NBC’s 30 Rock took a break from its usual filmed format to put on a live broadcast of the show on Thursday night. The move appeared to go over well with fans, rising 7 percent and hitting a six-week high in ratings (3.5 million, 1.6)
This marks the second time in history Tina Fey’s Emmy-winning sitcom went live. There were two broadcasts for each coast. Depending on which coast you lived on, the guest stars included Paul McCartney, Jon Hamm, Amy Poehler, Kim Kardashian, Jimmy Fallon, Donald Glover and more.
30 Rock was broadcast live from its namesake building, 30 Rockefeller Center. The premise was that 30 Rock‘s make belief show-within-a show, TGS, would have to shift to taped broadcasting, as opposed to live, in order to save money. “Kenneth the Page” (Jack McBreyer) is the only one in the group who stands up for the live show option, locking much of the cast in a small room and swallowing the key to convince everyone (a la 12 Angry Men), that live television still has a place in the 21st century.
Watch the full East and West Coast episodes below:
Full East Coast Episode:
Full West Coast Episode:
