Christmas in NY wouldn't be the same with the 30 Rock tree
In what sounds like the plot of a sappy made-for-TV holiday movie, union members from the New York City Chapter of the National Associate of Broadcast Employees and Technicians are threatening to boycott NBC's annual holiday celebration, Christmas in Rockefeller Center. While the entertainment segments of the special itself are mostly pre-taped, the live aspects of the show, most notably, the actual lighting of towering evergreen at 30 Rock could potentially not happen.
According to a statement released to the media by Union President Ed McEwan, the union's 3,000 network producers, writers and technicians at NBC are angry because they have been working in good faith without renewed labor agreements since March.
NBC sees things differently. In a statement released by the peacock network on Tuesday, they claim the union has not been willing to meet for negotiations, and they assure the viewing public the special will air without disruption.
A quick visit to the union's official website reveals that their last face-to-face with NBC on November 9 and had scheduled follow-up meetings to be held on November 18, 19 and 20. Those subsequent meetings were postponed by the union due to a death in the family of one of the union members.
As any viewer of Saturday Night Live or the hit sitcom 30 Rock knows, NBC's main offices are located at Rockefeller Center. The annual tradition of tree at Rockefeller Center dates back to 1931, when workers at the then-new construction site decorated a small balsam fir tree with strings of cranberry, garlands of paper and tin cans in an effort to lift the spirits of passersby during the depression era.
The official Tree Lighting Ceremony began in 1933 when a tree was erected in from of the then-RCA building and covered with 700 lights. Over the years, due to it's popularity, the size of the tree grew to the now larger than life 70 ft-plus used in modern times. More often than not a Noway Spruce is the tree of choice, with this year's selection coming from Easton, Connecticut and topping out at 79 feet tall. Some 30,000 lights adorn the tree--as of 2007, those lights went green with the introduction of the more energy efficient LED lights. Additionally, in a further effort to promote sustainability, when the tree is taken down, the lumber is used in the construction of homes for the charity organization, Habitat for Humanity.
While the three has always had a topper, in 2004, a stunning new topper was unveiled. Measuring an astounding 9.5 ft in diameter, and weighing 550 pounds, and constructed of Swarovski crystal, the Swarovski Star was created by German artist Michael Hammers.
This year marks the first year that the Swarovski Star will feature dramatic light movement. A team of nine artists and engineers spent three months installing, programming and testing the star to ensure the effects would withstand the challenges of winter weather at such heights above Rockefeller Center.
To give passersby a closer look at the star, a replica has been constructed and will be on display inside the 30 Rock Building. To commemorate the event, Swarovski has created a selection of star-themed jewelry and ornaments available for purchase at Rockefeller Center, at Swarovski boutiques nationwide (including Nashville's Swarovski store at the Mall at Green Hills) and at their online shop. To view the selection of Swarovski Star-inspired gifts, CLICK HERE.
If the boycott doesn't occur, the 77th Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Ceremony will air tonight at 8/7c on NBC with hosts Jane Krakowski (30 Rock) and Zachary Levi (Chuck). Music guest scheduled to perform include Michael Buble', Aretha Franklin, Rod Stewart, Rob Thomas, Alicia Keys, Jo Dee Messina, Barry Manilow, Shakira and The Muppets. Host Krakowski will also join The Roots, Jimmy Fallon's late night house band, for a performance.
Planning a trip to NY for the holiday season and want to see the three in person? Visitors can view the lighted tree each day from 5:30am-11:30pm, all day on Christmas Day and from 5:30am-9pm on New Year's Eve. The last day to view the tree will be January 7, 2010.
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