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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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 OPINION 
4

30 Rock Decoded: It's The Muppet Show

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(Newser) – For once, the latest viral Internet sensation isn’t a crazy video—it’s a crazy theory: 30 Rock is a rip-off of The Muppet Show. Not crazy, blogger Brian Lynch contends, before marshalling “so many facts you HAVE to concede I'm absolutely right.” From Tina Fey/Liz Lemon as the Kermit figure to the show's own coded confession, he’s pretty convincing:

  • “Jenna Maroney” vs. Miss Piggy: “NBC got really lazy on this one, as Jane Krakowski looks like the human version of the beloved Muppet.”

  • Kenneth the Page vs. Scooter: Both are "naive, earnest" characters who want to "make everyone happy." But one's a human and one's a gopher—"totally different." Or not.
  • "Tracy Jordan" vs. The Great Gonzo: "In 30 Rock's defense, the actual Tracy Morgan was ripping off Gonzo's completely ludicrous antics long before 30 Rock was on the air."
To see the full argument, including a look at the mommy issues plaguing both Alec Baldwin's "Jack Donaghy" and Fozzie Bear, click the link below.  

Haunted by
Haunted by "30 Rock" star Alec Baldwin's resemblance to Fozzie Bear? You're not alone.   (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
"30 Rock" mastermind Tina Fey with her Screen Actors Guild award for outstanding performance by a female actor, Jan. 25, 2009, in Los Angeles. Kermit the Frog never even had a shot.   (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, spiritual ancestors of
Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, spiritual ancestors of "30 Rock" characters Liz Lemon and Jenna Maroney.   (dorcm1973)
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In this clip from "The Muppet Show," James Coburn and Animal meet up with Kermit, who may or may not be Liz Lemon of "30 Rock."   (Mirimaro123)

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4 comments
VIEWING:
 
rajanKazhmin
Jun 10, 09 1:17 PM CDT
This only makes me like the show more. Reply
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+1
Netstorm2k9
Jun 10, 09 1:32 PM CDT
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and the Muppet show deserves both. Reply
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+1
skeptik
Jun 10, 09 2:12 PM CDT
Scooter was a gopher?? Reply
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0
kokuaguy
Jun 10, 09 4:15 PM CDT
Both the Muppets Show and 30 Rock will go down in television history. Reply
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0
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Alec Baldwin • Tina Fey • Tracy Morgan • 30 Rock • Muppets • Muppet Show • Kermit the Frog • Miss Piggy • Jane Krakowski • Great Gonzo • Fozzie Bear • Scooter (Muppet)

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