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Entertainment • Television

30 Rock

30 Rock is an American satirical television sitcom created by Tina Fey that aired on NBC from 2006 to 2013.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

30 Rock is an American satirical television sitcom created by Tina Fey that aired on NBC from 2006 to 2013. Set behind the scenes of a fictional sketch-comedy show, it drew on Fey’s experiences as head writer for Saturday Night Live. The title refers to 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City, home to NBC Studios.

Premise

30 Rock is a behind-the-scenes workplace comedy about the production of a fictional NBC sketch show, focusing on head writer Liz Lemon and the network executives and performers around her.

Creation and inspiration

The series was created by Tina Fey and reflects her experience working on Saturday Night Live, especially the culture of live comedy production in New York City.

Broadcast history

The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 2006, and concluded on January 31, 2013, spanning seven seasons and 138 episodes.

Cast and characters

The ensemble included Tina Fey as Liz Lemon, Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy, Tracy Morgan as Tracy Jordan, Jane Krakowski as Jenna Maroney, and Jack McBrayer as Kenneth Parcell.

Reception and awards

30 Rock received strong critical acclaim and major industry recognition, including repeated Emmy wins for Outstanding Comedy Series.

Key facts

  • 30 Rock is a satirical sitcom created by Tina Fey, inspired by her time at Saturday Night Live.
  • The series is set at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City, home to NBC Studios.
  • It aired on NBC for seven seasons, from 2006 to 2013, totaling 138 episodes.
  • The main cast includes Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, Jane Krakowski, and Jack McBrayer.
  • The show won multiple Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series three times.
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Canadian context

The series aired in Canada on Citytv, and it also had Canadian television distribution through other broadcasters in some markets.[12]

Frequently asked questions

What is 30 Rock about?
It is a workplace sitcom set behind the scenes of a fictional NBC sketch-comedy show, following head writer Liz Lemon and her colleagues.
Who created 30 Rock?
The series was created by Tina Fey.
When did 30 Rock air?
It originally aired on NBC from October 11, 2006, to January 31, 2013.
Why is it called 30 Rock?
The title refers to 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City, the location of NBC Studios.
How many seasons did 30 Rock have?
It ran for seven seasons.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/30_Rock
    Supports: Basic series description, creator, original run, premise, and title meaning.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/30-Rock
    Supports: Premise, creator, original network, awards, and title origin.
  3. Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q189350
    Supports: Country of origin, genre, creator, broadcaster, and dates.
  4. Wikipedia — https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_30_Rock_characters
    Supports: Main cast and character names.
  5. French Wikipedia — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/30_Rock
    Supports: Canadian broadcast on Citytv and episode count.