30 Rock: Music Analysis

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Recommended: Analysis of a musical piece

For this assignment, I watched the pilot episode of the hit TV show 30 Rock. Based on the behind-the-scenes action of Saturday Night Live, this comedy show focuses on writer Liz Lemon managing her show and crazy cast. For that reason, the music featured in this short episode reflects upon the comedic stylings of the show. As we meet Liz Lemon, there is an upbeat instrumental. Clearly, this is ironic because Liz is arguing with another man in line at a hotdog stand. Then, lyrics are added that state, “Everybody loves her, all the boys want her,” as Liz buys all the hotdogs so the man cannot have any. In this scene, both the characteristics of Liz and the overall show is set. To elaborate, Liz is revealed to be a passionate character who is disliked …show more content…

Next, we meet Jack Donaghy. While there is exciting music playing, the watcher believes that something positive is about to happen. However, the new head of the department Jack Donaghy interrupts this by saying, “Gary is dead.” Once again, the music is used to add to the humorous situation. As we know, the music in the show sets the stage for irony to enter. An example of this is when Jenna Maroney is speaking with Jack Donaghy about the show as classical music plays softly in the background. This serious conversation is ruined as assistant Kenneth Parcell brings Jenna her hemorrhoid cream and interrupts both the music and discussion. The music reiterates the comedic effect of hemorrhoid cream and makes the change of tone even more obvious. In a like manner, the music also indicates a scene change. For example, when actor Tracy Jordan and Liz Lemon leave the fancy restaurant and enter a home-style cooking restaurant, the music fades from elegant to a jazz-inspired piece. From that point, they leave the restaurant and enter an establishment where young women exotically dance. The music aids the new scene by changing from jazz to a more sultry

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