Tracy Morgan

Former SNL star says stand-up is his 'Rock'

By STUART LEVINE

Tracy Morgan
Morgan

� Judd Apatow
� Seth Rogen
� Michael Cera
� Jonah Hill

� Tim Allen
� Rowan Atkinson
� Kevin James
� Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson
� Adam Sandler
� John Travolta
� John C. Reilly

� Jason Reitman & Diablo Cody
� The Hot Fuzz Guys
� Walt Becker
� Tyler Perry

� Brad Bird
� The Simpsons troika
� Jerry Seinfeld

� Jim Gaffigan
� Demetri Martin
� Katt Williams
� Mel Brooks & Thomas Meehan

� The Lonely Island Guys
� Perez Hilton
� Funnyordie.com

� Bill Engvall
� Jenna Fischer
� Tina Fey
� Bryan Fuller
� Flight of the Conchords
� Tracy Morgan
� Steven Koonin
� Chuck Lorre
� Neil Patrick Harris
� Ricky Gervais
� Jaime Pressly
� Conan O'Brien
� Jon Stewart
� Amy Poehler
� Sarah Silverman

As part of the winning ensemble for Emmy comedy series champ "30 Rock," Morgan immediately was brought back to childhood. "I've never won anything in my life, except for a can of Spam in third grade," quips the former "Saturday Night Live" thesp. Though Spam is, supposedly, part of the five food groups, this latest win should be far healthier for Morgan's career.

Coming off a long run at "Saturday Night Live," Morgan and "30 Rock" creator Tina Fey (also of "SNL" fame) continued their working relationship at NBC. Each was exceedingly aware of the other's talents and how, collectively, those skills could make their new sitcom a hit.

"I knew she had my voice," Morgan says of Fey, who writes the character of Morgan's off-the-cuff Tracy Jordan to take advantage of the actor's comedic strengths. "I knew this would be a great opportunity from someone who knew me."

Though "30 Rock" seems to be in full stride right now, Morgan continues to hone his standup act. For example, he recently flew to San Francisco to perform. "Standup is my foundation," he says. "Without that, I'm nothing."

Point of view

"Working with ("SNL" producer Lorne Michaels) was like attending a university for funny," Morgan says. "It was there I learned how to write."