30 Rock Features NBC/Comcast Subplot, Brian Williams Cameo

30 Rock is well known for using both real-life news events and personalities to drive their plot: Alec Baldwin’s character “Jack Donaghy” is said to be based on management style of Lorne Michaels, many believe that Will Arnett‘s turn as up-and-comer “Devin Banks” is inspired by former NBC programmer Ben Silverman, and of course Liz Lemon is, well, Tina Fey. But last night’s episode featured a storyline ripped from the Mediaite headlines: NBC’s takeover by a Philadelphia cable provider, affectionately referred to as “Kabletown.”

But for many, the real highlight of last night’s episode was the trash-talking cameo by Nightly News anchor Brian Williams (also known as “the funny one” amongst the NBC News talent lineup), taunting fictional CNBC host Avery Jessup, played by Elizabeth Banks. The cameo is a recurring role for Williams, whose comedic acting chops might lead to a second career if the news anchor “thing” doesn’t work out.

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