I grew up in a house without a TV. Well, we had one until my Mother was so fed up with the time we tried to spend in front of it that she picked it up and threw it out the second story window. And despite the entertainment industry’s attempt to pepper us with more and more meaningful programming, the TV still carries the “Idiot Box” reputation in many circles.
I think that’s a bit unfair. In fact, I think it’s only a matter of time before someone figures out how to deliver a full college curriculum through the boob tube (you can’t steal that idea, I’ve patented it). If and when we do that, I think there ought to be a business course offered by Jack Donaghy from 30 Rock. There is much to learn from this self-obsessed corporate exec. You just have to know where to look for it. Here’s a sampling…
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Liz Lemmon: Why are you wearing a Tux?
Jack Donaghy: It’s after 6 o’clock, Lemmon. What am I, a Farmer?
Lesson: Never be afraid to over-dress…at any time of the day.
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Jack: Ambition is the willingness to kill the things you love and eat them to survive. Haven’t you ever read my throw pillow?
Lesson: Have conviction, and be explicit about it.
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Jack: I can’t have bedbugs. I went to Princeton.
Lesson: Everyone can have bedbugs. Life’s unpleasantries do not discriminate.
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Jack (to Liz): Come on, Lemmon. What do we elites do when we screw up? We pretend it never happened and give ourselves a giant bonus.
Lesson: Sadly, this is often true.
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Jack: You are at the top of the pyramid. Granted, TGS is a small pyramid, but nevertheless it will one day be your tomb. And you can’t feel sorry for the slaves that built that pyramid, which, again, will be your tomb.
Lesson: Don’t ever forget who and what got you to the top.
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Avery Jessup (Jack’s Other): Who is number one in your speed dial?
Jack: BlackBerry, Warren Buffet, iPhone, Jimmy Buffet
Lesson: Figure out who matters, then stay close to them.
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Avery: Favorite Movie?
Jack: Tie – The Fountainhead or Uncle Buck
Lesson: Appreciate…No, love the extremes
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Kenneth Parcell (NBC Page): Oh, no sir, I actually haven’t spoken to her yet, but I have a long term plan to marry her and I wanted the company to be aware of my intentions.
Jack: I see. I’ll be sure to mention that at the next board meeting.
Lesson: Know your employees idiosyncrasies and honor them.
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Jack: My mother wanted to send me to Vietnam to make a man out of me.
Kenneth: Oh
Jack: I was twelve
Lesson: It’s never too early to stretch your people.
There’s a lot more where this came from. Maybe I’ll make it a feature. In the meantime, try to make something productive of your couch time…
Image and Quote Credits: Quotefully
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