30 Rock’s Tribute to Tina Fey

Be Meta
This especially works for 30 Rock’s comedic style, but was just as special in a decidedly non-meta show like Gossip Girl, too: This is your final moment in the sun and the perfect opportunity to wink at your audience. If people are infuriated or think that lines like Jenna’s “Okay, I can’t do this anymore. I’ve never met Mickey Rourke,” are invalidating and stupid, then they probably were never real fans, anyway. Also, a few old favorite guest stars are always welcome, but the quality of what happens to the core characters is far more important than the quantity of former ones.

Read more: Lessons Other Shows Can Learn From the30 Rock Finale