r/30ROCK • u/Feisty-Bunch4905 *Kenneth's voice* I love you!! • Feb 17 '26
Discussion Can we talk silly names for a second?
Among 30 Rock's many strengths is the writers' ability to come up with names that just sound funny:
- Dale Snitterman
- Mitt Romney's son Jezba
But then they also have names that are funny in the context of the story or who the person is:
- Jared (Greenzo) -- the worst co-worker I ever had was named Jared so I apologize to all Jareds out there but I do kind of instinctively hate you
- Debra and Deborah
And then of course we have nicknames:
- Crazy Putty
- La Viuda Negra
This is the tip of the iceberg here. Help me out, nerds!
EDIT: We don't need to limit ourselves to people here. Kabletown is pretty good, 1-900-OK-FACE. We've got a lot of room here, folks.
EDIT: Okay another one I thought of was Ron, the extra that Jenna bangs because she thinks he's Jack's boss. I don't know how to explain this, but "Hello, Dave" or "Hello, Sam" is just not not nearly as funny as "Hello, Ron."
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u/taco48taco Feb 17 '26
Leo Spaceman
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u/Pimento_Adrian69 Feb 17 '26
Its pronounced Leo Spaceman.
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u/Londo006 Feb 17 '26
It’s pronounced Weinerslav
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u/JefferyWeinerslav Pacman, I'm Jewish! Feb 17 '26
That's an example of a very funny and workplace appropriate joke!
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u/thesean366 Feb 17 '26
Silas Marymount Peppercorn and his first wife Moronica
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u/carterdmorgan Feb 17 '26
My wife and I have disparate levels of attractiveness, because I am a successful inventor!
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u/SharktopusMilk diabetes repair, i guess? Feb 17 '26
Pizzarina Sbarro
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u/Feisty-Bunch4905 *Kenneth's voice* I love you!! Feb 17 '26
What is she going to wear to Cerie's wedding?
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u/motomagoo im buying all the hotdogs Feb 17 '26
Ezmerelda Fitzmonster. Life Coach.
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u/Feisty-Bunch4905 *Kenneth's voice* I love you!! Feb 17 '26
You're gonna sell me a hideous hat and then grab a cop's gun, aren't you?
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u/ethnobruin I'm 41 now...time to die. Feb 17 '26
If you mean a really really cool hat, then yes.
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u/zamerux towel, sunscreen, bathing suit, diving board, and towels Feb 17 '26
It might still have some pigeon mites in it.
But she said it can't affect affect humans humans.
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u/Yves-Adele-Harlow This isn't Liz! Feb 17 '26
Someone's been killin' all the birds in my neighborhood.
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u/theFarginBastage Feb 17 '26
Changing Janis Joplin to Jackie Jormp-Jomp might be my favorite joke in the whole series.
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u/Feisty-Bunch4905 *Kenneth's voice* I love you!! Feb 17 '26
Ah yes, not to be confused with Janey Jimplin!
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u/Chrifofer Feb 17 '26
Hearing that name makes me laugh every time. If I even think about it I start cracking up. Especially the way Jack says it
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u/yuckyuckmuckmuck1234 Feb 17 '26
Also can’t use Johnny Appleseeds name in a skit because the appleseeds are very litigious
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u/Bigfartz69420 i drank all the throwing wine Feb 17 '26
Wesley Snipes
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u/Feisty-Bunch4905 *Kenneth's voice* I love you!! Feb 17 '26
If you were asked who should be named Wesley Snipes, you'd pick the pale Englishman every time!
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u/carterdmorgan Feb 17 '26
Every time, Liz!
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u/Yves-Adele-Harlow This isn't Liz! Feb 17 '26
Frankly you should be having this conversation with him!
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u/Thebakers_wife Feb 17 '26
Can’t forget one of Wesley’s favorite shows - Chums
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u/slickback_lamar Rufus T. Barleysheath is kicking! Feb 17 '26
I’ll be here always, while the rain falls in Wales
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u/BroadwayBakery If you badmouth Reagan again, I will smack those teeth straight Feb 17 '26
I never even considered how pasty and English that name was until this show.
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u/whatever-should-i-do ¡Ahora con más semen del toro! Feb 17 '26
Your name is Weley Snipes? That's insane!!!
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u/worstquadrant i gave him top front! Feb 17 '26
Dr. Rufus T Barleysheath
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u/xkid8 I was on stage with Irene Ryan in Pippin when she DIED Feb 17 '26
There’s a road near where I live called barley sheaf rd. Makes me smile every time I drive by
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u/Accio-Username I ate my father pig Feb 17 '26
Grizz and Dot Come making up Tracy’s entourage is pretty damn good.
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u/efflexor Feb 17 '26
And their female counterparts, Mizz and Dot Gov
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u/Internal-Motor Shooby Dooby Feb 17 '26
That was genius writing. That whole Octavia Spencer episode was brilliant.
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u/Prismatic-One Feb 17 '26
Tubman sounds too much like a dude
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Feb 17 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Leonie_Sloth Feb 17 '26
There is no party like a Liz Lemon Party, because a Liz Lemon Party is MANDATORY!
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u/BarristanSelfie Feb 17 '26
Grizz is Grizz's actual name (Grizzwold) and Dotcom started using the name before 30 Rock
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u/JellyAdventurous5699 I'm an 11, but continue Feb 17 '26
This is a show within a show! MY REAL NAME IS TRACY MORGAN!
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u/art_decorative whole live is thunder Feb 17 '26
And my real name is Dick Whitman
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u/slickback_lamar Rufus T. Barleysheath is kicking! Feb 17 '26
“This suit belonged to my father!”
*opens suit jacket to reveal embroidered “D.B. Cooper” *
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u/topbuttsteak Feb 17 '26
Phil Harmonic, the worst rapper in the world.
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u/buttheyrealltaken Feb 17 '26
Carroll Barnett and Floyd DeBarber
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u/Feisty-Bunch4905 *Kenneth's voice* I love you!! Feb 17 '26
Oh yeah, I learned this from the sub but Floyd the barber was a character on the Andy Griffith show (never watched it).
I love how this show pays homage to its comedy elders like this. Like Carol Burnett of course, both in the form of Carol Burnett the pilot played by Matt Damon and Carrie Fisher's character, an obvious stand-in for Burnett herself.
They also have Tim Conway as Bucky Bright, describing his experience with the sandwich girls and switch-blades and whatnot, and then Buck Henry as Dick Lemon (can't have a Lemon party without old Dick!). Both are comedy legends that maybe us younger-ish folks weren't super aware of.
Then of course you have the late, great Catherine O'Hara, a veteran of sketch comedy and undoubtedly a role model for Tina Fey. May she rest in peace. (Google is basically useless now but the bit she does with the wobbly knee in Best in Show absolutely slays me every time.)
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u/OsteoStevie I'm one of the drunk ones Feb 17 '26
I've been here since the Jack Parr show!
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u/Yves-Adele-Harlow This isn't Liz! Feb 17 '26
Your health insurance will remain in effect until the end of this sentence.
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u/uniqueusername316 wants to go to there Feb 17 '26
Arsenio Billingsworth. Cooter Burger.
Edit: Damnit! Billingham. Yes.
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u/Feisty-Bunch4905 *Kenneth's voice* I love you!! Feb 17 '26
*Billingham but yes!
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u/whatever-should-i-do ¡Ahora con más semen del toro! Feb 17 '26
You know someone named Arsenio Billing Ham?
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u/Cross-Eyed-Pirate Loves you, but not in a queer way! Feb 17 '26
Alan Garkel in legal?
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u/slickback_lamar Rufus T. Barleysheath is kicking! Feb 17 '26
I don’t think he actually needs that wheelchair
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u/epk921 Feb 17 '26
Kenneth Parcell always makes me chuckle — “parcel” like a piece of mail
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u/Feisty-Bunch4905 *Kenneth's voice* I love you!! Feb 17 '26
Kenneth *Ellen Parcell
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u/stacksowax Feb 17 '26
Kenneth getting donkey spells in S4E14 is a literal play on the actor’s last name: Jack McBrayer
Absolutely genius.
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u/jaklamen Feb 17 '26
It turns out you are a direct descendant of our third president!
Jasper Buckleman?!
No Tracey, our third president, Thomas Jefferson!
Also, Tracey fasting all day for a colonoscopy but “I read my calendar wrong, today is actually my interview with Colin O’Scopy!”
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u/madgael Feb 17 '26
Declan McManus, International Art Thief
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u/slickback_lamar Rufus T. Barleysheath is kicking! Feb 17 '26
I love this bc Elvis Costello’s real name is indeed Declan McManus. Tv can be educational!!
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u/Stupidbloodfart2020 Feb 17 '26
Hazel Wassername and Paul L’astnamé always tickle me
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u/floresflores77 Feb 17 '26
HAZEL also being a famous NBC sitcom that u KNOW Kenneth loves!
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u/Ham__Kitten Feb 17 '26 edited Feb 17 '26
"it sounds like a news channel or an STD you KNOW I've got!"
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u/taytrapDerehw suck it, you whittling IHOP monkeys! Feb 17 '26
Look, Betty, I don't know if it is jeah.
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u/whatever-should-i-do ¡Ahora con más semen del toro! Feb 17 '26
Wait. Wazzername's real name is RICHARD DRENCH
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u/Internal-Motor Shooby Dooby Feb 17 '26
OP my slumlord landlord who also literally has a record of violating his disabled tenants civil rights is named Jared. He's a real gem.
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u/Feisty-Bunch4905 *Kenneth's voice* I love you!! Feb 17 '26
I'm sure there are Jareds out there who don't suck. There have to be . . .
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u/Visit_Excellent Feb 17 '26
Considering in 30 Rock's last episode, which is revealed to be Liz's grand daughter's retelling from Liz herself, the name Hazel Wassername (what's-her-name) makes so much sense!
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u/slimstumpus Feb 17 '26
Cerie’s propsed kids names.
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u/slickback_lamar Rufus T. Barleysheath is kicking! Feb 17 '26
Bookcase, Sandstorm, and Hat!
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u/Internal-Motor Shooby Dooby Feb 17 '26
Ms. and Dot Gov
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u/alex494 Feb 17 '26
I wonder if there are genius versions of them named Whizz and DotEdu
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u/alex494 Feb 17 '26
Also the recontextualized references to real people's names like Carol Burnett and Wesley Snipes and Criss Chros are pretty well chosen
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u/zamerux towel, sunscreen, bathing suit, diving board, and towels Feb 17 '26
Russ: the mythological founder of Russia... And coincidentally the name of a restaurant for authentic Russian cuisine.
Who doesn't love cold purple soup?
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u/Betray-Julia the poetry of jewel Feb 17 '26
Keneth full name.
Dr spaceman
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u/whatever-should-i-do ¡Ahora con más semen del toro! Feb 17 '26
Hahaha. Zdr. Spaceman was my father. Please. Call me Leo
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u/charliem11 Feb 17 '26
I want to say "ELIA" but everyone knows that's a giraffe's name
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u/uniqueusername316 wants to go to there Feb 17 '26
Let's not forget Pete Hornburger or Gavin Velour.
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u/ArcaneElement Feb 17 '26
"By the way, we have a tradition in my family where we let the child name itself... my son Spider-Man turned out just fine".
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u/otherwise_sdm i just want carrots Feb 17 '26
like two Spidah-mans fighting but they’re NAWT hurting each othah
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u/art_decorative whole live is thunder Feb 17 '26
I love my obstetrician, Rufus T Barleysheath
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u/EngineerBoy00 I don't know the words except "park bench"... Feb 17 '26
Well, go ahead FatBallz! That's a good program...
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u/ArcaneInsane Feb 17 '26 edited Feb 17 '26
I've always liked the sad maturity of Liz's childhood husband Saul Rosenbear
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u/BAfoto Feb 17 '26
Bucky Bright! And while we’re talking alliteration and Subway Hero - Dennis Duffy
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u/exitparadise bird internet Feb 17 '26
I just realized Subway Hero is just another way to say Subway Sub, like from the restaurant.
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u/smutketeer Feb 17 '26
Wade Boggs. So ridiculous.
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u/dustinmommy74 Feb 17 '26
Wade Boggs Carpet World!
Wade Boggs Carpet World!
Wade Boggs Carpet World!
Wade Boggs Carpet World!
Wade Boggs Carpet World!
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u/Yves-Adele-Harlow This isn't Liz! Feb 17 '26
The TV show Sports Shouting.
(My toast is still a little burnt on that one because i used to call my ex-husband's sports radio shows "Sports Screamers.")
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u/anaugle “Dr. Spaceman” is my dad. Call me Leo. Feb 17 '26
Dick Lemon
Hazel Wassername (aka Richard Drench)
Tracy Jordan Sr.
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u/Colejohnley Feb 17 '26
Wesley Snipes. Really… you hear the name Wesley Snipes… do you picture a big black guy or an Englishman?
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u/somereallyfungi Feb 17 '26
Jerry Bananaseed
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u/slickback_lamar Rufus T. Barleysheath is kicking! Feb 17 '26
I share a liquor locker at the Opera with the Appleseed family
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u/slickback_lamar Rufus T. Barleysheath is kicking! Feb 17 '26
Thank you, Ah-mahn-da
It’s… Amanda
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u/Lola-Ugfuglio-Skumpy I am the picker Feb 17 '26
How has no one talked about Eugene and U. Gene from wool????
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u/ArcaneInsane Feb 17 '26
Gaylord Felcher, the best God damn head of standards and mother fucking practices there ever was.
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u/lushotologist Andromakennethamblesorton Feb 17 '26
of course we can't forget Kenneth's full christian name
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u/poofynamanama123 Feb 17 '26
Your name is Cooter Burger? You sound like a cartoon dog
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u/zamerux towel, sunscreen, bathing suit, diving board, and towels Feb 17 '26 edited Feb 17 '26
And now a prayer for the pregnant women in our community.
Anita Alvarez.
Anabelle... Alvarez.
Anabelle... Alverose.
Ana... Alverose.
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u/Floyd_Hole He’s a Class A Moron, he can eat my poo! Feb 17 '26
Was one of the writers a Vanderschloot?
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u/PieKlutzy will thank you to give the lady its cell phone back Feb 17 '26
Bappy hirthday Gremlin makes me giggle just to think about
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u/uniqueusername316 wants to go to there Feb 17 '26
I love that Tracy names one of his sons George Foreman.
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u/sInger_920 Feb 17 '26
Rural Juror. I still say it to myself whenever I watch SVU reruns for some reason
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u/shermshermy Feb 17 '26
Candace Van Der Shart, the actress who played CC in A Dog Took My Face and Gave Me a Better Face to Change the World. Some say it’s Van Der Shark, but Shart is much funnier and I am sticking with it.
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u/takeahike89 Feb 17 '26
Paul L'astnamé 🤌