "Jane Krakowski Joins the Cast of New NBC Comedy 30 Rock". Press release. Retrieved on 2008-03-02.
  8. ^ Keller, Joel. "Jane Krakowski added to 30 Rock", AOL's TV Squad, 2008-08-17. Retrieved on 2008-03-02. 
  9. ^ Mahan, Colin. "30 Rock adds Jane Krakowski", TV.com, 2006-08-16. Retrieved on 2008-03-02. 
  10. ^ "The Baby Show". Writer(s): Jack Burditt; Director: Michael Engler. 30 Rock. NBC Universal. NBC. 2007-01-04. No. 9, season 1.
  11. ^ "The C Word". Writer(s): Tina Fey; Director: Adam Bernstein. 30 Rock. NBC Universal. NBC. 2007-02-15. No. 14, season 1.
  12. ^ "Jack Meets Dennis". Writer(s): Jack Burditt; Director: Juan J. Campanella. 30 Rock. NBC Universal. NBC. 2006-11-30. No. 6, season 1.
  13. ^ "Tracy Does Conan". Writer(s): Tina Fey; Director: Adam Bernstein. 30 Rock. NBC Universal. NBC. 2006-12-06. No. 7, season 1.
  14. ^ "The Break Up". Writer(s): Dave Finkel & Brett Baer; Director: Scott Ellis. 30 Rock. NBC Universal. NBC. 2006-12-14. No. 8, season 1.
  15. ^ "The Rural Juror". Writer(s): Matt Hubbard; Director: Beth McCarthy-Miller. 30 Rock. NBC Universal. NBC. 2007-01-11. No. 10, season 1.
  16. ^ "Up All Night". Writer(s): Tina Fey; Director: Michael Engler. 30 Rock. NBC Universal. NBC. 2007-02-08. No. 13, season 1.
  17. ^ "Hard Ball". Writer(s): Matt Hubbard; Director: Don Scardino. 30 Rock. NBC Universal. NBC. 2007-02-22. No. 15, season 1.
  18. ^ "Hiatus". Writer(s): Tina Fey; Director: Don Scardino. 30 Rock. NBC Universal. NBC. 2007-04-26. No. 21, season 1.
  19. ^ "Unaired Pilot". Writer(s): Tina Fey; Director: Adam Bernstein. 30 Rock. NBC Universal. NBC.
  20. ^ Poniewozik, James. "Do Not Adjust Your Set", Time Magazine, 2006-09-18. Retrieved on 2007-10-16. 
  21. ^ Schneider, Michael. "Peacock updates SNL anchor's deal", Variety, 2003-05-05. Retrieved on 2008-04-01. 
  22. ^ Adalian, Josef; Schneider, Michael. "Bruck finds Ring leader", Variety, 2005-02-01. Retrieved on 2008-04-01. 
  23. ^ Kissell, Rick. "CBS, ABC battle on tight Thursday", Variety, 2007-10-05. Retrieved on 2008-02-27. 
  24. ^ Kissell, Rick. "NBC's Rock solid in premiere", Variety, 2006-10-12. Retrieved on 2008-02-27. 
  25. ^ a b 30 Rock; Series: NBC, Wednesday 8:00p (30 minutes). Metacritic. Retrieved on 2008-02-27.
  26. ^ D. Allan, Marc (2007-08-26). Polished Rock Rolls On. The Washington Post. Retrieved on 2007-09-02.
  27. ^ Gliatto, Tom. "30 Rock review" (Magazine), 'LA Weekly', 2006-10-16, p. 39. Retrieved on 2008-02-27. 
  28. ^ Abele, Robert (2006-10-25). Battle of the Network Stars. LA Weekly. Retrieved on 2008-02-27.
  29. ^ Johns, Anna (2006-10-12). 30 Rock: "Pilot" (series premiere). AOL's TV Squad. Retrieved on 2007-09-04.
  30. ^ Watson, Keith. "Last Night's TV; 30 Rock" (Newspaper), 'Metro', Liverpool: Associated Newspapers Ltd, 2007-10-12, p. 33. Retrieved on 2008-02-23. 
  31. ^ Rabinowitz, Dorothy (2006-10-06). This Is the Funny One. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved on 2008-02-27.
  32. ^ Dahl, Oscar (2006-10-12). 30 Rock Pilot Review. BuddyTV. Retrieved on 2007-09-04.
  33. ^ Goodman, Tim (2006-10-11). Fey's show about a show isn't a very good show. San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved on 2008-02-27.
  34. ^ Shales, Tom (2006-10-11). Supporting Actors Prop Up the Show In NBC's 30 Rock. Washington Post. Retrieved on 2008-03-02.
  35. ^ Stanley, Alessandra (2006-10-11). TV Antics: A Sitcom Mocks Its Milieu. The New York Times. Retrieved on 2008-03-02.
  36. ^ DGA Announces Nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in the television categories of Dramatic Series Night, Comedy Series, Musical Variety, Reality Programs, Daytime Serials and Children's Programs for 2006. Newsletter. Directors Guild of America (February 2007). Retrieved on 2008-03-07.
  37. ^ "Scorsese wins at DGA Awards", Variety, 2007-02-03. Retrieved on 2008-03-02. 

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