Here's an interesting little tidbit from 30 Rock star/producer/writer Tina Fey: NBC boss Ben Silverman was the inspiration for four characters on the show. It's one of the many subjects covered in this long Fortune profile of the controversial TV exec. Fey doesn't say who all of the characters are or how they are based on Silverman, except in one case. She explains that evil TV executive Devin Banks (played by Will Arnett) is the one that's based on Silverman the most.
This has got to be the best backhanded compliment since Mike Myers said that Dr. Evil was based on Lorne Michaels.
New York says that Banks and the three other 30 Rock-ers aren't the only characters on NBC that might be modeled on Silverman. There have been subtle clues that maybe Ryan Howard over on The Office is based on Silverman too. Maybe not in his current role, back as a lowly desk jockey at Dunder-Mifflin but in his former life as a high-powered DM exec in NYC (which he has vowed to get back to).
In related news, Syler from Heroes was based on Jean Stapleton.
[via Portfolio]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-28-2008 @ 4:08PM
colby said...
That is HILARIOUS!
Speaking of which, Arnett was pure gold in this season's premiere episode. The scene with him and Alec in the park was probably my favorite part of the ep.
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10-28-2008 @ 4:41PM
willy the impeached said...
yeah the evil one and the lazy one and is there a character thats more commie than the rest? tough call I know. and of course the ex boyfriend for a little bit of psycho.
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