30 Rock in Danger of Growing Stale

NBC musical dazzles critics... mostly

(NEWSER) - If you watched the Super Bowl, you just might have heard of Smash, NBC's new drama about the making of a Broadway musical. It premiered last night, and critics are (mostly) giving it a standing ovation:

• The buzz has gotten so intense that the conversation isn't even about whether it'll be good. "Good? Darling, it's great!" gushes Mary McNamara of the LA Times . The creators have "managed to capture the grand and sweeping gesture that is musical theater and inject it with the immediate intimacy of television," an impressive, unprecedented feat.

NBC gives Handler a lot of freedom: 'LAT'

(NEWSER) - If you were worrying that a Chelsea Handler sitcom on network TV would tame the bawdy comedian, you can stop. Tonight's NBC debut of Are You There, Chelsea? features bartender Chelsea, played by Laura Prepon, behind bars for drunk driving, where she prays (to vodka) and promises to change her life. No, not to quit drinking ... just to relocate within walking distance of the watering hole. The show also includes the sex term "lady wood," the Los Angeles Times notes. More»

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

(NEWSER) - American Airlines flight attendants are so furious with Alec Baldwin they want his sitcom banned from their airplanes. The Association of Professional Flight Attendants has asked that 30 Rock be removed from all American Airlines flights in the wake of the very public squabble that erupted when he got booted off a plane, reports CNN . No word on whether American will honor the request, though the attendants say they will withdraw it if Baldwin apologizes. If his SNL appearance is any guide, that's doubtful. More»

Weiner's downfall may create opening for 30 Rock star

(NEWSER) - With Anthony Weiner's hopes of becoming mayor of New York City rapidly shriveling, Alec Baldwin spies an opportunity. The 30 Rock star is believed to be considering throwing his hat into the ring now that the front-runner is fading, reports the Wall Street Journal . With the primary still two years away, "I wouldn't rule it out," says Baldwin's spokesman. "It's a long way till November of 2013," tweeted the actor, a Democrat. More»

He says Tina Fey will go on to direct, write films

(NEWSER) - Alec Baldwin was honored last night at the National Dance Institute's fundraising fete, but that's not what's making headlines today. Instead, it's one little comment Baldwin made about 30 Rock, telling New York that "next year is our last year of the show." The magazine notes that Baldwin has talked of leaving the show in 2012, but has never before mentioned that the show itself might end. More»