Before ‘The Penguin,’ Cristin Milioti Was Proudest of ’30 Rock’

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As a follower of Cristin Milioti‘s illustrious career, I can confidently say that she has been a shining star in the world of entertainment for quite some time now. However, if you haven’t yet hopped aboard the Milioti express, let me tell you—you’re missing out!

In 2024, Cristin Milioti gained a multitude of new admirers due to her captivating portrayal of Sofia Falcone in the HBO series, “The Penguin”. However, it’s not accurate to call this a breakout role for her. Instead, the gifted actress has amassed a loyal fanbase over time, recognized for her sharp comedic timing, convincing performances, and knack for balancing intensity without slipping into false or overdramatic acting. If you weren’t already a fan before now, it’s worth asking where you’ve been hiding! Many are likely to remember her standout roles, such as in the “U.S.S. Callister” episode of “Black Mirror”, her character in “How I Met Your Mother”, or her appearances in “The Sopranos”, “Fargo” Season 2, and “The Wolf of Wall Street”.

Milioti, the actor, recently highlighted one role she takes great pride in – a guest appearance on the hit show, 30 Rock, created by Tina Fey. In the fifth season episode “TGS Hates Women” from 2011, her character Abby Flynn was portrayed as an offensive, sexist stereotype to challenge the show’s alleged misogyny. Milioti discussed this role in an interview with The Jess Cagle Show on Sirius XM.

As a movie enthusiast, there’s no denying my thrill when I found myself embodying this captivating character in the heart of New York City for my beloved TV series. The chance to bring her unique voice to life and don those wild wigs and extravagant costumes was an unparalleled joy. Honestly, it’s one of the achievements I’m most proud of without a doubt. Working on that show felt like a dream come true – a genuine pinch-me moment.

In a humorous turn of events, Milioti shines as the character Abby (who might be connected to Taylor Swift’s song “Anti-Hero”), whose careless and overly sexualized demeanor grates on self-proclaimed feminist Liz Lemon. The comedy intensifies (and tinges with sadness) when Liz uncovers that Abby Flynn is actually a more grounded comedian named Abby Phillips, and she eventually reveals her true identity. Unbeknownst to her, Abby adopted this persona to evade her murderous ex-husband who’s on the hunt for her. Watch Milioti excel in this role below.

Cristin Milioti Is the Best

Milioti continued, remembering her brief time on 30 Rock 13 years ago:

I distinctly recall stepping onto that set, where Tina Fey, a genuinely warm individual, guided me through various locations. She’d point out, ‘This is Jack Donaghy’s office,’ as I attempted to maintain my composure and nonchalance, nodding and mumbling responses like, ‘Oh, in the writers room. Yep. Understood. Right.’ All the while, observing the intricate workings behind the scenes. Everyone on that production was exceptionally kind, making me feel as if I had triumphed in some competition or lottery.

Christina Milioti’s latest HBO series, “Made for Love,” co-starring Billy Magnussen, was an exceptional platform to display her talents, and she significantly enhanced Ray Romano’s career-best performance. Prior to this, she delivered outstanding lead performances in lesser-known films such as the profound character study “Year of the Carnivore” or the delightful “Palm Springs,” a modern take on “Groundhog Day.” In ensemble comedies like “Sleepwalk with Me” and “Breakable You,” Milioti charmed audiences with her supporting roles. Throughout her career, she has kept a pair of eyes that make the world a kinder place.

Absolutely all the mentioned titles are worth your time, but for a taste of Miloti’s talent, her standalone episode in 30 Rock serves as an excellent starting point. However, beware, as 30 Rock ranks among the finest contemporary comedies, there’s a risk you might find yourself unable to stop watching it. Much like Miloti herself, as she confessed in an interview with Sirius XM.

I tend to marathon-watch this series when I’m traveling or during gloomy, wintry periods. It’s something I can rewatch endlessly. In fact, I followed its episodes weekly in real-time and became quite hooked on it.

You can watch “TGS Hates Women” and other episodes of 30 Rock on Peacock here, and check out a clip from Milioti’s interview below.

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2024-12-25 01:32