Maybe it's because of the T-Pain song or because of Tracy's personality, but every good series requires a crazy relationship. Like I really feel like the sassy stripper should be paired up with Tracy. For one, it would create more drama, two, it would drive Liz insane at the very least and I feel like her spazzing out is what made the show funny. Besides there are too many males in his entourage and I feel like he would have at least a girl with that kind of personality on his arm if not more than one. Besides relationship drama always makes for a good subplot.

I couldn't agree more, as long as it's well done. Remember Dave & Maddie form Moonlighting? At least, up until they consummated things and then they lost steam. Bring the stripper on, keep the steam, and add generous helpings of quirkiness!!!

This is the funniest network sitcom since Seinfeld's heyday (NOTE: the word "since" indicates that 30 Rock is LESS funny than Seinfeld). I actually laughed several times during the first two shows. Good writing--Tina Fey is more talented than 95% of the sitcom writers out there. Good acting--Fey's role is good, Baldwin's is great. But (not to sound like a network shill because I'm not) Tracy Morgan really is the third kind of heat. The show wouldn't work with anyone else in that role (not even Martin Lawrence--and the character is based on him). It's not just that what he says is funny--it's how he says it. Even lines that aren't meant to be funny sound funny when he says them. Finally NBC found a way to utilize his comic talents. There was always something not quite right about Morgan on SNL (a compliment) and "The Tracy Morgan Show" just wasn't the right venue for him. This is. The only downer is Jane Krakowski. She's just not right for the part. I would have rather seen Rachel Dratch keep the role.

So what's the future of 30 Rock? NBC recently announced cutbacks and layoffs. They want to program reality shows in the 8:00 hour. The ratings for 30 Rock aren't great. Something tells me that next summer, I'll be looking for the 30 Rock boxed DVD set featuring the 4 episodes that never made it onto the air. Maybe the NBC execs really are like the one played by Baldwin. But if they have any cojones, they'll keep this show on the air.

I just read your comments about Tracy Morgan. That brother is funny as ****!!!! NBC really should not sleep on that brother. If he ever comes to DC I will definately buy a ticket.

Mr. Morgan, if you read this....better believe....you are FUNNY AS **** !!! Keep em laughing.

Sorry, I had high hopes for this show until I saw Tracy Morgan had such a dominant role in the show. Didn't like him at all on SNL and I don't like him on 30 Rock.

Get rid of Tracy. He's not funny. He's not clever. The show may bomb because of him.

As Tracy would say ... "Always dress like those are the clothes you are going to get murdered in."

That's GOLD! What's not to like!

Uh-oh - bad news for Tracy Morgan. He was arrested early this morning on a DWI: http://glitterandgossip.blogspot.com/2006/...r-gets-dwi.html

We still love you Tracy... even if you ARE a ding-dong! Be more careful next time!

I know! What was he thinking?

yo thats that boy tracy morgan for ya hes for real jack

Maybe it's been stated before. I have not had time to look at all the postings here. I'm not one to use my time to write critiques on message boards, but I couldn't help myself. This show IS a good show. I like all of the characters with the exception of Tracy Morgan's. I didn't care for his comedy while on Saturday Night Live as well. I've got nothing against the man; I just don't think he's funny as an acting comic. He kills every scene he's in and I tune out. I believe that is what most of America is doing. Tracy needs to return back to stand-up Def Comedy before he and Lorne decide to make a Brian Fellows movie. Lorne, don't try to force feed Tracy to us like you have Rob Schneider. No need to make the same mistake twice.

Bottom line: Lose or replace Tracy's character...although it may already be too late.

Tracy Morgan's not the worst person on that show. He has this weird charisma that you can't hate him even though you really want to. It's that darn thing they're doing with Rachel Dratch that bothers the crap out of me. They should have put her in a permanent role instead of making themselves look cheap by wasting her on so many meager roles. She has more comedic range than the boardroom of writers on the show. You may be in luck. Anyway, his character and Jack are the easiest to quote. He is facing drunk driving charges that could put him away for a year.

I think its great what they're doing with Rachel Dratch. It's a great gimmick that's something different and I love finding out what role she'll take on each week. And as for Tracy Morgan, I have to disagree with you, yeoldesnlfan. I think he's one of the funniest parts of the show. I think he's good if you're into really random humour.

I disagree. I thought he was terrific tonight. Especially that random scene at the beginning w/ him as the knife robot.

I don't care for Tracy Morgan either. I don't find him funny at all. Not in 30 Rock and not in SNL.

Please don't lump Rob Schneider with Mr. Morgan, I have enjoyed Rob Schneider's stand up, long before he was on SNL. I'll always remember his "Elvis on a fish hook" routine.

If this were the 80's, I could easily see Tracy Morgan on the old TV show "Fridays", or maybe even SCTV, but he seriously isnt SNL material.

I didn't mean I didn't like him. I meant they could do much worst like say for instance scoop up Tim Meadows and try to do the whole subtly replace him with another unlike black guy like Lionel from the Jeffersons.

Your an idiot, Tracy is hilarious. Watching him trip out and see that blue person the other night was so funny. I think that was Tina with blue make-up on. And then seeing him up against the ceiling! I haven't laughed out loud at the TV like that since I watched Scubs. Looks like NBC has a new hit on their hands. Especially when it got moved to Thurdsay night. Thats TV talk for Cha-ching $$. I especially like Tracys interview on Howard Stern. Once you hear him interviewed then you can understand his comedy. Note to 30 Rock writers: Try to get Triumph the Insult Comic Dog on the show. Now that is funny!

Wait are you calling me an idiot? I'm not the one insinuating he wasn't funny. And it wasn't Tina it was Rachel Dratch, who does every hilarious stand in role.

I wonder why so many people are down on Tracy Morgan?

I wonder if it has to do with his "blackness" and the way he portrays black characters. Sometimes I think white people don't let themselves enjoy black characters because they think they're enjoying a sterotype.

Well, that's what most comedic characters are. We can laugh at a dumb blond, but not a cracked out black actor? Why not?

If someone is making me laugh I don't question why, I might not do it to their face, as to not be rude, but that's the great thing about TV.

Tracy Jordon is crazy, Tracy Morgan's delivery is perfect for the character. I wish I knew this person in real life.Maybe people are just afraid of a crazy black dude.

I couldn't agree more. He is awesome, and does a great job playing the "crazy actor". Im also curious why people dont like his humor, I crack up amost everytime he speaks. "The Blue Duuude, I dont like that dude." The part with Leo Spacmen (Tracys doctor) had me on the floor.

I don't really care for Tracy on 30 Rock. His character is extreamly obnoxious, in the bad way. There are the good obnoxious characters and the bad obnoxious characters. Also, Tracy doesn't make me laugh, he just makes me roll my eyes. I can see why he's on the show though: They need an idiot, somebody that generally screws stuff up. As much as I love Conan Obrien, I think Tracy was really annoying, and made the episode lower it's potentional. The funniest scenes where with Conan and Jack and Conan and Liz, not Conan and Tracy, which I think may have been their intentions.

Not every character can a be a winner, I guess.

Ahh tis a shame. I guess everyone has their own opinions tho. I personally love Tracey Morgan, and think he actually MAKES the show on some episodes.

lol he was arrested on my birthday!

Well at this point, i wonder how many episodes (if not all of them) have been taped already?

I feel like i always pin this kind of thing on her, but if worst comes to worst and Tracy cant be on the show for awhile, Tina can figure something out, right?
Maybe incorporate it into the storyline somehow? lol now i'm just fishing.

Yeah a drunk Tracy wouldn't be such a far stretch from his character I can see her writing it in to the script as long as Tracy didn't mind.

Nicole Ritchie was driving against traffic in the car pool lane while under the influence, and has yet to see jail time.

I really doubt Tracy Morgan will have to leave the show, even if he's had this problem before. Since hes famous, theyll give him a break. Probably make him go to AA.

It'd be weird if they just cast another random black guy in his place on the show like they did with Lionel on the Jeffersons.

I like Tracy's persona of being the wild card on the show. He gets to do the crazy stuff that the others are to stiff to do. To each their own type of humor. He's a part of a versatile shift in the show. There's Tina's workaholic, socially inept character and Baldwin's pompous boss-you-hate character. Tracy's whole thing is to be the one that sticks out like a thumb.

Thank you....reading all these other posts, i was beginning to think i was the only one!!!!


TM is an actor/comedian i would like to like, but he never seems to come out with the potential even I see in him...as far as his "blackness" as mentioned above, I can think of a number of (i'd like to think of it in my mind as) actors who happen to be black i really do like, even if they do pull more of what you might call a "street" persona. To me, TM doesn't do "street" he doesn't even do "crazy" or "eccentric....he just does "dumb" and I for one would like to see him do better in both his professional and personal life (the post i put together for the other thread didn't come thru, but in a word, DUI/DWI is NOT a Laughing matter, I hope he gets what is properly coming to him, not above or below, be it help and or punishment, and that he comes out of it <polly-anna as this may sound> A Better Person!!!)!!!!

I'm not looking to condemn, Just for him to get his act, literally and figuratively, together!!!!!

KA23

That is...if you think that his acting isnt up to par already. I think it is.

JK..(well i really do like his acting)...im just messing with you tho, I know that you dont like his acting at the moment.

I just found this message board. I love 30 rock! I think Tracy has potential to be extremely funny but it hasn't been brought out in the show yet.

30 Rock, is about to be Cancelled in my house. TM is poor at comedy in my opinion, and Tina Fey just isnt very funny either. There isnt much of anything I like about the show, however I have tried to give it my best shot. Ill watch 1 more week and hope for the best, but It's not looking good for 30 Rock.
I really wanted to like this show...but its just not happened....yet....if it ever does.

Thats too bad. This show is definitely not going to be everyone, also..different people have different views. I for one dont find any of the humor to be crude, but i could see where some wouldnt be okay with it.

At least you gave it a shot.

I'm actually a little confused on how you know what America thinks about this show, srpdude. I think his character is great and so outrageous that it'd be strange to take him out. His character is actually a parody on how crazy some actors can get when they've been in the business for so long. I think he works and Tina wrote the part especially for him.

I can't disagree more. Tracy "70% of my business comes from Miramax" Morgan is hilarious.

"I am a stabbing robot", the meat-machine, and just about everything he's done has been dead on funny. I really appreciated the Astronaut Jones homage they put into one of the episodes.

"Rocket
I'm taking a rocket.
I'm packing my suitcase
Hey, look out, Moon!

Yeah, a rocket
into outer space.
Goodbye, human race
I'll be there soon.

Blast off!
For fun and adventure.
Yes, I said adventure
collecting stones.

Yeah, it's my way
on the ol' space highway.
That's why they all say
"There goes Astronaut Jones!"

Hey!"

I wonder if the actor playing Tracy Morgan (Tracy Jordan?) is going to grow tired of his character. It is sort-of a parody of African-Americans, at least of the hip-hop generation. The guy is stupid, as was Step-and-Fetch-It in the 1930's.

Now, you can say that many of the characters on the show are stupid. True enough. But Tracy Morgan is a parody of a racial stereotype, a poorly educated blacks who hardly knows english. I find it a bit uncomfortable, but maybe that is just me.

This issue has been addressed multiple times. Tracy reading a newspaper, Tracy making financial investments, Tracy owning land in Russia and South America.

There's always room to change or grow the character.

As far as Tracy being dead on, I think there have been times when he has not been quite dead on, but very close. And more often than not he is funny. And very rarely have I thought his acting failed to convincingly create the desired act. I think the guy is getting good at the job of acting, and will only get better, as his performance improvement has shown throughout the season. The only danger is whether he gets tired of his character, as you say.

I guess it's because I'm white, but I saw Tracy's character as a full-of-himself actor, albeit with a black spin. With no one to say "No" to him, no less. Kinda like a young Dennis Hopper. I would imagine that if the character were say, Italian, there'd be furtive phone calls to DeNiro or Scorcese (Sp?) and some references to being connected. But still, the baseline is an actor that's a little too impressed with himself.

CANCELLED!

I returned to this website today to see if any felt as strong or differently than I do. It appears that, at least on this message board, I'm in the minority. Perhaps this is because this is a 'fan' message board, one would surmise that it is frequented more by fans than by critics. There's definitely a disconnect though. This show is no longer on my TiVo schedule and on many of my friends and co-workers so I stand by my analysis. The "much like America" comment alluded to the tuning out of the show....not that Tracy Morgan was the reason Americans were tuning out (check the ratings, Highwind). I, like some of the comments posted, had hoped to like this show. It didn't work out. I have no problem with black comics or laughing at black stereotypes. I just don't find Tracy humorous in his acting roles or skit comedy. Stand up comedy, yes. To each his/her own.

Greetings all...at first i was a little wary of this show, honestly the only reason i tuned in was because i what i saw of T Fey on SNL; and i dont watch that regularly. While it did get a great start out of the gate it was picked up quite a bit of momentum. I think TM is pretty funny on this show; the epidose with the "borrowed boat"; and the 1 where they thought he couldnt read were pretty funny. I didnt really get the meat machine though; nonetheless his presence on the show is an asset. I hope 30 Rock makes it and is aroung for a few years....

I agree. It has only been a couple of episodes and I bet Tracey's character has much much more tricks up his sleeve. To say you dont like a character so early on in a new show is lazy. One of the reasons I love this show is cause i never know what's gonna happen next.....and thats the point.
stay tuned.

Tracy Morgan is HYSTERICAL on 30 Rock. Tina Fey knows what he can do & is using his talents wisely. Tracy & Tina work well together & have great timing together. I am very surprised that he is not considered one of the funniest on the show. I think Tina is the funniest, followed by Tracy. I loved the Blue dude, when he couldn't read, the way he dances around cracks me up. Actually, everything he touches on the show is gold.

[quote name='UniWriter' post='1411311' date='Jan 12 2007, 02:24 AM']I can't disagree more. Tracy "70% of my business comes from Miramax" Morgan is hilarious.


Silent Bob Smiles

I love Tracy Morgan on the show! I think he's great.

It's probably a dead topic, but I must add my opinion that Tracy is genius on the show. He's SO weird, it goes with the weirdness of the show. Tracy is the EASIEST to quote. In closing, "**** straight. I'm delightful."

Tracy Morgan was really good in the show tonight. I agree that at times he's been the weakest link in the show and only so much fluff; but showing his sensitive side tonight after he lost his entourage was very cool and funny. Finally he seemed like a real person with feelings.

The episode where he "couldn't read" was dumb. Not real. Not believable. Who could relate to him in that show?

Also, the less Tracy's role is written like a big black cliche, the more he'll shine. He's got talent; his script just hasn't let him show it yet.

I know it's frustrating you Tracy. I hope they get it. Great job tonight with his script though, Tina, I thought it was really clever.

Is it possible for fans to order or obtain a copy of the fictional "Fat Bitc*" movie poster that Tracy Jordan was in? I've seen it around in a couple of episodes. That dog/human face poster makes me shat my pants whenever I see it.

In last night's hilarious episode "Corporate Crush", one subplot involved Tracy's character and his "Jefferson" film preview in which we see him bring a live horse into the studio. Later, the boss rejects his plan, and Tracy is resigned to forgetting about it, and tells his posse to help him "get the dead horse out of my car." I replayed it to be sure I heard it correctly.

Funny? Well, yeah I guess. But why is the depiction of a horse who apparently has died in Tracy's care (or lack thereof)...funny? Why is it the Black character who is saying this, with apparently no concern whatsoever about the animal, only that the animal's dead body is in his car?

It's a small thing, but in light of Michael Vick and such, IMO, it points to a phemomenon in the Black urban culture. That animals and more specifically, their neglect, is not all that big a deal. And in fact, as in this case, it is used for comic affect. Could one of the white characters have gotten away with the line? Hmmm, I don't think so. But because it came fom Tracy, a Black character, it is overlooked and no one has said anything about it so far as I have seen anywhere.

I find it interesting and disturbing. And sad.

From NBC Universal Media Village

Tracy Morgan plays wild and unpredictable movie star Tracy Jordan in the new NBC comedy series "30 Rock."

Emmy Award winner Tina Fey (NBC’s "Saturday Night Live," "Mean Girls") writes, executive-produces and stars as Liz Lemon in NBC’s "30 Rock," a workplace comedy where the workplace exists behind-the-scenes of a live variety show. The series is told through the comedic voice of Fey and features Alec Baldwin ("The Aviator,” “The Cooler”) as Jack Donaghy, the brash new network executive who has turned the show upside down with his meddling ways.

The single Lemon is living every comedy writer's dream – head writer on a demanding, live TV program in New York City. Her life is jolted when Donaghy interferes with her show, and bullies Lemon into convincing Jordan (Morgan, "Saturday Night Live," "The Longest Yard") -- a wild and unpredictable African-American movie star -- to join the cast. Now Lemon must manage the unmanageable so that the show – and her dream – can go on.

As a standup comic who headlined across the country, TV audiences first met Morgan in his role as "Hustleman" on the hit comedy series "Martin." Morgan next joined "Saturday Night Live" in 1996 where he appeared for seven seasons and created such memorable characters as "Astronaut Jones" and "Brian Fellows." After leaving "Saturday Night Live," Morgan went on to star in his own comedy series "The Tracy Morgan Show" and as the voice of "Spoonie Luv" on "Crank Yankers."

Morgan’s feature-film credits include "The Longest Yard," "Little Man," "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" and "Head of State."