Why Olivia Munn Lost 30 Rock Role as Alec Baldwin’s Love Interest

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What a week Olivia Munn recalls having.

I was so excited to hear that Olivia was originally considered for the role of Avery Jessup on 30 Rock! Apparently, back in 2010, she was actually cast as Alec Baldwin’s love interest on the show. It was a bit of a nail-biter, with some discussion back and forth, but ultimately, she didn’t get the part. Elizabeth Banks ended up playing Avery, and while she was fantastic, I always wondered what Olivia would have brought to the role!

Olivia recounted a confusing experience after getting a role. She explained to The Hollywood Reporter that she was initially told she was hired, but then, two days later, the producers said Alec Baldwin felt she appeared too young to play his love interest. Two days after that, she was told everything was fine and she was scheduled to fly out on Saturday. However, on Friday, they reversed course again, saying Alec still thought she looked too young and wouldn’t approve her for the part.

TopMob News has reached out to reps for Alec and NBC for comment but has not heard back.

Although Olivia, 45, was upset about not getting the role – and now realizes it could have been a major opportunity – she wasn’t completely heartbroken.

And ultimately, it came down to why she didn’t get the role.

Olivia reflected on how much she’d achieved, saying, “I was really proud of how far I’d come.” While she didn’t get the job, it wasn’t due to her performance. She felt confident in her abilities and acting skills, and that was a positive takeaway.

Olivia’s growing confidence wasn’t just about nearly landing the role; it also came from how she approached the audition itself. She shares two young children—4-year-old Malcolm and 18-month-old Méi June—with her husband, John Mulaney.

Okay, so I was just feeling amazing that day, honestly. I actually put effort into my outfit – something I never do! When I checked in, I didn’t even rush to the soundstages like I usually would. It sounds crazy, but I just… didn’t need to. I had this total confidence that they’d find me, you know? Like, they’d sense I was there and come looking. It was the weirdest, best feeling ever. I just knew it was going to happen.

She fully committed to playing the part of Avery, even during the audition process. When she found out she’d gotten the role, she realized she’d successfully shielded herself from feeling jealous or competitive with the other actresses.

Okay, so she didn’t get her big break on 30 Rock, which, honestly, was a crime, but then she landed Perfect Couples on NBC! It was only one season, 2010-2011, but it proved she was AMAZING. And THEN, the real magic happened! She became Sloan Sabbith on The Newsroom and was absolutely brilliant for all three seasons. Seriously, Sloan… perfection!

Olivia said she hadn’t had a major acting role before landing the HBO show. While she’d been in a sitcom on NBC, this new part was much more challenging. She felt she was the least experienced actor on set, and was determined to do a great job.

For a look at more candid celebrity confessions, keep reading.

Okay, so I was scrolling through Twitter, and someone dared to suggest Jason Kelce doesn’t wash his legs or feet! Can you believe the nerve? And Jason, being the amazing, hilarious guy he is, immediately fired back with, “What kind of weirdo washes their feet…” Honestly, it was gold. I live for this man’s tweets, and this one just proves he’s as real and awesome as we all know. I’m obsessed!

The retired Philadelphia Eagles player later doubled down on his comments.

On his podcast, New Heights, Jason Kelce jokingly asked, “What kind of person washes someone else’s feet?” He then added that he would only scrub feet if they were visibly dirty.

More than ten years after telling a story about witnessing a clown’s death in a car explosion at the circus when he was a child, the actor known for Twilight has confessed that the story was made up.

Robert remembered telling The New York Times Style Magazine in December 2024 that he reacted with complete surprise, saying, ‘What on earth? Are you possessed?’

As for what he said during the 2011 Today interview promoting his film Water for Elephants?

He explained that one of the clowns had died in an accident. Their small car, a prop used in the show, unexpectedly exploded, causing everyone to panic and run for safety. It was a frightening experience.

Grandma knows best.

In an October 2022 episode of The Kardashians, Kim Kardashian shared a personal story about how her grandmother, Mary Jo “MJ” Campbell, unexpectedly played a role in a private moment with her then-boyfriend, Pete Davidson.

Kim Kardashian shared a story with her mom, Kris Jenner, and sister Khloe about a weekend at the Beverly Hills Hotel. She explained that she and Pete Davidson were chatting by the fireplace for hours when she remembered something her grandmother had told her: that having sex in front of a fireplace is a way to truly enjoy life. Inspired by this, they decided to act on it ‘in honor’ of Kris.

Grandma’s reaction? A nod of approval.

Kim found it unsettling to think about her grandmother before being intimate, and MJ responded by saying she understood, as she hadn’t always been older.

Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher have a very close family, including their children, 8-year-old Wyatt and 6-year-old Dimitri, and their love for each other is limitless.

So much so, that the Black Swan actress revealed they keep an open-door policy at home.

She told TopMob News in September 2022 that this even extends to the bathroom. She explained it’s become normal for her family, including the kids, to openly discuss and accept natural bodily functions.

Mila explained she decided to give in after her family repeatedly asked to come inside. She said she eventually thought, ‘Okay, fine, I’ll just leave the door open.’

Pre-kids, she might not have imagined she’d flush that particular boundary away.

Honestly, I’m still reeling from it! She actually said she never imagined she’d be someone comfortable enough to… well, to not even need to close the bathroom door! It’s just… everything about her is so freeing and real, and that little detail? It completely blew my mind. It’s like, total vulnerability, and I’m obsessed with it.

Jennifer Garner shared a funny story about a mishap on set. While filming the 2007 movie The Kingdom, she accidentally bit her own tongue during a fight scene – a bit more than she bargained for!

Jennifer described a scene with Sala Baker where director Pete Berg instructed her to realistically attempt to evade harm. According to Jennifer, there wasn’t much planned choreography, and Berg told her to do whatever it took to appear as if she was trying to survive.

She continued, explaining that they both jumped into action, and she ended up climbing onto his back. She even bit his ear – they have a photo to prove it, showing a piece missing! They weren’t messing around.

 

Ghouls just want to have fun.

During an October 2022 episode of The View, while discussing a woman who claimed her home was haunted by “sexual ghosts,” Sara Haines posed a surprising question to the panel: Could a person get pregnant from sexual activity with a ghost?

Luckily, Joy Behar, her co-host, chimed in with a humorous response: “I’ve had encounters with ghosts and haven’t gotten pregnant.”

Honestly, after Joy said that, I just had to agree with Whoopi Goldberg when she said, “I’m just gonna let that ride.” It felt like the perfect response – she acknowledged what was said, but decided it wasn’t worth dwelling on, and I totally felt that. I think a lot of us did!

Jenna Bush Hager and Hoda Kotb are very close friends, but Hoda recently learned something surprising about her co-host on Today. While preparing for an episode of Today with Hoda and Jenna, Hoda found out that Jenna always goes without underwear.

Hoda Kotb recounted a funny moment on Today with Hoda and Jenna from November 2022. She explained that they both needed to quickly change outfits and had to return to the dressing room. While there, Hoda realized Jenna Bush Hager doesn’t wear underwear.

Jenna’s rationale? Well, no underwear might just be more convenient to her.

She explained that the outfit creates a more flattering shape and is also easier to pack. She felt there were many benefits to choosing it.

Looks like someone hasn’t been keeping up.

Britney Spears related to a popular line from Keke Palmer – “He could be walking down the street, and I wouldn’t know a thing” – by admitting she wasn’t familiar with Pete Davidson or Scott Disick.

Britney shared a funny video from March showing Pete Davidson—who was dating Kim Kardashian at the time—and Kourtney Kardashian’s ex, Scott Disick, having a night out. She said the video had her laughing a lot.

Britney apologized for sharing a video, explaining she didn’t know the people in it but found it hilarious. She has since removed the post.

Before Chris Evans became famous as Captain America and was named People’s Sexiest Man Alive in 2022, Jana Kramer dated him and thought he was a charming and attractive guy.

The singer shared on her podcast, Whine Down with Jana Kramer, that this happened over ten years ago. She doesn’t remember exactly how many dates they went on, but she does remember their final meeting.

Jana, who was around 26 at the time, said Chris asked her to come over when he had some friends visiting from Boston.

Jana recalled that the last thing she remembered was her partner going to the bathroom right after she’d used it, noting that eating asparagus can change the smell of urine. They didn’t have sex that night; he stayed up late with friends, and the next morning, Jana left his house feeling embarrassed – what she jokingly called the ‘asparagus walk of shame’.

She added, “I never heard from him again.”

Not all of these confessions are amusing.

In December, television writer Elisabeth Finch confessed that she had fabricated a story about having a rare bone cancer. She had originally shared this false diagnosis with ELLE magazine eight years prior, and it even became the basis for a plotline on Grey’s Anatomy.

Elisabeth recently confessed to telling a lie at age 34, calling it the biggest regret of her life. She explained to The Ankler newsletter that the falsehood grew over time and became a heavy burden. She also clarified, “I have never had cancer.”

After being temporarily removed from his role on the ABC medical drama and ultimately resigning, Finch admitted, “I made a mistake. It was wrong, unacceptable, and I completely messed up.”

Beauty is pain, but Kim Kardashian might be able to stomach it.

As a lifestyle expert, I’m always fascinated by what people will do to feel their best. I recently read an interview where a reality star jokingly admitted she’d pretty much try anything to look younger – and honestly, it sparked a conversation about how far we’ll go for a little self-confidence boost!

She admitted in June that she’d consider doing almost anything for younger-looking skin, even something as unpleasant as eating waste daily. She emphasized she was seriously considering it.

Kim told Allure in July 2022 that she was mostly kidding when she made the comment, but admitted it wasn’t a completely awful idea.

Kim thought for a moment and then said, ‘Honestly, I’d probably eat something awful if someone promised it would make me look younger – even if it meant eating a bowl of poop every day.’

I was so curious to hear how much she could actually eat! She told the reporter she might be able to manage just a bite, but a whole bowl was definitely out of the question. It was sweet to hear her be so honest about it.

Jelly Roll could’ve used some saving from himself.

During an appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show in April 2025, the singer of “Save Me” shared a particularly embarrassing story, and he didn’t hesitate to tell all the details.

“I pooped myself one time,” he admitted. “I did, I’m sorry.”

To be honest, Jelly Roll (whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord) didn’t intend to cause such serious harm.

He firmly believed it was just a misunderstanding. “I really apologize,” he said. “I saw the audience turn from supportive to completely against me.”

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2026-04-06 22:51