30 Rock is serving up a lot for its second season. Fans will not only get to watch Jerry Seinfeld guest-starring on the show, but also get to see a much pudgier Jenna Maroney, played by Jane Krakowski.
In an interview with TV Guide, Krakowski confirmed that her character will be 40 pounds heavier when 30 Rock‘s second season opens. The weight gain is the result of Jenna’s involvement with a summer production of Mystic Pizza: The Musical.
“She had to eat four slices of pizza on stage for each performance, so that’s why she gained 40 pounds,” Jane Krakowski told TV Guide. “She becomes quite famous for being one of those ‘bigger girls’ on TV and being proud of her curves, and because of that she becomes happier, her self-confidence goes up and she ends up losing a lot of the weight naturally — which is detrimental to her career!”
One of the things Krakowski had to do for the Mystic Pizza storyline was sing a song about anchovies. The scene, Krakowski said, was a difficult one to shoot because she found it hard to keep from laughing.
“During Mystic Pizza, I had to sing sincerely about anchovies and how they can change my life, and it was like an out-of-body moment where I saw myself from the outside and I was like, ‘Oh my god, I am really doing this,’” she said. “So I did lose it singing about anchovies completely and sincerely.”
Apart from Jenna’s work-related weight gain on the upcoming season of 30 Rock, viewers will also be given more slices of information regarding her colorful past, including her inclusion in a popular youth television series.
“[Jenna] was once a Mouseketeer!” Jane Krakowski revealed to TV Guide. “I love that she was engaged to David Blaine and a Mouseketeer. I really don’t think I’ll ever get a character better than this to play.”
In addition to discussing her character, Krakowski also said Emmy-nominated actor Alec Baldwin, who wanted to leave the show to attend to family-related issues, remains a big part of the series.
“It’s full-on Alec Baldwin. As much as last year, maybe even more. He’s in great spirits, being hilarious. It’s a genius character,” she told TV Guide. “It’s all good and back to normal. It’s like last year but a little bit better. We have real towels instead of paper towels… moving on up!”
Krakowski also mentioned the return of Will Arnett, who played gay network executive Devon Banks in the previous season. Elaine Stritch, known for portraying Jack Donaghy’s mother, Colleen, will also guest-appear.
The second season of 30 Rock will premiere on October 4.
-Lisa Claustro, BuddyTV Staff Columnist Source: TV Guide
(Image Courtesy of TV Guide)
Staff Columnist, BuddyTV
