What name did J.D. Lutz legally adopt in the 30 Rock series finale?

J.D. Lutz legally adopted the name Johnny Aardvark in the 30 Rock series finale. His absurd name change is part of a final revenge scheme against the TGS writing staff.

Lutz has spent the series being mocked and dismissed by his fellow writers, who frequently shout “Shut up, Lutz!” at him. In “Last Lunch,” the final episode, he insists that the staff’s last free lunch be ordered from Blimpie’s rather than a restaurant they prefer.

To guarantee victory, Lutz legally changes his name so he will appear first alphabetically on the lunch-order list. “Johnny Aardvark” combines the first name associated with his initials—his J stands for Johnny—with an animal name beginning with A. The plan takes the show’s petty office rivalry to an intentionally ridiculous extreme.

The name is only a late-series legal identity, not a replacement for the character’s usual name throughout the show. He remains commonly identified as Johnny “J.D.” Lutz, the Alaska-born TGS writer played by John Lutz.