NBC Brings Back Tina Fey: Can She Save ‘Must See TV’ With A New Comedy?
Tina Fey will be re-teaming with her executive producing partner Robert Carlock in an effort to rejuvenate NBC’s once strong, now dismal comedy programming. Fey and Carlock had originally been slated to release the Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt on the struggling network, but in an odd move, NBC announced it was passing on Schmidt last year. Fey’s comedy ended up on Netflix, where it was met with critical acclaim and multiple Emmy nods.
The new comedy, which Tina will produce, is yet to be named and, thus far, only a pilot of the show has been ordered. However, with Tina Fey on board and Emmy award-winning writer Tracey Wigfield of 30 Rock and The Mindy Project at the helm, insiders are confident that the show will get a series order. The new Tina Fey series is said to be about a young woman making her way up the career ladder at a cable network when her overbearing mother is hired as an intern.
It’s been two and a half years since Fey’s uber successful comedy 30 Rock left NBC’s airwaves. 30 Rock was Tina’s first solo project since leaving her gig as the head writer for Saturday Night Live. Since that time, Tina Fey has gone on to author a best-selling book, produce and star in multiple film projects, produce and write the Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and host the Golden Globes with real life BFF Amy Poehler.
While Fey’s 30 Rock originally struggled with ratings, it went on to become a highly successful comedy for NBC, garnering an astounding 103 Emmy nominations in its seven-season run with multiple wins for Outstanding Comedy Series and writing and lead actress wins for Fey.
Once upon a time, NBC was the top network when it came to the 30-minute comedy genre. While it struggled to return to the number one spot, Tina Fey’s 30 Rock, Amy Poehler’s Parks and Recreation, and the beloved Steve Carrell vehicle The Office had helped re-launch the network’s “Must see TV” Thursdays that had been so popular in the 1980s with shows such as The Cosby Show and Family Ties.
While NBC may have never been fully happy with the ratings performance of Tina Fey’s 30 Rock, it appears they may have some seller’s remorse over the release of Kimmy Schmidt given Fey’s multiple Emmy nominations. As NBC entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt put it, “We’re whores for Emmy nominations like anybody else.” And chances are, with Tina Fey on board, NBC might have the opportunity to experience that glory again.
Are you excited for a new Tina Fey project? Tell us what you think!
[Image courtesy of Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images.]
