Could 30 Rock survive without Alec Baldwin? Yep, we’re at it again, even though we’ve wondered the same thing before. Uh, twice. Baldwin gave another interview where he said he wants to quit acting and that 30 Rock is “pretty much it” for him. His contract, you may recall, is up in 2012.
Look, I love Baldwin as Jack Donaghy, and I find 30 Rock to the most consistent comedy pleasure in my week. Change is generally difficult and upsetting, and I would never want 30 Rock to hang on past its good days. But come 2012, if the show’s still good, I really think TGS and the faux NBC could survive without Baldwin.
If the real NBC can go through a changing of the guard (with another one possibly on the way), why not the fictional one? Some people like Rebecca more than Diane, right?
I could see another majestically smarmy fellow taking over — ah, if only Steve Martin hadn’t already had a guest spot! — but I think it would be more interesting to see, oh, Candice Bergen or Jane Curtin take the reins.
Doth Alec Baldwin protest too much, PopWatchers? Do you think he’d really leave 30 Rock before the show was done — and could 30 Rock continue without him?
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I think the question isn’t “could 30 Rock continue without Baldwin,” but rather, “should it?” Too many shows are on the air for seasons past their expiration date, and if Baldwin decides that 2012 is it for him, is it unreasonable for the entire enterprise to close up shop too? Tina Fey’s given interviews saying she doesn’t intend for this show to have a long life, and its ratings certainly aren’t dictating otherwise. When more and more dramas are being lauded for announcing end dates years in advance, is it really a far leap for comedies to do the same thing and go out on top?
absolutely agree, tv shows hang around much longer than they should and become pale imitations of what they once were. Already this season of 30 Rock, while good, is not as good as past seasons. When Alec goes, the show should come to an end.
The latest episode, ‘Sun Tea’ caught the quality of earlier seasons however. watch it.
Amen, Callie. Far too many sitcoms (and dramas) stick around for way longer than they should and end up ruining the public’s admiration for them because they painfully stretch out storylines. “Friends” is the most obvious example – I ended up hating that show by the time it finally ended. The Cosby Show is another one, and The Simpsons – good grief – that show hasn’t been good since the 90’s. And sadly, I must now add The Office to this list – that show has really, really run out of gas. Show-runners really need to follow the leads of Seinfeld, Lost, and Ricky Gervias, and go out when you’re at your peak.
Agree. And for giving up acting…he has a movie coming out with Meryl Streep this month. Actors say stuff like that when they’re burned out, tired, looking for something new to inspire them, focus on family, etc.
I really don’t think 30 Rock will still be around in 2012, unfortunately. If it is, the show should end with Baldwin’s acting career. Six seasons is a good run.
It could NOT survive without Alec. Or Tina. Or Kenneth or Tracy or Jenna. They ARE the show. If they go, the show goes, and what’s the point?
Good post Callie !
It absolutely not surviive without Alec Baldwin, nor should it realy last that long either.
Like Callie said and based on other things that I’ve heard — and not just from Alec, but from Tina too — is that 30 Rock isn’t in for the long haul, that there is a definite end in sight.
You can’t replace Jack (or Alec for that matter) and I couldn’t see the show going on without him. He’s just as valuable as Tina.
And I would be very sad… however, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by “Community” so I could go on.
If Alec Baldwin quits, they should hire Jackee Harry to replace him. It’s such a different direction it would have to work.
OH MY WORD that would be hysterical. I can see her in full 227 mode.
The whole cast makes me smile often, but Alec Baldwin is the only actor on 30 Rock that makes me laugh consistently.
Agreed. He has become the soul of that show.
I say 30 Rock’s only got a year left in it anyway (and I can say that because its my favorite show..). So I don’t think we’ll have to worry about seeing 30 Rock Baldwin-less.
I agree with you Kristen. 30 Rock is my favorite show…and I think season has actually been really good. But 30 Rock is one of those shows that would be stronger with maybe only one or two seasons left. So I think the show should end by at least 2012 anyway!
I think this overrated fiasco of a show should be cancelled at the end of the current season.
The show started out promising enough in season one, but dropped like a rock since.
Interestingly, most of the show’s current fans think that Season One was a rough start that it eventually grew out of. So I guess you’re more a fan of that other show.
I love Alec, but can we please love Tracy Morgan. His acting is dreadful.
We can love Tracy Morgon. I love Tracy Morgan!
The man is gifted with the most perfectly absurd delivery in show business, and is a key element to the 30 Rock style.
I’m in as long as Tina Fey is in. She is the rock that the franchise is build on.
Should Tina try for more seasons after 2012, the actor that would replace Alec would have to have extrodinary chemistry. Seriously, look what happened to The Facts of Life, Head of the Class, and Newsradio. After there was a replacement, the chemistry was bad. Six seasons is a good run for a comedy. We will have to see what happens.
Alec is awesome and so is 30 Rock. When he said to playboy that he felt like he failed as an actor because he was never a driving roll in films… He’s awesome in 30 Rock and will be recognized for his work. Doubt he’ll retire, he shouldn’t anyway
I see no reason why Will Arnett couldn’t step into Alec Baldwin’s shoes if push came to shove.
The Devon/Liz dynamic just isn’t there. I can’t see him (Devon) interacting with any of the TGS staff the way that Jack does.
Well, maybe Kenneth, but that’s another story that we shall not go into out of respect for the good people of Stone Mountain…
i hate Alec Baldwin, maybe now I’ll actually watch it!