30 Rock’s Last Season: 2012!

Alec Baldwin announced ’30 Rock’ last season will be in 2012

While at Monday night’s National Dance Institute’s annual fund-raising gala, Alec Baldwin spilled the beans, saying that 30 Rock’s last season will be next year, in 2012.

Vulture first reported the news, having chatted with Alec Baldwin on Monday evening, they revealed that Alec has confirmed the last season of ’30 Rock’ will be next year. When asked if he would be following in Tina Fey’s shoes by penning a book, he replied:

“I will tell you one thing. And that is our show next year is our last year of the show. Our contracts are expired [in 2012], and Tina is gonna have a big career directing films and writing. She’s going to be the next Elaine May. She’ll be great.”

Over the past year Alec Baldwin has said many times that he plans on leaving ’30 Rock’ in 2012, but never has anyone said anything about the show coming to an end – until now.

Alec told CNN last year:

“As much as I like acting. I know that I would love to have a different life. A private life. I think that doing this now for a living has become really, really hard. I would rather go do other things, and whatever amount of time I have left in my life, have a normal life.”

So does this mean that Alec Baldwin may be retiring from Hollywood? Could be. It is always good to quit while you’re ahead, and Alec’s career has been a long and successful one. The actor, who just turned 53 on April 3rd, might be ready to step out of the limelight and into a more private lifestyle. He’s been in the business for more than 30 years, and I’m sure if he wanted to come back at some point he could.

As for ’30 Rock,’ the news makes me sad. It’s one of the funniest, best written comedy series on television. Witty, politically incorrect and sometimes laced with juvenile humor, but I love it. I will definitely miss this one when it’s over!

UPDATE!

Alec has backtracked! Thursday morning he posted on The Huffiington Post:

“Gosh, I want to take the opportunity to state that although my days on network TV may be numbered, I hope 30 Rock goes on forever. Or at least as long as everyone involved desires.”

“Next year hopefully won’t be the last. Kenneth can run the network. Jenna will get her own talk show. Tracy will become the Mayor of New York. Then resign and go raise exotic reptiles. And Lemon will go do…just about anything she sets her mind to.

“Here’s to five more seasons.”