Though not the most-watched show on television, 30 Rock is one of the most acclaimed sitcoms around. The show followed Liz Lemon (Tina Fey), the creator of a late-night sketch show who is forced to deal with the show’s insane star Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan) and her intense boss Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin).
Though the show was never afraid to embrace its weird sense of humor, it also managed to sprinkle in a few real-world issues among all the laughs. Never forgetting its place as a comedy, the show did comment on serious subject matter from time to time. Here are a few deep issues 30 Rock explored.
Alcoholism (“Fireworks”)
Liz’s love life was a constant source of comedy throughout the series. She was often totally inept at romance and would go to extreme lengths to win over her ideal man. That often got her into more trouble than she bargained for.
After following her love interest Floyd into a church, she finds him attending an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. Wanting to get closer, Liz pretends to be an alcoholic too. Though the situation is outlandish, Floyd gets pretty honest about his drinking problem and rightly feels betrayed when he discovers the truth about Liz.
America’s Political Divide (“There’s No I in America”)
Given Tina Fey’s previous job as head writer for Saturday Night Live, it should come as no surprise that 30 Rock features its share of political comedy. With Jack Donaghy being a hard-nosed Republican, the show has fun with both sides of the political sphere.
However, the show also liked to highlight the massive political divide that exists within America. It often commented on the drastically difference in beliefs held by American voters, which have split the country in a very concerning way.
The C Word (“The C Word”)
Though there are some obvious exaggerations, much of Liz’s story as the head of TGS comes from Fey’s own experience on Saturday Night Live. She was the first female writer in that show’s long history and dealt with a lot as the “boss.”
In one particular episode, Liz overhears a colleague who refers to her as a derogatory term. In Fey’s book Bossypants, she talks about a similar thing happening to her at SNL. It is one of the ways the show explores the way women are treated when they are in a position of power.
Adoption (“A Goon’s Deed in a Weary World”)
Along with Liz’s struggling love life, she has also grappled with her complicated feelings about becoming a mother. Though she is a person very dedicated to her professional life, Liz has at times felt the desire to have children.
Instead of getting pregnant, which is a common sitcom storyline, Liz attempted to adopt a child for quite a while during the series. The show did not shy away from exploring the process as long and difficult, especially for a single parent. In the end, Liz and her husband Criss adopt a boy and a girl.
Grief (“My Whole Life Is Thunder”)
You would be hard-pressed to find any mainstream show, no matter how silly, that does not deal with death at some point. It is a common storyline on television and has been dealt with humorously before. 30 Rock managed to talk about losing a loved one in a bittersweet way.
After losing his mother, Jack decides the best way to deal with his grief is by writing the best eulogy ever. His complicated relationship with his mother is further explored, as well as the notion of burying grief inside one’s self. It makes for one of the show’s most touching moments.
Negative Stereotypes (“The Break-Up”)
Tracy Jordan is the show’s loose cannon. The unpredictable and outrageous star of TGS makes for some of the wildest moments in the show. However, his ridiculous behavior also starts the discussion on more serious subjects.
In Season 1, Tracy finds himself at odds with Toofer, a black writer on the show who takes offense to Tracy’s style of comedy. The episode explores the idea of black comedians pandering to offensive stereotypes to entertain white audiences. It’s a controversial subject the show isn’t afraid to talk about.
Climate Change (“Greenzo”)
Climate change is one of the top political subjects being discussed in modern politics. While it is an increasingly concerning issue facing our society, 30 Rock raised awareness without taking things too seriously.
As part of a “green initiative” at NBC, Jack hires a mascot named Greenzo to speak about climate change and what people can do to help the environment. However, the idea of protecting the Earth goes to Greenzo’s head and he begins to go on a power trip. With an appearance from Al Gore as well, the episode was able to talk about the issue in a lighthearted way.
Islamophobia (“Somebody to Love”)
Liz Lemon likes to think of herself as a progressive person, but even she has moments of prejudice. Upon meeting her Middle Eastern neighbor, Liz begins to get unsettling vibes from him. While she wants to believe she wouldn’t judge someone based on where they come from, Liz can’t shake the thought that the man might be a terrorist.
Of course, Liz is proven wrong, but not before reporting the man to Homeland Security. The New York-set show touched on these racist perceptions that came about following the 9/11 attacks.
Gender Identity (“Game Over”)
Nowadays, the subject of gender identity is becoming more widely discussed. While some shows might have made fun of such life choices, 30 Rock touched on them in sensitive and heartwarming ways.
Jenna’s boyfriend Paul is shown to be a cross-dresser, but he explains that it is just something he does to feel comfortable with himself. In another instance, Jack’s private detective Lenny goes undercover as a woman ,which leads to him deciding he would rather live life as a woman going forward. It’s a refreshingly matter-of-fact way to discuss gender identity.
Homophobia (“Idiots Are People Two!”)
Though it was an outrageous comedy, 30 Rock wasn’t completely immune to controversy. Fans may recall that Tracy Morgan got a lot of heat late in the show’s run after making some homophobic statements while onstage at a comedy show. While some called for Morgan to be fired, 30 Rock addressed the controversy by incorporating it into the show.
In Season 6, Tracy is criticized for making homophobic remark,s which angers Liz. The show managed to give voice to those who were offended by Morgan’s remarks and criticize Morgan himself for making them, all within the show.
