MovieChat Forums > 30 Rock (2006) Discussion > Hazel Wassername is an awful character

Hazel Wassername is an awful character


30 Rock made the same horrible mistake that so many other shows do in their final couple of seasons: they introduced a new character. Now, I don't mind when a show does this, but only if the character is well constructed or at least kind of funny - but Hazel is terrible. Jenna and Tracy were already the ridiculous, thoughtless characters of the show, but the change was so gradual that we didn't notice how weird they became, and even if we did, it was endearing because we had already loved the characters by then. But when Hazel came and had almost identical, over-the-top jokes and no likable characteristics at all, it really made the show's increasingly weak writing all the more obvious. And worst of all, with the introduction of her character, Kenneth got less screen time, which is a travesty, as he is a hilarious and extremely unique character. Does anyone else agree that Hazel was a terrible inclusion?

Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the war room!

reply

I didn't hate Hazel. I thought her psychotic infatuation with Liz was pretty funny for example, but you're right about screen time. In a show with already too many characters to balance, adding more weakened it, especially Kenneth.

They could have had Tracy go off on one of his demented rails, and become Liz's stalker instead for instance. Same effect, but not detracting from the program overall.

"I'm doing good in the game, so I'm doing good in life!" - Charlie Kelly

reply

I actually didn't hate Hazel either. I admit, I didn't like her at first because she was unnecessary. But upon repeat viewings, she's actually funny: she's a creepy oddball. Yes, this cast already had enough of that type—but she managed to add a new wrinkle on it, believe it or not.

reply

Yeah the jokes surrounding her character were always funny like, "Why are they blue?!", and calling naked Kenneth a featureless, beige sock. My point was that any of the existing characters could have made those. Adding Hazel was extraneous, but I wasn't consulted.

"I'm doing good in the game, so I'm doing good in life!" - Charlie Kelly

reply

Right. Another absolute fav of mine is:

Hazel: You think I'm this fragile little girl? Well I'm not—I've been in TONS of car accidents!

reply

Hazel was funny to me but I agree she really wasn't a necessary addition. I really like Kristen Schaal so I think that helped an otherwise unnecessary character become more likable. I wonder if the show creators also just like Schaal so much and wanted to write a character specifically for her. I did love the running joke about her mysterious past though and how she used to be named "Richard Drench". I do recall the show even poking fun at itsself for her not being really anything new and more of just the same once or twice too.

reply

Agreed. Especially about her having no redeeming qualities.

reply

I HATED hazel. Agree completely

reply

I agree, she is awful

reply

I'm actually rewatching the show now and was thinking (hoping) that I might've misremembered how annoying and bad Hazel was.

I was wrong.

reply

From the episode she entered till she left, the show was so off.

SHE WAS THE WORST!

reply