Polished 'Rock' Rolls On

Ben Silverman, NBC's new co-chairman, expressed his support for the series this summer, describing "30 Rock" as a show that "is really funny, that has some wonderfully talented performers, incredible writing and, hopefully, will start to be embraced by a larger audience just as it's been embraced by the critics."

What garnered the most public attention for "30 Rock" in its first season was the real-life scandals involving two of its stars -- an answering-machine tirade Alec Baldwin left for his daughter and Tracy Morgan's arrest on a drunken-driving charge.

Both actors will be back this season, Fey said, "and none of that happened while we were in production, so it didn't really affect us. It also feels now . . . like it was a while ago. I don't think it'll be a factor when we're working."

Morgan said he's fine and looking forward to "bringing the funny."

"I'm the Willis Reed of comedy," he boasted, a reference to the New York Knicks center who hobbled onto the court during Game 7 of the 1970 National Basketball Association finals and inspired his team to victory. "I play hurt."

Morgan started as the centerpiece of "30 Rock" -- the pilot dealt with a reluctant Liz recruiting him to join the cast of "The Girlie Show" -- but settled in as a reliable role player.

Fey said the writers found that pairing Morgan's out-of-control character, Tracy Jordan, with innocent NBC page Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) worked exceptionally well.

They figure to be teamed again in Season 2, which will start out with Donaghy returning from a heart attack even more driven and career-focused. As he said in his hospital bed, his only regret was that he didn't work more. Season 2's premiere also features Jerry Seinfeld as a guest star.

So things seem to be in place for a stronger, more consistent year for "30 Rock." The big question is whether the show can win -- or win back -- an audience. Fey, for one, isn't worried. "We can only make the show we want to make and make it accessible," she said.

Or as Morgan put it: "Nowadays, everybody wants everything to pop off immediately, you know. You have to give shows time to find their audience."

30 ROCK

Thursdays

8:30 p.m.

NBC