Just the kind of comedy the Academy loves to showcase, as predicted by this column
By Alex Ben Block
HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 9/17/07 – Tina Fey had reason to beam as she stood next to Jane Krakowski, Jack McBrayer, Judah Friedlander and other cast members addressing reporters Sunday evening, even if she wasn’t quite sure what the surprise victory of “30 Rock” over the heavily favored “The Office” would ultimately mean: “I don’t think it’ll hurt us,” said Fey with a sly grin.
Actually, the Emmy win as Outstanding Comedy as predicted by this column on Friday anoints NBC’s smart situation comedy “30 Rock,” as the successor to all those shows that were well written, smartly acted, brilliantly conceived and executed, politically correct and still unable to attract an audience that got a boost from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
By winning an Emmy, the Academy is sending out a message that ”30 Rock” is the kind of classy show to be pointed out, with the hope it will finally attract a larger audience.
This kind of Emmy win was crucial over the years in the success of shows like “Hill Street Blues,” “NYPD Blue,” and “The West Wing. “ It brought in a whole new group of viewers who rightly associated the Emmy with quality and wanted to see that show.
It doesn’t always work, however, as the brilliant Tina Fey told reporters backstage shortly after winning the Emmy as producer, star, writer and creator of “30 Rock,” which was named Outstanding Comedy Series. “I have a friend on ‘Arrested Development,’ so I know that it doesn’t always help.”
Fox’s off the wall comedy “Arrested Development” ran from 2003 to 2006 but never got beyond a cult following, which in TV terms is a death sentence. That is the threat that “30 Rock” faces going into the fall season.
The Emmy will help get the show sampled, and unlike “Arrested Development,” “30 Rock” can attract and hold a more mainstream audience, once they buy into the many quirky characters.
Fey said they expect to start the fall strongly with guest Jerry Seinfeld playing himself on a visit during the first episode, as well as “The Soprano’s” Edie Falco doing a guest arc and a role for “Friends” star David Schwimmer.
Fey admitted winning the Emmy is a great way to go into the new season. “It legitimizes us a bit,” said Fey with her usual understated style. “I myself will celebrate by over eating.”
The only downbeat note was that heavy favorite Alec Baldwin was beaten out as Outstanding supporting Actor in a Comedy Series by Jeremy Piven for “Entourage.” Fey was also nominated but seemed unlikely to win. Baldwin however has created a breakout character that has helped enliven his career once again. By the time the cast made their way back to the press room to celebrate the win, Baldwin had left the building.