# 30 Rock, 5/6/10 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 7, 2010, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-rock-5-6-10/538578 "2010-05-07T02:01:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Justin\_Credible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a8b319/32.png) [@Justin\_Credible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Credible)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2010, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-rock-5-6-10/538578/21 "2010-05-09T22:56:44Z")
> [@HelloNinja](#): > > [Novella Nelson](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novella_Nelson)played herself. I hadn’t heard of her before 30 Rock though. She looked so much like Tracey that I thought she was his real life mom. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2010, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-rock-5-6-10/538578/22 "2010-05-10T17:34:06Z")
> [@alphaboi867](#): > > Mrs Lemon: I was 26, an old maid… > Liz: (cut’s her off) It’s a different time now Mom. > > or > > Mrs Lemon: I’d just lost my virginity to Ed several times while (town pervert) was watching in the bushes. > Miss Freemen/Liz: What? > Mrs Lemon: Never you mind past-me. Didn’t she say "Whuck? again? I think this episode had the best throwaway lines of any episode. “Reluctant Integration”, “lost my virginity several times”… ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2010, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-rock-5-6-10/538578/23 "2010-05-11T12:47:27Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Remember when folks thought 30 Rock was the ugly stepchild to Aaron Sorkin’s West Wing follow-up, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip? Nope, and I watched both shows from the beginning. Very early on Studio 60 was getting mocked in comparisons with 30 Rock; it took only maybe two episodes of each show to air. (I think the card game between Jack and Kenneth, actually; was that the third episode?) ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2010, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-rock-5-6-10/538578/24 "2010-05-11T14:01:53Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > Nope, and I watched both shows from the beginning. Very early on Studio 60 was getting mocked in comparisons with 30 Rock; it took only maybe two episodes of each show to air. (I think the card game between Jack and Kenneth, actually; was that the third episode?) I think I know what **WordMan** ’s talking about. There was buzz about both shows before their first seasons began- one was an hourlong drama, written by Aaron Sorkin, who had established his ability to write for the format with _ER_ and more recently, _The West Wing_, arguably the best hour on television in the early years of the series. The other was a 30-minute comedy, written by and starring the head writer for _SNL_. I think it’s safe to say that before the season began, most people had their money on _Studio 60_ as the better show, considering the format and the pedigree of the folks behind the scenes. But you’re right- as early as the first couple episodes, _30 Rock_ emerged as the clear front-runner. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2010, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-rock-5-6-10/538578/25 "2010-05-11T14:06:41Z")
Oh yeah, my bad; pre-show hype absolutely expected Studio 60 to be the next West Wing and 30 Rock to be as stale and unfunny as SNL. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2010, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-rock-5-6-10/538578/26 "2010-05-11T18:30:00Z")
> [@Cardinal](#): > > So are the producers setting up Liz to find someone nice, normal, and stable? He could then deal with her crazy. At least not in next week’s show. The preview has Jon Hamm returning, with hook hands. It is unlikely that Hamm will ever be a regular anyway, especially if he has hook hands. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2010, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-rock-5-6-10/538578/27 "2010-05-11T18:50:06Z")
I was so hoping that Buzz would actually introduce Liz to his friend Astronaut Mike Dexter, Liz: I guess I have to accept the fact that there is no Astronaut Mike Dexter? Buzz: What do you mean, in fact Mike Dexter the astronaut is visiting me today. Would you like to meet him? Liz: reallly, that’s amazing and a little convenient, but whatever. I really, really, really want to meet Astronaut Mike Dexter? Buzz: Are you sure? I mean it could dbe a disappointment. Liz: Shut up Buzz! I NEED to meet Astronaut Mike Dexter? (Pushes Buzz aside) Liz (yelling): Hey Mike! Mike Dezter! ASTRONAUT Mike Dexter!! Liz (grabs Buzz by the lapels): Buzz! Where is he?!? Buzz ( a bit frightened): he-he’s probably hiding. Something like that. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2010, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-rock-5-6-10/538578/28 "2010-05-11T19:35:16Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > I was so hoping that Buzz would actually introduce Liz to his friend Astronaut Mike Dexter, > > Liz: I guess I have to accept the fact that there is no Astronaut Mike Dexter? > > Buzz: What do you mean, in fact Mike Dexter the astronaut is visiting me today. Would you like to meet him? > > Liz: reallly, that’s amazing and a little convenient, but whatever. I really, really, really want to meet Astronaut Mike Dexter? > > Buzz: Are you sure? I mean it could dbe a disappointment. > > Liz: Shut up Buzz! I NEED to meet Astronaut Mike Dexter? > > (Pushes Buzz aside) > > Liz (yelling): Hey Mike! Mike Dezter! ASTRONAUT Mike Dexter!! > > Liz (grabs Buzz by the lapels): Buzz! Where is he?!? > > Buzz ( a bit frightened): he-he’s probably hiding. > > Something like that. Followed by her finally meeting Mike Dexter- played either by (80 year old) Robert Duvall or by (flamingly gay) Carson Kressley. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2010, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-rock-5-6-10/538578/29 "2010-05-11T20:00:55Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > Followed by her finally meeting Mike Dexter- played either by (80 year old) Robert Duvall or by (flamingly gay) Carson Kressley. Heh, yep… LIZ: wait, you’re not astronaut Mike Dexter MD: Of course I am. LIZ: No, you are not! Astronaut Mike Dexter is 6 foot three with a strong jaw line, kind eyes and doesn’t care if I eat leftover mac n cheese cold. You are not that person! ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2010, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-rock-5-6-10/538578/30 "2010-05-11T20:06:05Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > Followed by her finally meeting Mike Dexter- played either by (80 year old) Robert Duvall or by (flamingly gay) Carson Kressley. Matt Damon is an upcoming guest star. Now _that’s_ Astronaut Mike Dexter. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2010, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-rock-5-6-10/538578/31 "2010-05-11T20:22:09Z")
> [@Sigmagirl](#): > > Matt Damon is an upcoming guest star. Now _that’s_ Astronaut Mike Dexter. They should cast him as a brilliant janitor. ---
**Author:** ![Frostillicus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Frostillicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frostillicus)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-rock-5-6-10/538578/32 "2010-05-12T02:57:44Z")
> [@corkboard](#): > > I think I know what **WordMan** ’s talking about. There was buzz about both shows before their first seasons began- one was an hourlong drama, written by Aaron Sorkin, who had established his ability to write for the format with _ER_ and more recently, _The West Wing_, arguably the best hour on television in the early years of the series. The other was a 30-minute comedy, written by and starring the head writer for _SNL_. I think it’s safe to say that before the season began, most people had their money on _Studio 60_ as the better show, considering the format and the pedigree of the folks behind the scenes. > > But you’re right- as early as the first couple episodes, _30 Rock_ emerged as the clear front-runner. I remember a promo bit before either show aired in which Alec Baldwon told Tina Fey that he couldn’t wait to meet Aaron Sorkin. She then had to break it to him that that was the other show. ---
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-rock-5-6-10/538578/33 "2010-05-12T11:22:37Z")
And here it is: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J34VMsT5sbM](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J34VMsT5sbM) ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-rock-5-6-10/538578/34 "2010-05-12T12:24:31Z")
> [@Frostillicus](#): > > I remember a promo bit before either show aired in which Alec Baldwon told Tina Fey that he couldn’t wait to meet Aaron Sorkin. She then had to break it to him that that was the other show. Baldwin: Oh. Oh no. No no no… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-rock-5-6-10/538578.md?page=1)