Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, along with network NBCUniversal, have requested that four episodes of the show they co-created that features characters in Blackface are removed from streaming services and syndication.“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,”
Fey said in a statement. “I understand now that ‘intent’ is not a free pass for white people to use these images. 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 in question include Season 3's “
Believe in the Stars,” in which Jenna Maroney (Jane Krakowski) has darkened skin in order to appear Black and Tracey Jordan (Tracey Morgan) dresses up as a white woman when an argument escalates into a social experiment. Meanwhile season six’s “Live From Studio H,” where recurring guest star Jon Hamm wore Blackface makeup for a spoof of the 1950s radio and TV program
Amos ‘n’ Andy, has also been pulled. According to
Vulture, the last episode to be taken down is Season 5’s “
Live Show,” which doesn’t feature anyone wearing Blackface but includes a reference of a conspiracy theory that former U.S. President Barack Obama forged his birth certificate.[video_embed id='1966117']RELATED: Jimmy Fallon apologizes for blackface SNL sketch[/video_embed]In addition to being pulled from Hulu, Amazon Prime and traditional syndication, the episodes will also no longer be available for purchase on iTunes and Google Play.
30 Rock is the latest series to pull episodes over inappropriate content as discussions of white privilege, representation and the need for real change continue on a global scale.
Little Britain was
recently pulled from Netflix over Blackface scenes, as was an episode of Bob Odenkirk and David Cross’s 2015 sketch show,
W/Bob & David. Meanwhile
Gone With the Wind was pulled from HBO Max for the way it depicted the Black community (the movie will return with a disclaimer), police-glorifying reality series like
Cops and
Live: P.D. won't be returning and several current TV shows have vowed to
tackle issues of police brutality and systemic racism when they return for the upcoming fall season.
30 Rock ran from 2006 to 2013 on NBC and over its seven-season run, racked up 16 Emmy wins and six Golden Globes. Recently, NBC announced that Fey and co-stars Krakowski, Alec Baldwin, Tracey Morgan and Jack McBrayer
will reunite for an hour-long special to announce the network’s upfront programming.[video_embed id='1981275']BEFORE YOU GO: Lesley Hampton talks inclusivity in fashion[/video_embed]
