'30 Rock' ends its run


In the fall of 2006, Aaron Sorkin debuted the next big show for NBC. It was a dramedy called "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip." It was a high brow production — starring Matthew Perry and Bradley Whitford — about the behind the scenes working of a late night sketch comedy show, suspiciously like "Saturday Night Live." Everyone was sure it would be a big hit.

Also that year, NBC bowed a 30-minute sitcom with a similar premise. This one from "Saturday Night Live" executive producer Lorne Michaels and one of its writers and stars, Tina Fey. "30 Rock" was about a show on NBC, often taking shots at the network it called home. It featured Alec Baldwin, Jane Krakowski and Tracey Morgan. No one thought much about it, because "Studio 60" seemed like the better bet.

Flash forward seven seasons, and "30 Rock" wrapped up its run as one of the most critically acclaimed shows on NBC. As for "Studio 60," well it barely lasted one season. Though never a ratings powerhouse, "30 Rock" was one of the more quality shows on TV, which helped it run seven seasons and sail off into the sunset in a fitting fashion last Thursday night.

It has been a rough patch for NBC — once among the most popular networks. Not only has the Peacock failed to generate many hits, it's aging critically acclaimed shows are wrapping up. "30 Rock" bade farewell on Thursday and another staple, "The Office," is in its final run. In some ways, it marks the end of a comedic era.

But while "The Office" seems to have over stayed its creative welcome, "30 Rock" ended in as fine a form as it began. Watching the arc of Jack Donaghy, Liz Lemon and the rest of the crazy "TGS" team brought a smile to your face each week. But more than that, it was the kind of comedy that made you smarter with it's quick references to pop culture and current events.

Endings are hard. A lot of shows struggle to get it right and to find the ending that matches the vision of the rest of the series. That's what made the final episode of "30 Rock" a treat. It felt like a fitting end to the journey, and a perfect way to bid goodbye to one of the most creative comedies ever to air on network TV. I'm just sorry the ride is over.

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