Recurring characters make the scene — and sometimes the entire series
A recent re-watch of “30 Rock” gave rise to a couple of thoughts.
First, if Larry David ever has to write another series finale — and please, by all that’s holy, may that never, ever happen again — he should give Tina Fey a call. The “30 Rock” finale was downright perfect, a thing of beauty. Talk about sticking the landing.
Second, has there ever been a TV series that made more astute use of recurring characters than “30 Rock” did over the course of seven seasons on NBC? It’s hard to think of one.
Within the universe of long-running prime-time scripted comedies and dramas, recurring characters play a valuable role, so to speak.
They aren’t series regulars, but they appear in multiple episodes and often figure in ongoing story lines. They usually interact with one of the main characters, and those interactions can sometimes shed new light on a person we thought we knew well.
Here are my personal Top 10 recurring characters on “30 Rock”:
No. 1 — Angie Jordan, a woman of Vesuvian temperament and supreme self-confidence who is played with brio and brilliance by Sherri Shepherd. The wife of Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan), the star of a late-night sketch comedy show, Angie gets to be the center of attention in her own reality show, titled “The Queen of Jordan.” The result is a story arc that’s one of the high points of the entire series.
No. 2 — Colleen Donaghy, played by the one and only Elaine Stritch. That voice! Those peerless line readings! Small wonder Colleen’s son, the otherwise imperturbable and all-powerful NBC executive Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin), began to sputter and unravel whenever his mother came on the scene.
No. 3 — Devon Banks (Will Arnett), Jack’s gay nemesis. A wonderfully devious figure, Devon is ready to try every dirty trick in the book — and a few that aren’t in the book — to win their never-ending power struggle.
No. 4 — Wesley Snipes, the quintessential British twit, played by the protean Michael Sheen. Due to the lingering effects of anesthesia following a dental procedure, Liz Lemon (Fey) at first believes she and Wesley are destined to be wed. Once the fog clears, however, they discover that they utterly despise each other.
No. 5 — Avery Jessup (Elizabeth Banks), the hard-headed host of a business show on CNBC. She and Jack seem to be made for each other, but geopolitics get in the way after Avery is kidnapped while on a reporting trip to North Korea and held hostage by dictator Kim Jong Il.
No. 6 — Verna Maroney (Jan Hooks), the perpetually grifting mother of “TGS with Tracy Jordan” star Jenna Maroney (Jane Krakowski). With every over-the-top escapade by Verna, we gain a little more understanding of why Jenna is such a mess.
No. 7 — Dr. Leo Spaceman (pronounced Spahchay-man). A physician of invincible ignorance, incompetence, and serenity, Leo was portrayed by a note-perfect Chris Parnell.
No. 8 — Lenny Wosniak, a beyond-hapless private investigator played by none other than Steve Buscemi, who reminded us how funny he can be.
No. 9 — Paul L’Astname (Will Forte), a female impersonator specializing in portrayals of the endlessly narcissistic Jenna Maroney. Paul won her heart because he understood that the true love of Jenna’s life could only be a human mirror.
No. 10 — Matt Damon as Carol, an airline pilot who becomes romantically involved with Liz Lemon. Their breakup scene is one of the funniest and most original I’ve ever seen.
Got a list of your own favorite recurring characters/guest stars — they don’t have to number 10 — from any TV series? Send it along to donald.aucoin@globe.com and it might be included in a future column.