Tina Fey Wants ’30 Rock’ Episodes With Blackface Removed From Streaming
30 Rock creators Tiny Fey and Robert Carlock have requested that four of the show’s episodes be removed from streaming and syndication. This is because they feature characters in blackface.
Per Variety, Fey made a statement, saying, “As we strive to do the work and do better in regards to race in America, we believe that these episodes featuring actors in race-changing makeup are best taken out of circulation. I understand now that ‘intent’ is not a free pass for white people to use these images.”
She adds, “I apologize for pain they have caused. Going forward, no comedy-loving kid needs to stumble on these tropes and be stung by their ugliness. I thank NBCUniversal for honoring this request.”
The 30 Rock episodes that show blackface are Believe In The Stars (season 3, episode 2), Christmas Attack Zone (season 5, episode 10), Live from Studio 6H (season 6, episode 19), and the East Coast version of The Live Show (season 5, episode 4). In two episodes, Jane Krakowski is in blackface. In the others, Jon Hamm.
All of the episodes will be removed from streaming services by the end of this week.
