Elizabeth Banks continues to exhibit impeccable taste when it comes to the company she keeps on the tube.
Fresh off her memorable guest turn on ABC’s Modern Family, my former Scrubs co-star is headed to 30 Rock to play the latest notch on Jack Donaghy’s belt, sources confirm to me exclusively.
NBC declined to comment, but I’m told Banks will appear in at least four episodes.
This marks the second high-profile romance for Alec Baldwin’s corporate shill this season. This week, Julianne Moore kicks off a multi-episode arc as Jack’s high school crush.
But back to Banks, would someone please explain to me why she doesn’t have her own show yet? It’s only a matter of time, right?
Image Credit: 30 Rock: Barbara Nitke; Banks: Albert L. Ortega/PR







while a jack and liz pairing would be HORRID, i have to admit i love their chemistry. maybe just a kiss?
Not gonna lie, I’m still more excited about Julianne Moore (!!!!!!).
No kidding. I thought I was hallucinating when I saw her in the previews for this week.
True! Banks is on so many different shows and kicks ass on everything she does!
Both Moore and Banks are going to have to work hard if they want to replace Salma Hayek in my heart. Jack and Elissa forever!
Yes Salma was hilarious!
“Don’t you have a Slanket to go fart in”
“Lemon, isn’t there a Slanket somewhere you should be filling with your farts?!”
I’m just excited about my role as Tina Fey’s love interest. Liz Lemon will be married next season to her gynecologist
She’s great on tv guest spots but she doesn’t need her own series because she’s a film actress. TV is where people begin ir end their careers. It shouldn’t be the highlight.
Frankly, I prefer television to films these days. It takes great cinematic skill and art to create a feature film, but I feel the best writing is being done on television these days, and the acting on certain shows is equal to that of its big screen cousins.
Of course, film brings in a bigger payday and a less crazy working schedule, so there you go.
I agree completely. While there are great films made certainly, it seems easier to find true artistry on the TV than in the theatre – look at The Wire, for example. Or look at careers like Alec Baldwin’s: can anyone really allege that any of his film performances are as brilliant as his 30 Rock one? I wish our actors were more like actors in the UK who routinely perform on stage, film, and television without seeing any one medium as being beneath them.
I’m so excited for this! julianne moore is going to be incredible and so will elizabeth banks but i agree with Austin, Salma Hayak is irreplaceable. “The Ones” and “Generallisimo” are still my favorite episodes of the show ever.
Edie Falco was the best. Jack should be with C.C.
I agree. Those were the best episodes. The scene in the NBC lunch room is one of my favorites in the history of the show.
“I murdered my wife”
Greatest line in the history of greatest lines.
I love Julianne Moore and Elizabeth Banks so news of both is awesome. Now if only 30 Rock were as good as it was back in S2 – though the recent HD vision was pretty funny
I’m looking forward to Julianne Moore, but I can’t stand Elizabeth Banks. I agree that Salma Hayek and Edie Falco have been the best and I’d be more happy to see one of them return than to watch anything with Elizabeth Banks.
I don’t want Jack and Liz together but if it would keep Elizabeth Banks away from my fave show I would make the sacrifice. I hate her!
Banks was great on Modern Family and I’m sure she’ll be great on 30 Rock. But I’m super psyched for Julianne Moore. Love love love her. And A Single Man opens Friday!
If she hadn’t been so good on Modern Family I would be hating this but she showed some true comedic chops so I’m really looking forward to seeing her on the show! I wasn’t really feeling the Jack and C.C. relationship. I’m looking forward to Julianne Moore.
What? We don’t get to keep Julianne Moore? Eh, not too excited about Banks.
Jack and Liz please? At least at the end? It’s kind of insane that they will go to lengths to show how similar they are and perfect for each other but yet keep them apart.
Why must EVERY male-female relationship on tv end in romance? Is that how it remotely works in real life? And I can’t imagine why you think they are perfect for each other. A great working friendship doesn’t equate to a realisting or intereting romantic one.
Oh geez, I hope that Jack and Liz NEVER get together on 30 Rock. BAD IDEA!
I don’t know… Cliche? Yes. But, I think they’re adorable. Of course, 30 Rock spends as much time poking fun at the idea as they do setting up any potential. So, who knows?
I must say, I have been looking forward to this search for a wife for Jack ever since Alec teased about it.
Whoa…WHAT? Julianne Moore is gonna start a multi-episode arc???? How did I not hear about this? THAT’S AWESOME!