Elizabeth Banks Talks About 30 Rock Season Finale & Being A Hollywood Triple Threat

Elizabeth Banks in NBC's 30 Rock

Rock ‘n Roll Ghost participated in a conference call with actress Elizabeth Banks. Banks, guest starring this season on NBC’s 30 Rock as one of Jack Donaghy’s (Alec Baldwin) love interests, discusses working on the critically-acclaimed, Emmy-winning show as well as details on her upcoming films as an actress, a producer and a director. The season finale of 30 Rock airs Thursday, May 20th on NBC at 9:30 PM ET/8:30 PM CT and Banks co-stars with series regulars Baldwin, creator, writer and star Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan – as well as guest stars Will Forte, Julianne Moore and Matt Damon.

Since you spend so much time with Alec Baldwin on the show what it is like working with him?

Elizabeth Banks: Everyone wants to know that. I think he’s fantastic. First of all, he’s so charming it’s sort of ridiculous. And I think he’s really working in a zone right now that I think is really amazing. He’s so funny and they’ve really done such a great job with the Jack Donaghy character for him.

And he seems very delighted by Tina (Fey) and by the scripts. So I think he’s pretty happy there. They certainly make a big effort to keep him happy there. And I hope he’s happy with me too.

Elizabeth Banks

In the season finale are we going to get to see a hint of Avery’s annual PMS retreat?

Elizabeth Banks: There is no scene that takes place in the fenced in area in the Adirondacks no, unfortunately. But I imagine that area is very – I’m assuming it comes from The Red Tent, the Anita Diamant book which is about how all the women whenever they get their period all have to go sit in the red tent and hang out with each other.

I think that was the inspiration for the idea of the fenced in area. I’d love to see what other ladies are there.

Are you going to have a face-off with Julianne Moore?

Elizabeth Banks: I will tell you that Julianne Moore and I do have a scene together. I don’t know if it’s quite the face-off that you’re expecting but we do have a scene together – so we meet in the finale.

Is there any chance that Avery could come back next year or is this wrapping it up for her?

Elizabeth Banks: I would say like with any show and especially this show you just never know year to year what the writer are going to decide they want to do or what direction they want to take things in. So, you know, it’s not quite wrapped up – it’s open-ended at the end of the season as to what’s going to happen.

Talk about your inspiration for the character of Avery.

Elizabeth Banks: I watch a lot of cable news…it’s sort of depressing that I watch cable news. But so I’m aware of who all those personalities are. And I really wanted to play it like any of those ladies who have those shows.

I love Maria Bartiroma. I thought it was sort of based on her in my mind a little bit but also all the guys. I love the idea of the countdown. I thought it was very Keith Olbermann, so that’s who I was sort of impersonating.

But she’s an amalgam of many, many characters. And contrary to the Page 6 reports she’s not based on any one person.

We recently saw Avery at an event with Jack and they hollered, ‘Hey Chelsea Handler, look over here.’

Elizabeth Banks: Well I’m friendly with the writing staff on this show and there was a piece on my Twitter page about Chris Rock referring to me as Chelsea Handler and that was a call-back to that because then I think Star Magazine or something put a…I’ll tell you what. I get called and get confused with Chelsea Handler often enough that we felt like it was a funny joke to put in the show.

Speaking of Twitter it’s a big part of promotion for TV shows and movies. And you’re an active participant on Twitter; why is that so important for you?

Elizabeth Banks: I just like having a direct connection to my fans. The great thing about Twitter, which the other social networks don’t have is there’s no expectation of returning anyone’s Tweet to me.

So I actually read most of the people who Tweet to me – I actually read their Tweets. But I’m a busy person and I don’t have the time or the inclination to respond to everybody.

And the great thing about Twitter is that there’s no expectation to respond whereas, you know, if you’re on Facebook it’s like ‘Why don’t you friend me, you bitch?’ And I’m like I don’t really want to be called a bitch on Facebook so I’m not going to do that anymore.

What’s it like coming into a show that has such a specific sensibility as 30 Rock and how do you get into the groove with the regulars?

Elizabeth Banks: You bring up a good point which is that 30 Rock has a rhythm that is unlike most typical sitcoms. And it really is all about falling into that rhythm.

They don’t pause for any jokes, there’s no ba-da-bump punch line – it’s very much blink and you miss it on that show. I happen to have that sensibility. I think the writers knew that when they were writing the material. And it was a very easy transition for me. But you really do have to be aware of the rhythm of the show and how to fall into it properly.

Alec Baldwin and Elizabeth Banks in NBC's 30 Rock

Were you a big fan of 30 Rock before you got on there?

Elizabeth Banks: I was. I’m a huge Tina Fey fan. And I have a few friends on the writing staff. I think they’re all amazing. In terms of doing television if you’re going to do a guest star on a show you pretty much want it to be on the show that wins all the Emmys. I get offered shows and it really is like this is the cream of the crop so why not?

The criteria for me is ‘Is the character amazing – am I actually getting to score (comedically) on the show or am I just there to support everybody else?’

Bill Lawrence on Scrubs always wrote me really fun, funny exciting stuff to do. I always felt like I was part of that ensemble. I feel the same way on 30 Rock; I feel very much a part of the ensemble when I’m there making the show. So it’s really just looking for that sense of belonging.

Talking about your film work for a minute – The Next Three Days with Russell Crowe, have you finished that?

Elizabeth Banks: Yes we finished it. It comes out November 18, I’m very, very excited. It’s a great movie. I play a woman who is accused of murder. I go to prison and my husband, Russell Crowe, breaks me out and we go on the run. We had a lot of fun shooting that.

Rock ‘n Roll Ghost: What is the best thing about playing off of Alec Baldwin?

Elizabeth Banks: He’s a really easy laugh which is kind of great. I really enjoy making him laugh. And I feel it’s my duty on set to make him laugh. So if I can get him laughing I feel like I’ve scored that day. So that’s part of it. Also he always tells me how gorgeous I look and I will take that compliment every day of the week.

Rock ‘n Roll Ghost: You are doing a lot of production work I noticed; how did you get involved in the producing side with films?

Elizabeth Banks: I got involved with producing partially because there’s just a lack of interesting things for women to do in Hollywood. And I’m a sort of Type-A personality who likes a little control in my life. So it’s probably just gaining back a little control over what I’m doing in my daily life here in good old Hollywood USA.

Rock ‘n Roll Ghost: You seem to have more films in the production pipeline than perhaps a lot of other actresses. And I think it’s a real credit to your personality and your efforts. And I wanted to ask you also about directing, you directed part of a feature film coming out sometime this year. Can you talk a little bit about that?

Elizabeth Banks: Yeah, I directed – the Farrelly brothers are exec-producing a movie that’s going to come out in the fall that’s a series of comedic shorts that are put together into an overall movie sort of like New York, I Love You, Paris je t’aime for comedy. They were inspired by Kentucky Fried Movie.

And they brought together writers and directors from all over. They had offered me a short to act in and they said here’s all the great people that are writing and directing them and it was all men. There was not a single woman on the list.

And so I called – I’m friendly with everybody that was sort of involved. And I just called and I said, ‘Hey, I’ll definitely act in one for you, I think that’s great. I’d love to be a part of it but I’d really love to direct one as well. And I’m happy to pitch you some things and see if we can come with up something. I knew I could find something that they’d like.’ And sure enough we did. And we shot it, you know, yeah, it’s been a couple months now…

Rock ‘n Roll Ghost: Who in the cast did you direct and what is the story basically about?

Elizabeth Banks: It’s a coming-of-age story starring Chloe Grace Moretz, who plays Hit-Girl in the current Kick Ass along with Christopher Mintz-Plasse (aka) Mr. McLovin and Jimmy Bennett. So I directed some kids…actually it was pretty great.

So you’re one of those people in Hollywood that’s known for being married. But if you weren’t would you date someone like Jack Donaghy in real life?

Elizabeth Banks: In real life? No. I believe in dating someone your own age. I’m really only attracted to people my own age. That’s just how I am. It’s always been my way. I’ve never understood dating sort of outside of your age range.

I think there’s a big difference between 30 and 40. And I like to be in a relationship with someone who’s at the same place in their life that I’m at.

Then there’s no truth to the rumors that put you with Chris Pine recently?

Elizabeth Banks: You know, Chris Pine and I are friendly and we did share a car to and from a few events. But we are just friends. Paul Rudd was also in the car with us that night but no one mentioned that. (Joking) I was in a three-way with Paul and Chris Pine; now that would have been news.

Elizabeth Banks and Alec Baldwin in NBC's 30 Rock

Avery has so many hilarious lines and you absolutely kill with the character. How much if any of that is ad-libbed?

Elizabeth Banks: None of it is ad-libbed. Those writers work very, very hard in that writer’s room for a really long time perfecting those jokes so we just do our best to say them. And if something fun sort of comes out of it in the moment it’s not like forbidden but it’s sort of rendered unnecessary.

What else are you watching right now?

Elizabeth Banks: I’m watching Justified. My buddy Timothy Olyphant is in Justified, who I think is great. I’m a huge Lost fan but I have not seen this week’s so I don’t want to hear anything about it. I don’t want to read anything about it; I don’t want to know anything. I am actually two behind, I’m saving them up for myself. So I’m a huge Lost fan. I’m devastated that the series is ending.

I also watch The Office. I’m excited for True Blood and Mad Men to come back.

What was it like on set with Matt Damon, Will Forte and Michael Sheen?

Elizabeth Banks: You know, it’s pretty great. There were a lot of Oscar nominees on the set that day. I actually did not work with Matt Damon because his schedule got a little messed up and he ended up coming in after we had wrapped the season to shoot just with Tina. So we actually worked with this photo double on those days. So I did not meet Matt Damon.

Michael Sheen is a doll. And I love Wesley – I think that’s a great character for him. I love him with Tina. Will Forte looks so amazing on the season finale I cannot wait for people to see what he’s dressed as. I took about eight photos of myself with him because I’m just so excited to have evidence that I was there when he was dressed the way he’s going to be dressed next Thursday night.

What are your thoughts on the state of women in film and television both in front of the camera and behind it?

Elizabeth Banks: Well, I believe that women in film, technically the organization Women in Film, just came out with new statistics. And like most other things in the world, Fortune 500 companies, or the Senate, we make up, I believe, less than double-digit percentage wise of people behind the camera whether it be produce writers or produce directors and – or producers for that matter. So it’s a sad state of affairs my friends.

Can you tell us about the film The Details?

Elizabeth Banks: The Details is a sort of a black comedy I suppose I would call it. It’s a deep movie about myself and Tobey Maguire; we play a couple who are having trouble in our marriage. And we sort of approach different people to sort of help or hurt us, I suppose, get through our marriage, including Laura Linney who gives an amazing turn in the movie, Carrie Washington, Ray Liotta, Dennis Haysbert. So it’s a great, really cool ensemble. And, yeah, it focuses on Toby trying not to mess up his life.

You seemed really excited about The Next Three Days; is that going to be a really big action adventure film for you?

Elizabeth Banks: Yeah it is. It’s a bit of a psychological thriller mixed with an action movie. And Russell’s amazing. It’s based on a French film called Por El (For Her).

And I’m really, really, really thrilled about it. Paul Haggis is amazing; he wrote a great character for me. And I’m really excited for people to see it.