Gavin Volure

Last updated
"Gavin Volure"
30 Rock episode
Episode no.Season 3
Episode 4
Directed by Gail Mancuso
Written by John Riggi
Production code304
Original air dateNovember 20, 2008 (2008-11-20)
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
← Previous
"The One with the Cast of Night Court"		Next →
"Reunion"
30 Rock season 3
List of episodes

"Gavin Volure" is the fourth episode of the third season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock , and the 40th overall episode of the series. It was written by co-executive producer John Riggi and directed by Gail Mancuso. The episode originally aired on NBC in the United States on November 20, 2008. Guest stars in this episode include John McEnroe, Steve Martin, and Bobb'e J. Thompson.

Contents

In the episode, Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) meets one of her boss's, Jack Donaghy's (Alec Baldwin), friends, Gavin Volure (Martin), when the pair attend a dinner party. Gavin, after offering Jack a secret business opportunity, becomes enamored of Liz. Jack encourages the relationship until he discovers Gavin is not as successful as he claimed. Also, NBC page Kenneth Parcell (Jack McBrayer) invests his money in Gavin's business. Meanwhile, Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan) fears that his sons are trying to kill him.

"Gavin Volure" received generally good reception from television critics. According to the Nielsen Media Research, it was watched by 7.1 million households during its original broadcast. For his performance in this episode, Martin received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination in the category for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series.

Plot

Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) brings Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) along to a dinner party hosted by his friend Gavin Volure (Steve Martin). Gavin becomes intrigued by Liz and invites her to spend the weekend with him, which she accepts. She wonders how the relationship between them will work, as he is agoraphobic. Gavin explains his daily routines to Liz, and also discloses that due to his phobias, he cannot be intimate with women. Liz starts to think that maybe a relationship with Gavin could work. As Liz gets ready to leave, Gavin admits to her that he is not agoraphobic, and that he is under house arrest for arson, fraud, embezzlement, and racketeering. This shocks Liz, and when she returns to New York, she tells Jack about it. Jack feels awful for investing NBC page Kenneth Parcell's (Jack McBrayer) money with Gavin, after Gavin told him he was forming a new company and interested Jack to be part of it. Later, Gavin escapes from house arrest and shows up at the 30 Rock studios. There, he tells Liz that he was on his way to the Canada–US border but came back to bring her with him. After Liz refuses to go with him, and not wanting to go to prison, Gavin climbs to the top of the TGS with Tracy Jordan set and threatens to jump. Jack tries to talk Gavin out of jumping, distracting him in the process, resulting in Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan) tackling Gavin down.

Meanwhile, Tracy begins to question the reason why his sons want to spend so much time with him. One day, Tracy sees a special about Lyle and Erik Menéndez—the two brothers who became famous for killing their parents—which leads him to believe that his sons are plotting to kill him. As a result, Tracy buys a life-size Japanese sex doll that looks like him to use as a decoy to fool them. Eventually, Tracy realizes that he overreacted with his sons but warns his son, Tracy Jr. (Bobb'e J. Thompson), that if he were to die, that he and his brother will face jail time.

Production

"Gavin Volure" was written by co-executive producer John Riggi (pictured). John Riggi September 2009.jpg
"Gavin Volure" was written by co-executive producer John Riggi (pictured).

"Gavin Volure" was written by co-executive producer John Riggi, making it his sixth writing credit after "Blind Date", "The Head and the Hair", "Corporate Crush", "Cougars", and "Succession". [1] The episode was directed by Gail Mancuso, making it her fifth for the series. [2] "Gavin Volure" originally aired on November 20, 2008, on NBC in the United States as the fourth episode of the show's third season and the 40th overall episode of the series.

In September 2008, it was announced that comedian actor Steve Martin would guest star on 30 Rock. [3] He played the titular character of this episode. Martin and series creator Tina Fey starred in the 2008 comedy movie Baby Mama . [4] In the episode, stock footage of the Arkansas Governor's Mansion was used for exterior shots of the home of Gavin Volure. [5] This episode was actor Bobb'e J. Thompson's first appearance as Tracy Jordan's son, Tracy Jr., on the show. He later guest starred in the episodes "The Bubble" and "Sun Tea". [6] [7] Former professional tennis player John McEnroe played himself in this episode as he is a guest at Gavin's dinner party, and represents art collecting and yelling. [8] McEnroe first appeared in the January 18, 2007, 30 Rock episode "The Head and the Hair" as the host of a game show. [9]

Two filmed scenes from "Gavin Volure" were cut out from the airing. Instead, the scenes were featured on 30 Rock's season three DVD as part of the deleted scenes in the Bonus feature. In the first scene, Jack Donaghy, in a voice over, talks about the Edison Terrace—located in the rooftop gardens of the General Electric Building. "It's a private rooftop garden reserved for the CEOs of this company. The inner temple of American business. The only outsider ever admitted is a mute cleaning lady who has never laid with a man." The scene features six men, including fictional CEO of General Electric on the show, Don Geiss (Rip Torn). [10] In the second scene, Jenna Maroney's (Jane Krakowski) intern (Liz Holtan) is excited to work with her and tells her that she wants to be just like her. Jenna believes the intern wants to become an actress, prompting her to pull the intern's earring off. [10] The latter scene was included in the October 15, 2009, 30 Rock episode "Season 4". [11]

Reception

Steve Martin received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his performance in this episode Steve Martin 2011.jpg
Steve Martin received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his performance in this episode

According to the Nielsen Media Research, "Gavin Volure" was watched by 7.1 million households in its original American broadcast. It earned a 3.4 rating/8 share in the 18–49 demographic. [12] This means that it was seen by 3.4 percent of all 18- to 49-year-olds, and 8 percent of all 18- to 49-year-olds watching television at the time of the broadcast. This episode ranked number one among the broadcast networks in men aged 18–34, tied with Grey's Anatomy 's "In the Midnight Hour", and number two in adults 18–34. [12] However, this was a decrease from the previous episode, "The One with the Cast of Night Court", which was watched by 7.5 million American viewers. [13] Steve Martin received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series at the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards for his work in this episode, [14] but lost it to singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake for hosting Saturday Night Live . [15]

Since airing, "Gavin Volure" has received good reception amongst television critics. TV Guide 's Matt Mitovich praised "Gavin Volure", citing that it was a "funny episode" and said that Martin was a "pretty good fit on 30 Rock. He plays the zany and off-kilter so well." [16] IGN contributor Robert Canning said the episode was "funny" and as with Mitovich, believed that Martin was a "perfect fit for Gavin, playing him both as the suave sophisticate we first meet and the screwy, on-the-run Gavin that ends the episode." Canning enjoyed Tracy's plot and gave this episode an 8.9 out of 10 rating. [17] Bob Sassone of AOL's TV Squad was complimentary towards Martin's appearance, writing that he and season two guest stars Jerry Seinfeld and Carrie Fisher "belong in the 30 Rock world, and Martin is quietly funny as the agoraphobic ... rich ... friend of Jack's who likes Liz". [8] Entertainment Weekly 's Jeff Labrecque commented that Tracy's story was the "weaker subplot", but was favorable to Tina Fey and Martin, opining they "speak the same language", and he would not mind seeing the Gavin character back. [18] The A.V. Club 's Nathan Rabin enjoyed Kenneth in the episode, citing that he was "hilarious", and in regards to the episode itself, Rabin said that it "wasn't one of the all-time greats but it brought the funny at a rapid clip". In conclusion, Rabin gave the episode a B+. [19]

Not all reviews were positive. Television columnist Alan Sepinwall for The Star-Ledger noted that "Gavin Volure" was "one of the weakest 30 Rock episodes ever". He explained that he was "flummoxed" that this episode featuring Alec Baldwin, Fey, and Martin "together only made me laugh once, and not at any of them." [20]

Related Research Articles

"Blind Date" is the third episode of the first season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock. It was written by co-executive producer John Riggi and directed by Adam Bernstein. The episode originally aired on NBC in the United States on October 25, 2006. Guest stars in this episode include Brett Baer, Katrina Bowden, Kevin Brown, Grizz Chapman, John Lutz, Stephanie March, Maulik Pancholy, Keith Powell, and Lonny Ross.

"The Head and the Hair" is the eleventh episode of the first season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock. It was written by series creator Tina Fey and co-executive producer John Riggi. The director of this episode was Gail Mancuso. It originally aired on NBC in the United States on January 18, 2007. Guest stars in this episode include Katrina Bowden, Craig Castaldo, Peter Hermann, Brian McCann, John McEnroe, Maulik Pancholy, Keith Powell, and Lonny Ross.

"Corporate Crush" is the nineteenth episode of the first season of the American television series 30 Rock. It was written by co-executive producer John Riggi and directed by Don Scardino. The episode originally aired on NBC in the United States on April 12, 2007. Guest stars in this episode include Kevin Brown, Grizz Chapman, John Lutz, Emily Mortimer, Maulik Pancholy, Jason Sudeikis, and Rip Torn.

"Hiatus" is the twenty-first and season finale episode of NBC's first season of 30 Rock. It was written by series creator and executive producer Tina Fey, and was directed by Don Scardino. It first aired on April 26, 2007 in the United States. Guest stars in the episode included Katrina Bowden, Kevin Brown, Grizz Chapman, Rachel Dratch, Sean Hayes, Emily Mortimer, Chris Parnell, Lonny Ross, Elaine Stritch, and Jason Sudeikis. Lester Holt appeared as himself in this episode.

<i>30 Rock</i> season 3 Season of television series

The third season of 30 Rock, an American television comedy series, consists of 22 episodes and began airing on October 30, 2008, on the NBC network in the United States. The season was produced by Broadway Video, Little Stranger, and NBC Universal; the executive producers were series creator Tina Fey, Lorne Michaels, Marci Klein, David Miner, and Robert Carlock.

"Believe in the Stars" is the second episode of the third season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock. The 38th overall episode of the series was written by executive producer Robert Carlock and directed by series producer Don Scardino. The episode originally aired on NBC in the United States on November 6, 2008. Guest stars in this episode include Remy Auberjonois, Todd Buonopane, Raven Goodwin, and Oprah Winfrey.

"The Bubble" is the fifteenth episode of the third season of the American television series 30 Rock. It was written by series' creator Tina Fey and directed by Tricia Brock. The episode originally aired on NBC in the United States on March 19, 2009. Jon Hamm and Bobb'e J. Thompson guest star in this episode, and there are cameo appearances by Calvin Klein and Meredith Vieira.

"The Ones" is the nineteenth episode of the third season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock. It was written by co-executive producer Jack Burditt, and directed by Beth McCarthy. The episode aired in the United States on April 23, 2009, on NBC. Guest stars in this episode include Josh Casaubon, Salma Hayek, and Brian Williams.

"Kidney Now!" is the twenty-second episode and season finale of the third season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock, and the 58th overall episode of the series. It was directed by series producer Don Scardino, and written by show producers Jack Burditt and Robert Carlock. The episode originally aired on NBC in the United States on May 14, 2009. Guest stars in this episode include Alan Alda, Kay Cannon, Donald Glover, Napiera Groves, Chris Parnell, Paula Pell, and Sherri Shepherd. In addition, "Kidney Now!" featured many musical guest stars including Clay Aiken, Elvis Costello, Mary J. Blige, Sheryl Crow, the Beastie Boys, Steve Earle, Adam Levine, Sara Bareilles, Wyclef Jean, Norah Jones, Talib Kweli, Michael McDonald, Rhett Miller, Moby, Robert Randolph, Rachael Yamagata and Cyndi Lauper, all as themselves.

"Do-Over" is the first episode of the third season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock, and the thirty-seventh episode overall. It was written by the series' creator, executive producer and lead actress, Tina Fey and directed by series producer Don Scardino. The episode originally aired on NBC in the United States on October 30, 2008. Guest stars in this episode include Will Arnett, Marceline Hugot, and Megan Mullally.

"The Problem Solvers" is the fifth episode of the fourth season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock, and the 63rd overall episode of the series. It was written by co-executive producer Ron Weiner and directed by co-executive producer John Riggi. It originally aired on NBC in the United States on November 12, 2009. Guest stars in the episode include Josh Fadem, Cheyenne Jackson, Padma Lakshmi, and Shawn Levy.

"Reunion" is the fifth episode of the third season of American television comedy series 30 Rock, and the 41st episode of the series overall. It was written by supervising producer Matt Hubbard and directed by Beth McCarthy-Miller. The episode originally aired on NBC in the United States on December 4, 2008. Guest stars in this episode include Susan Barrett, Marceline Hugot, Robyn Lively, Janel Moloney, Diane Neal, Rip Torn, and Steve Witting.

"Sun Tea" is the sixth episode of the fourth season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock. It was written by show co-producers Dylan Morgan and Josh Siegal, and directed by Gail Mancuso. It originally aired on NBC in the United States on November 19, 2009. Guest stars in this episode include Nate Corddry, Al Gore, Marceline Hugot, Chris Parnell, Bobb'e J. Thompson, and Tony Torn.

"The Funcooker" is the fourteenth episode of the third season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock. It was written by Tom Ceraulo and Donald Glover, and directed by Ken Whittingham. The episode originally aired on NBC on March 12, 2009. Guest stars in this episode include Jackie Hoffman, Nancy O'Dell, and Chris Parnell.

"Goodbye, My Friend" is the thirteenth episode of the third season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock, and the 49th overall episode of the series. It was written by co-executive producer Ron Weiner and directed by co-executive producer John Riggi. The episode originally aired on NBC in the United States on March 5, 2009. Guest stars in this episode include John Lithgow, Patti LuPone, Christopher Nicholas Smith, and Phoebe Strole.

"Señor Macho Solo" is the seventh episode of the third season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock, and the 43rd overall episode of the series. It was written by co-executive producer Ron Weiner and directed by Beth McCarthy. The episode originally aired on NBC in the United States on January 8, 2009. Peter Dinklage, Salma Hayek, and Sherri Shepherd guest star in "Señor Macho Solo", and there are cameo appearances by Billy Bush and Nancy O'Dell.

"The One with the Cast of Night Court" is the third episode of the third season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock. It was written by co-executive producer Jack Burditt, and directed by Gail Mancuso. The episode originally aired on NBC in the United States on November 13, 2008.

"Lee Marvin vs. Derek Jeter" is the seventeenth episode of the fourth season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock, and the 75th overall episode of the series. It was written by co-producer Kay Cannon and series creator Tina Fey. The episode was directed by series producer Don Scardino. It originally aired on NBC in the United States on April 22, 2010. Guest stars in this episode include Elizabeth Banks, Will Ferrell, Steve Hely, Julianne Moore, and Ariel Shafir.

"Gentleman's Intermission" is the sixth episode of the fifth season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock, and the 86th overall episode of the series. It was written by co-executive producer John Riggi and directed by series producer Don Scardino. The episode originally aired on NBC in the United States on November 4, 2010. Elizabeth Banks and Buck Henry guest star in this episode, and there are cameo appearances by Ann Curry, Lester Holt, and Meredith Vieira.

"Dance Like Nobody's Watching" is the first episode of the sixth season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock, and the 104th overall episode of the series. It was directed by John Riggi, and written by series creator, executive producer and lead actress Tina Fey and Tracey Wigfield. The episode originally aired on NBC in the United States on January 12, 2012. Guest stars in this episode include John McEnroe, Tituss Burgess and the New York Liberty Timeless Torches dance team.

References

  1. ↑ "John Riggi — Filmography by TV series". Internet Movie Database . Retrieved 2010-04-30.
  2. ↑ "Gail Mancuso — Filmography by TV series". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 2010-04-30.
  3. ↑ Goldstein, Andrew M. (2008-09-14). "'30 Rock' Snags Martin, Maybe Oprah". New York . Retrieved 2010-04-30.
  4. ↑ Howell, Peter (2008-04-25). ""Baby Mama" ill-conceived". Toronto Star . Archived from the original on 2008-04-26. Retrieved 2010-04-30.
  5. ↑ Gambrell, Jon (2008-11-25). "Arkansas Governor's Mansion Has "30 Rock" Cameo". The Huffington Post . Retrieved 2010-06-10.
  6. ↑ Ward, Kate (2009-03-20). "Bobb'e J. Thompson: Give this kid his own show!". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved 2010-04-30.
  7. ↑ Fretts, Bruce (2009-11-19). "A Recycled 30 Rock". TV Guide Magazine . Archived from the original on 2010-01-02. Retrieved 2010-05-04.
  8. 1 2 Sassone, Bob (2008-11-21). "30 Rock: Gavin Volure". TV Squad . Retrieved 2010-04-25.
  9. ↑ Macaskill, Sandy (2009-02-16). "Former world No 1 John McEnroe at 50". The Daily Telegraph . Retrieved 2010-04-30.
  10. 1 2 30 Rock: Season 3 (CD Bonus Features — Deleted Scenes). Universal Studios Home Entertainment. 2009.
  11. ↑ Writer: Tina Fey; Director: Don Scardino (2009-10-15). "Season 4". 30 Rock. Season 4. Episode 1. NBC Universal. NBC.
  12. 1 2 "NBC Results For The Primetime Week Of Nov. 17–23". The Futon Critic. 2008-11-25. Retrieved 2010-04-25.
  13. ↑ Kissell, Rick (2008-11-14). "CBS takes another Thursday". Variety . Retrieved 2010-04-25.
  14. ↑ O'Neil, Tom (2009-08-18). "Emmy predix: Steve Martin or Beau Bridges to win best guest actor in a comedy?". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved 2010-04-25.
  15. ↑ Donahue, Ann (2009-09-13). "'Idol,' Timberlake Take Creative Arts Emmys". Billboard Business News . Archived from the original on 2012-08-04. Retrieved 2010-05-24.
  16. ↑ Mitovich, Matt (2008-11-21). "30 Rock Episode Recap: "Gavin Volure"". TV Guide . Archived from the original on 2009-05-27. Retrieved 2010-04-25.
  17. ↑ Canning, Robert (2008-11-21). "30 Rock: "Gavin Volure" Review". IGN . Retrieved 2010-04-25.
  18. ↑ Labrecque, Jeff (2008-11-21). "'30 Rock': Perfect Together?". Entertainment Weekly . p. 2. Retrieved 2010-04-25.
  19. ↑ Rabin, Nathan (2010-11-20). "Gavin Volure". The A.V. Club . Retrieved 2010-04-26.
  20. ↑ Sepinwall, Alan (2008-11-20). "30 Rock, "Gavin Volure": He hates those sex dolls! Stay away from the sex dolls!". The Star-Ledger . Retrieved 2010-04-25.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.