"Live from Studio 6H" | |
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30 Rock episode | |
Episode no. | Season 6 Episode 19 |
Directed by | Beth McCarthy-Miller |
Written by | Jack Burditt Tina Fey |
Production code | 619 |
Original air date | April 26, 2012 |
Guest appearances | |
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"Live from Studio 6H" is the nineteenth episode of the sixth season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock, and the 122nd episode overall. It features a return to live broadcasting from the season five episode "Live Show", both of which were directed by Beth McCarthy-Miller, and co-written by series creator Tina Fey. The episode originally aired live on the NBC television network in the United States on April 26, 2012, with separate tapings for the East Coast and West Coast audiences. "Live from Studio 6H" featured guest appearances by comedian Amy Poehler, musician Paul McCartney, and several actors associated with 30 Rock and Saturday Night Live.
30 Rock follows the production of the fictional sketch comedy program The Girlie Show with Tracy Jordan (TGS). In this episode, producer Jack Donaghy and head writer Liz Lemon decide to cease live broadcasts of TGS to save money. In order to save the magic of live television, Kenneth Parcell gives an impassioned history of live broadcasting to his co-workers in order to maintain the tradition for the show.
The episode makes explicit references to classic television sitcoms and variety shows. It uses humor such as breaking the fourth wall and acknowledges that the actors are portraying fictional characters. It received generally positive reviews from critics.
On June 22, 2020, it was revealed that both versions of this episode would be pulled from syndication due to the segment of Jon Hamm wearing blackface.[1]