In the latest installment of “Mean Girls,” one particular moment steals the spotlight, and it’s Damian Hubbard’s time to shine. As Cady and the Plastics prepare for a Santa-themed dance at the high-school talent show, the arty outcast Damian (played by Jaquel Spivey) delivers a stirring performance, singing a dramatic mystery number in French. The unexpected twist comes when Principal Duvall (Tim Meadows) takes the microphone and dryly announces, “That was Damian Hubbard singing the ‘iCarly’ theme song in French for extra credit.”
For those unfamiliar, “iCarly” was a Nickelodeon sitcom from 2007 starring Miranda Cosgrove. Damian’s amusing homage to the show has become a viral sensation on social media since the movie’s release. Tina Fey, the scriptwriter for the new movie musical, as well as the 2018 Broadway show and the original 2004 film, finds this joke particularly delightful.
Fey expresses her joy over the “iCarly thing,” emphasizing how the movie committed to the joke wholeheartedly. She appreciates the dedication to the humor, especially since it resonates so well with audiences.
Another favorite moment for Fey occurs later in the film during a school assembly after Regina George (Reneé Rapp) causes chaos by distributing pages from the Burn Book. Principal Duvall and math teacher Ms. Norbury (played by Fey) engage in banter about their domestic responsibilities, inadvertently revealing that the two characters live together. Fey notes this revelation about Duvall and Ms. Norbury’s marriage as another highlight of the movie.
Fey shares that she included the marriage twist to entertain her former “30 Rock” writing partner Robert Carlock. He used to playfully suggest that the characters were in love during the filming of the original 2004 movie. This inside joke adds a fun element to the new “Mean Girls” and is a nod to the chemistry between Fey and Tim Meadows, who plays Principal Duvall.
The resurgence of “30 Rock” popularity during the last holiday season also influences Fey’s current projects. The show experienced a viral trend as people shared favorite clips from the NBC comedy, which concluded in 2013 after seven seasons.
Fey acknowledges the uncanny parallels between real life and the outrageous scenarios portrayed in “30 Rock.” For instance, when the new “Mean Girls” trailer debuted, a Season 2 clip resurfaced featuring “30 Rock” character Jenna Maroney (played by Jane Krakowski) stating that she won “best actress for a movie based on a musical based on a movie.” Fey humorously comments on the surreal reality of such scenarios coming to life.
Furthermore, Fey draws attention to similarities between a recent TLC dating competition and “MILF Island,” an absurd show-within-a-show from “30 Rock.” The parallel between fiction and reality prompts Fey to jokingly consider legal action, highlighting how life imitates art in unexpected ways.
In summary, Tina Fey cherishes the new jokes added to “Mean Girls,” finding delight in unexpected references like the “iCarly” moment and the amusing revelation of Principal Duvall and Ms. Norbury’s fictional marriage. Additionally, she reflects on the enduring popularity of “30 Rock” and the surreal instances where real-life events seem reminiscent of the show’s humor.