30 Rock (2006)

Liz Lemon is the head writer on a demanding, live TV program in New York City. However, things begin to get complicated when her new boss insists that a wild and unpredictable movie star joins the cast.This episode was pretty similar to the one that aired, with only some differences in terms of the direction of the show. Perhaps the most notable difference is the fact that Rachel Dratch had a starring role, from which she was replaced due to creative reasons and given different recurring roles.

On show night, Liz Lemon grows increasingly infuriated when no one seems to remember that it's her 40th birthday. Just before the taping, Tracy Jordan becomes convinced that nothing is funnier than a performer laughing and breaking character, which he elects to do all night, much to Jenna Maroney's chagrin. Meanwhile, Jack Donaghy struggles with the consequences of his promise to give up drinking while Avery is pregnant. The episode was filmed twice. The East Coast version aired for the Eastern, Central and Mountain time zones. The West Coast version was aired in the western, Alaskan and Hawaiian time zones.

Kenneth takes drastic measures to prove why TGS should stay a live show. When their Kabletown bosses announce they will no longer pay for TGS to be a live show, Liz Lemon and Jack Donaghy realize their lives will actually be easier if they shoot canned episodes fast and cheap. Only Kenneth the page objects, urging that nothing can replace the communal experience of live television. He tries to convince the TGS staff to fight for their right to be live by taking them and our audience through a magical look back at the illustrious history of Studio 6H. The episode was filmed twice. The East Coast version aired for the Eastern, Central and Mountain time zones. The West Coast version was aired in the western, Alaskan and Hawaiian time zones.

A collection of scenes and bloopers shown, appropriately, at the show's wrap party.

Behind the Scenes with Judah Friedlander

Behind the Scenes with Jack McBrayer

A script read for "Secrets and Lies," read at New York's Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, and done as a charity event during the Writers' Strike.

'Cooter' Table Read

Fey's hosting spot during the 2007 SNL season is shown by handheld camcorder

The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences did a cast and crew Q & A

Alec Baldwin's SNL Monologue

A table read of the script for "Kidney Now!"

The making of "He Needs a Kidney" shows pulling everything to together for that hilarious song. And there's even studio footage with many of the musicians too.

From the Food Network show "Ace of Cakes," where the crew from Baltimore's Charm City Cakes created a couple of cakes for "I Do Do" and the season's wrap party in an episode

Cast and crew interviews, inspirations for scenes and the guest stars get interviewed here and there

Cast and crew interviews, inspirations for scenes and the guest stars get interviewed here and there

Season 4 Photo Gallery

The full "Tennis Night in America" song video

The west coast version of the live episode

A look behind the scenes of this special episode

A series of three animated web shorts

A series of three animated web shorts

A series of three animated web shorts

Jenna's Obituary Song

Losing one of the two Jon Hamm appearances in one thing, but if the east coast gets Paul McCartney and the west coast gets Kim Kardashian, then the west coast got hosed. (Watch the end to see how ill-equipped she is for the simple act of delivering a punchline.)

A fun peek at the making of that live show

The rousing Warm-Up for the Live show, emceed by Fred Armisen and featuring music performances by Cheyenne Jackson and Jane Krakowski

An animated webisode where Donaghy has to figure out which musical act to use in an innocuous bit

Talks about memorable moments that occur on a portion of the set, and provides detail and history on any significant items on set.

Liz Lemon is the head writer on a demanding, live TV program in New York City. However, things begin to get complicated when her new boss insists that a wild and unpredictable movie star joins the cast.

Now that major changes have occurred on the The Girlie Show, Liz struggles to bring everyone and everything together. However, despite his erratic behavior, Tracy manages to bring everything to order.

Jack sets Liz up on a blind date with his friend, Thomas. While Liz is busy preparing for the date, Jack infiltrates the writers' weekly poker game.

Liz struggles to keep Jack out of the writers' room and Kenneth soon learns that working for Tracy may be more than he expected.

After being pressured by Jack to plug GE products into her show, Liz integrates Jack into a sketch. While Jack hones his questionable acting chops, Frank and Toofer trick Jenna into fearing for her job and Liz wonders if Tracy is faking illiteracy to skip out on rehearsals.

After Liz takes her ex-boyfriend, Dennis, back simply because he asks, Jack takes it upon himself to mentor her as he thinks that she is leading a life of mediocrity. Meanwhile, Tracy gets a tattoo in the face, Jenna gets botox and collagen injections, and Josh is given two black eyes by an angry Liz Taylor.

Jack bumps Jenna's scheduled appearance on 'Late Night with Conan O'Brien' by booking new star Tracy. Jenna, still irate over watching the show change to "TGS with Tracy Jordan," lashes out at Liz. To make matters worse, Tracy's gone off his medication and he's about to go on national television.

When Liz finally dumps her boyfriend Dennis, she prowls the singles scene under Jenna's tutelage. Love also stinks for Jack, as he discovers dating a Bush administration official has its downside. And Tracy and Toofer clash, which lands both in sensitivity training.

When ditzy receptionist Cerie spreads news of her engagement to a filthy rich Greek heir, Liz confronts her own marital and maternal status. Meanwhile, emotionally hardened Jack softens due to "mommy issues."

Jenna anticipates the opening of her independent movie “The Rural Juror”, but the title proves to be a mighty tongue twister for the gang. Meanwhile, cash-challenged Tracy endorses his own celebrity product in an effort to get out of debt.

Liz and Jenna work on their dating game when they're beguiled by two very different MSNBC staffers: a brainy geek and a brawny hunk, but cerebral Liz finds it strange that she's more interested in the attractive one. Meanwhile, Kenneth and Jack switch roles.

Liz wonders if she's actually on a date with Jack as she accompanies him to a birthday celebration for a foreign prince. While at the ball, Liz sees a different side to Jack as he unexpectedly runs in to his ex-wife. Back at 30 Rock, Tracy tempts Pete with a booze- and babe-filled party in the office, while Kenneth tries to keep Pete on the straight and narrow.

It's Valentine's Day, and the TGS crew is celebrating by pulling an all nighter to put together a new episode. While Pete completely forgets the holiday, Kenneth and Cerie may be starting an office romance. Meanwhile, Liz wonders if Dennis is back in her life after she receives flowers from a secret admirer and newly divorced Jack wants to party with Tracy, who for once wants to spend a night alone with his wife instead.

As shocked as she is to be called the c-word by Lutz, Liz is more horrified to realize he may be right. Meanwhile, Jack brings Tracy to a charity golf event to get closer to the chairman, however his plan backfires when Tracy acts too much like his uncensored self.

Jack sees an opportunity for budget cuts when Josh's contract is up, forcing Liz to go out of her way to motivate Josh into staying with TGS and not moving on to a rival show. Meanwhile, Kenneth earns a coveted spot in Tracy's entourage and Jenna gets in trouble over a misquote in Maxim.

Jack forces Tracy to attend the Source Awards and Kenneth has words with a rap artist. Meanwhile, Liz goes to great lengths to prove to her African-American date that she's not racist.

Jack helps his brother Eddie land a job at 'TGS', Liz is forced to make desperate staff cutbacks, and Tracy seeks spiritual fulfillment with help from Kenneth.

Jack and Kenneth work together when Jack discovers that another NBC executive is after his job. Meanwhile, Pete and Liz adjust to life as roommates and Tracy receives paternity papers.

The tables have turned inside 30 Rock: Liz is actually happy in her new relationship with Floyd while Jack finds his job may be in jeopardy after his televised fireworks fiasco prompts top GE man Don Geiss to warn he's got his eye on Jack's performance. Tracy vies for Geiss' attention, hoping to turn his feature film idea for Jefferson into a reality.

Sick of New York and frustrated with his career, Floyd contemplates a move to the Midwest and asks Liz if she's consider leaving TGS behind. Jack rushes to Paris (and soon, the altar) with Christie's auctioneer Phoebe while Tracy works furiously on financing his latest career move, dubbed the "Tracy Jordan Comeback."

As TGS' summer hiatus approaches, Liz deals with the difficulties of her long-distance relationship with Floyd while she enlists Kenneth's help in locating on-the-lam Tracy. Meanwhile, Jack's impending marriage to Phoebe brings his mother, Colleen Donaghy to town.

As the cast and crew of TGS with Tracy Jordan returns for a new season, Liz is excited to see Jack again. However, her excitement quickly fades as Jack insists that Liz is still not over Floyd. Meanwhile, Jerry Seinfeld shows up at Jack's office in an upset mood after Jack announces his newest plan. Finally, Kenneth becomes Tracy's office wife when Tracy separates from his wife and Jenna returns to set a whole lot heavier now that she has been involved in Mystic Pizza: The Musical!.

When Jack discovers that his boss is retiring, he decides to get in the competition for his position. Meanwhile, Jenna begins to enjoy her fame for being fat and along with Jack encourages Liz to get her act together. Finally, Kenneth makes it his mission to get Tracy and Angie back together.

Jack hires his own private investigator to lead GE in the wrong direction so that they will not be able to find any dirt on him that might put him in a compromising position. However, when he is asked to give up his cookie jar collection, Jack finds the task too much of a challenge. Meanwhile, Angie announces that she will follow Tracy at all times to keep him in line, which Liz believes to be good until she covers for Tracy and gets on Angie's bad side. Finally, Jenna starts to worry once she starts to lose all the weight she gained over the summer and her popularity begins to hang on the line.

Liz meets her longtime idol, Rosemary Howard, and invites her to be a guest writer on "TGS with Tracy Jordan". However, Rosemary's ideas turn out to be too much for the show, prompting Jack to pressure Liz into firing her. Meanwhile, Jack takes Tracy to a therapist to explain to him why he must do the opposite of what he is told, and Jenna ruins Kenneth's page jacket, causing him to compete in a page-off to keep his job.

It's time for Kenneth's annual house party, but he may be the only one excited about it. The soiree has only been attended by Liz in the past, so in order to get a better turnout Tracy spreads rumors that ultimately get out of hand. Meanwhile, Jack deals with NBC's new environmentally-friendly mascot, whose new-found stardom goes to his head.

Jack falls for a congresswoman he meets at a cocktail party and despite the fact that they hold opposite views, the couple agrees to put politics aside and have a secret affair. Meanwhile, Liz believes her Middle Eastern neighbor to be a terrorist and tips off Homeland Security, creating a big mess.

As part of his community service, Tracy must coach a little league team. All goes well until Jack takes interest in the team and turmoil starts from there. Meanwhile, Liz is asked out on a date by Jamie, the new coffee boy, who thinks Liz is actually younger than she truly is.

C.C. and Jack face a block in their relationship when C.C. decides to go public about the affair but Jack refuses. Meanwhile, Liz struggles to keep both Tracy and Jenna happy when the two find it hard to share the spotlight, while Frank makes fun of Toofer's Harvard education with bizarre results.

Jack gets attached to Liz's nurturing parents because they provide the love and support he never got from his mom. The staffers get ready for their raunchy holiday party, but Kenneth changes their plans at the last minute.

Jack and C.C. try to make their long distance romance work, Liz decides to invest in real estate, and Kenneth becomes addicted to caffeine.

When someone on the 'TGS with Tracy Jordan' staff insults Jack in a newspaper article about the season finale of 'MILF Island', he frantically sends Jonathan to interrogate everyone on 'TGS' until the culprit is found.

Dennis becomes a New York City celebrity after jumping in front of a train and saving someone who fell on the tracks. Meanwhile, Jack desperately tries to persuade Tracy to become the celebrity face of the Republican Party.

When Don decides to promote Jack and make him his successor over Devon, Jack decides to give his old job to Liz because she always has his back. However, a turn of events concerning Don's health compromises Jack's promotion. Meanwhile, Tracy thinks that his son is embarrassed of his career because he did not invite him to fathers day at school.

Floyd stays at Liz's place overnight when his flight is canceled. Meanwhile, Jack is demoted to the 12th floor, causing him to question his future status at the company. Finally, the staff celebrates Annual Sandwich Day with mysterious sandwiches from a secret location in Brooklyn.

In the second season finale, Jack moves on to a new job involving politics in Washington, but the position is not quite what he anticipated. Meanwhile, Liz suffers a pregnancy scare, Kenneth confronts rival page Donny when applying for a summer job, and Tracy works on his latest invention.

Worried that Liz's hectic lifestyle may be too much to adopt a child, Bev, the adoption agent, visits the set. Panicked, Liz tells everyone to act normal, but chaos soon ensues as a fight arises between Jenna and Tracy. Meanwhile, Jack returns to 30 Rock and vows to do whatever it takes to get his position back from Devin.

Liz heads to Chicago to get out of jury duty and on her flight back to New York she is assigned a seat next to Oprah. Liz seizes the opportunity to ask Oprah for advice with some of the problems she's been having. Back in New York, the feud continues between Tracy and Jenna, and Jack's morals are tested by Kenneth after an Olympics snafu.

Liz and Jenna are randomly visited by Claire Harper, a free-spirited, Fatal Attraction-like stalker. Claire first targets Jack and claims him for her own. Kenneth, distressed and disappointed by the new page uniforms, looks to be cheered up by Tracy. To make Kenneth smile again, Tracy gives him a surprise which involves the cast of 'Night Court'.

Jack and Liz make a visit to a colorful businessman named Gavin Volure, who has a confidential business proposal...and has fallen in love with Liz. Meanwhile, Tracy is afraid that his kids may have figured out an evil plot against him.

Jack manages to convince a reluctant Liz to attend her high school reunion. Meanwhile, Don Geiss awakens from his coma and shocks Jack with a declaration of who he wants to be the CEO of GE. A shaken Jack decides he needs to get away and blow off some steam, but tags along with Liz to her reunion instead due to bad weather.

As Christmas nears, Liz's parents ditch her for a couples-only retreat, leaving her all alone for the holiday. Because of this, Liz decides to work for a charity program, "Letters to Santa." Meanwhile, Jack takes his frustration out on the staff after his dream holiday is ruined.

Amid a health scare that sees him growing close to his mother's nurse, Jack helps Tracy and his wife Angie develop a "post-nup" and gets Jenna an audition to play Janis Joplin. Jenna thinks Liz is only attracted to a little person because she wants a child.

Flu is spreading amongst the "TGS" cast and crew fast, and Liz is determined not to catch it too. Dr. Spaceman is giving vaccinations, but Jack is being selective about who gets one. Liz is offered one, but refuses to accept it, championing the rights of the crew. Meanwhile, Jack must be creative if he is to spend any time with Elisa, since she is working seven days a week.

Jack nervously coaxes Liz into joining him at a corporate retreat. Meanwhile, Jenna employs method acting techniques in preparing for her role as Janis Joplin, with Frank's help. And Kenneth wants to prove to Tracy that diet impacts diabetes.

Liz tries to begin a relationship with a new tenant after accidentally receiving his mail. Meanwhile, Jack's appearance causes Elisa's grandmother to disapprove of the relationship, and Tracy has trouble maintaining the lifestyles of Wall Street frat boys.

Liz insists that she and Drew have their first official date on Valentine's Day. Elisa brings Jack to church to celebrate the day, which is very different from the way he traditionally celebrates. Kenneth employs the help of Tracy to try to win the affection of a new worker.

Jack wonders if his career will get in the way of taking his relationship with Elisa to the next level. Tracy does an interview with Larry King and causes mayhem throughout New York City. Liz loses her cell phone in a cab and brings Kenneth with her out to Queens to retrieve it.