Season 5 Spoilers
April 20, 2011
Yes, Season 5 Spoilers already! Can you believe I get to make this post?! Matt is going to be so jealous! (Matt: I am! But I get to update it.) April 20th – Ask Ausiello As always the spoilers are under the break
April 20th – Ask Ausiello Question: Are we going to see Elizabeth Banks/Avery again on 30 Rock before the season ends? —Frances April 15 – It’s Condoleezza Rice! Condoleezza Rice is going where Edie Falco, Steve Martin and Jerry Seinfeld went before — “30 Rock.” The former secretary of state will make a guest appearance on the NBC sitcom, a spokesperson for Rice confirmed to TheWrap. Also read: Will Ferrell, Steve Carell Meet Cute on ‘The Office’ (Video) She taped her appearance on the show last month. According to Politico, Tina Fey said on her book tour that Rice will play Alec Baldwin’s girlfriend. As fans of “30 Rock” remember, Baldwin’s Jack Donaghy previously worked in the Bush Administration during a low point » (Note: I think the article meant ex-girlfiend.) March 14th – Photos of Tracy filming on location. Are we looking at a Return of the I am a Jedi?! February 27th – EW February 25th – NY Mag The last time Susan Sarandon did a network-TV guest turn was back in 2009, when she popped up on one of the final epsiodes of ER. For her next small-screen-series visit, Sarandon will be giving comedy a try: The Oscar winner will appear on the March 17 installment of 30 Rock. We don’t know much about what Sarandon will be doing, but the episode’s title — “Queen of Jordan” — gives us hope that this could be the episode where we finally get to see a lot more of Angie’s (Sherri Shepherd) reality show. February 15th – Michael Sheen Returns Continuing his discussion on 30 Rock, Sheen informs O-two that he would be returning as his Wesley Snipes character in the near future: “I’m really looking forward to going back. We had this idea that we would recreate Wesley Snipes movies, but for my Wesley Snipes.” February 15th – Aaron Sorkin to Guest This seems to be the end of the Studio 60-30 Rock rivalry. Victor: Tina Fey: Before he goes behind the scenes of a cable news network with his HBO pilot, uber-writer Aaron Sorkin will go behind the scenes of a fictional sketch show on 30 Rock. EW has learned exclusively that Sorkin — who will find out in two weeks whether his screenplay for The Social Network is deserving of an Oscar — will play himself in an episode that’s expected to air in March or April. As usual, insiders are tight-lipped about the actual plot, so let’s just assume Sorkin’s appearance will feature lots of artful yammering and long, continuous shots through the TGS halls. February 9th – John Riggi’s Twitter On the set today with the twins and Jeff R in the director’s chair. And if someone is more hilarious than @arnettwill can u point him out? February 8th – E! Online Penelope: Any 30 Rock news? Bad news, actually. We’re pretty sure that Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) and Carol (Matt Damon) break up during this week’s Valentine’s Day episode. For one thing, there’s the episode trailers that show them fighting, and for another, we’re told that the Eion Bailey casting we broke last week is for a man Liz is seeing “on the rebound.” Awww, come back soon Matt Damon! January 25th – Chloe Moretz’s Twitter Chloe Moretz from Kickass fame tweeted (has tweeted… Twittered?…has twittered? verb help!) that she is currently filming a part for 3o Rock. You can follow her twitter here and see if she leaves any details. January 22nd – Casting News for 5.13 If you’ve been hoping to see Vanessa Minnillo as something more than Nick Lachey’s sparkly arm accessory lately, here’s good news for you: Lachey’s fiancee, a former Miss Teen USA and MTV personality, will be doing a guest spot on NBC’s “30 Rock.” Minnillo plays Carmen Chao, the competitive co-worker of Jack’s pregnant girlfriend Avery (Elizabeth Banks). Got that? Also, Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) pretends she’s knocked up in order to hide Avery’s pregnancy. That’s all we know. January 15th – Robert Carlock on Jane’s Pregnancy When Jane Krakowski announced the happy news that she and fiancé Robert Godley are expecting a child, 30 Rock fans cried in unison, “By the hammer of Thor! What does this mean for Jenna? Will Jane’s pregnancy be written into the show?” At long last, the suspense is over. Tina Fey and exec producer Robert Carlock tell EW in an exclusive statement, “At this time, we plan to shoot around Jane’s pregnancy, because no child should have Jenna Maroney for a mother.” While our hopes for a clandestine Jenna-Kenneth tryst have been dashed, I do think the 30 Rock team has made a wise choice. How about you? January 12th – Liz Lemon is about to fall for a fanboy. An upcoming episode finds Tina Fey’s lovelorn alter meeting a gorgeous thirtysomething gentleman who just so happens to share her love of Star Wars. Sounds awesome, who would you cast? January 5th – EW When 30 Rock returns from winter hiatus Jan. 20, it’ll be in a new 10 p.m. slot, which could be good news for fans of the show’s rather unconventional tendencies. “It will be kind of exciting,” creator/star Tina Fey tells EW exclusively. “We have been wondering: Can we do even weirder things?” Weirder than Paul Reubens as an inbred Austrian prince? Weirder than Jenna dating a guy who plays her in a drag show? “We’ll try,” Fey says. Also coming up this season: [SPOILER ALERT!!!] Matt Damon will return as Liz Lemon’s pilot boyfriend, Carol, but, alas, don’t expect him to stick around. “We are going to break up,” Fey says. “It had to happen because he has to go make movies.” Better news? Tracy may clinch a key piece of his EGOT, and we might just get to see a whole half-hour of wife Angie’s reality show, Queen of Jordan (co-starring her hairdresser, natch). “We’re hoping to, maybe, if we can get away with it, do an entire episode that’s just an episode of Queen of Jordan,” Fey says. “Now I’m just superimposing my own TV viewing habits onto 30 Rock.“ December 8th – TV Guide TV Guide Magazine: When does the hilariously incompetent Dr. Spaceman return to 30 Rock? Parnell: I’m about to start shooting an episode that airs in January. [TV Guide Magazine has learned that the doc gives Tracy a physical and discovers symptoms only found in dead people.] It’s a pretty dreamy role. Anything can come out of Spaceman’s mouth. You never know what crazy place he’s going to or what scheme he’s got up his sleeve — he’s a nutbird! November 29th – EW How will Jack stay in the good graces of the suits at Kabletown, which just acquired GE Sheinhardt NBC Universal (coincidentally as Comcast takes over the real NBC)? With the secret weapon known as Sherri Shepherd, of course! After the midseason break, she’ll return to 30 Rock as Tracy’s wife, Angie, who stars in her own suspiciously Real Housewives-esque reality show. “Jack realizes she has all the attributes for a reality show,” exec producer Robert Carlock says. “And Liz, in spite of herself, is saying, ‘Yeah, I would watch that.’” Jack’s also got another network-exec innovation up his sleeve, too: a star-studded disaster relief benefit. For, of course, a disaster that’s yet to happen. “Jack has this idea that the highest-rated reality events are celebrity disaster relief benefits,” Carlock says, “so he decides to pre-tape one and beat the other networks to the punch.” We’ll also meet Jack’s new Kabletown boss, though he’s yet to be cast. Any ideas? November 23rd – EW How will Liz Lemon and company be celebrating the holidays? With (SPOILER ALERT) some pretty major life events, particularly for expectant-dad Jack (Alec Baldwin), though the bundle of joy isn’t due until early 2011. “The Christmas episode is the big one for us,” executive producer Robert Carlock says. “It’s the long-awaited reunion of Jack’s biological parents. A couple of years ago, Jack discovered his real father, but just to avoid an argument, he hasn’t told his mother that he knows her shameful sex secret.” That means guest appearances from Elaine Stritch and Alan Alda as said parents, with the requisite on-screen fireworks. Leading up to that family reunion, Will Forte will return as Jenna’s drag-queen-who-dresses-as-her boyfriend for a few episodes. “They have some ups and downs,” Carlock says. “He wants to try to be a normal couple, and she is afraid of that level of commitment.” New Year’s, meanwhile, will herald the return of another significant-other guest star, thanks to possible nuptials for Jack and baby-mama Avery (Elizabeth Banks): “The plan is for Jack and Avery to get married on New Year’s Eve on a French-speaking island,” Carlock teases, “but we discover when they get back that not everything went as planned.” November 17th – TV Guide 1 – 2 Looks like Alan Alda, Elaine Strtich and Sherri Shepherd will all be returning to 30 Rock in the near future. Here’s what they’ll be up to: More than five decades after their one-night stand, Jack Donaghy’s parents, Colleen (Elaine Stritch) and Milton Greene (Alan Alda), will reunite for the first time on the December 9 episode of NBC’s 30 Rock. “I first met Elaine probably 20 years ago but never worked with her before,” says Alda. “I always knew the reunion would be interesting. We kid with each other a lot, and our characters have a common enemy in their son.” As for the “bizarre” story line, Alda says, “It involves what would make Jack happy for Christmas. His main object is to get even with his mother for his whole life.” But the plan backfires, and the family ends up spending Christmas in the hospital. No wonder Mama Donaghy doesn’t look so merry. “Tracy Jordan’s (Tracy Morgan) wife, Angie (The View‘s Sherri Shepherd), will be getting her own Real Housewives-type reality show,” reveals the NBC sitcom’s executive producer Robert Carlock. “Having the cameras around forces Tracy to act on better behavior.” As for eternally camera-ready Andy (Cohen) guest-starring, Carlock jokes, “Gee, you think he’d do it? Tina certainly enjoys him and we have joked about having him on. Maybe we will.” We’ll have to watch what happens… November 9th – E! Online Carol: Any scoop on 30 Rock? Last week’s episode was awesome. Move over Rip Torn, Jack Donaghy is getting a new boss! 30 Rock producers are looking to cast a jolly John Candy type to play the CEO of Kabletown. We hear this guy is known as a “family man,” which makes us wonder if he meddles in Jack’s relationship with baby mama Avery. November 8th – Kay Cannon’s Twitter Tweeting from the 30 Rock set with @riggirobot and @TraceyWigfield and myself. Aka #bitchfest2010 Elaine Stritch. That lady is one funny bitch. #bitchfest2010 Jane Krakowski and Wil Forte = silliness and laughs. October 21st – EW Oct 20 2010 06:13 PM ET Question: Rumor around the Glee circuit is that Quinn and Rachel lock lips in episode 6. Any truth to that? —Joan Ausiello: Sorry, no. If it’s any consolation, it looks like the frenemies get fairly close to first base in the new GQ. Speaking of Glee, I can now confirm that the show is planning a Christmas episode. I don’t have any other details at the moment. I do, however, have a suggestion for Ryan Murphy: Please give us (read: me) an It’s a Wonderful Life homage with Sue at the center. I, er, we don’t ask for much. Question: Glee scoop, please! —Jeffrey Ausiello: Someone’s about to get expelled! Question: One Tree Hill. You’re a stingy Smurf when it comes to scoop on this gem of a show. —La-roo Ausiello: Sources close to the National Weather Center confirm that Mother Nature is doing me a solid and sending a major hurricane their way before season’s end. Question: Do you have any spoilers on No Ordinary Family?—Mike Ausiello: A recurring character has an appointment with the Grim Reaper in early December. Question: I am loving No Ordinary Family. Got any good spoilers for me? —Deb Ausiello: Stop me if you’ve heard this before: Julie Benz’ Ordinary parents will be played by Maddie Hayes and D-Day (a.k.a. Cybill Shepherd and Bruce McGil). Ma and Pa pay their superhero daughter a visit next month. Question: Could you stop using the phrase “hitcom”? It bothers me. —John Ausiello: Yes, but only because you asked nicely. Question: Please, we need some 30 Rock scoop! Thank you. —Cindy Ausiello: Look, up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s…wait, it really is a plane. And Matt Damon is driving it, in an episode that sounds like it’s going to take place largely on one of pilot Carol’s flights. Not only is Liz on board, but the show is casting such fellow passengers as a neurotic suit (seated next to Liz, which I don’t think has ever dulled anyone’s neuroses), a snippy gay male flight attendant, and — this is where things get interesting — an *** ********. Ok anyone have guesses what the asterisks stand for? October 6th – THR THR is reporting that Alan Alda will be back this season to reprise his role as Jack’s father, Milton Green. October 5th – E!Online Kelly in Georgia: 30 Rock me! This week’s episode is hilarious. Queen Latifah guests as a melodramatic Congresswoman (see a sneak peek of her performance here), but more importantly, when Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) tries to get his page job back, Jenna (Jane Krakowski) becomes his stage mother. (Brooke Shields’ mother is going to have to resign as most famous pushy showbiz mama of all time, because Jenna will not stop until her little star gets the fame/glory/job he deserves!) September 19th – TV Guide “We will finally get to the bottom of where Liz’s sextual dysfunction comes from,” teases exec producer Robert Carlock. “There’s a childhood story that is hopefully more hilarious than disturbing, which may or may not involve a Tom Jones poster.” Carlock aslo says Damon and Banks will retunr. He has an “adventure though the city” planned for the birth of Tracy’s daughter, and hints that Jack (Alec Baldwin) could be in for a corporate battle royale now he’s not the GE giant anymore. “Jack goes down to D.C. to help out with the KableTown hearings… and maybe finds a new nemisis down there.” Kenneth: The disgraced ex-page won’t be off NBC’s payroll for long, says Carlock, but even his brief absence will mess with a certain TGS star’s sanity. “In the first episode, Tracy is hallucinating and seeing him everywhere… like the death of a loved one. Of course, he thinks he sees him at strip clubs and other inappropriate places.” September 1st – EW Question: 30 Rock scoop…please? — Randy Ausiello: On the red carpet at the Emmys, Jane Krakowski told me that as the show enters its fifth season, the show within the show is entering its fifth season as well. And “Jenna has all these wacky things built into her contract [that kick in at this point], because nobody thought we’d still be on the air,” she said. “So I get to be a producer.” Question: You’re always so nice about making with the 30 Rock spoilers. Please don’t let the streak end today. —Henna Ausiello: Since you lied about me being so nice, how can I resist? At the Emmys, Keith “Toofer” Powell revealed that in one of the first new episodes, he’d be getting a big story line. And not just that: “It involves one of the funniest scenes I have ever read,” he teased. Okay, I’m intrigued. You? August 30th – EW Emmy Video: Tina Fey nabs Jon Hamm for ’30 Rock’ live episode (and Paul Giamatti, period!) by Michael Ausiello Sometimes it’s like pulling teeth on the red carpet. But bless her heart, 30 Rock funny lady Tina Fey volunteers the scoopage as freely as that nice lady at the Piggly Wiggly who gives out the free samples of GoGurt. In this pre-Emmy clip, she reveals that she’s booked Mad Man Jon Hamm for a return appearance as Drew in her show’s much-anticipated live episode, and she’s nabbed Emmy winner Paul Giamatti (John Adams) to play… Well, you’ll just have to watch the video after the jump to find out! (No, seriously, you have to watch it, because you won’t find out anywhere else. She promised me the exclusive. And she wouldn’t lie to me. Wait, would she? Go here to see the video! (It’s hilarious.) August 30th – TV Guide 5. Liz Lemon’s getting a boyfriend: “I shot with Matt Damon last week. He was hilarious,” says 30 Rock‘s Tina Fey. “He’s my boyfriend when the season begins. We find out he’s a very, very sensitive gentleman with many emotions. Just an onslaught of emotions. Hopefully we’ll see him again later in the season.” August 26th – Sherri Shepherds twitter Everybody’s here on 30 Rock! Just passed @the realkeithpowell & Judah Friedlander & got a scene w Chris Parnell – whewww this is fun! ACTION OMG!! I’m on set @30 Rock next to Tina Fey & MATT DAMON is sitting behind me! I went over & said hi – think I just got pregnant! Jamal Damon Dr. Spaceman and Angie return! August 26th – EW’s Ausiello Question: Please tell me some good 30 Rock scoop! —Cindy Ausiello: Would you settle for good-ish? A casting call has gone out for an African-American male in the 30s-60s age range to play Rutherford Rice, the distinguished, well-spoken host of Right On, a fictitious talk show focusing on African-American issues. Is it racist of me to assume this probably involves Tracy? Probably. August 20th – AV Club Is more Dr. Spaceman in our future? Chris Parnell: That’s absolutely right. Even though my time at SNL was—I got fired twice, but even with that, I still enjoyed going to work. I like doing television because if you’re lucky and on a show that goes, you go into work every week with the same people you get to know them. I enjoy that. Not that I don’t like doing the occasional movie when they come along, but I like TV. And I think I’m going to be doing more 30 Rocks. August 9th – In Touch Weekly He may look his hunky best as an action hero, but Matt Damon was adorable as Tina Fey’s bumbling love interest on 30 Rock’s fourth season finale — and according to cast member Katrina Bowden, the actor will return to his role on the hit sitcom. “We don’t know what all of the surprises are going to be, but I can tell you that Matt is coming back this season for some appearances,” August 5th -Grizz’s Twitter Great day at the table read with cast and Paul giamatti funny guy July 14th – Ask Ausiello Question: I will draw you a Smurf picture if you let me know whether or not Kenneth is returning to 30 Rock. —Veronica Ausiello: Yes, he is, although exec producer Robert Carlock says, “We haven’t cracked HOW he is getting [his job] back, but of course he will get back somehow. We just wanted a fun thing to shuffle the deck a little bit and send him off into the world. Of course, he will miss it and he will be missed. Events will bring him back.” June 27: From the E! Spoiler Chat - Thom in Louisville, Ky.: What a great finale 30 Rock delivered. Where are things picking up when it comes back? Things are picking up with a big ol’ shman! OK, not right away, but according to the lovely Jane Krakowski, “Will Forte will be coming back as Jenna’s shman.” Liz Lemon is getting lucky in love, too! “I do believe Matt Damon is going to come back,” Jane tells us. “He is scheduled to make some return appearances if we can work them around his schedule and availability.” Woo to the hoo! Let’s start a bridal registry for Liz Lemon now. June 27: From Ask Ausiello – Some friends and I are making an impromptu road trip to New York City this weekend. I realize you are probably too busy to meet with some lowly fans, so can I at least get some 30 Rock season 5 details? —Collin Ausiello: Yeah, um, sorry, I’m actually even too busy to get together with uppity fans, never mind the lowly ones. But here’s your 30 Rock scoop: We’ve probably seen the last of Julianne Moore — and heard the last of her Boston accent. “It seems like she has bowed out of the Jack race because of [Avery's] pregnancy,” she notes with a sigh. “But I hope in some way she gets to come back. If they asked me, I’d be there in a second” — Beantown patois and all. “I went to school in Boston and worked with a lot of guys from Dorchester, so that’s where [the accent] came from,” she explains. “We made it thick…for humor’s sake, but then again, not really. There are folks with seriously heavy accents there, and they are proud of it.” And if you didn’t like it, Collin? “That’s what TiVo is for,” she laughs. “You can just rewind if you miss something!” Posted in Season 5, Spoilers |
April 15th – Guess which former Secretary of State will Guest Star
March 14th – Tracy on Location
February 27th – First look at Susan Sarandon
Ausiello: You will. Jack’s baby mama resurfaces next month with what sounds like some serious nanny issues. “Jack and Avery do not take care of their own baby and there’s a lot of drama surrounding that,” Banks previews. “But Avery’s a work
Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on ‘Glee,’ ‘Fringe,’ ‘One Tree Hill,’ ‘Desperate Housewives,’ ’30 Rock, and more!
Image Credit: Ali Goldstein/NBC; Ron Tom/ABC; Adam Taylor/ABC; Adam Rose/FoxGot a scoop request? An anonymous tip you’re dying to share? Just want to say hi? You can send any/all of the above to ausielloscoop@ew.com
July 7th, 2010 at 9:20 am
Did we know this?
http://www.examiner.com/x-15166-Comedy-Examiner~y2010m7d6-With-Alec-Baldwin-and-Steve-Carell-leaving-their-respective-NBC-sitcoms-what-happens-to-Thursdays
I can’t say I’m shocked but definitely sad about this news…
August 20th, 2010 at 10:48 am
So… what do we think Paul Giamatti’s doing on 30 Rock? Kabletown exec?
August 21st, 2010 at 3:46 pm
What the what? Alec Baldwin is leaving. Bleh.
August 22nd, 2010 at 7:41 am
Alright, Paul Giamatti!
August 22nd, 2010 at 11:46 am
Cheyenne Jackson said on his twitter account that Danny would be back too!
August 22nd, 2010 at 12:12 pm
Alec Baldwin may or may not be leaving. He finally clarified this month after all the talk: what he originally said was that he was going to be done in 2012 because as of now that is when 30 Rock is ending (though it may change). So it sounds like he meant, ‘well, if the show’s leaving then, I am, too’. But hopefully we’ll get more than six seasons! We’ll have to see.
Look at this awesome article/interview:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/rock/story-e6frg8n6-1225897459663
August 30th, 2010 at 5:46 pm
I mean, I guess I get that they want to leave. A show should always end on top, like Arrested Development or Friends.
August 30th, 2010 at 5:55 pm
Haha, “I will draw you a Smurf picture”…
August 31st, 2010 at 7:22 am
Ok who is the other mystery guest Tina talks about with Ausiello? I’m hoping it’s someone fun she doesn’t want to reveal.
Maybe someone a lot of people would want to be on 30 Rock.
Maybe someone whos on hiatus because her show doesn’t return til January.
Maybe someone who has worked with Tina at Sudio 8H before.
Maybe Amy Poehler?
August 31st, 2010 at 9:30 am
Yes, maybe Amy Poehler?
August 31st, 2010 at 9:56 am
On TWOP yesterday I was speculating about Amy as mystery guest. It’d be a great opportunity for them to finally use her. And Fey, Hamm & Amy all seem to be buds – maybe Amy will be Drew’s new GF!
August 31st, 2010 at 10:43 am
TBH that’s brilliant. Amy would be a good GF for Drew. The real question people have is Drew: Hooks or no Hooks?
August 31st, 2010 at 11:32 pm
No, that’s a terrible idea.
Amy should play an alcoholic from the Midwest.
September 1st, 2010 at 8:26 am
Haha that too. So long as she has scenes with Tina.
My dream for an Amy guest star has always been: she’s a rival tv writer that teams up with Devon to take down Liz and Jack…
September 19th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
I would also write Poehler in as Alfonso’s girlfriend.
September 19th, 2010 at 10:52 pm
Hahaha, that would be insanely hilarious!
September 20th, 2010 at 3:25 am
Getting to the bottom of Liz’s sexual dysfunction sounds like it’s going to be HILARIOUS. Along with Tracy imagining he’s seeing Kenneth in strip clubs and other inappropriate places
November 23rd, 2010 at 10:05 pm
Can’t wait to see the Christmas episode with Alda and Stritch. Hopefully, there will also be some singing.
January 12th, 2011 at 3:03 pm
I’d really like to see Jason Bateman or Paul Rudd play Liz’s new fan boy. Either one would be perfect.
January 14th, 2011 at 11:31 am
This will never happen, but I’d love to see Jon Stewart playing the fan boy.
February 17th, 2011 at 12:04 am
I would so love it if we got to see Wesley back for a S5 episode. Liz and Wesley may not be compatible, but Tina and Michael have great chemistry in their scenes.