 |
NBC still hasn't pulled the trigger and ordered more episodes of "30 Rock," but it does want to see what those hypothetical episodes might look like.
The network has asked the first-year comedy for three more scripts, according to The Hollywood Reporter. That's on top of the three teleplays NBC asked for last month, bringing the show's total to 19 scripts.
However, as of now NBC hasn't committed to producing any episodes beyond "30 Rock's" initial order of 13. The series, which stars former "Saturday Night Live" writer-performer Tina Fey as the head writer on an "SNL"-like comedy show, has struggled in the ratings this season.
Airing first on Wednesdays, the series averaged about 6.3 million viewers and an unspectacular 2.4 rating in the adults 18-49 demographic that is NBC's primary focus. In its first airing on Thursday last week, a super-sized episode drew only 5.2 million viewers, though the 18-49 number remained steady.
On the plus side, "30 Rock" has earned fairly positive reviews, especially for Alec Baldwin's performance as off-kilter NBC executive Jack Donaghy. NBC chief Kevin Reilly is also a fan of the show, and the network is showing unusual patience with some of its first-year shows this season. "Friday Night Lights" and "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" have already received full-season orders despite lackluster ratings.
Starting next week, "30 Rock" will become part of NBC's reconstituted Thursday comedy block. It will air at 9:30 p.m. ET, following the return of "Scrubs."