When Life Gives You Lemon

TV

30 Rock – Like many people, I said a tearful goodbye when the series' final episode aired last week. In its seven-season run, the show has been hilarious, goofy, and brilliant courtesy of an enviably talented team of writers, directors, actors, and anyone else associated with it. I'll miss many things about the show, but what I'll miss most, the person who I came back week after week to see, is Liz Lemon. No, I don't mean Tina Fey. I'm certain I'll be seeing the talented Ms. Fey again in many movies and TV shows. (In fact, I'm crazy-excited to see Admission, a new film starring Fey and the adorable Paul Rudd coming out this March.)

But unfortunately, as far as I know, this is the end for Liz Lemon, the smart, awkward, geeky head writer for the show-within-a-show at the center of 30 Rock. So, why do I love Liz Lemon?

• There is no stereotype when it comes to Liz. She's not fashionable or girly and she loves to eat, but she's attractive and it's believable that she attracts good-looking men. 
• She is unapologetic about what she likes, from Star Wars to reality shows to late-night cheese. (Mmm....who doesn't love late-night cheese?)
• She's a professional woman who gets things done, and yet she can lose all sense of rationality and want to turn an online war of words into a playground fist fight.
• She can be kind and loving, but also brutally honest and selfish, and she is known for holding a grudge.
• And, as someone hovering dangerously close to 40, I love having a character speak my language. (Thank god you're still there, Amy Poehler.)

Mostly, I love that Liz isn't afraid to be smart and (sometimes) a know-it-all.  She doesn't always get to be right or have things her way, but that's just the way life is. And for all of the only-on-a-TV-show ridiculous moments that make 30 Rock so inventive and fantastical, the Liz Lemon character is one of the most realistic women I've seen in a modern sitcom. And I'm going to miss her so much! Blerg!!

P.S. If you are also ever sad and missing Liz, and have a few hour or days to kill, visit her on this awesome site: Fuck Yeah Liz Lemon. (It's addictive. You've been warned.)