This week in head-exploding theories, writer Brian Lynch claims that “30 Rock” is essentially a rip-off of “The Muppet Show,” and I have to admit, some of the parallels are pretty uncanny. His words:
Each week, our smart yet neurotic lead character has to manage a group of wacky misfits and put on a weekly sketch comedy show. Which show am I talking about? 30 ROCK plays like NBC went to JJ Abrams and told him to reboot THE MUPPET SHOW. [...]
[On Liz Lemon/Kermit the Frog:] Both are the most normal people on their respective shows. Both are unlucky at love. Both are neurotic worrywarts and type-a personalities who slow burn into a crazy breakdown once per episode. AND both have some kind of flirtation with the guest stars that ultimately goes nowhere.
It goes on from there, with Jane Krakowski as Miss Piggy, Tracy Morgan as Gonzo, and Kenneth the Page as Scooter. The only hole in his argument is the idea that Alec Baldwin’s Jack Donaghy is some combination of Sam the Eagle, Fozzie Bear, and Statler and Waldorf. Man, I love Statler and Waldorf. Even when I was five, they were my favorite characters. I guess I’ve always identified with mean-spirited people who make fun of things. By the way, nice pants, fatass.
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Jokes on you, I’m not wearing pants.
Yes, but the Muppet Show sketch parts were actually funny.
They got it wrong. Jane Krakowski is Gonzo, Tracy Morgan is Miss Piggy. Piggy was the unchallenged diva and star of the show. Gonzo was always seeking to gain the spotlight in sad and pathetic ways.
Also, I appreciate the Muppets on a much deeper level than you.
Beaker was last seen boarding a DC Metro and could not be reached for comment.
Muppets were featured on 2 episodes this last season, and they were some of the best jokes ever.
I prefer the Muppet Show.
And f-ck off with that stupid ass haircut.
What is green and smells like a pig?
Kermit the Frog’s dick
Eh. I don’t buy it.
The muppet show was in fact a show about a show, much like 30 Rock. The difference here is, you actually saw the ENTIRE “live” show every week on the muppet show. On 30 Rock, you see a sketch here or there.
To make broad comments about how 30 Rock characters are sort-of-a-little-like-the-muppets-in-this-one-small way seems a bit too easy.
The thing about Jack Donaghy as all those characters too…come on now.
Also, this guy comments about guest stars and Liz Lemon flirting with them. Here’s the difference: when the guy from Mad Men came on, he was playing a character, not himself. Guest stars on the muppets always, always play themselves. As for Kermit “flirting” with them? Not really. He just generally gets nervous around them.
A little too easy.
Thanks for the compliment. I really like these size 52 chinos.
Jesus.
I’m gonna guess Brian Lynch was either an English or Sociology major in college. I can overlay key figures from the French Revolution with Sesame Street characters, too, but it doesn’t mean Cookie Monster is going to end up with his head cut off.