Lavish parties with deformed Hapsburgs. Alec Baldwin. Dancing environmental mascots. Tina Fey. Seinfeld Vision. Foxy boxing. Staff Writer Alexandra Palombo explains how the list fits together.

“30 Rock” takes this random group of people and activities and combines them into a half-hour of comedy gold. The Golden Globe-winning show is about an SNL-style show called “The Girlie Show” and its cast: writer Liz Lemon (Fey), network honcho Jack Donaghy (Baldwin) and stars Jenna ( Jane Krakowski) and Tracy Jordan ( Tracy Morgan). (See page 20 for a review of Morgan’s appearance at Cornell University). “30 Rock” premiered in the same season as “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,” another show looking behind the scenes of a live variety show. Unlike “Studio 60,” however, “30 Rock” has managed to avoid the first season ax and hang on for its second run.

Liz, the show’s writer, is perhaps the most stable of all the characters. Aside from her non-existent love life, she is responsible for dealing with most of the cast. She keeps Tracy out of trouble, boosts Jenna’s self-confidence, attempts to keep the writers and crew on task and defends herself against Jack’s constant insults.

The show as a whole gets its laughs from off-hand comments from the crew, cast member Frank ( Judah Friedlander) and his trucker hats, Jack’s put-downs and by using cut-away gags, such as memorable flash backs to Kenneth’s horrible parties, Liz’s girlhood dreams of marriage and Tracy Jordan’s novelty record “Werewolf Bar Mitzvah.” “30 Rock” also plays host to tons of famous guest stars — Carrie Fisher, Rip Torn, Jerry Seinfeld, Isabella Rossellini, Elaine Stritch, Edi Falco and several SNL alum have popped up.

Even after scoring Golden Globes and Emmys, racking up wonderful reviews and leading into the wildly popular “The Office,”  “30 Rock” ranks low in the ratings. Still, writer and star Fey has thanked the show’s “dozens and dozens of viewers” and has written and filmed four more episodes to last until May sweeps.