Putting a live sketch comedy show like Saturday Night Live is always a hectic production. Whether we’re talking the neurotic writers and producers behind the scenes or the narcissistic performers in front of the camera, just about every angle in putting on a worthy show is ripe for comedic situations. 30 Rock takes place in the real-life 30 Rockefeller Plaza, the home base of NBC since shows got their main funding from dog food and cigarette companies.
The head writer of TGS with Tracy Jordan (formally The Girly Show), Liz Lemon, is a classic heroine trying to have it all, which in her case involves a stable career in show business, a boyfriend who isn’t bogged down with issues, and yeah, even a baby of her own. Her unlikely ally and occasional foible is her boss, mentor, and NBC executive of East Coast Television and Microwave programming Jack Donaghy. The corporate alpha-male is all business, but underneath his black-tie 1% veneer lies a sensitive confidant with more heart than a Golden Girls rerun.
Aside from the loveable protagonists, 30 Rock is the unmatched king of supporting characters. This includes the “straight-up mentally ill” Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan playing a thinley-veiled version of himself) and the “Muffin Top” Diva Jenna Maroney (played by the musically gifted Jane Krakowski). And then there’s Kenneth the Page. The ever-cheerful and timeless NBC page is timeless. Timeless is literal here, nobody is quite sure just how old he is. The best part of 30 Rock is that it’s often over the top in its comedic delivery. It exists in a world that defies logic and is often cartoonish. All these pieces come together to make one of the most hilarious sitcoms of all time.
Here’s everything you need to know to stream 30 Rock online.
What is 30 Rock?
- Launched: October 2006
- Channel: Hulu, originally on NBC
- Genre: Teen drama
- Starring: Tina Fey as Liz Lemon, Tracy Morgan as Tracy Jordan, Jane Krakowski as Jenna Maroney, Jack McBrayer as Kenneth Ellen Parcell, Scott Adsit as Pete Hornberger, Judah Friedlander as Frank Rossitano, Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy
- Seasons: 7
- Status: Pending
30 Rock Reviews
What the critics are saying:
- “The good news in general is seeing comedy exhibit signs of a comeback; the bad news for 30 Rock might be that like “Murphy Brown” in the 1990s–which soared to its highest heights, come to think of it, thanks to a dispute with a Republican vice president–the show’s most golden moments might actually be behind it.” –Brian Lowry, Variety
- ” Its frequent, gleeful skewering of NBC is just icing on the cake–and tonight’s episode has a lot of icing.” –Rob Owen, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
How to stream 30 Rock
If you want to watch episodes of 30 Rock in one place, there’s no better option than Hulu. Since 2015, Hulu acquired exclusive streaming rights in the US. The streaming service, which just slashed the cost of its ad-supported version to a mere $5.99 per month, offers all episodes of 30 Rock on-demand. In fact, when it comes to classic sitcoms, you can’t beat Hulu, which also offers The Golden Girls, Cheers, Seinfeld, and plenty more. You can also upgrade to Hulu No Commercials for $11.99 per month. Plus, since you get a week-long free trial before you have to spend a penny, it’s a great place to watch 30 Rock for free. You can watch the entire series in a little under 70 hours, so feel free to have a binge.
| Hulu with ads | $1.99/mo for a year |
| Disney+/Hulu/ESPN+ bundle | $13.99 |
