50 best television shows set across the United States
By Sundi Rose
New York: 30 Rock
The premise: 30 Rock is a satirical comedy based on Tina Fey’s time as head writer for Saturday Night Live. Fey stars as Liz Lemon, a smart, fairly neurotic lady boss of the moderately successful The Girly Show. Not only must Liz offer creative direction and guidance, she also has to corral the wayward stars of the show, Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan) and Jenna Maroney (Jane Krakowski).
Liz often has to answer to Jack Donaghy, her conservative, rich “boss” who represents the corporate side to the Company. Alec Baldwin plays Donaghy with perfect smugness and entitlement, and their chemistry is undeniable.
The setting: 30 Rock is short for 30 Rockefeller Plaza, and is literally the address of the studios in which many NBC shows are taped, including this show, the Today Show, Saturday Night Live and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
The most New York thing about it: The show is meta in every way. It mocks the NBC culture, which is a pretty inside, NYC joke. So many of the scenes that take place on the streets of New York. There is an entire episode dedicated to the insanity of St. Patrick’s day in New York, and Liz often takes advantage of the street food vendors.