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Strollerderby
Is ’30 Rock’ a ‘Muppet Show’ Rip-off?
You love “30 Rock.” You love “The Muppet Show.”
Maybe there’s a reason you love them both.
Writer Bryan Lynch makes an amazingly compelling case for why Tina Fey’s popular-but-low-rated sitcom is actually just a big ol’ copy of Jim Henson’s old-time variety show.
Some highlights:
THE PREMISE
Each week, our smart yet neurotic lead character has to manage a group of wacky misfits and put on a weekly sketch comedy show. Which show am I talking about?
TRACY JORDAN VS. THE GREAT GONZO
The insane cast member overflowing with eccentricities? Check. Is in a committed relationship but has a wandering eye? Check. Has to be watched closely or he will hurt himself? Check. Watch this clip from THE MUPPET SHOW and picture Tracy Jordan doing it instead of Gonzo:
KENNETH THE PAGE VS. SCOOTER
Kenneth is a naive, earnest page who runs around the set trying to put out fires and make everyone happy. Scooter, on the other hand, is a naive, earnest GO-FER who runs around the set trying to put out fires and make everyone happy. Totally different.
As an added bonus, reading Lynch’s post caused me to remember “Werewolf Bar Mitzvah” (“Boys becoming men… Men becoming wolves…”), and by following his YouTube link, I discovered that there is a FULL-LENGTH VERSION of the faux “Tracy Jordan Novelty Record.” Listen to it here.
The image above, by the way, is from an actual episode of “30 Rock.” I think Mr. Lynch may be on to something. How about you?
Source: BlogLynch
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4 Comments
Cali Mom commented on Jun 22 09 at 4:57 pmHilarious! And don’t forget the episode when they showed that, through Kenneth’s eyes, everyone looked like a muppet version of themselves.
Brett Singer commented on Jun 22 09 at 5:15 pmWow. I never saw that one. I think this guy is on to something…
Frank commented on Sep 02 09 at 4:07 amI concede there may be some similarities between a couple of characters, but to call it a “big ol’ copy” is a bit extreme.
I mean, to call it a copy or a ripoff is to say that Tina Fey sat down and purposely copied certain elements from the muppet show.
To call it a “big ol’ copy” is to say she sat down and copied every single element from the muppet show.
I disagree with Bryan Lynch and believe he should choose words more wisely.
Jennifer Powell commented on Jul 04 10 at 12:40 pmTinay Fey is really good in impersonating Sarah Palin. Great Comedian.-:”
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