“The Aftermath”

Aaaaaaactually I couldn’t find any reference to a factory explosion around the time this episode was written. Just thought I’d include it in case you were wondering if there was a reference. Officially, no. Not as far as I can tell. You’re welcome.

The 30 Rockefeller Plaza studio where TGS is supposedly shot — Studio 6H — doesn’t exist, but it’s a nod to the legendary Studio 8H where Saturday Night Live has made magic for more than three decades.

The studio number refers to the floor on which it’s located: NBC News and MSNBC take up most of the third floor, where studios 3A, 3B, 3C and 3K are located. On the sixth floor, Late Night with Conan O’Brien was filmed in Studio 6A (once home to the original Tonight Show and Late Night with David Letterman, as well) and Studio 6B is home to Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Saturday Night Live shares the eighth floor with NBC Sports.

Surprisingly, 30 Rock isn’t filmed at 30 Rock. It’s primarily shot at Silver Cup Studios on Long Island (see what else is filmed there) (map it!), with the cast moving to the GE Building for occasional specific scenes. Exterior scenes are shot at 30 Rock and in the surrounding streets of midtown Manhattan.

The song is a instrumental version of Kool & the Gang’s “Celebration.”

In the previous episode, Kenneth mentioned that Pete was fired. They never say why, but Liz demands Pete back at the conclusion of that episode.

[Update:] Reader Rob had a good insight. He says: In reference to why Pete was fired, I think it was to free up money to help cover Tracy’s salary. When Liz and Pete are having their first conversation with Jack in the pilot episode, Pete likes the idea of hiring Tracy, but asks where they’re going to find the money in the budget. Jack just says something like, “I have an idea.” somewhat ominously, and a few minutes later lets Liz leave, but tells Pete to stay. The next we hear of Pete, he’s been fired. That’s my take on it.

SUNY Cortland, aka State University of New York College at Cortland, aka Cortland State, is a coeducational university located in Cortland, New York. Thank you, Wikipedia. SATs, aka the “SAT Reasoning Test”, aka (formerly Scholastic Aptitude Test and Scholastic Assessment Test) is a standardized test for college admissions in the United States. A combined score of 1000 is average. Josh is dumb.

Yup. It’s a real magazine. Sadly they have no affiliate program, so you’ll have to order it without giving me any sort of commission.

Jack refers specifically to hypothyroidism, one of the side effects is potential obesity. Often blamed for the obesity epidemic of the mid-western United States. An epidemic! Like it’s polio! Like we’ll be telling our grand kids about it one day. The Great Obesity Epidemic of 2004. “How’d you get through it grandpa?” “Oh, it was horrible Johnny, there was cheesecake and pork chops everywhere.”

Holy crap. Kay here we go… the first two are fictional cast members. Good start! Rah me!

• Rupert Murdoch: Australian-born American media magnate and the founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of News Corporation.
• Melinda Gates: philanthropist and wife of Bill Gates.
• Ziggy: Weird cartoon character with this sort of odd bland humour I never really got.
• Anthony Pellicano: LA-based private eye, jailed for weapons, wiretapping, and racketeering.
• Heidi Klum: Superhot model. Yum.
• Guy that sleep with Heidi Klum: Seal! Friggin Seal, man! Good singer. And they’re married.

And a sharp-eyed reader pointed out that when the camera is facing Jack, you can just barely see through the back of each photo Jonathan’s holding up, and they’re all the same photo.

LaGuardia (LGA): Smallest of three major New York metropolitan airports. Can’t find any reference to anyone of note walking naked through the thing.

Ted Danson: Actor most memorable for his portrayal of Sam Malone on the sitcom Cheers. And last episode Jack mentioned Tracy falling asleep on someone’s roof. Now we know whose roof it was!

Dakota Fanning: Cute and harmless teenage actress, was fourteen at the time this episode aired.

Jack’s German translates to “Believe me. These Advantium Microwaves are the best.” and “Detlev, I’m gonna have to call you back. Yes. Wonderful. Plow chops.” I have no idea what “plowchops” is supposed to mean, but it’s awesome and I’m going to start saying goodbye on the phone like that from now on.

This is known as “synchronous menstration.” It’s a real thing.

I left this quote in cuz it’s one of the best in 30 Rock;) As for Theo Huxtable, he was a character on The Cosby Show played by Malcolm Jamal-Warner.

This one’s more of a chunk of cultural roadkill, but if you MUST watch it…

The N-word being nigger, and is probably a reference to when actor/comedian Michael Richards (of Seinfeld fame) called a heckler a nigger, to great media outrage, during a stand-up routine on November 17, 2006, one month before this episode aired.

The Batmobile is of course the car Batman drives. As far as I can tell, though, there are no AIDS monkey’s bones. I think this is a weird mixed reference to the theory that AIDS arose in monkeys first, crossed with Michael Jackson’s alleged purchase of the Elephant Man’s bones.

Probably a reference to the TV show Fantasy Island, where Mr. Roarke (Ricardo Montalbán) would greet guests with “My dear guests, I am Mr. Roarke, your host. Welcome to Fantasy Island!”

Denver, Colorado, is of course land-locked.

It sure isn’t! Avanti Domani is Italian for something like “Next Tomorrow” or “Out Tomorrow”.

Amtrack does have a magazine, called Arrive. No idea if the conductors write it, but I somehow doubt it;)

The name is made up, but probably a reference to Dalwhinnie, a (fantastic) single malt scotch. A Dalwhinnie 1962 GM Connoisseurs Choice would go for almost $300, which is frighteningly not considered that expensive a bottle of scotch.

They’re dancing to “Bossy” by Kelis.

It sure is, Cerie. It sure is. Jenna’s singing an a cappella version of Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind.”

The song is “Who Want a Problem” by Styles P.

Earlier in this episode, Josh suggested a skit idea to Tracy where they play Seinfeld and Cosby. Tracy turned him down flat. Josh’s impression is very clever considering how short it is — a mix of Jerry Seinfeld’s observational humour, which usually starts with “What’s the deal with…” and pudding is a reference to Bill Cosby at one point being the spokesman for Jell-O pudding. Tracy’s non-impression continues with the Jell-O reference, and adds a reference to Bill Cosby being known for wearing sweaters. Particularly ugly sweaters.

There’s no way I’m doing a reference to Batman and Robin. Everyone damn well better know that one.

Maria is speaking panicked Spanish, which translates to “Please! Do not hurt me! My name is Maria.” The “Peabody” name just happens to have a lot of well know/rich/powerful people associated with it. And “Who Dat Ninja” is a reference to a fictional movie Tracy starred in.

Howard Stern, the celebrity radio “shock jock”, frequently has train wrecks like Jenna on his radio program.