(S02E01) Seinfeld: "What if I just buy NBC and turn it into the biggest Lane Bryant in midtown?"Jack: "Ha! You're going to buy NBC? Oh, right, like you have $4 million just lying around..."
The above bit of dialogue is one of the many reasons I love this show. They could have gone for the easy joke, which would have been to play off of the vast wealth that Jerry Seinfeld has and just say a figure like $4 billion or $20 billion or whatever real amount it would take to buy NBC. But they go one step further, cleverly saying $4 million, thereby insulting NBC, the very network this show runs on. That's great stuff. No wonder NBC renewed this show. Besides being a new classic, then get to look self-deprecating while having what amounts to a half hour infomercial for the network every Thursday night!
The summer is over and everyone gets back to work on TGS with Tracy Jordan. Liz has broken up with boyfriend Floyd and Jack has recovered from his heart attack (funny line about Liz not talking to Jack since last spring, a clever bit that illustrates how ludicrous the timeline of a TV series can be). Liz isn't really over Floyd, but she can't dwell on it. This is going to be "her year." The first thing she has to do is deal with Jenna, who has gained a ton of weight from starring in "Mystic Pizza - The Musical" on stage. She had to eat 32 slices of pizza each week. I know how she feels.
Jack has a bigger problem: his great idea of taking all of NBC's footage of Seinfeld and digitally inserting the comedian into all of NBC's shows ("SeinfeldVision!") has hit a snag: Seinfeld has found out about it and isn't happy. (I'm waiting for NBC to actually try this, and I'm surprised they didn't do it as a cross promotion this month.) Seinfeld is obviously upset by this, but he actually gives Jack a chance to pitch the idea. Jack asks him what shows Jerry likes and maybe they can insert him into that one. Jerry says, "I like Lost, is that you guys?" The look of sheer pain on Jack's face is priceless, and probably mirrors the pained look on the faces of real NBC execs when they think of the ABC hit.
But the two men come to an agreement: NBC can do "SeinfeldVision" for one night, as long as they promote Seinfeld's new Bee Movie on The Today Show, with Al Roker in a bee outfit. This is better than Jack's idea shown in the picture above.
Speaking of outfits, we get to see Tina Fey in a wedding dress in this episode. Is she hot or what?
This was a really funny beginning to the second season, and the Seinfeld guest appearance doesn't seem like stunt casting at all (the kind you saw on Will and Grace all the time the last few years), it seems natural. It took me a while to warm up to 30 Rock, but now that I have I'm serious when I say I think it's a new classic. NewsRadio is one of my favorite shows, and this reminds me a lot of that, but with the added bonus of being about the world of television.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
10-04-2007 @ 9:20PM
The Professor said...
Long time reader...first time commenter.
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10-04-2007 @ 9:22PM
SJ said...
Total agreement on Tina Fey looking great in that dress. I want to marry her.
But great premiere episode...Alec Baldwin as always steals the show.
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10-04-2007 @ 9:33PM
The Professor said...
This new season got off to a running start, Tina Fey is a genius plus being so hot, Baldwin makes me belly laugh just to look at him and that guy who was the "guest" is a man for the ages. He never fails to take any situation and with his" less is more" manner blows the roof off. Alec and Jerry together make for an instant classic. Great first show!
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10-04-2007 @ 9:33PM
Jason said...
I don't know about anyone else, but I think Heroes is the show that needs to have another cast member this year. Seinfeld's power can be devastating comedic timing. Take that Sylar!
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10-04-2007 @ 10:22PM
Victor said...
Seriously? A good episode? Ugh!
After falling in love with this show over the last couple of weeks on DVD, this episode was a total letdown. MILF Island and America's Next Top Pirate were funny, but that was about the extent of it.
Seinfeld himself was just playing a total caricature of himself, when him just playing himself or his Seinfeld character would have worked so much better. It looked like he agreed to maybe do one or two takes of each line, maximum, and they just had to use whatever he gave them. Watch a rerun of Seinfeld to see how awful his delivery and timing was tonight compared to when he actually tries.
And Tracy's story? Vaguely amusing, but I liked it much better when Seinfeld did the same thing (all the dialogue is as if the two male characters are husband and wife), ironically enough on an episode that just reran on TBS last week (The Man-hands / Bizarro Jerry episode).
What is it with the shows this season? Every show has come back with a whimper and attempting to cater too much to who they think the fan-base is, rather than just putting out quality shows and giving the audience some credit for being able to follow along. I'm talking to YOU, Heroes, Office, Earl and now 30 Rock.
And 30 Rock was the show I was looking forward to more than any of the others... here's hoping that this was just an anomaly...
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10-04-2007 @ 10:29PM
Josh said...
Damn, that episode was HILARIOUS. I'm so glad 30 Rock is back. I can't even tell you my favorite moment because it's too tough to decide. I loved Kenneth in the elevator with Seinfeld. The $4 million joke was awesome. And I also liked the part where they showed Tracy in the magazine with the transvestite and the magazine thought it was Mrs. Jordan, Sherri Shepherd. haha
Definitely glad this show isn't a victim of the sophomore slump.
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10-04-2007 @ 10:30PM
Josh said...
Victor....I think the problem is you. Negative much? Quit being so damn critical and just enjoy the shows. I can't disagree with you more on 30 Rock, The Office, and Heroes. All came back with fantastic premieres.
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10-04-2007 @ 10:33PM
Matt said...
"Alright, Jerry. What NBC shows do you want to be digitally inserted into?"
"I like LOST. Is that you guys?"
Haha. Great episode tonight. Glad to see they (Tina) haven't lost their touch over the summer.
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10-04-2007 @ 11:42PM
Colin said...
Did anyone catch the "Chocolate Rain" reference. That was brilliant writing.
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10-05-2007 @ 12:11AM
nick said...
I really wish this show would be cancelled already. It's not as funny as people seem to claim it is. Sometimes it's more silly than humorous. And am I the only one who finds Jane Krakowski totally unfunny AND grating?
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10-05-2007 @ 12:16AM
Jeff N. said...
MILF Island: 25 hot moms, 50 sweaty 8th graders, No rules.
Hilarious
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10-05-2007 @ 12:19AM
Jeff N. said...
The other reality shows Jack said were his big hits this past summer on NBC were:
American's Top Pirate
Are You Stronger Than a Dog?
... And of Course ...
MILF Island.
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10-05-2007 @ 2:45AM
Diego M said...
I wish u were cancelled nick, u unfunny and grating fool. all right, i agree with you about Jane, but she was money this week. 32 slices a week, i wonder why she didn't suffer from heart problems yet.
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10-05-2007 @ 5:56AM
radwimp said...
few scenes were a bit forced, but overall excellent and hilarious episode. i was almost crying every time Kenneth had that goofy look on his face with seinfeld. liz and her breakdown, jenna "michelin man" maroney... classic.
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10-05-2007 @ 8:28AM
LordPaul said...
How can people hate on this show at all?
What's the problem with a comedy being 'silly'? I think that the sort of humour that comes from 30 rock is the sort of innocent daftness that is great - it's observational & self depreciating without being offensive & the stars of the show are all great at the parts they're playing.
Oh, and yes, Tina Fey is hot :)
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10-05-2007 @ 9:20AM
const said...
Speaking of outfits, we get to see Tina Fey in a wedding dress in this episode. Is she hot or what?
Er, certainly not hot. Not in the slightest. But she is hillarious.
I didn't catch any Star Wars referrences in the episode. Anyone?
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10-05-2007 @ 9:35AM
KMF said...
This was well worth waiting for! What a great episode! Kenneth is priceless. And Jenna gaining that weight and thinking no one would notice, then 'dropping 20 pound' by wearing those awful stripes. That was hilarious.
I thought this was a wonderful start to the season. Seinfeld was the straightman in the NBC nuthouse once again and it was great. I'm so glad Alec Baldwin didn't leave the show during last season. He's a scream everytime!
And Tina? She's fantastic as usual! I thought she looked really good in that wedding dress. :)
I'm so glad 30 Rock is back!
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10-05-2007 @ 9:49AM
Mrs.MGA said...
Just Loved Tina in the wedding dress, sitting on stage, eatting Ham. Some times you just need the Ham.
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10-05-2007 @ 10:12AM
Jason said...
@9
I caught the "Chocolate Rain" reference too! Made me laugh big time. Then I got pissed cause ol' Tay Zonday and his song popped back into my head.
(shaking fist at ceiling) Damn you Tina Fey! I just got this song out of my head, now it'll be stuck in my ear for the next week!!
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10-05-2007 @ 11:22AM
R-Bro said...
Okay, somebody explain "chocolate rain" to me. But I have to agree with Victor: This episode was mildly amusing at best, and I'm a HUGE Jerry Seinfeld fan. He played goofy instead of straight, which would have been a lot funnier.
Also agree that Heroes and The Office have been slow going so far this year, though I do think Earl came out strong.
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