Subway Hero

"Subway Hero" is the twelfth episode of the second season of 30 Rock and thirty-third episode of the series. It was written by Jack Burditt, one of the series' co-executive producers, and executive producer Robert Carlock. It was directed by Don Scardino. It aired on April 17, 2008 on the NBC network in the United States. Guest stars in this episode include Michael Bloomberg, Tim Conway and Dean Winters. The Lord Stanley Cup is also jokingly listed as a guest star. Dennis Duffy's actions in this episode were modeled after real New York City Subway Hero Wesley Autrey.

The episode revolves around Liz's former boyfriend, Dennis Duffy (Dean Winters), becoming a local celebrity when he saves somebody's life at a subway station. Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) is looking for a celebrity to be the face of the Republican Party and Kenneth Parcell (Jack McBrayer) meets one of his idols, Bucky Bright (Tim Conway).

Plot

When invited to Jack's office, Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) is asked whether or not she would mind having her former boyfriend, Dennis, appear on TGS with Tracy Jordan, a fictional sketch comedy series. Since they last met, Dennis saved somebody's life at a subway station and has become a local celebrity. Liz and Dennis meet up where she agrees to let him appear on the show. Jenna Maroney (Jane Krakowski) is wary and warns Liz not to let herself fall in love with Dennis again. When Liz realizes she does still have feelings for him, an excuse to get rid of him is presented when Dennis' "15 minutes of fame" are up and Liz revokes her invitation. Liz later follows him to 47th–50th Streets–Rockefeller Center subway station where he tries to regain his subway hero title by throwing her onto the tracks of an oncoming train.