Tina Fey reveals what she asked Lorne Michaels about Jon Hamm before ’30 Rock’ casting

Tina Fey wasn’t about to roll the cube on a foul vibe — even when that vibe got here wrapped in Jon Hamm’s chiseled attraction. 

In a current one-on-one chat for Interview Journal, Fey revealed she did her homework earlier than casting Hamm as Dr. Drew Baird, Liz Lemon’s too-handsome-for-his-own-good love curiosity on 30 Rock.

“I didn’t meet you earlier than you hosted [Saturday Night Live],” Fey advised Hamm throughout their dialog. 

“I keep in mind calling or emailing Lorne and saying, ‘Let me know if he’s humorous as a result of we’ve a component arising on 30 Rock that will be nice for him.’ And in addition to be sure to weren’t a d–k.”

Let’s be sincere — it’s a good request. In any case, who needs to be caught on set with somebody who brings the drama with out the comedy? Hamm didn’t argue, replying, “I imply, that’s an actual factor. It’s not enjoyable to work with folks that aren’t enjoyable.”

Fey wholeheartedly agreed, noting that working with troublesome expertise is firmly in her rearview mirror. 

“Life is just too quick and the hours are too lengthy,” she stated. 

Hamm, who went on to earn laughs within the function regardless of his extra dramatic roots on Mad Males, recalled precisely the place he was when 30 Rock got here calling — fairly actually. 

“That was such a enjoyable second for me too, as a result of I keep in mind coming again right down to the host dressing room at SNL, and the telephone rang,” he stated. 

“I’m in 30 Rock and it’s like, whose telephones are these? Does any individual have this quantity? Who’s calling my dressing room? So I picked up and I believe it was Robert Carlock on the opposite finish who stated, ‘Hey, would you want to do that? We now have a component for you. It’s a completely regular physician that gained’t go bizarre in any respect, I promise.’”

Ah sure, the promise of “regular.” If solely that held up.

Hamm’s run as Dr. Drew began robust, with beauty and attraction to spare — however 30 Rock being 30 Rock, issues unraveled hilariously quick. 

“And by the top of this arc, you have got hooks for arms,” Fey reminded him. “And it turned out you have been an incompetent physician. We ruined you.”