’30 Rock’ Creators Request Blackface Episodes Pulled From Streaming and Syndication

“30 Rock” creators Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, along with the show’s owner NBCUniversal, have asked that four episodes of the series in which characters appear in blackface be removed from streaming and syndication. Said Tina Fey in a note requesting immediate action:

“As we strive to do the work and do better in regards to race in America, we believe that these episodes featuring actors in race-changing makeup are best taken out of circulation. I understand now that ‘intent’ is not a free pass for white people to use these images. I apologize for pain they have caused. Going forward, no comedy-loving kid needs to stumble on these tropes and be stung by their ugliness. I thank NBCUniversal for honoring this request.”

The four episodes are expected to be removed by the end of this week, while some have already been removed from Amazon and Hulu. The episodes will no longer air as reruns on television, and viewers will also no longer be able to purchase the episodes from on iTunes and Google Play.

“30 Rock” aired on NBC from 2006 to 2013, producing 138 episodes in total. The cast will reunite on July 16 to host a remotely-produced NBC upfront event.