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Fey's Everywhere; 30 Rock MIA

NBC's moves to promote show's popularity miss the mark

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 13, 2008 3:09 PM CDT

(Newser) – Tina Fey’s popularity is at an all-time high, but NBC hasn’t tried to capitalize by moving up the season debut of her critically acclaimed sitcom 30 Rock. NBC has struggled to boost the show’s ratings, the New York Times reports, and hopes three Saturday Night Live specials on Thursdays will keep audiences when 30 Rock returns in that slot Oct. 30.

The SNL specials, and a series of ads promoting this season’s guest stars, were designed to pull 30 Rock out of its 6.5-million-viewer rut. But should NBC have sacrificed its strategy to capitalize on Fey’s importance to the zeitgeist? “If we knew then what we know today about how hot Tina was going to be, would we do it differently? Maybe,” said a network exec.

Though Tina Fey has scored big impersonating Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin on "Saturday Night Live," NBC hasn't moved up this season's debut for her show "30 Rock." (AP Photo)

Tina Fey poses with her Peabody Award for the television series "30 Rock" in the press room at the 67th Annual Peabody Awards, June 16, 2008 in New York. (AP Photo)

Tina Fey, left, and Amy Poehler make the first award presentation at the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, Sept. 21, 2008. (AP Photo)

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Fey's Everywhere; 30 Rock MIA

NBC's moves to promote show's popularity miss the mark

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They're still angry over his criticism of them, airline

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Viewership down 9.3% from year before

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Boss uses wrong shot in story about possible run for presidency

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Fey's Everywhere; 30 Rock MIA

NBC's moves to promote show's popularity miss the mark

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Saturday Night Live • NBC • comedy • Tina Fey • 30 Rock • TV ratings • Sarah Palin

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

SNL Comes Up Lame This Primary

This field should be a gift from the comedy gods: Kera Bolonik

Stalled Career, Ageism Drove Ex- SNL Writer to Suicide

Wayne's World writer Joe Bodolai found dead in Hollywood hotel room

Flight Attendants Want Baldwin's 30 Rock Off Airplanes

They're still angry over his criticism of them, airline

NBC's Ratings Keep Sinking

Viewership down 9.3% from year before

Fox Mixes Up Sarah Palin, Tina Fey

Boss uses wrong shot in story about possible run for presidency

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

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More News

What is Newser?