...but it won't quite be a normal episode

30 Rock is to return, seven years after it went off the air.

But while Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Jane Krakowski, Tracy Morgan and Jack McBrayer will all be reprising their roles, it won't be for a traditional episode.

Filmed remotely, the cast will be giving a preview of the NBC network's autumn season.

Th so-called 'upfront' event normally takes place in front of journalists and advertisers behind closed doors, but this year it will be done on air because of coronavirus.

'We’re all happy to have this excuse to (remotely) work together again for NBC,' said 30 Rock Fey and fellow executive producer Robert Carlock in a joint statement.

'To quote Kenneth the Page, there are only two things we love in this world, television and everyone.'

NBC executive Linda Yaccarino said: 'Historically, this event is about the future of programming; this year, it’s about the future of our industry.'

The shows being rolled out as part of a reduced autumn slate include  Fey and Carlock's new sitcom Mr Mayor, starring Ted Danson and Holly Hunter;  and Kenan Thompson's self-titled sitcom.

The event will air on NBC on Thursday July 16 in the US.

Published: 17 Jun 2020