Tina Fey

In October 2006, Tina Fey debuted on prime time as the character Liz Lemon, TV writer for a major network, in the show 30 Rock. Lovable Liz tries to control the behind-the-scenes antics of a live variety show and deals with interference from a new network bigwig. Funny guys Alec Baldwin and Tracy Morgan co-star in this hilarious sitcom. Although the show is fictional, there are definite similarities between Liz Lemon and Tina Fey’s role as head writer for Saturday Night Live. Most notably, the title 30 Rock is the nickname for the actual location of the SNL studios (30 Rockefeller Center). This makes elements of the show a refreshingly honest take on the sitcom genre.

Read actor bios, episode summaries, and current news about 30 Rock on TV Guide’s official show Web site.

Tina Fey wrote the screenplay for Mean Girls (2004) based on the book by Rosalind Wiseman, Queen Bees and Wannabees. The movie follows the formerly homeschooled Cady Heron (Lindsey Lohan) as she makes the transition to the hierarchical society of public high school. Cady befriends two artsy outsiders (Daniel Franseze and Lizzy Caplan), who introduce the new girl to the rules that dictate high school popularity. A group of three stereotypical, popular ditzes (Rachel McAdams, Lacey Chabert, and Amanda Seyfried), referred to as “The Plastics,” reign supreme. As one might expect, these cliqueish, designer-name-brand-attired girls bear quite a resemblance to the 1980s teen movie, The Heathers. In Mean Girls, Fey plays the awkward yet loveable teacher Ms. Norbury, who attempts to resolve the nastiness that permeates high school culture. Despite her good intentions, Ms. Norbury isn’t spared her share of social gaffes. Here’s a classic Norbury segment from the film:

PRINCIPAL DUVALL: Well, I just wanted to let everyone know that we have a new student joining us. She just moved here all the way from Africa.
MS. NORBURY: (to black Michigan girl) Welcome!
MICHIGAN GIRL: (offended) I'm from Michigan!
MS. NORBURY: Great!

Visit the Official Mean Girls Web site to watch the movie trailer, download the soundtrack, and get exclusive, behind-the-scenes information.

Fey’s list of accolades seems endless. She won an Emmy for her SNL and 30 Rock writing, has been nominated by the Screen Writers Guild for her work on Mean Girls and has been named one of Glamour Magazine’s “Women of the Year.” It is undeniable that Ms. Fey is one of entertainment’s funniest and most influential contributors.

Take a look at Time magazine’s write-up on Fey, recently named as one of the “Time 100” in the artists/performers category.

Read an extensive article by New Yorker staffer Virginia Heffernan profiling Tina Fey and those closest to her.