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Secrets and Lies (30 Rock)
Encyclopedia
"Secrets and Lies" is the eighth episode of the second season
of 30 Rock
, and the twenty-ninth overall. It was written by Ron Weiner
and directed by Michael Engler
. The episode first aired on December 6, 2007 on the NBC
network in the United States. Guest stars in this episode include Reathel Bean, James Carville
, Paul Eichel, Edie Falco
, Melissa Gallagher, Jabari Gray, Blaine Horton, John Lutz
, Erich McCall, Andrew Polk, Reshma Shetty, Tom Treadwell and Darlene Violette.
In this episode, Celeste "C.C." Cunningham (played by Edie Falco
) wishes to go public with her relationship with Jack Donaghy
(Alec Baldwin
). Jenna Maroney
(Jane Krakowski
) gets angry when she thinks Liz Lemon
(Tina Fey
) lets Tracy Jordan
(Tracy Morgan
) do anything he likes. Frank Rossitano (Judah Friedlander
) and James "Toofer" Spurlock (Keith Powell
) feud over Toofer's status as a Harvard University
alumnus.
, tells him that she wants to go public with their relationship. The pair had been avoiding this because C.C. is suing the Sheinhardt Wig Company, the fictional parent company of NBC
. During their secret relationship, Jack and C.C. had been sneaking to each other's house in disguises, including C.C. as a plumber named Mr. Spoonatelli. C.C. confides in Liz (after she finds out about their relationship), and Jack confides in political consultant James Carville
, who gives Jack advice on how two important people from opposite political positions can make their relationship work 'Cajun Style,' without regard for how others perceive them. Eventually, Jack takes C.C. to dinner in the GE executive dining room where he reveals his relationship to the other executives, leading to the other executives making some bizarre revelations of their own.
When Jenna wins an award for her work on Mystic Pizza
: The Musical: The Movie, in the category of "Best Actress in a Movie Based on a Musical Based on a Movie", Tracy is annoyed that he never wins any awards of his own. When Liz feels sorry for him, she tells him that he has won a Pacific Rim Emmy Award
for his work on TGS with Tracy Jordan, a fictional sketch comedy
series. Pete Hornberger (Scott Adsit
) helps Liz stage a fake acceptance speech for Tracy, which is also attended by Tracy's co-stars, Jenna and Josh Girard (Lonny Ross
). When Tracy recognises nearly everybody who works on the show, except for Jenna, Jenna gets angry and claims that Liz is willing to jump through hoops for Tracy, but not her. As a result, she becomes disobedient and unco-operative and starts her own entourage, much like Tracy. Liz, distraught with Jenna's new behavior, reveals to her that she in fact "coddle[s] the crap" out of her as well as Tracy. Liz then reveals that Jenna did not win an award for Mystic Pizza: The Musical: The Movie and that the "award" statue was actually a cookie (by taking a bite out of it).
After a night of performing stand up at Harvard University, Frank comes into work wearing a Harvard jersey, even though he did not attend the university. Outraged by this, Harvard alumnus Toofer tells him to take it off. When Frank refuses, the pair begin to argue, even going to the extent of dressing up as each other constantly. Their argument is also eventually mediated 'Cajun Style' by James Carville, who then proceeds to also demonstrate how to steal candy from a vending machine 'Cajun Style'.
. The performance, which was titled 30 Rock — On Strike!, was to display support for the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike
, which began on November 5, 2007. The performance took place on November 19, 2007. All the main cast members of the series were in attendance, although due to other commitments, guest star Edie Falco was unable to appear in her role as Celeste "C.C." Cunningham. In her place was the Saturday Night Live
head writer
, Paula Pell. As guest star James Carville was also unable to attend, an unnamed 30 Rock writer filled in for him. Other 30 Rock writers, including Donald Glover
, also played the smaller, "bit" parts. During the "commercial breaks", cast member Jack McBrayer and recurring cast member John Lutz improvised fake comedic advertisements for various products. Sheinhardt Wig Company t-shirts, which were signed by the cast of 30 Rock, were also raffled off during the performance.
episode "Early Release."
Robert Canning of IGN
wrote that the episode "came close to fulfilling [its] potential, but was unable to keep the rapid-fire comedic pace going for the entire episode." He added that the second half of the show was not "a complete loss, but, man, that first act just steamrolled viewers with hilarious bit after hilarious bit." Matt Webb Mitovich of TV Guide
thought that the "unexpected treat this week was guest star James Carville, who's presence as confidant to Jack not only made sense, but Carville also had a lot of fun lampooning himself 'Cajun style' and all. And look at how well his advice for Frank and Twofer worked!"
30 Rock (season 2)
The second season of 30 Rock, an American television comedy series, originally aired between October 4, 2007 and May 8, 2008 on NBC in the United States. 30 Rock takes place behind the scenes of a fictional live sketch comedy series depicted as airing on NBC; the name refers to 30 Rockefeller...
of 30 Rock
30 Rock
30 Rock is an American television comedy series created by Tina Fey that airs on NBC. The series is loosely based on Fey's experiences as head writer for Saturday Night Live...
, and the twenty-ninth overall. It was written by Ron Weiner
Ron Weiner
Ron Weiner is an American television writer. He has written for several shows, including 30 Rock, NewsRadio, Futurama, Arrested Development, Father of the Pride, and Help Me Help You....
and directed by Michael Engler
Michael Engler
Michael Engler is an American theatre director, and television director and producer. His Broadway credits include Eastern Standard and I Hate Hamlet...
. The episode first aired on December 6, 2007 on the NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
network in the United States. Guest stars in this episode include Reathel Bean, James Carville
James Carville
Chester James Carville, Jr. is an American political consultant, commentator, educator, actor, attorney, media personality, and prominent liberal pundit. Carville gained national attention for his work as the lead strategist of the successful presidential campaign of then-Arkansas governor Bill...
, Paul Eichel, Edie Falco
Edie Falco
Edith "Edie" Falco is an American television, film and stage actress, known for her roles in Oz as Diane Wittlesey, as Carmela Soprano on the HBO series The Sopranos, and as the titular character on the Showtime series Nurse Jackie...
, Melissa Gallagher, Jabari Gray, Blaine Horton, John Lutz
John Lutz (television writer)
John Lutz is an American actor, writer and comedian.-Biography:The son of a Lutheran minister, Lutz grew up in suburban Chicago and Detroit. He attended Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana, where he was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, majoring in psychology and minoring in...
, Erich McCall, Andrew Polk, Reshma Shetty, Tom Treadwell and Darlene Violette.
In this episode, Celeste "C.C." Cunningham (played by Edie Falco
Edie Falco
Edith "Edie" Falco is an American television, film and stage actress, known for her roles in Oz as Diane Wittlesey, as Carmela Soprano on the HBO series The Sopranos, and as the titular character on the Showtime series Nurse Jackie...
) wishes to go public with her relationship with Jack Donaghy
Jack Donaghy
John Francis "Jack" Donaghy is a fictional character on the NBC sitcom 30 Rock. He is the Vice President of East Coast Television and Microwave Oven Programming for General Electric and later Kabletown....
(Alec Baldwin
Alec Baldwin
Alexander Rae "Alec" Baldwin III is an American actor who has appeared on film, stage, and television.Baldwin first gained recognition through television for his work in the soap opera Knots Landing in the role of Joshua Rush. He was a cast member for two seasons before his character was killed off...
). Jenna Maroney
Jenna Maroney
Jenna Maroney is a fictional character on the American television series 30 Rock, played by Jane Krakowski.-Fictional biography:Jenna was born Ystrepa Grokovitz on February 24, 1969 and grew up in Bakersfield...
(Jane Krakowski
Jane Krakowski
Jane Krakowski is an American actress and singer. She is most well known for her performance of Elaine Vassal on Ally McBeal, for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award, and for her current role as Jenna Maroney on the NBC sitcom 30 Rock, for which she has been nominated for three Emmy...
) gets angry when she thinks Liz Lemon
Liz Lemon
Elizabeth Miervaldis "Liz" Lemon is the main character of the American television series 30 Rock. She is portrayed by Tina Fey, who is also the creator of the series and its showrunner.-Personal history:...
(Tina Fey
Tina Fey
Elizabeth Stamatina "Tina" Fey is an American actress, comedian, writer and producer, known for her work on the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live , the NBC comedy series 30 Rock, and films such as Mean Girls and Baby Mama .Fey first broke into comedy as a featured player in the...
) lets Tracy Jordan
Tracy Jordan
Ogbert Jordan, better known by his stage name, Tracy, is a fictional character on the American television series 30 Rock, based on and played by Tracy Morgan.-Brief overview:...
(Tracy Morgan
Tracy Morgan
Tracy Morgan is an American comedian who is best known for his eight seasons as a cast member on Saturday Night Live and currently known for playing the role of Tracy Jordan on the NBC series 30 Rock.-Early life:...
) do anything he likes. Frank Rossitano (Judah Friedlander
Judah Friedlander
Judah Friedlander is an American actor and comedian, known for his trademark trucker hats, oversized glasses and unkempt appearance, which he retains in many of his screen roles.-Early life:...
) and James "Toofer" Spurlock (Keith Powell
Keith Powell
Keith Powell is an American television actor who is best known for his role as James "Toofer" Spurlock on the NBC sitcom 30 Rock.-Career:Powell was the Producing Artistic Director of Contemporary Stage Company, a summer theater in Wilmington, Delaware...
) feud over Toofer's status as a Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
alumnus.
Plot
Jack is worried when his girlfriend C.C., the Democratic congresswoman for the state of VermontVermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
, tells him that she wants to go public with their relationship. The pair had been avoiding this because C.C. is suing the Sheinhardt Wig Company, the fictional parent company of NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
. During their secret relationship, Jack and C.C. had been sneaking to each other's house in disguises, including C.C. as a plumber named Mr. Spoonatelli. C.C. confides in Liz (after she finds out about their relationship), and Jack confides in political consultant James Carville
James Carville
Chester James Carville, Jr. is an American political consultant, commentator, educator, actor, attorney, media personality, and prominent liberal pundit. Carville gained national attention for his work as the lead strategist of the successful presidential campaign of then-Arkansas governor Bill...
, who gives Jack advice on how two important people from opposite political positions can make their relationship work 'Cajun Style,' without regard for how others perceive them. Eventually, Jack takes C.C. to dinner in the GE executive dining room where he reveals his relationship to the other executives, leading to the other executives making some bizarre revelations of their own.
When Jenna wins an award for her work on Mystic Pizza
Mystic Pizza
Mystic Pizza is a 1988 American coming of age film directed by Donald Petrie and starring Annabeth Gish, Julia Roberts, and Lili Taylor.The title of the film was based on a pizza shop that caught the eye of Hollywood screen writer, Amy Holden Jones...
: The Musical: The Movie, in the category of "Best Actress in a Movie Based on a Musical Based on a Movie", Tracy is annoyed that he never wins any awards of his own. When Liz feels sorry for him, she tells him that he has won a Pacific Rim Emmy Award
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
for his work on TGS with Tracy Jordan, a fictional sketch comedy
Sketch comedy
A sketch comedy consists of a series of short comedy scenes or vignettes, called "sketches," commonly between one and ten minutes long. Such sketches are performed by a group of comic actors or comedians, either on stage or through an audio and/or visual medium such as broadcasting...
series. Pete Hornberger (Scott Adsit
Scott Adsit
Scott Adsit is an American actor, writer and improvisational comedian. He is currently co-starring as Pete Hornberger in the hit NBC comedy 30 Rock and worked in the Adult Swim stop-motion animation programs Moral Orel and Mary Shelley's Frankenhole.-1990s:After attending Columbia College Chicago,...
) helps Liz stage a fake acceptance speech for Tracy, which is also attended by Tracy's co-stars, Jenna and Josh Girard (Lonny Ross
Lonny Ross
Lonny Ross is a comedy actor and writer. He was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for his work as Josh Girard on the NBC sitcom 30 Rock...
). When Tracy recognises nearly everybody who works on the show, except for Jenna, Jenna gets angry and claims that Liz is willing to jump through hoops for Tracy, but not her. As a result, she becomes disobedient and unco-operative and starts her own entourage, much like Tracy. Liz, distraught with Jenna's new behavior, reveals to her that she in fact "coddle[s] the crap" out of her as well as Tracy. Liz then reveals that Jenna did not win an award for Mystic Pizza: The Musical: The Movie and that the "award" statue was actually a cookie (by taking a bite out of it).
After a night of performing stand up at Harvard University, Frank comes into work wearing a Harvard jersey, even though he did not attend the university. Outraged by this, Harvard alumnus Toofer tells him to take it off. When Frank refuses, the pair begin to argue, even going to the extent of dressing up as each other constantly. Their argument is also eventually mediated 'Cajun Style' by James Carville, who then proceeds to also demonstrate how to steal candy from a vending machine 'Cajun Style'.
Production
This episode was performed live on stage at the Upright Citizens Brigade TheatreUpright Citizens Brigade Theatre
The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre or UCB Theatre is an improvisational theatre and associated UCB Training Center with locations in Chelsea, New York, the EEast Village, New York and Hollywood, California.....
. The performance, which was titled 30 Rock — On Strike!, was to display support for the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike
2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike
The 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike, more commonly referred to as simply the Writers' Strike, was a strike by the Writers Guild of America, East and the Writers Guild of America, West ....
, which began on November 5, 2007. The performance took place on November 19, 2007. All the main cast members of the series were in attendance, although due to other commitments, guest star Edie Falco was unable to appear in her role as Celeste "C.C." Cunningham. In her place was the Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
head writer
Head writer
A head writer is a person who oversees the team of writers on a television or radio series. The title is common in the soap opera genre, as well as with sketch comedies and talk shows that feature monologues and comedy skits, but in prime time series this function is generally performed by an...
, Paula Pell. As guest star James Carville was also unable to attend, an unnamed 30 Rock writer filled in for him. Other 30 Rock writers, including Donald Glover
Donald Glover
Donald McKinley Glover is an American actor, writer, comedian, and musician. Glover first came to attention for his work in the sketch group Derrick Comedy, and is best known for his role as community college student Troy Barnes on the NBC comedy series Community...
, also played the smaller, "bit" parts. During the "commercial breaks", cast member Jack McBrayer and recurring cast member John Lutz improvised fake comedic advertisements for various products. Sheinhardt Wig Company t-shirts, which were signed by the cast of 30 Rock, were also raffled off during the performance.
Reception
"Secrets and Lies" brought in an average of 5.8 million viewers. The episode also achieved a 2.7/7 in the key 18–49 year old demographic. The 2.7 refers to 2.7% of all 18–49 years olds in the U.S., and the 7 refers to 7% of all 18–49 year olds watching television at the time of the broadcast in the U.S.. This episode ranked first in the male 18–49 year old demographic, growing 4% from its lead-in of the My Name Is EarlMy Name Is Earl
My Name Is Earl is an American television comedy series created by Greg Garcia that was originally broadcast on the NBC television network from September 20, 2005, to May 14, 2009, in the United States...
episode "Early Release."
Robert Canning of IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
wrote that the episode "came close to fulfilling [its] potential, but was unable to keep the rapid-fire comedic pace going for the entire episode." He added that the second half of the show was not "a complete loss, but, man, that first act just steamrolled viewers with hilarious bit after hilarious bit." Matt Webb Mitovich of TV Guide
TV Guide
TV Guide is a weekly American magazine with listings of TV shows.In addition to TV listings, the publication features television-related news, celebrity interviews, gossip and film reviews and crossword puzzles...
thought that the "unexpected treat this week was guest star James Carville, who's presence as confidant to Jack not only made sense, but Carville also had a lot of fun lampooning himself 'Cajun style' and all. And look at how well his advice for Frank and Twofer worked!"