Jania Ashlynn
The actor and musical performer shared the details of his career for April’s GQ cover story. One detail in particular, was about writing for ‘30 Rock.’ A job that, according to Tina Fey, he earned due to a diversity incentive for NBC.
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In The Early Days
At 23 years old, the comedian, who is also known as rapper Childish Gambino, had his first big break when he was hired to write for the popular sitcom in 2006.
Glover said that when he was working, the network had a diversity incentive that let them hire black writers without it affecting their budget. He also brought his own ideas to the table.
“It was a diversity thing,” Glover explained, “There is no animosity between us or anything like that, but [Tina Fey] said it herself.”
“The last two people who were fighting for the job were me and Kenya Barris. I didn’t know it was between me and him until later.”
Right Place, Right Time
Glover continued to write for the show for three years. “It definitely didn’t feel like I was supposed to be there.”
“I used to have stress dreams every night where I was doing cartwheels on the top of a New York skyscraper with the other writers watching me.”
In a profile with the New Yorker, Fey talked about the hiring process for Glover. “The answer was in large part yes; she admired Glover’s talent but hired him because funds from NBC’s Diversity Initiative ‘made him free.’”
The popular NBC show, centered around Liz Lemon (played by Fey), is about the head writer of a TV show similar to Saturday Night Live. The sitcom aired from October 11, 2006 to January 31, 2013.
