30 Rockremains popular long after its 2013 finale – in no small part thanks toTina Fey and her team of30 Rockwritersand their ability to conjure up incredible cameo appearances. Marginally influenced by Fey’s time onSaturday Night Live,30 Rockexplores Liz Lemon’s (Fey) fictional sketch-comedy show, while her executive boss Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) coerces her into a mentorship under his tutelage. TheNBC series is faous for its huge guest lineupas well as its array of one-off cameos – both of which still get me excited a decade after the concluding episode, “Last Lunch”.
There’s a lot to admire about30 Rock, even though some episodes have aged better than others. That being said, there are still plenty of moments that are ahead of the time for a late 00’s network sitcom. Season 2, episode 4, “Rosemary’s Baby,” is one of several30 Rockepisodesthat stand out for me from the sitcom’s seven-season run. 17 years after “Rosemary’s Baby” aired,Carrie Fisher remains my favorite30 Rockcelebrity cameothanks to the episode’s hilarious and heartfelt story.
There Are So Many Layers of Depth To Rosemary’s Character
Carrie Fisher’s role in30 Rockis brief, but significant. Rosemary (Fisher) appears when30 Rockwas at its peak at the beginning of season 2, and is introduced as Liz Lemon’s idol. After meeting at a book event, Liz invites Rosemary to TGS as a guest writer, butRosemary’s controversial ideas for the show do not go down well in the writers' room. Rosemary storms onto the show as a fiery visionary who is increasingly riotous and unruly. On the surface, many aspects of Rosemary’s character seem deliberately over-the-top. However, the truth is much more complicated.
Whenever I rewatch “Rosemary’s Baby,” I find it striking how layered and multifaceted Fisher’s character really is.There’s a clear correlation between Rosemary’s beliefs and Carrie Fisher’s attitude towards Hollywood’s treatment of womenand the challenges Fisher herself faced throughout her career. The late actress' memory is so cherished because she was relentless in speaking out about her mental health, and the intolerance towards women in Hollywood once they reach a certain age - despite the repeated attempts to suppress her voice.
I still believe Fisher to be the most clued in on Hollywood’s mistreatment, because Fisher herself was a victim of the system.
It’s noteworthy that Fisher was chosen for this cameo given her personal experience of Hollywood’s ageist attitude towards women. For instance, when Liz Lemon informs30 Rock’s star, Alec Baldwin, “Rosemary says that women become obsolete in this business when there’s no one left that wants to see them naked,” the statement is more of an indication of Fisher’s treatment in the industry than a simple off-hand one-liner. It’s because details like this make Fisher’s appearance so nuanced that I believe she represents the best30 Rockcameo.
From Steve Martin to Matt Damon, The 30 Rock Line Up Never Disappoints
30 Rockboasts an impressive variety of talent throughout its run. Most notable are the guest stars that returned in multiple episodes and served as important plot points for Liz Lemon or her counterpart, Jack Donaghy. Matt Damon, Jason Sudeikis, Elizabeth Banks, and Julianne Moore are just some of the stars who feature in multiple episodes as the love interests of30 Rock’s respective protagonists. Once I’d spent a considerable amount of time with the characters through seven seasons,it was easy to root for certain guest star relationships.
“Long Overdue & So Well-Deserved”: Carrie Fisher Honored On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame
The late Carrie Fisher is finally being honored with her own star at the Hollywood Walk of Fame. As Mark Hamill observes, it’s about time.
The moreshort-lived cameos on30 Rockare just as entertainingas the range of guest stars. Although Conan O’Brien’s cameo inThe Officeonly lasted 10 seconds, the comedian frequently appears as himself throughout the sitcom as a former lover of Liz Lemon, serving as delightful comedy relief. Other highlights that stand out in30 Rock’s portfolio of cameos is the star of the acclaimed sitcomFriends, David Schwimmer. Schwimmer arrives in season 2, episode 5, “Greenzo,” and has an entire episode dedicated to an environmental mascot. The fact that there are so many great30 Rockcameos only makes Fisher’s success more impressive.
Carrie Fisher’s List Of Cameos Is Extensive
Fisher’s Influence Across The Screens Was Monumental
Most people will recognize Carrie Fisher for her most legendary role, Princess Leia Organa in theStar Warsfranchise. However, while Leia is her most famous performance,Carrie Fisher has plenty of great rolesoutside of sci-fi fantasy. One example is Fisher’s memorable appearance inThe Big Bang Theory, season 7, episode 14, “The Convention Condundrum,”. This is particularly interesting asCarrie Fisher and James Earl Jones (Darth Vader) only met for the first timewhen the pair both starred inThe Big Bang Theory.
Sex and the Cityalso features Fisher portraying herself during season 3, in a scene that lasts just over one minute, but Carrie Fisher’s presence alone commands the scene.
Carrie Fisher’s role inScream 3is as meta as you might expect from the motion picture slasher, and the movie makes reference to her years spent portraying Princess Leia. Fisher only appears in one scene, but contributes significantly to the plot of the murder.Sex and the Cityalso features Fisher portraying herself during season 3, in a scene that lasts just over one minute,but Carrie Fisher’s presence alone commands the scene. However, even though these cameos are doubtlessly entertaining, Carrie Fisher’s cameo in30 Rockstill remains my favorite because of Rosemary’s important message behind the troublesome writer.
