During NBC's TCA executive panel today, Primetime President Angela Bromstad announced that 30 Rock will do a live episode (two times in one night, once for each coast, no less) on October 14, a few weeks into the comedy's upcoming fifth season.

Bromstad explained that if any show is ready for the live format, it's Fey's late-night farce: "I can't imagine a series more suited to do an incredible live episode, thanks to its many cast, writers and producers, who hail from TV's most renowned live series, SNL."

A good idea or the best idea? As a 30 Rock die-hard, here are the celebratory thoughts and nagging concerns that immediately haunt my brain at the mention of this exciting news:

• You all know they've performed an episode live before, right? Right. Well, they have--during ye olde Writers' Strike of 2007. Sure, it was a small, casual theater performance with the benefit of a captive in-house audience, but it counts. And while I wasn't there (darn it!) Rachel Sklar at the Huffington Post reported some interesting tidbits that I hope will get callbacks during the network broadcast live episode, including a live audience, live band, fake commercials (a la SNL) and Alec Baldwin's constant "about to crack up" face.

• NBC has done live episodes before--Will & Grace,  E.R., and West Wing have all tried the format in one way or another. But Will & Grace, with its one-room, multi-camera set-up, 30 Rock ain't. While the current 30 Rock format doesn't seem like it would lend itself to live filming like, at all, I have faith that executive producer Lorne Michaels (and the SNL vets on staff) will figure out a way to make it work.

• EW's Mandi Bierly predicts that the episode will revolve around a live taping of the show within the show, TGS with Tracy Jordan. Makes sense, but I hope they'll also find ways to work in at least some of the stellar guest characters who only have marginal affiliations to TGS tapings, like Will Arnett's Devon Banks, old-lady-baby Kathy Geiss or my personal favorite, Liz's insufferable ex-boyfriend Dennis Duffy.

• This will be one day I'm actually glad to be on the West Coast. We all know the second run-through will be smoother!

• Will Tracy Jordan memorize his lines beforehand or just improv his way through the show? If his old SNL tapes are any indication, he'll be flubbing (hilariously, of course) if he has to rely on cue cards all night.

• I hope Jenna (Jane Krakowski) doesn't sing. Something about a live musical number would just be too over-the-top awkward, if you ask me.

• Oh, who am I kidding? This is a ballsy, maybe even brilliant move (and not even during Sweeps!) by one of the best comedies on TV, and chances are that whatever they do and however they do it, I'll be watching and loving every minute.
  

What do you think of a live 30 Rock episode? Comments or concerns?


(Image courtesy of NBC)