30 Rock (season 5)

30 Rock Season 5
Tina Fey by David Shankbone.jpg
Tina Fey is an executive producer, writer, and lead actress on 30 Rock
Series 30 Rock
Country of origin United States
Network NBC
Original run September 23 2010[1] – May 2011
No. of episodes 22[2]
Previous season 4
Next season 6

The fifth season of 30 Rock, an American television comedy series on the NBC network in the United States, began airing on September 23, 2010. NBC announced on March 5, 2010 that 30 Rock would be returning for a fifth season in the 2010–2011 television season.[3]

On July 31, 2010, NBC announced that an episode of 30 Rock's fifth season would be filmed and broadcast live, twice, on the evening of October 14, 2010. The two separate recordings resulted in a live telecast of the episode to American viewers in both the West and East Coast. The episode was a ratings success and was met with very positive reviews. [4][5][6]

Contents

Cast

Tina Fey portrays Liz Lemon, the head writer of a fictitious live sketch-comedy television series TGS.[7] The TGS cast consists of two main actors. The lead actor is the loose cannon movie star Tracy Jordan, portrayed by Tracy Morgan.[7] His co-star is the extremely narcissistic Jenna Maroney, portrayed by Jane Krakowski. Jack "Danny" Baker (Cheyenne Jackson) is the newest TGS cast member. Jack McBrayer plays the naïve NBC page Kenneth Parcell.[8][9] Scott Adsit acts as the witty and wise TGS producer, Pete Hornberger.[8][10] Judah Friedlander portrays trucker hat-wearing staff writer Frank Rossitano.[8][11] Alec Baldwin plays the NBC network executive Jack Donaghy.[8] Donaghy's full corporate title for the majority of the season is "Head of East Coast Television and Microwave Oven Programming".[8][12] Keith Powell plays the Harvard University alumnus and TGS staff writer James "Toofer" Spurlock.[13][8] Katrina Bowden acted as writers' assistant Cerie Xerox.[13][8] The cast features recurring characters, including Maulik Pancholy as Jonathan,[14] Grizz Chapman as Grizz Griswold,[15] Kevin Brown as "Dot Com" Slattery,[16] and John Lutz as J.D. Lutz.[17]

Timeslot

The season is set to air at 8:30 p.m., after Community and before The Office on Thursdays.[18] On November 15, 2010, it was announced 30 Rock would move to 10:00 p.m., following Parks and Recreation starting January 20, 2011.[19]

Episodes

See also: List of 30 Rock episodes
Series
#		 Season
#		 Title Directed by Written by U.S. viewers
(in millions)		 Original air date Prod.
code
81 1 "The Fabian Strategy" Beth McCarthy-Miller Tina Fey 5.9[20] September 23, 2010 501
Determined to help Liz keep a man for once, Jack meddles in her relationship with Carol (Matt Damon). While at home, Jack struggles to compromise with Avery (Elizabeth Banks) as she redecorates his apartment. Tracy has trouble coming to grips with Kenneth getting fired and Jenna becomes one of the newest TGS producers. 
82 2 "When It Rains, It Pours" Don Scardino Robert Carlock 5.7[21] September 30, 2010 502
Liz uses her newfound confidence of men noticing her to solve Pete's problem with a difficult television editor named Ritchie (Paul Giamatti). Meanwhile, Jack decides to teach his unborn child with his girlfriend Avery how to live. Elsewhere, Tracy is determined to be there when his wife Angie (Sherri Shepherd) gives birth, and a mysterious individual is making sure page duties at TGS at NBC are still getting done. 
83 3 "Let's Stay Together" John Riggi Jack Burditt 4.9[22] October 7, 2010 503
Jack appears before Congress to discuss the NBC merger with KableTown. He hopes to win over the celebrity members, but one congresswoman (Queen Latifah) demands that there be more diversity in the programming lineup. So Jack enlists Tracy's help to come up with some new idea's for programming. Meanwhile, Liz is fed up with the grief her staff gives her, and Jenna helps Kenneth reapply for the NBC page program. 
84 4 "Live Show" Beth McCarthy-Miller Robert Carlock & Tina Fey 6.7[23] October 14, 2010 504
Jack is on edge after promising to remain sober during Avery's pregnancy. Liz is upset that no one seems to remember it is her 40th birthday. Tracy is convinced that breaking character during a TGS taping will be hilarious while Jenna balks at the idea. 
85 5 "Reaganing" Todd Holland Matt Hubbard 5.2[24] October 21, 2010 505
Jack is having a perfect day and succeeding at all of his tasks, so he decides to use his winning streak and help Liz figure out her relationship with Carol. Meanwhile, Jenna and Kenneth enlist actor Kelsey Grammer to help them pull off an ice cream scam, and Tracy tries to shoot a commercial for the Boys and Girls club. 
86 6 "Gentleman's Intermission" Don Scardino John Riggi 5.3[25] November 4, 2010 506
Avery forces Jack to set some boundaries in his friendship with Liz. At the same time, Liz gets a surprise visit from her father Dick Lemon (Buck Henry). Meanwhile, Tracy asks Kenneth's help to remake his pre-produced video obituary, and when Jenna learns of this, she decides to make a video of her own. 
87 7 "Brooklyn Without Limits" Michael Engler Ron Weiner 5.1[26] November 11, 2010 507
Jack tries to influence a congressional election in favor of a particular candidate (John Slattery) for the benefit of the network. Meanwhile, Liz has newfound confidence when Jenna helps her find the perfect pair of jeans. At the same time, Jenna helps Tracy plan a Golden Globe event. 
88 8 "College" Don Scardino Josh Siegal & Dylan Morgan 5.1[27] November 18, 2010 508
Jack worries that GE's microwave sales have improved too much without his help and tries to find glitches in their newest design. Meanwhile, Liz partakes in a crew lottery despite Jenna and Tracy's warning her not to do so. Elsewhere, the TGS writers discover that Jack is the voice of an online dictionary's pronunciation guide. 
89 9 "Chain Reaction of Mental Anguish" Ken Wittingham Kay Cannon 5.0[28] December 2, 2010 509
After Jack suggests that she go and see a therapist, Liz starts talking to Kenneth about her relationship with Carol. Meanwhile, Tracy tries to get Jack to invest in his son's theme restaurant in Times Square and Jenna and Paul celebrate their half year anniversary. 
90 10 "Christmas Attack Zone" John Riggi Tracey Wigfield 4.8[29] December 9, 2010 510
Liz and Avery try to convince Jack to reveal secrets to his visiting mother at Christmas time. Liz also tries to fix Jenna's relationship with Paul, and Tracy tries to stop the release of his new film before it ruins his new serious persona. 

References

  1. ↑ Gorman, Bill (July 15, 2010). "NBC Announces Series Premiere Dates For Fall 2010 Schedule". TVbythenumbers. http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/07/15/nbc-announces-series-premiere-dates-for-fall-2010-schedule/57220. Retrieved 2010-07-15. 
  2. ↑ "Shows A-Z - 30 rock on nbc". TheFutonCritic.com. http://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch/30-rock/. Retrieved 2010-10-25. 
  3. ↑ "Community Renewed, The Office renewed, 30 Rock renewed - TV Ratings, Nielsen Ratings, Television Show Ratings". TVbytheNumbers.com. 2010-03-05. http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/03/05/community-renewed-the-office-30-rock-renewed-too/43995. Retrieved 2010-05-03. 
  4. ↑ "30 ROCK Airing Live Episode October 14". Collider.com. 2010-07-31. http://www.collider.com/2010/07/31/30-rock-live-episode-october-14-tina-fey-alec-baldwin-nbc/. Retrieved 2010-10-25. 
  5. ↑ Seidman, Robert (2010-10-15). "Thursday Finals: The Big Bang Theory, $#*!, 30 Rock, The Office, Outsourced, Grey’s Anatomy, Fringe All Adjusted Up". Tvbythenumbers.com. http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/10/15/thursday-finals-the-big-bang-theory-30-rock-the-office-outsourced-greys-anatomy-fringe-all-adjusted-up/68224. Retrieved 2010-10-25. 
  6. ↑ by Todd VanDerWerff October 15, 2010. ""Live Show" | 30 Rock | TV Club | TV". The A.V. Club. http://www.avclub.com/articles/live-show,46199/. Retrieved 2010-10-25. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Tina Fey channels SNL on 30 Rock". MSNBC. October 11, 2006. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15206996/. Retrieved March 23, 2008. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 "About 30 Rock". NBC. http://www.nbc.com/30-rock/about/. Retrieved October 23, 2009. 
  9. ↑ Porter, Rick (October 3, 2007). "30 Rock talk with Jane Krakowski and Jack McBrayer". Zap2it. http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2007/10/30-rock-talk-with-jane-krakowski-and-jack-mcbrayer.html. Retrieved March 24, 2008. 
  10. ↑ "Scott Adsit – Biography". Variety (Reed Business Information). http://www.variety.com/profiles/people/Biography/110233/Scott+Adsit.html?dataSet=1. Retrieved October 23, 2009. 
  11. ↑ Robertson, Lindsay. "Q&A with 30 Rock's Judah Friedlander". Saturday Night Magazine. http://www.snmag.com/INTERVIEWS/Celebrity-Interviews/QA-with-30-Rock-s-Judah-Friedlander.html. Retrieved October 23, 2009. 
  12. ↑ "Pilot". Writer(s): Tina Fey; Director: Adam Bernstein. 30 Rock. NBC Universal. NBC. October 11, 2006. No. 1, season 1.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "30 Rock: Credits". NBC Universal Media Village. https://www.nbcumv.com/mv/. Retrieved September 17, 2009.  (No direct link. Browse to "Networks & Programs", "NBC Entertainment", "30 Rock" and click "Credits.")
  14. ↑ Kirschling, Gregory (May 4, 2007). "Maulik Pancholy: You Might Know Me From...". Entertainment Weekly. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20037736,00.html. Retrieved July 30, 2008. 
  15. ↑ "Grizz Chapman". The New York Times. http://movies.nytimes.com/person/1472958/Grizz-Chapman. Retrieved July 30, 2008. 
  16. ↑ Reagan, Gillian (February 18, 2008). "30 Rock's Kevin Brown to Die Laughing". The New York Observer. http://www.observer.com/2008/30-rocks-kevin-brown-die-laughing. Retrieved July 30, 2008. 
  17. ↑ Sklar, Rachel (November 20, 2007). "30 Rock Live! Dry-Humping, Boob-Grabbing And Other Fun Times At The UCB". The Huffington Post. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/11/20/30-rock-live-dryhumping_n_73470.html. Retrieved July 30, 2008. 
  18. ↑ "Breaking News - NBC UNVEILS 2010-11 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE ACCENTED BY FIVE NEW COMEDIES, SEVEN NEW DRAMAS AND NEW ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM". TheFutonCritic.com. 2010-05-16. http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2010/05/16/nbc-unveils-2010-2011-primetime-schedule/20100516nbc01/. Retrieved 2010-05-31. 
  19. ↑ Seidman, Robert (2010-11-15). "NBC Renews ’30 Rock’; Announces ‘Parks & Rec’ Return & Major Midseason Schedule Changes". Tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/11/15/nbc-renews-30-rock-announces-parks-rec-return-major-midseason-schedule-changes/72090/comment-page-4#comment-694627. Retrieved 2010-11-27. 
  20. ↑ Seidman, Robert (September 24, 2010). "TV Ratings Thursday: ‘The Big Bang Theory’ Scores at 8pm; ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Tops Night With Young Adults; ‘My Generation’ Premiere Stalls". TV by the Numbers. http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/09/24/tv-ratings-thursday-the-big-bang-theory-scores-at-8pm-greys-anatomy-tops-night-with-young-adults-my-generation-premiere-stalls/64978. Retrieved September 24, 2010. 
  21. ↑ Gorman, Bill (October 1, 2010). "Thursday Finals: Grey’s Anatomy, Big Bang Theory, $#*! My Dad Says, CSI Adjusted Up; Vampire Diaries, Private Practice, Apprentice Down". TV by the Numbers. http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/10/01/thursday-finals-greys-anatomy-big-bang-theory-my-dad-says-csi-adjusted-up-vampire-diaries-private-practice-apprentice-down/66070. Retrieved October 1, 2010. 
  22. ↑ Seidman, Robert (October 8, 2010). "Thursday Finals: Bones, Community, Grey’s Anatomy, Big Bang Theory, $#*! My Dad Says, The Office Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/10/08/thursday-finals-bones-community-grey%E2%80%99s-anatomy-big-bang-theory-my-dad-says-the-office-adjusted-up/67290. Retrieved October 8, 2010. 
  23. ↑ Gorman, Bill (October 15, 2010). "Thursday Finals: The Big Bang Theory, $#*!, 30 Rock, The Office, Outsourced, Grey’s Anatomy, Fringe All Adjusted Up". http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/10/15/thursday-finals-the-big-bang-theory-30-rock-the-office-outsourced-greys-anatomy-fringe-all-adjusted-up/68224. Retrieved October 15, 2010. 
  24. ↑ Gorman, Bill (October 22, 2010). "Thursday Finals: Grey’s Anatomy, Big Bang, CSI, Vampire Diaries Adjusted Up; Private Practice Down; Plus NLCS Game 5 Ratings". http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/10/22/thursday-finals-greys-anatomy-big-bang-csi-adjusted-up-private-practice-down-plus-nlcs-game-5-ratings/69266. Retrieved October 22, 2010. 
  25. ↑ Gorman, Bill (November 5, 2010). "Thursday Final Ratings: Big Bang Theory, The Mentalist, Office, Vampire Diaries Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/11/05/thursday-final-ratings-big-bang-theory-the-mentalist-office-vampire-diaries-adjusted-up/71005. Retrieved November 5, 2010. 
  26. ↑ Seidman, Robert (November 12, 2010). "Thursday Final Ratings: Fringe, Community, 30 Rock, Outsourced, The Office Adjusted Down; Bones, $#*! My Dad Says Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/11/12/thursday-final-ratings-fringe-community-30-rock-outsourced-the-office-adjusted-down-bones-my-dad-says-adjusted-up/71871. Retrieved November 12, 2010. 
  27. ↑ Seidman, Robert (November 19, 2010). "Thursday Final Ratings: $#*! My Dad Says, 30 Rock, Outsourced Adjusted Down; The Office Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/11/19/thursday-final-ratings-my-dad-says-30-rock-outsourced-adjusted-down-the-office-adjusted-up/72859. Retrieved November 19, 2010. 
  28. ↑ Gorman, Bill (December 3, 2010). "Thursday Final Ratings: ‘Private Practice,’ ‘Bones,’ ‘Nikita’ Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/12/03/thursday-final-ratings-private-practice-bones-nikita-adjusted-down/74225. Retrieved December 4, 2010. 
  29. ↑ Gorman, Bill (December 10, 2010). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'Bones,' 'Fringe,' 'Community,' '30 Rock,' 'Office,' 'Apprentice' Adjusted Down; 'Big Bang Theory,' 'Walters: Oprah' Up". TV by the Numbers. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/12/10/thursday-final-ratings-bones-fringe-community-30-rock-office-apprentice-adjusted-down-big-bang-theory-walters-oprah-up/75043. Retrieved December 10, 2010. 
30 Rock
Episodes
Season 1 · Season 2 · Season 3 · Season 4 · Season 5
Characters
Liz Lemon · Jack Donaghy · Tracy Jordan · Jenna Maroney · Kenneth Parcell · Pete Hornberger · Frank Rossitano · Cerie · Josh Girard · J. D. Lutz · Toofer Spurlock · Jonathan · Grizz Griswold · Dot Com Slattery · Danny Baker · Dr. Leo Spaceman
Related
Tina Fey · Awards · Quotes · GE Building
Wikipedia books
Seasons of 30 Rock · Season 1 · Season 2 · Season 3