As the Black Lives Matter movement has shone another light on racism in modern society, one thing has become clear in pop culture — there's a hell of a lot of blackface out there. Myriad shows have been removed from streaming and syndication after indulging in the practice, and up next is 30 Rock.
On Monday (June 22), Tina Fey and Robert Carlock asked streamers and syndicators to delete four episodes of the show that included depictions of blackface and other racist stereotypes.
The episodes being removed are "Believe in the Stars" (Season 3, Episode 2) and "Christmas Attack Zone" (Season 5, Episode 10), both of which saw Jane Krakowski's character Jenna wear blackface, as well as "Live from Studio 6H" (Season 6, Episode 19), which featured Jon Hamm in blackface as part of an "Amos 'n' Andy" parody, as well as the East Coast edition of "The Live Show" (Season 5, Episode 4).
"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," Tina Fey wrote in an internal letter obtained by Variety. "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,"
Fey is set to rejoin Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, Jane Krakowski and Jack McBrayer for a 30 Rock reunion on July 16 via NBC.
On Monday (June 22), Tina Fey and Robert Carlock asked streamers and syndicators to delete four episodes of the show that included depictions of blackface and other racist stereotypes.
The episodes being removed are "Believe in the Stars" (Season 3, Episode 2) and "Christmas Attack Zone" (Season 5, Episode 10), both of which saw Jane Krakowski's character Jenna wear blackface, as well as "Live from Studio 6H" (Season 6, Episode 19), which featured Jon Hamm in blackface as part of an "Amos 'n' Andy" parody, as well as the East Coast edition of "The Live Show" (Season 5, Episode 4).
"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," Tina Fey wrote in an internal letter obtained by Variety. "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,"
Fey is set to rejoin Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, Jane Krakowski and Jack McBrayer for a 30 Rock reunion on July 16 via NBC.