In this episode, producer Jack Donaghy and head writer Liz Lemon decide to cease live broadcasts of TGS to save money.

[1] Jack (played by Alec Baldwin) notifies Liz Lemon (Fey) that the network is ceasing live broadcasts of TGS in order to save money.

Kenneth Parcell is distressed by the decision and locks the show's staff in Tracy Jordan's dressing room to convince them of the magic provided by live television.

It turns out that the appearance of Tracy Jordan's dance troupe on a live television fundraiser in 1986 had significant impacts: Tracy tripped and fell, realizing that he could be comedic; Liz prank called the studio, igniting her love for fighting authority; and Jack answered Liz's phone call, his professionalism impressing executive Don Geiss into giving him a promotion.

[5] Fey, Morgan, Krakowski, and McBrayer had all expressed excitement about performing a second live show,[3] but Baldwin was initially skeptical until he read the script and was convinced.

This episode includes extended skits referencing The Honeymooners,[10] Amos and Andy, Laugh-In, The Dean Martin Show,[11] telethons, and news broadcasts from the 1950s through 1980s.

[12] In addition, the show closed with an on-stage good-bye in the style of Saturday Night Live, owing to the strong overlap in cast and crew of the two programs.

Club gave the episode a B, praising its nostalgia for television and daring to break out of a strictly scripted format, but criticizing it for having too loose of a structure and relying on skits and cameos.

"[17] The Alfie and Abner segment, parodying Amos 'n' Andy, caused controversy for its potential to reproduce negative stereotypes about African Americans.