Untitled cable news sitcom (circa 2003-04)
Star/Creator

In 2003, Tina Fey, still on SNL, signed a development deal with NBC to come up with an idea for her own show. Before pitching 30 Rock, Fey had an idea for a sitcom about a cable news program. Here's how Fey described the concept for the series in her book, Bossypants:

“I pitched NBC president Kevin Reilly an idea about a cable news producer (me, presumably) who is forced to produce the show of a blowhard right-wing pundit (Alec Baldwin, if we could ever get him) to boost her network’s sagging ratings. Kevin Reilly said, ‘No thank you.’”

Reilly then suggested that Fey write a show about her experiences at SNL instead, which turned out to be a pretty good call, I'd say. Although it's hard to imagine Fey finding a more perfect vehicle for her comedy than 30 Rock, this cable news sitcom covers interesting ground and a comedic depiction of an outspoken right-wing pundit might have beat The Colbert Report to that punch by a year or two.

http://splitsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Bossypants.jpg

http://splitsider.com/2012/01/the-lost-roles-of-tina-fey/

I actually really like that idea but it was totally ahead of it's time. It would work now though. Gladly, 30 Rock has totally been able to use some of that idea with the liberal-conservative banter between Liz and Jack.