‘30 Rock‘ blackface episodes are being removed from streaming platforms.
Networks around the world are changing their programming following the growing Black Lives Matter protests. As a result, Tina Fey has asked several episodes of the show ’30 Rock’ get removed from syndication due to the use of blackface.
According to Variety, Fey, and the show’s co-creator Robert Carlock wrote to the streaming platforms hosting the show to ask for the removal of four episodes.
The note reads, “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. 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.”
’30 Rock’ aired from 2006 to 2013, with a core cast including Alec Baldwin, Jane Krakowski, Tracy Morgan and Tina Fey. The show became popular for its guest stars and humor. Guests include Oprah Winfrey, Matt Damon and Jennifer Aniston. The removed episodes featured Krakowski and guest actor Jon Hamm wearing blackface.
All of the episodes will be removed, while some were already removed from streaming platforms. Viewers will no longer be able to purchase the episodes on iTunes or Google Play.
On Juneteeth, industry actors and directors including Sterling K. Brown, Gabrielle Union, Cynthia Erivo, Ava DuVernay, Barry Jenkins, Nia DaCosta, Trevor Noah, Lena Waithe, Justin Simien, Lee Daniels, Dee Rees, Franklin Leonard, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Niecy Nash, Thandie Newton, Janet Mock, and others signed their names to an artists’ statement for the collective Black Artists for Freedom.
The goal is to “amplify the movement’s work and to call out our own industries for what they are: institutions the promote colonialism, capitalism and racism, and that function in exploitative and destructive ways.” In addition, the statement adds those signed are looking to “eliminate” racist stereotypes of Black people in media.
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