Missy Francis Basis for Avery Jessup

The New York Post reports that former child star and CNBC anchor Melissa Francis was the basis for Avery Jessup, the love interest of Jack Donaghy on NBC’s “30 Rock”:

Avery Jessup, the new love interest of Alec Baldwin’s “30 Rock” character played by Elizabeth Banks, is based on a real person. A source close to the show said that Jessup, who hosts a fictional CNBC show called “Hot Box,” was inspired by real-life CNBC anchor Melissa Francis. Our source said that Francis herself, who hosts morning show “The Call,” pitched the idea to a “30 Rock” producer. “Francis was hoping to be asked to play the character herself, but they ended up going with Banks,” our source says.

As a girl, Melissa played Cassandra Cooper Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie. Jason Bateman played her brother James.

Posted by Eddy Elfenbein on February 18th, 2010 at 8:51 am

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