As the news networks repeatedly air the leaked recordings of Alec Baldwin verbally disciplining an answering machine, the controversy has apparently led the actor to have second thoughts about his devotion to his craft in general. According to a recent interview in ABC’s The View, Baldwin reportedly mentioned his desire to quit 30 Rock in order to spend more time fulfilling his duties as a parent.

To fans of the Golden Globe award-winning series, this could mark the beginning of the end of their new favorite show. Baldwin’s portrayal of the smarmy network executive, along with the ever-so-subtle-yet-slowly-blossoming flirtation between his character and creator Tina Fey’s character, Liz Lemon, is one of the main draws of the new sitcom. Through his bizarre critiques of Liz Lemon’s daily life to his equally strange comradery with Tracy Morgan’s outrageous character, Tracy Jordan, the veteran actor succeeds in the unlikely task of making his elitist and chauvinistic Jack Donaghy oddly sympathetic. On top of that, Baldwin’s name recognition is undoubtedly one of the larges factors that contributed to the show’s initial success and its renewal for a second season.

On the other hand, Baldwin’s Jack Donaghy is hardly the only memorable character on the show. Writer, producer, creator and star Tina Fey’s take on the modern New York woman as a sort of Carrie Bradshaw without the fashion brings a refreshing sense of approachability for viewers. Tracy Morgan’s over the top caricature the edgy Hollywood comedian is certainly the most quotable character of the series. Even supporting characters such as Jane Krakawski’s narcissistic Jenna, Jack McBrayer’s naïve NBC page, or Liz Lemons’s childish writing staff are all given their own moments to shine.

Still, shake-ups in casts have traditionally never played out well. After the tragic death of Phil Hartman, Newsradio never could quite find the same rhythm with Jon Lovitz, despite the fact that Hartman’s character was not even a focus of the series’ overall plot. As popular as That 70’s Show was, I’ve had trouble finding someone who even knew the show still existed after the departure of Topher Grace and Ashton Kutcher. Though there some shows, such as Spin City, that found minor success after a main character’s departure, it usually never reaches the levels it reached before the changeover. And for a freshman series like 30 Rock that, despite a loyal fan base, has been struggling to find ratings, Baldwin’s departure could be a stumble into an open grave.

So, is 30 Rock doomed to have the same fate as so many sitcoms of the past? In its first season it already managed to draw in such names as Nathan Lane, Rip Torn and Isabella Rossellini. Perhaps it could use the same connections it used with them to rope in some other big-name actor. Will Arnett, currently seen in Will Ferrell’s Blades of Glory, has already been introduced in the series as a character who was contending for Jack Donaghy’s job. Perhaps this could be Arnett’s opportunity to reenter the TV sitcom world. NBC has understandably expressed some resistance in letting Baldwin out of his contract. Ultimately, it will most likely come down to whether it’s better to bring in a new actor who has interest in the show, or holding on to the established actor who has none.

And, honestly, I can’t decide which I’d prefer.

-George Freitag

(Photo courtesy of NBC)