'30 Rock' Ending In 2012, Alec Baldwin Says

Jack Donaghy has one more season to get to the top of Kabletown.

Speaking to NY Magazine's Vulture blog on Tuesday, the "30 Rock" star said that the Emmy-winning comedy is entering its final season, and would end in 2012.

"I will tell you one thing, and that is our show next year is our last year of the show," Baldwin said. "Our contracts are expired [in 2012], and Tina [Fey] is gonna have a big career directing films and writing. She's going to be the next Elaine May. She'll be great."

"30 Rock" has been a smash with critics, but has struggled with low ratings. Fey, the show's star, head writer and producer, wrote in her book "Bossypants" that she thinks her impression of Sarah Palin has hurt the show's audience.

Baldwin has already said that 2012 would be his last year on the show -- and as an actor; he's a prominent progressive and talked openly about wanting to run for political office. Fey already has a number of hit movies; "Mean Girls," with Lindsay Lohan, has been her biggest hit, while "Baby Mama" and "Date Night" have done well.

Before Baldwin retires from acting, he'll star in the big screen adaptation of the broadway hit "Rock of Ages."

For more, click over to Vulture.

Comments

[EmilyRose2010]

07:18 AM on 04/13/2011

never forget the first year of the show, no advertisement beforehand, but the advertisement exploded for the sitcom that matthew perry was in and it bombed; i think his latest sitcom lasted 2 weeks, think it was called mr. sunshine; maybe he should try behind the scenes like ross (friends).

[brophrog]

05:47 PM on 04/07/2011

Hallelujah!

[propitiousmoment]

01:01 PM on 04/07/2011

This is more depressing than a government shutdown.

[propitiousmoment]

12:59 PM on 04/07/2011

Tina Fey is brilliant, and 30 Rock is brilliant, and I love Alec Baldwin. Sad to see them stop, but I will be watching for what is next from Tina, and I hope Alec runs for Congress! And I wish them all well.

[paniangelica]

11:48 AM on 04/07/2011

Crap. Most depressing birthday news ever. And as much as I love it, 30 Rock should not go on without Jack.

Depressing. Favorite sitcom - we need laughs (and, dare I say - the intelligent writing that is so rare today). I need laughs. Please, Alex - say it isn't so...

[ArtCarnage]

11:44 AM on 04/07/2011

It's hit the golden rung of 100 episodes (or will, on their April 21st 1-hour episode), which means they have enough shows in the can to go into syndication. Most half-hour comedies lose money during their initial run, and only start really making money in syndication.

I think they want to go out on a high note, like The MTM Show, Seinfeld, etc. instead of letting it run too long. Last thing you want is to just peter out, like Northern Exposure, which was so out of ideas near the end, that they were recycling old script ideas.

[VariousComplaints]

08:05 AM on 04/07/2011

I didn't read the book, but I be her rabid support of Hillary Clinton also had a negative effect on the audience. I know it did for me.

[Citizen54]

02:38 PM on 04/07/2011

I thought I read that Fey was a supporter of John McCain (like her boss Lorne Michaels).
Maybe that was a joke that went over my head, but I don't think so.

[cameron d]

01:36 AM on 04/07/2011

Best network comedy since Arrested Development, which was the best one since Seinfeld, and so on and so on...

[Alvy5521]

01:35 AM on 04/07/2011

Best written comedy on tv with a great cast. "30 Rock" will be missed.

[mheister]

12:52 AM on 04/07/2011

Not surprised. Carrell is leaving the Office for pretty much the same reasons Fey's cutting 30 Rock after 7.

[EllaMode]

12:50 AM on 04/07/2011

I am SO depressed.

[littlebrowngirl]

10:45 PM on 04/06/2011

Love the show. Will miss it. Where are the reruns?????

[EllaMode]

12:53 AM on 04/07/2011

Netflix streaming.

[Shari Hodges]

09:23 PM on 04/06/2011

I watched it one time. This is an actors show, kinda like being invited backstage, where all the jokes are inside jokes, and all the awards are coming from the choir.

[cookerman45]

11:47 PM on 04/06/2011

exactly.

[brophrog]

05:48 PM on 04/07/2011

Second that...

[SweetBabu]

08:00 PM on 04/06/2011

Noooo--love this show. It's the smartest comedy on TV, hands down.

[pj-smith]

08:33 PM on 04/06/2011

like to see alec do something else

[BillAnthony]

01:39 AM on 04/07/2011

I've seen him on TV recently shilling for the banksters.

[brophrog]

05:53 PM on 04/07/2011

Smarter than what? Hope to never see that stringy looking woman again...