30 Rock: An Analysis

  Like most sitcoms, 30 Rock does not just deliver on its comedic promise, it also provides insight into the real issues of life. Our own lives are also both humorous and emotional. In the clip above, a resolution of one of many friendship disputes is shown. When reflecting on the friendships shown in the sitcom and comparing them to the friendships in our lives, one may ask what constitutes a valid friendship. To analyze 30 Rock's answer to this question, I bring in Aristotle. The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosphy defines Aristotle as, " a towering figure in ancient Greek Philosophy, making contributions to logic, metaphysics, mathematics, physics, biology, botany, ethics, politics, agriculture, medicine, dance and theatre." (Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, n.d.). Using his book Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle provided insight on what he believed contributes to a well lived human life. One of these contributions is friendship. Pleasure, utility, and virtue, Aristotle's three motivations for friendship, can be used to analyzed 30 Rock's, although dramatized, accurate portrayals of friendship.

 On utility, Aristotle writes that, "those who love each other for utility love the other not in his own right but only insofar as they gain some good for themselves from him" (Warne, 2006). This could be used to refer to characters Liz Lemon and Tracy Jordan's friendship, or a modern boss/client relationship. Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan), is an irreverent actor brought in to save the ratings for Lemon's how. Throughout the series, Lemon must deal with Jordan's antics in order for him to continue acting on her show. In order for Lemon to succeed, she must assist Jordan in succeeding. Most of Lemon and Jordan's interactions emulate the friendship characteristic of utility. On utility, Dr. Tim Madigan states " When the purpose for which the relationship is formed somehow changes, then these friendships tend to end. For instance, if the business partnership is dissolved, or if you take another job, or graduate from school, it is more than likely that no ties will be maintained with the former friend of utility" (Madigan, 2007). This can translate back to Lemon and Jordan's relationship, as their friendship is put aside once the work issue is resolved.

  Expanding on his explanation of utility, Aristotle refers to pleasure as, "The same is true of those who love for pleasure; for they like a witty person not because of his character but because he is pleasant to him" (Warne, 2006).  While watching 30 Rock, one could have the initial thought that Jenna Maroney and Liz Lemon are good friends. With a closer analysis of the series, one can see that Maroney and Lemon's relationship can be related to Aristotle's pleasure aspect of friendship. In season one episode eleven, Maroney says to Lemon "No Liz, do not talk about stuff like that on your date. Guys like that do not like Star Trek." Lemon later corrects her and states that she was talking about Star Wars. With situations like this recurring throughout the sitcom, one can imply that Maroney and Lemon's friendship is based on pleasure. Instead of meaning and depth, their friendship constitutes of men and parties. This reflects back to our own friendships, such as friends or acquaintances who are simply there to attend events or be used as a "wing woman/man."

  30 Rock comedically displays our own friendships onto television screens. Using Aristotles descriptions of friendships to analayze, (albeit without virtue) it is clearly shown that the relationships between the characters closely reflect relationships that can be found in our own lives. Throughout the sitcom, friendships are seen as the main debacle. When these friendships mirror our own, the comedy of the show seems to be more effective.