Live from Studio 6H

"Live from Studio 6H"
30 Rock episode
The cast of 30 Rock and their special guests bid goodnight to the live audience at the end of "Live from Studio 6H" in a tribute to Saturday Night Live
Episode no.	Season 6 Episode 18
Directed by	Beth McCarthy-Miller
Written by	Jack Burditt and Tina Fey
Original air date	April 26, 2012 (2012-04-26)
Guest appearance(s)
Fred Armisen as Frank 2.0/Phone Lady Jimmy Fallon as young Jack Donaghy Will Forte as Paul L'Astname Donald Glover as young Tracy Jordan Jon Hamm as Abner and David Brinkley (latter in East Coast airing) Kim Kardashian as herself (West Coast airing) Paul McCartney as himself (East Coast airing) Chris Parnell as Leo Spaceman Amy Poehler as young Liz Lemon Kristen Schaal as Hazel Wassername Brian Williams as David Brinkley (West Coast airing)
Episode chronology
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30 Rock (season 6) List of 30 Rock episodes

"Live from Studio 6H" is the nineteenth episode of the sixth season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock, and the 122nd episode overall. It features a return to live broadcasting from the season five episode "Live Show", both of which were directed by Beth McCarthy-Miller, and co-written by series creator Tina Fey. The episode originally aired live on the NBC television network in the United States on April 26, 2012, with separate tapings for the East Coast and West Coast audiences. "Live from Studio 6H" featured guest appearances by comedian Amy Poehler, musician Paul McCartney, and several actors associated with 30 Rock and Saturday Night Live.

30 Rock follows the production of the fictional sketch comedy program The Girlie Show with Tracy Jordan (TGS). In this episode, producer Jack Donaghy and head writer Liz Lemon decide to cease live broadcasts of TGS to save money. In order to save the magic of live television, NBC page Kenneth Parcell gives an impassioned history of live broadcasting to his co-workers in order to maintain the tradition for the show.

The episode makes explicit references to classic television sitcoms and variety shows and draws humor from breaking the fourth wall and acknowledging that the actors are portraying fictional characters. It received generally positive reviews from critics.

Jack (played by Alec Baldwin) announces to Liz Lemon (Fey) that the network is ceasing live broadcasts of TGS in order to save money. NBC page Kenneth Parcell is distressed by the decision and locks the show's staff into a room to convince them of the magic of live television by recounting memorable moments in NBC broadcast history. Meanwhile, TGS co-star Jenna Maroney (Jane Krakowski) announces that she plans to upstage her fellow actors by announcing her engagement on air and NBC page Hazel Wassername (Kristen Schaal) decides that she will run onstage to get her big break in entertainment by proposing to Maroney herself.