(S02E04) Notice I don't have a quote above like I usually do? More on that after the jump.
This week we discover what happens when one of the NBC page jackets is damaged, why Tracy shouldn't be involved in dogfighting, and what might happen to Liz in 20 or 30 years if she doesn't start saving money.
The show and Tina Fey continue their obsession with Star Wars by having Carrie Fisher guest star. She plays Rosemary Howard, a veteran TV comedy writer who wrote for various shows, from Laugh-In to Happy Days to The Mandrell Sisters. She has really edgy ideas that don't sit well with Jack, so he fires her ... and Liz! Meanwhile, Jenna burns Kenneth's jacket, which leads to a possible demotion to CNBC and a glimpse of the weird Fight Club like page HQ in the bowels of NBC. Jack makes a joke to Tracy that he can do anything but get involved with dogfighting, so naturally Tracy wants to get involved with dogfighting.
All that sounds insane and almost completely surreal, but somehow 30 Rock manages to have a heart at its core, even if it probably isn't noticeable to a casual viewer. The character with the most heart, I think, just happens to be the suit, Jack Donaghy. Beyond all the bluster and sarcasm and focus on money, you can sense he cares about his employees. I really like how there's a sub-theme to this season, with Jack and Liz trying to have their best year ever. I love their scenes together, their little talks, Jack mentoring Liz in a way, sharing a glass of wine (but no, I hope it doesn't turn romantic). They have a connection.
Also in this episode, Alec Baldwin is the center of one of the funniest scenes I've seen on TV this season, role-playing with Tracy to get to the root of his problems. He imitates Tracy, Tracy's dad, Tracy's mom, and an upstairs neighbor, to the horror of the therapist. Baldwin is hysterical in this scene, jumping from chair to chair playing different characters. I laughed out loud throughout the whole damn thing, and I was alone.
Now, back to that quote. I couldn't choose my favorite. Really, is there any other sitcom on the air right now that has so many great lines packed into 30 minutes? And yes, I'm including The Office. So here's what I'll do. I'll list a bunch below and you tell me what your favorite was. If your favorite isn't on the list, let me know in the comments.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
10-25-2007 @ 11:27PM
rusty said...
HELP ME LIZ LEMON, YOU'RE MY ONLY HOPE!
Reply
10-25-2007 @ 11:56PM
Katie said...
Did anyone get the point of the mailbox joke? Am I missing another obscure culture meme?
Aside from this, another fine episode from Ms. Fey & Co.
Reply
10-26-2007 @ 12:03AM
Michael said...
What about
"I've got 12000 in checking."
"Are you an immigrant?"
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10-26-2007 @ 12:49AM
SJ said...
Oh wow that performance from Alec Baldwin was just BRILLIANT! Give this man an Emmy now...I couldn't stop laughing.
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10-26-2007 @ 12:54AM
Jim said...
"Man, this is Phil Spector's entourage all over again..."
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10-26-2007 @ 1:12AM
radwimp said...
loved it.
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10-26-2007 @ 1:49AM
NancyK said...
Michael, I completely agree, that line had me rolling laughing.
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10-26-2007 @ 3:53AM
nickmagoo said...
"Never go with a hippie to a second location."
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10-26-2007 @ 5:10AM
Mel said...
Alec Baldwin is the funniest man on television.
Never thought I'd say that about him for the last 2 years now.
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10-26-2007 @ 6:21AM
Gerry said...
"Like that time you told me not to do the 227 movie...New Jacquee City"
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10-26-2007 @ 7:58AM
Nova said...
Alec Baldwin is the man. One of the funniest people on television. He is this show
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10-26-2007 @ 8:19AM
Chuck said...
Can't remember the exact wording, but, "Never make me talk to a woman that old again!"
If he hadn't done so yet, Alec Baldwin cemented himself last night as one of the great comedy actors of all time. The therapist scene was absolutely brilliant.
Reply
10-26-2007 @ 10:12AM
hugeliver said...
I agree wholeheartedly with ALL the quotes above. This was by far one of my favorite episodes.
Alec Baldwin doing Fred Sanford had me in STITCHES!!!
Love the "New Jacquee City" quote. Who thinks this stuff up!?!?! : )
Reply
10-26-2007 @ 8:38AM
Tim said...
"Is that man carrying a gun?"
"Yeah, but don't worry, he's not a cop."
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10-26-2007 @ 10:23AM
upoh05 said...
"Tracy, what have I always told you not to do?"
"Star in that 227 movie, New Jackee City?"
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10-26-2007 @ 10:28AM
D said...
100% without a doubt 30 Rock is better than the Office right now
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10-26-2007 @ 11:07AM
Charlie Conner said...
"never go with a hippie to a second location" Funny AND practical!
I hope we have more Page-offs!
Reply
10-26-2007 @ 1:08PM
SHANNON said...
what about
"Just becuae I'm a poor black man that you paid 5 dollars to bust up yo chiffarobe don't men you can treat me that way"
What does that MEAN?? :-)
Reply
10-26-2007 @ 12:43PM
mandraski said...
KATIE:
I'm probably off-base here, but the mailbox joke was about HR Haldeman, who was Nixon's Chief Of Staff and essentially the fall guy for Watergate - he did a couple of years in jail while Nixon himself was pardoned by Ford.
I couldn't make the connection between Haldeman and a falling mailbox (aside from something to do with him being the "fall guy"), but I came to the conclusion that the joke itself was a commentary on television writers who sometimes think they're more clever, hip, savvy, and politically aware than they really are.
In other words, sometimes a falling mailbox is just a falling mailbox.
I am probably wrong about all this, but there ya go.
My 2 cents.
Reply
10-26-2007 @ 12:51PM
AutomagV said...
Baldwin deserves an Emmy
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