Season III of the Emmy Award-winning American sitcom, 30 Rock, will return to SABC3 on Monday, 3 October in the 6.30pm timeslot.
The series is set in real-life American TV network, NBC, and chronicles the adventures of comedy show writer, Liz Lemon, played by Tina Fey. It is loosely based on Fey’s own experiences as head writer on the long running NBC sketch show, Saturday Night Live (SNL).
30 Rock is short for 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, the address of the building where NBC is located.
In the show the hapless Liz Lemon has to navigate the crazy antics of her whacky co-workers, including the show’s off-the-wall star, Tracy Jordan (played by Tracy Morgan), as well as her challenging boss, Jack Donaghy, played by the much lauded Alec Baldwin.
Other cast members include Jane Krakowski, Jack McBrayer and a host of guest appearances from big names.
The show experienced a large ratings and popularity spike in Season III after Fey’s highly praised performance as Sarah Palin on SNL. This is also the season where the show made Emmy history, being nominated for 22 Emmy awards.
Oprah Winfrey guest stars in the second episode, playing herself, as well as Jennifer Aniston playing Liz’s ex roommate. Salma Hayek also appears for a multi-episode arc, portraying Jack’s new girlfriend, Elisa.
Other guest stars this season include John Lithgow, Kerry Butler, Megan Mullally and Steve Martin. Jon Hamm plays Liz’s love interest and neighbor for several episodes. Alan Alda appears in the season’s final two episodes as Milton Greene, Jack’s biological father.
The season finale featured multiple musical guests, including Talib Kweli, Michael McDonald, Norah Jones, Steve Earle, Moby, Clay Aiken, the Beastie Boys, Adam Levine, Mary J. Blige, Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow, Rhett Miller, Cyndi Lauper, Sara Bareilles, Wyclef Jean, and Rachael Yamagata, performing Kidney Now! an organ donation drive spoof of We Are The World and Just Stand Up!
