Although Celebrity Row in Madison Square Garden is a cutthroat, status-conscious area, it doesn’t follow that any A-lister may just invade the personal space of “Tina Fox,” a national treasure and New York symbol.
In front of a ravenous New York audience, the New York Knicks defeated the Atlanta Hawks last night to take a 3-2 advantage in their divisional series. The NBA playoffs often attract the greatest celebrities in popular culture, who are seated in the front row of the most famous arenas like patricians lining the lower rings of the Colosseum in ancient Rome. Last night, the courtside seats at MSG were only filled by the most revered celebrities.
Tracy Morgan and Tina Fey, two former collaborators on Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock, were among the star-studded audience at the Knicks’ victory. They are a perfect example of how New York’s unique sense of humor has influenced American culture. During his “me want food” period, film celebrity and current It Boy Timothée Chalamet, as usual, made sure to be in the center of the action, taking up more room than Jenna Maroney as he cheered for his favorite team.
When the broadcast switched to Chalamet, Fey, and the other celebrities at courtside, onlookers were quick to point out that the notoriously thin Chalamet doesn’t need to cross into Fey’s legroom like that—and that it’s definitely not her last name.
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he “Tina Fox” line, combined with images of Chalamet extending out widely as if he were about to rip off his jacket and pants and jump into the game, made Fey herself feel immensely protective after the debate, even if she hasn’t yet spoken out about the complete disrespect she received from the men around her at the Knicks game last night.
After all, how difficult is it to properly introduce a living New York icon and give them some space to breathe? Has the city overlooked Fey’s 15-year role in shaping comedy in the Big Apple, or how she effortlessly moved from being the head writer and “Weekend Update” anchor on SNL to becoming the star and producer of 30 Rock, the finest New York sitcom since Seinfeld? Has Fey been reduced to secondary celebrity status by the city’s rapid pace, which has resulted in a few years without producing an Emmy-winning program? Does Chalamet realize whose toes he’s stepping on?
If the Madison Square Garden audience won’t give Fey the respect and love she deserves, perhaps she should focus on covering New York Liberty games going forward. The Timeless Torches would undoubtedly welcome her return:
