Kenneth Parcell

Last updated
Kenneth Parcell
30 Rock character
Kenneth Parcell.jpg
First appearance"Pilot" (2006)
Last appearance"30 Rock: A One-Time Special" (2020)
Created by Tina Fey
Portrayed by Jack McBrayer
In-universe information
Alias"Cranston"
"Silas Merrymount-Peppercorn"
Dick Whitman
Nickname"Kenneth the Page"
GenderMale
Occupation NBC page (former)
CBS page (former; from episodes "The Fabian Strategy" – "Let's Stay Together")
NBC Standards and Practices department employee (former; from episodes "Alexis Goodlooking and the Case of the Missing Whisky" – "Grandmentor")
Janitor at 30 Rockefeller Plaza (former; from "Kidnapped by Danger" – "A Goon's Deed in a Weary World")
President of NBC (from "A Goon's Deed in a Weary World" – present)
FamilyPearlene Parcell (mother)
Unnamed father
Ronald "Ron" McDonnell (stepfather)
Nine unnamed siblings
Significant otherHazel Wassername (ex-girlfriend)
Grace Park (Possible ex-girlfriend)
RelativesUnnamed grandmother
Whitey (grandfather, unknown if maternal or paternal)
Unnamed uncles
Jesse Parcell (cousin)
Steven (cousin)
Clay Aiken (cousin)
Lyle (nephew)
Unnamed niece
Religion Christianity ("Eighth Day Resurrected Covenant of the Holy Trinity")

Andromakennethamblesorton [1] "Kenneth" Ellen Parcell [2] is a fictional character on the NBC comedy television series, 30 Rock , portrayed by Jack McBrayer. Originally a supporting character in the first two episodes of the series, the show's producers saw him as a breakout character. [3]

Contents

Biography

Kenneth is a perpetually cheerful NBC page hailing from Stone Mountain, Georgia (a homage to the hometown of 30 Rock writer Donald Glover), [4] raised in a pig farming family by parents he has alternatively claimed were first cousins [5] and "technically brothers." [6] He states that he loves only two things: "everybody and television". [7] After graduating an all-African-American high school, [8] Kenneth studied at Kentucky Mountain Bible College, majoring in Television Studies and minoring in Bible Sexuality. [9]

Throughout the series, Kenneth has painted a picture of a poverty-stricken, [10] [11] sexually deviant, [12] inbred, [13] criminal-class [1] family line, declaring Parcells as a whole to be "neither wealthy nor circumcised." [10] Furthering this point, he and his family lived in a militia camp during a period of time in his childhood [11] and three of his nine siblings were given up for adoption. [14] Kenneth has also alluded to his family subscribing to child marriage. [15] During a drinking contest against a group of Teamsters, Kenneth discovers that he has unknowingly had alcohol before (which he calls "hill people milk",) and, because he has been drinking it "since [he] was a baby", he has a high tolerance, managing to keep up on his feet while everyone else competing in the contest gets blind drunk. [16] (This essentially mirrored a scene from No Time for Sergeants , in which Andy Griffith portrayed a similar rube from backwoods Georgia.) Despite his high tolerance for liquor, Kenneth is very susceptible to the effect of caffeine, once going on an espresso-fueled bender and nearly returning to his home state in shame. In the episode "Black Light Attack," he reveals his teeth are wooden prosthetics. [17]

Kenneth has a close relationship with his mother, Pearlene, [18] considering her to be his best friend and crediting her with his optimism. (He quotes her as teaching him that no matter how bad things seem, there is always someone else having a worse day "like being stung by a bee, or getting a splinter, or being chained to a wall in someone's sex dungeon.") Apart from his death from a heart attack, [19] not much else is known about Kenneth's father, although, in a deleted scene of "The One with the Cast of Night Court," Kenneth tells Tracy that Kenneth's father deliberately kept Pearlene unaware of their relationship as first cousins, as she would have not married him otherwise. [5] In "Alexis Goodlooking and the Case of the Missing Whisky," it is revealed that Kenneth's father was the infamous D. B. Cooper, as that alias is seen on a sewn-in patch label on the inside of one of his father's former suits. Kenneth also quotes his father's final words as being "Son, if you want to get ahead in this world—oh God, this hurts! Tell your mother I'm gay!". [20] After Kenneth's father died, his mother's "friend" Ron moved in with him and his mother. Many of Kenneth's comments about his mother and Ron suggest that the two had a sexual relationship, though Kenneth appears to be unaware of this. It is repeatedly implied throughout the series that he harbors a great hatred towards Ron (with Kenneth once commenting that he knew Tracy Jordan like "the back of [his] step-father Ron's hand.") This is confirmed in "Governor Dunston", wherein Ron and Pearlene (played by Bryan Cranston and Catherine O'Hara, respectively), visit Kenneth, who makes his dislike of Ron apparent. Contrary to what Kenneth's comments portrayed Ron to be, Ron is an amiable if dim-witted man who is shown to care for Kenneth like a father. Much to Kenneth's disdain, it is revealed that Pearlene and Ron married seven years prior (something of which Kenneth was unaware, contradicting the previous quote.) But by the end of the episode, he comes to accept Ron as an extension of the family. [18] The series has also established Kenneth as the cousin of American Idol second season runner-up, Clay Aiken. [21]

In "Chain Reaction of Mental Anguish", Kenneth reveals to his boss Jack Donaghy that, after his father died, he befriended a pig, whom he named Harold. Unfortunately, Kenneth's mother had to sell Harold to a slaughterhouse, and, with Harold gone, Kenneth had no reason to remain in Georgia, deciding to move to New York. He needed $300 for his ticket and in order to get the money, Kenneth participated in a pig-eating contest but, to his horror, the pig that he was given to eat was Harold. He has since been plagued by extreme remorse for eating his "father pig." However, Jack is able to convince him that by eating Harold, Kenneth gave his death meaning, as it allowed Kenneth to embark on his new life. [22]

Kenneth may have been newly assigned to the TGS studio at the start of the series; in the pilot episode, Liz referred to Kenneth only as "that NBC page", suggesting they are not close. [23] As the series progressed, however, Kenneth became more familiar with Liz and other staff and crew of TGS with Tracy Jordan .

As demonstrated many times throughout the series, Kenneth is incredibly selfless, one of the most notable examples occurring in the episode "Believe in the Stars," when he and others are trapped in an elevator. Jack claims that there is enough air for eight people, but, as the elevator contains nine, he announces that one occupant must die. Kenneth is appalled by Jack's statement, and when Jack tells him that he has placed a pistol loaded with one bullet in the emergency box, Kenneth removes the gun, holds it to his head and pulls the trigger (not just once, but twice, when it does not discharge the first time.) Finding the gun inoperable, he wraps his belt around his neck and urges the others to strangle him. Jack, disgusted by Kenneth's altruism, abruptly opens the elevator door and demands, "What is wrong with you?" [7]

When he is passing out from a severe allergy episode, Kenneth exclaims that his real name is Dick Whitman (a reference to the AMC drama, Mad Men .) [24] Kenneth has demonstrated a knack for conceptualizing rather unusual television shows, one of which (a game show called Gold Case) was actually developed, although it turned out to be ill-conceived and was promptly shut down. [25] In a pretend interview with Conan O'Brien, Kenneth shares his dreams of making "hit movies" with Zach Braff, and that he is also skilled at clogging. [26]

Kenneth has been shown to be able to speak numerous foreign languages, including Mandarin, [27] French, [28] German, [29] and Latin. [30] He can also speak backwards with ease, [31] is capable of ventriloquism, [21] and claims that he can take commands from animals. [32] He is an unintentionally skilled poker player, with his thoughts being indecipherable to his opponents, since, according to TGS writer Frank Rossitano, "he doesn't have any." [33] Kenneth has also been shown to wear a concealed firearm. [34]

Kenneth has technically died two different times: his first death occurs in "The Ones", when he deliberately underwent anaphylaxis and, as a result, was clinically deceased for five minutes. (He later claims that he believes he "brought something back with [him,]" as his breath crystallizes in the air and an ominous shadow passes over him.) [24] He dies once again in the episode "College", when he contracted hypothermia on the balcony to Jack's office and briefly died, returning with a message from God, which he forgot. [24] Possibly in connection with his first death, later episodes show Kenneth arguing with an unknown entity whom he addresses as "Jacob" (which may or may not be a reference to the character from Lost who possesses the power to grant immortality.) Most of Kenneth's arguments with Jacob concern the fate of the TGS staff. [35] [36] [37] It has also been established that Kenneth perceives people as singing Muppets, [38] and in one instance, when walking past an HD camera, appeared as a Muppet himself. [39] In "Ludachristmas", Kenneth states that he had "a 'coke' problem, during [his] 'Wall Street' days." However, a flashback reveals that he actually had developed an addiction to the soft drink Coca-Cola, when he was employed at Blockbuster Video, during the time that the 1987 film Wall Street was popular on home video. [40] He has been shown to require medication to keep him from acting like a donkey. [41] As the series has progressed, Kenneth's morality has become questionable, with dubious behavior including rooming with John Mark Karr in college [42] and sharing an apartment with an elderly catatonic woman who he keeps in his closet. [43]

There have been many comments, made by both Kenneth himself and others, that hint at him possessing a supernatural nature. In the episode "Operation Righteous Cowboy Lightning", Kenneth reveals to Liz that he is unable to see his reflection, as when he looks into a mirror, "There is only a white haze" [32] (however, this statement conflicts with an earlier episode, "Klaus and Greta.") [44] The episode "Standards and Practices" implies that Kenneth has some sort of clone, as when Liz asks him "Do you have a second, Kenneth?", he misunderstands and nervously blurts out "No, there's only one of me.". [1] When Tracy regains his ability to smell in "Nothing Left to Lose", he notices that Kenneth has no scent at all, a discovery which Kenneth cheerfully brushes off. [45] Kenneth accidentally reveals to Hazel Wassername in "What Will Happen to the Gang Next Year?" that he does not sleep. [43] "St. Patrick's Day" also establishes a physical deformity: a rabbit foot-resembling tail he had until he was 16 years old, which he gives to Hazel for good luck.

A relationship with Hazel is first hinted at in "What Will Happen to the Gang Next Year?." After Kenneth discovers that Hazel sabotaged his chances to become an NBC page again, she manipulates him by claiming to have developed feelings for him and successfully seduces him. [43] It is confirmed that they are now dating in the seventh season premiere, however, it is also revealed that she is only using Kenneth to get close to Tracy so that Tracy would cast her in a movie and in effect launch her career in show business, a plan which fails because of Tracy's devotion to Kenneth. Kenneth and Hazel still remain in the relationship up until she is fired for her actions in the episode "Aunt Phatso vs. Jack Donaghy."

Despite his positivity, Kenneth has more situational awareness than he lets others normally see, [46] in one instance explicitly confessing to Jack that the only grasp he has on his optimism is by lying to himself. [47] In general, Jack has stated that Kenneth's Myers–Briggs Type Indicator "shows a rare combination of extroverted, intuitive, and aggressive" (which is the same as his own), claiming that "in five years we'll all either be working for him... or be dead by his hand." [33] A little more than six years later, Jack fulfills his own prophecy by appointing Kenneth to replace him as president of NBC, [48] thus making all but Jonathan and himself work for Kenneth. [49]

Religious, political and other views

Kenneth's religious views are mainly a satirically exaggerated form of Christian fundamentalism, being a follower of a sect called "Eighth Day Resurrected Covenant of the Holy Trinity." The church is located in the basement of a Cuban restaurant and is led by a fire and brimstone preacher, named Rev. Gary [50] (who is frequently implied to be a hebephile.) As such, Kenneth's definitions of what constitutes sin and righteousness are ridiculously anal retentive, ranging from not believing in hypothetical situations (comparing it to "lying to your brain" [7] ) to refusing to drink hot beverages as that is "the Devil's temperature," [29] among other oddities. [51] [52] [53] [54]

Kenneth often offers religious advice to others, such as in "Black Tie", when he advises Pete to think of God in order to prevent him from cheating on his wife. [52] In "Christmas Special," when Liz believes that she was conned by two adults who scammed her through the letters to Santa program, Kenneth refuses to believe anyone would scam a Christmas charity, further demonstrating his naivete when he asks Liz, "When has religion ever caused any trouble?" [55] Kenneth carries no political views as "choosing is a sin." Instead, he always submits write-in votes for God (however, according to Jack, those count as Republican.) [56]

Kenneth reads the Bible only in German, declaring it the only way "to get all the versteckte Bedeutungen (hidden meanings)". [29] He believes that the Earth was created a mere 800 years ago, [47] that there is a Heaven and Hell for each ethnicity [57] and, when he goes to Heaven, he expects to be rewarded with "72 virgin... margaritas." [57] Despite referring to God as singular, Kenneth proclaims a God for independent foods, saying grace over dinner to the "Onion God," "Carrot God," and so forth. [36] In the episode "Greenzo," Kenneth states that he intends to "party like it's 1999," a date which, according to his Bible, will occur in seven years. [58] He has also mentioned a sister, who, similar to the story of the Virgin Mary, became pregnant despite never having sex. [59]

In various episodes, Kenneth is shown to be considerably uneducated and disrespectful of other religions. In "Christmas Special", while passing out gifts to the TGS writing staff, he wishes Josh Girard a "merry Jewish"; [55] in "Secret Santa", he sets up a multi-faith holiday display, which includes a framed photo of Barack Obama, that Kenneth states is "for the Muslims"; [60] in "100", when Jenna, who wants to have a baby, tries to seduce him, he refuses, on the grounds that they are unmarried and part of different religions; in "Standards and Practices", he comments that the Jewish network executives are "trained from birth to argue". [1]

In "Believe in the Stars," when Jack tells Kenneth that he knows the Ten Commandments, Kenneth snorts and says "Ten?", implying that he follows more. [7] In "100", he calls Darwin's Theory of Evolution "crazy". In "Respawn", Kenneth reveals that he believes the phrase "No, thank you", to be vulgar language. [36] The episode "The Funcooker" implies that he prefers the clean shaven look, as when Liz places him in charge, he bans beards and moustaches in the workplace. [61] In "Alexis Goodlooking and the Case of the Missing Whisky", Kenneth informs Jack, who is attempting to convince Kenneth to professionally ruin a potential rival in his new job, that he has never "crushed" anyone before, except for accused witches. [20]

Kenneth's family are staunch supporters of the Confederacy, with Jack once proclaiming Kenneth a foreigner since Kenneth's home of DeKalb County, Georgia "never rejoined the Union." [62] [63] As such, Kenneth's schooling consisted of Confederacy propaganda [64] and his home culture consisted of bizarre anti-Union rituals. [65] [66] The traditional burial for Parcell men is to have their body wrapped in a Confederate flag, fried, and fed to dogs. [28] Kenneth once served a family recipe he says he altered by replacing the ingredient of "Union Soldier meat" with boiled potatoes. [36] Kenneth also possesses $76,000 in Confederate currency. [11]

Although he is respectful to others, male and female alike, Kenneth has displayed some harshly misogynistic opinions; in "The Funcooker", when he is put in charge, his first order is to have all menstruating women leave the workplace immediately. [61] In "The Ones", Kenneth implies to Liz that girls are generally bad in math and that girls should shut their mouths in math class. [24] In "Stone Mountain", Kenneth tells Jack that he finds female airline pilots humorous. [67] In "TGS Hates Women", he reveals that he wants his legacy to be a Sesame Street-esque show that "promotes illiteracy in girls". [68] In "100", he states that he believes it is "crazy" that women have the right to choose their own haircuts. In "Alexis Goodlooking and the Case of the Missing Whisky", he refuses to work in Ad Sales any longer, due to the fact that numerous of their sponsors make housework easier for women. [20] In "Standards and Practices", he calls gynecologists "disgusting". [1]

Immortality

While Kenneth appears to be in his mid to late twenties (McBrayer was actually 33 years old at the show's start, and 39 when it ended), it has been implied numerous times since the third season that he is actually much older. [69]

This is first hinted at in "The One with the Cast of Night Court", when Kenneth states, "I've worn this old jacket since 19-hubeduh", intentionally mumbling the year. [70]

In the episode "Cutbacks", Kenneth states that he has owned his pet bird Sonny Crockett for almost 60 years, implying that it wasn't named for the Miami Vice character. [71]

In a deleted scene from "Mamma Mia", it is implied that he is a veteran of World War II, as he is recognized by an elderly man as one of his fellow troops who served in Normandy. [72]

In the episode "Into the Crevasse", Kenneth appears in a 1950s-era flashback, dancing to the song "Doin' the Microwave". [73]

In the episode "The Baby Show", Dr. Spaceman has a pamphlet on his desk, that reads "Never Die" with a picture of Kenneth on it.

In "Subway Hero", to Jack's puzzlement, Kenneth recognizes Bucky Bright, a celebrity who was described as being active in the "40s and 50s." [56] Similarly, in the episode "Verna", Kenneth states that The Today Show has not been as good since chimpanzee J. Fred Muggs was featured on the show, implying that he watched the program when the primate served as the show's mascot, which was from 1953 to 1957. [74]

In "The Problem Solvers", when Tracy asks him if he "want[s] to be a page forever", Kenneth nervously asks "Who said I've been alive forever?". [31]

In "Future Husband", Kenneth states that he remembers Jenna's first acting role in a commercial that aired in the 1970s, commenting that she was "a fat baby". [41]

In "Don Geiss, America and Hope", when NBC is bought out by Kabletown, Kenneth becomes worried and asks Jack if they will be implementing new rules for pages, such as "age limits and age verification". [75]

In "Black Light Attack!", Frank uses a cellphone app to generate a high frequency pitch that only young ears can hear, as well as a low frequency pitch only people over 40 can hear; while Frank is using the low-frequency pitch, Kenneth stumbles past the writers' room, screaming, "What is happening to me?!" implying that the low-pitched tone is deafeningly loud to his ears. [17]

In "When it Rains, it Pours", Kenneth is seen packing away an autographed photo of Fred Allen from 1947, that is dedicated: "Kenneth, you're the TOPS!", into a box marked "NBC Memories 1945-1967". [51]

In "¡Qué Sorpresa!", when he comes up with the idea of BlaBar, a black bar that would cover the lower half of a television screen as to censor material considered inappropriate, he mentions how elderly viewers are offended by certain things that are on TV, subtly gesturing to himself while saying so. [54]

In the episode "TGS Hates Women", Kenneth comments that, when he first started working as a page at NBC, an 8-year-old Shirley Temple taught him to roll cigarettes, in 1936. [68]

In "Queen of Jordan", Kenneth's chyron reads "Kenneth Parcell: Elderly Page". [76]

During a flash-forward, in the episode "100", Kenneth, Tracy, and Jenna speculate where they will be in five years. The scene then shows three tombstones, with Kenneth's year of birth appearing to be listed as 1781 (although the second digit is partially obscured by a leaf in multiple shots). If this birth date is accurate, it would mean that Kenneth is over 200 years old (it is also worth noting that, while he is buried, his arm bursts from his grave to give a thumbs-up to the camera, further supporting the theory that he is immortal).

In "Respawn", while talking to Jack he states in his apartment there are only white cockroaches while pointing to himself indicating that he is unable to die. "Today You Are a Man", when Suze Orman asks him his age, he simply replies "Don't worry about it". [77] In "Leap Day", when Jack tells him to take off his bald cap (as he is impersonating Leap Day William), Kenneth awkwardly replies "Yes, take off my bald cap, not put on my wig", implying that he is actually bald. [78]

In "Nothing Left to Lose", he implies that he is an angel, which could possibly be the secret behind his apparent immortality. [45]

In "Meet the Woggels!", Kenneth reveals that the only Rock and Roll song he has ever listened to is Mr. Sandman , which was released in 1954. [15]

In "Live from Studio 6H", he is shown as a page during a flashback to an old NBC News Report. [79]

In "Governor Dunston", his mother recalls how, on the day he was born, Kenneth informed her that his body was just a "flesh vessel" for an immortal being.

In the series finale, after years of implications and clues, it is finally confirmed once and for all that Kenneth is indeed immortal when he is revealed in the distant future to have not aged. Decades earlier, at the start of his tenure as NBC president in "Hogcock!", he presents Liz with a list of "TV no-no words" that includes "immortal character," among other phrases that describe 30 Rock, such as "New York," "high concept" and "shows about shows".

In the intervening time, he apparently changes his mind, as he greenlights Liz's great-granddaughter's pitch for a period piece based upon the stories she had heard from Liz growing up. The series violates every one of the earlier no-no words; set at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in the early 21st century, it is 30 Rock, and Kenneth loves it. [80]

Reception

The Kenneth Parcell character has received highly positive reviews and was dubbed a breakout character, moving into the main cast beginning in season two. [81] [82] Slate Magazine named the character as one of the reasons they were looking forward to the return of the show in fall 2007. [83] On The Extratextuals website, Kenneth is placed as number 49 on their list of 50 Best TV Characters. [84]

In 2016, he was listed as the top 30 Rock character by IndieWire , ahead of Liz Lemon: "But most importantly of all, 30 Rock was by and large about how great and wonderful television can be. And no one loves television more than Kenneth." [85] On The Top Tens.com, he is also listed as the best character on the show, with the website commenting "[...] Kenneth is one of the best television characters I can remember. Perhaps second only to Dwight Schrute". [86] CST Online wrote "Perhaps 30 Rock’s most brilliant comic creation is Kenneth Parcell". [87] Nerve.com wrote, "Kenneth the page's naiveté and chinlessness spark endless comedy on the show. He might be a little repetitive, sure, but he's also got the highest laughs-to-screentime ratio of anyone out there." [88]

However, the character has received negative reaction, as well. The A.V. Club listed Kenneth on its list of television "Showblockers," writing "[...] Kenneth has been wrung especially dry in recent seasons, made into an ever-more-outsized caricature of sycophancy, fundamentalism, and hickdom". [89] Dustin Rowles, of Pajiba.com, listed Kenneth as a television character that should be killed off, writing "He was a great character for a few seasons, but Kenneth is useless to the show now". [90]

For his portrayal, McBrayer received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination, [91] [92] a Creative Arts Emmy nomination, [93] and seven Screen Actors Guild Award nominations, winning one. [94]

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tracy Jordan</span> Fictional character on "30 Rock"

Tracy Jordan is a fictional character in the American television series 30 Rock, played by the actor Tracy Morgan. The character is a movie star whose personality traits and life events are taken from Morgan's own life. In 2010, Entertainment Weekly ranked him the 55th Greatest Character of the Last 20 Years.

"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.

"Up All Night" is the thirteenth episode of NBC's first season of 30 Rock. It was written by the series' creator and executive producer Tina Fey, and was directed by Michael Engler. It first aired on February 8, 2007 in the United States. Guest stars in this episode include Katrina Bowden, Rachel Dratch, Rachel Hamilton, John Lutz, Maulik Pancholy, Keith Powell, Lonny Ross, Isabella Rossellini, Sherri Shepherd, Jason Sudeikis and Mark Zimmerman. Joy Behar appeared as herself in the episode.

"Cutbacks" is the 17th episode of the third season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock, and the 53rd episode of the series overall. It was written by supervising producer Matt Hubbard and directed by Gail Mancuso. The episode originally aired on NBC in the United States on April 9, 2009. Guest stars in this episode include Roger Bart, Todd Buonopane, and Don Pardo.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"Larry King" is the twelfth episode of the third season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock, and the 48th overall episode of the series. It was written by supervising producer Matt Hubbard and directed by Constantine Makris. The episode originally aired on NBC in the United States on February 26, 2009. Salma Hayek, Ajay Naidu, Brian Stack, and Rip Torn guest star in "Larry King", and there are cameo appearances by Larry King and Meredith Vieira.

"Mamma Mia" is the 21st episode of the third season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock, and the 57th overall episode of the series. It was written by co-executive producer Ron Weiner and directed by series producer Don Scardino. The episode originally aired on NBC in the United States on May 7, 2009. Guest stars in this episode include Alan Alda, Steve Buscemi, Stuart Margolin, Keith Olbermann, Clayton Dean Smith, and Michael Benjamin Washington.

"The Fabian Strategy" is the first episode of the fifth season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock, and the 81st overall episode of the series. It was directed by Beth McCarthy-Miller, and written by series creator, executive producer and lead actress Tina Fey. The episode originally aired on NBC in the United States on September 23, 2010. Guest stars in this episode include Mario Brassard, Matt Damon, Jan Owen, Paula Pell, and Jeffrey Schara.

"When It Rains, It Pours" is the second episode of the fifth season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock, and the 82nd overall episode of the series. It was written by co-show runner and executive producer Robert Carlock and directed by series producer Don Scardino. "When It Rains, It Pours" originally aired on NBC in the United States on September 30, 2010. Guest stars in this episode include Joanna Adler, Ben Bailey, Elizabeth Banks, Craig Castaldo, Paul Giamatti, Andrea Mitchell, Chris Parnell, Sherri Shepherd, and Brian Williams.

"College" is the eighth episode of the fifth season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock, and the 88th overall episode of the series. It was directed by producer Don Scardino, and written by Josh Siegal and Dylan Morgan. The episode originally aired on NBC in the United States on November 18, 2010. The episode's only guest star is Daniel Sunjata.

<i>30 Rock</i> (season 6) Season of television series

The sixth season of 30 Rock, an American television comedy series on the NBC network in the United States, began airing on January 12, 2012. 30 Rock was renewed for a sixth season by NBC on November 15, 2010. The season began airing mid-season to accommodate Tina Fey's pregnancy. On November 14, 2011, NBC announced that 30 Rock would return at the new time of 8:00 pm.

"Plan B" is the Eighteenth episode of the fifth season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock, and the 98th overall episode of the series. It was directed by the show's composer and producer Jeff Richmond, and written by Josh Siegal and Dylan Morgan. The episode originally aired on NBC in the United States on March 24, 2011. Guest stars include Ken Howard, Aaron Sorkin and Will Arnett.

"100" is a double episode of the American television comedy series 30 Rock, comprising the 20th and 21st episodes of the fifth season, and the 100th and 101st episodes overall of the series. It was written by Jack Burditt and the show's executive producers Robert Carlock and Tina Fey, who is also the series' creator, head writer, and star. The episode originally aired on NBC in the United States on April 21, 2011. Commemorating the 100th episode of the series, this episode was one hour long and included a multitude of guest stars including Michael Keaton, Tom Hanks, Rachel Dratch, Will Forte, Brian Williams, among others.

"Respawn" is the twenty-third episode and season finale of the fifth season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock, and the 103rd overall episode of the series. It was directed by Don Scardino, and written by Hannibal Buress and Ron Weiner. The episode originally aired on NBC in the United States on May 5, 2011. Guest stars in this episode include Victor Garber, Chris Parnell, Will Forte, Adriane Lenox, and Ina Garten.

"Today You Are a Man" is the fifth episode of the sixth season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock, and the 108th overall episode of the series. It was directed by Jeff Richmond, and written by co-executive producer Ron Weiner. The episode originally aired on NBC in the United States on February 2, 2012. Guest stars in this episode include Kristen Schaal, Nicholas Dayton, Josh Fadem, and Suze Orman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Last Lunch</span> 13th episode of the 7th season of 30 Rock

"Last Lunch" is the thirteenth episode of the seventh season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock, the 138th overall episode, and the second part of the one-hour series finale. It was directed by Beth McCarthy-Miller and written by Tina Fey and Tracey Wigfield. The episode originally aired as an hour-long episode, along with "Hogcock!", on NBC on January 31, 2013. Guest stars in this episode include Al Roker, Conan O'Brien, and Alice Ripley.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Standards and Practices". 30 Rock. NBC.
  2. Brissey, Breia (March 9, 2012). "'30 Rock': Confessions of a teenage nemesis". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  3. "'30 Rock,' Solid Enough to Rebuild a Thursday Foundation". Washingtonpost.com. 2006-11-15. Retrieved 2012-06-12.
  4. "'30 Rock' turns Stone Mountain into hicktown USA".
  5. 1 2 "The One with the Cast of Night Court", Deleted scenes. 30 Rock. Season Three. Region 1 DVD. Prod. Universal Studios; dist. Universal Studios Home Entertainment, 2009.
  6. "Grandmentor"
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Believe in the Stars". 30 Rock. NBC.
  8. "Reunion". 30 Rock. NBC.
  9. "College". 30 Rock. NBC.
  10. 1 2 "Somebody to Love". 30 Rock. NBC.
  11. 1 2 3 "Gavin Volure". 30 Rock. NBC.
  12. In the series' 100th episode, Kenneth reveals his conception of intercourse to be the extremely disturbing ritual of laying a woman across his grandmother's lap in the "mating shed" while having albinos there as the "Watchers."
  13. "Grandmentor". 30 Rock. NBC.
  14. "Do-Over". 30 Rock. NBC.
  15. 1 2 "Meet the Woggels!". 30 Rock. NBC.
  16. "Sandwich Day". 30 Rock. NBC.
  17. 1 2 "Black Light Attack!". 30 Rock. NBC.
  18. 1 2 "Governor Dunston". 30 Rock. NBC.
  19. "The Collection". 30 Rock. NBC.
  20. 1 2 3 "Alexis Goodlooking and the Case of the Missing Whisky". 30 Rock. NBC.
  21. 1 2 "Kidney Now!". 30 Rock. NBC.
  22. "Chain Reaction of Mental Anguish". 30 Rock. NBC.
  23. "Pilot". 30 Rock. NBC.
  24. 1 2 3 4 "The Ones". 30 Rock. NBC.
  25. "The Head and the Hair". 30 Rock. NBC.
  26. "Tracy Does Conan". 30 Rock. NBC.
  27. "Cooter". 30 Rock. NBC.
  28. 1 2 "Flu Shot". 30 Rock. NBC.
  29. 1 2 3 "Episode 210". 30 Rock. NBC.
  30. "Audition Day". 30 Rock. NBC.
  31. 1 2 "The Problem Solvers". 30 Rock. NBC.
  32. 1 2 "Operation Righteous Cowboy Lightning". 30 Rock. NBC.
  33. 1 2 "Blind Date". 30 Rock. NBC.
  34. "I Do Do". 30 Rock. NBC.
  35. "Gentleman's Intermission". 30 Rock. NBC.
  36. 1 2 3 4 "Respawn". 30 Rock. NBC.
  37. "My Whole Life Is Thunder". 30 Rock. NBC.
  38. "Apollo, Apollo". 30 Rock. NBC.
  39. "Dealbreakers Talk Show #0001". 30 Rock. NBC.
  40. "Ludachristmas". 30 Rock. NBC.
  41. 1 2 "Future Husband". 30 Rock. NBC.
  42. "Queen of Jordan 2: Mystery of the Phantom Pooper". 30 Rock. NBC.
  43. 1 2 3 "What Will Happen to the Gang Next Year?". 30 Rock. NBC.
  44. "Klaus and Greta". 30 Rock. NBC.
  45. 1 2 "Nothing Left to Lose". 30 Rock. NBC.
  46. "The Tuxedo Begins". 30 Rock. NBC.
  47. 1 2 "Kidnapped by Danger". 30 Rock. NBC.
  48. "A Goon's Deed in a Weary World". 30 Rock. January 24, 2013. NBC.
  49. "Hogcock!". 30 Rock. January 31, 2013. NBC.
  50. "The Fighting Irish". 30 Rock. NBC.
  51. 1 2 In "When It Rains, It Pours," he voices his disapproval of sedation during childbirth, as he believes that the "whole point [is] to feel God punishing you."
  52. 1 2 "Black Tie". 30 Rock. NBC. Kenneth refers to Footloose as the movie where "those evil kids won in the end."
  53. In "Plan B," he claims that sealing an envelope by licking it is a sin, unless you are married to it.
  54. 1 2 In "¡Qué Sorpresa!", he lists soccer as one of the many things on television that is inappropriate.
  55. 1 2 "Christmas Special". 30 Rock. NBC.
  56. 1 2 "Subway Hero". 30 Rock. NBC.
  57. 1 2 "Dance Like Nobody's Watching". 30 Rock. NBC.
  58. "Greenzo". 30 Rock. NBC.
  59. "The Ballad of Kenneth Parcell". 30 Rock. NBC.
  60. "Secret Santa". 30 Rock. NBC.
  61. 1 2 "The Funcooker". 30 Rock. NBC.
  62. "Let's Stay Together". 30 Rock. NBC.
  63. A comment solidified as fact in the episode "Reaganing" when Kenneth writes "Independent Nation of DeKalb County" on an envelope.
  64. In the episode "Idiots Are People Three!", Kenneth states that the only information that was given in his school about Abraham Lincoln was that he was a "gay alcoholic"
  65. In "Murphy Brown Lied To Us," Kenneth states that, where he is from, Uncle Sam has his mouth sewn shut and is lit on fire.
  66. In "Kidnapped by Danger," Kenneth mentions that the theme of his father's prom was "Enchantment Under the Jim Crow Laws."
  67. "Stone Mountain". 30 Rock. NBC.
  68. 1 2 "TGS Hates Women". 30 Rock. NBC.
  69. Raynor, Madeline (January 4, 2016). "Every Hint and Reference to Kenneth's Immortality on '30 Rock'". Vulture. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  70. "The One with the Cast of Night Court". 30 Rock. NBC.
  71. "Cutbacks". 30 Rock. NBC.
  72. "Mamma Mia", Deleted scenes. 30 Rock . Season Three. Region 1 DVD. Prod. Universal Studios; dist. Universal Studios Home Entertainment, 2009.
  73. "Into the Crevasse". 30 Rock. NBC.
  74. "Verna". 30 Rock. NBC.
  75. "Don Geiss, America and Hope". 30 Rock. NBC.
  76. "Queen of Jordan". 30 Rock. NBC.
  77. "Today You Are a Man". 30 Rock. NBC.
  78. "Leap Day". 30 Rock. NBC.
  79. "Live from Studio 6H". 30 Rock. NBC.
  80. ""Last Lunch"". 30 Rock. January 31, 2013. NBC.
  81. Volmers, Eric (November 23, 2018). "Jack McBrayer returns as Felix Fix-It Jr. in Ralph Breaks the Internet". Calgary Herald . Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  82. Pennington, Gail (January 31, 2013). "30 things we'll miss about '30 Rock'". STLtoday.com. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  83. Patterson, Troy (September 21, 2007). "Oh, How We've Missed You!". Slate Magazine . Archived from the original on 2007-10-12. Retrieved 2007-09-23.
  84. "50 Best TV Characters | The Extratextuals". Extratextual.tv. 2008-06-02. Retrieved 2012-06-12.
  85. Miller, Liz Shannon (October 11, 2016). "The 56 Most Important Characters of '30 Rock,' Ranked". IndieWire. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  86. "Best 30 Rock Characters - Top Ten List". The-top-tens.com. Retrieved 2012-06-12.
  87. "THE STATE OF THE AMERICAN SITCOM (IV): 30 ROCK by David Lavery". Cstonline.tv. 2011-08-04. Archived from the original on 2011-08-14. Retrieved 2012-06-12.
  88. "Ranked: Every Character on 30 Rock, from Funniest to Least Funny - Page 6". Nerve.com. 2011-01-12. Retrieved 2012-06-12.
  89. Hyden, Steven (2010-08-16). "Showblockers!: 22 characters who stop good TV shows in their tracks | TV | Inventory". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 2012-06-12.
  90. Rowles, Dustin (26 January 2012). "10 Shows that Would Be Much Better If They Killed Off a Major Character". Pajiba.com. Retrieved 2012-06-12.
  91. "2009 Emmy nominations – part I". Variety. July 16, 2009. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  92. "EMMY EPISODE SUBMISSIONS 2008-2009". Gold Derby . March 7, 2016. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  93. "30 Rock's Kenneth the Web Page". Television Academy. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  94. "Jack McBrayer Awards". IMDb.com. Retrieved 28 August 2014.