Liz Lemon

Liz Lemon is a fictional character on the hit NBC television series 30 Rock. On the show, she is the head writer of a show much like Saturday Night Live, called TGS with Tracy Jordan. In it Liz must deal with various larger-than life personalities, including actors, writers, PAs, and her eccentric boss, the very Lorne Michaels-esque Jack Donaghy, played by Alec Baldwin. The show's title is based on 30 Rockfeller Plaza, the address of the Rockafeller Center. It is an allusion to SNL, since that show is filmed at that location.

Parallels to Tina Fey

Actress and creator of 30 Rock Tina Fey has stated very plainly that Liz Lemon is partially based on Fey herself. Fey's full name is Elizabeth Stamatina Fey, which meanc that she shares the full first name of Lemon, Elizabeth. Fey was the head writer of Saturday Night Live for several years, and during her tenure was often called upon to deal with big personalities and big egos. Her own personality is also similar to Lemon; dry, witty, sarcastic, she exudes and air of confidence and reliability while retaining a nerdy awkwardness at the same time.