TVSquad

Why Tracy Morgan doesn't have a second career as a life coach is beyond me. The guy is a true genius. As Tracy Jordan on 30 Rock, he teaches me important things like the stages of grief: "fear, denial, horniness, wisdom, sleepiness and now depression," and how I should live every week like it's shark week.

So while Morgan still hasn't published that book of daily affirmations I've been hoping for, he is publishing a memoir, titled, I Am the New Black, which will probably be nearly as amazing. What's also really exciting about this memoir is that it's going to mean publicity-- and we get to reap the benefits.

Despite the fact that before 30 Rock Alec Baldwin had primarily been known for his dramatic work, he has long been beloved in the comedy world. He's one of the most frequent hosts of Saturday Night Live, and has become somewhat of an unofficial cast member over the years. He's proven that he has no shame when it comes to comedy, which goes pretty far to explain why he went on SNL alum Jimmy Fallon's show last night in an all-white getup accented by a gold lame scarf, gold boots, and even a gold fanny pack.

Fathers' Day should be a time of deep reflection and appreciation for the man who brought you into this world, whether you asked him to or not.

Oh sure, the old man may seem like the worst father of all time sometimes. He yells and screams. He gets on you for growing your hair too long because he knows he couldn't grow hair if he had a Chia Scalp. He constantly walks around the house in his underwear and then scolds you for not eating the sausage Mom made for breakfast.

But a few minor flaws doesn't mean that he's a bad guy. So go out and get him that witty card with the pipe smoking Dad on the cover, pick out a paisley tie that you'll never see him wear and give him a big hug to remind him he's the best. Because he's your old man and he's not one of the seven bastard sons of hell below.

So what's a second banana? Well they're certainly not second best. No, in fact they're often the main reason to tune into a particular show. Not because the show's major plotlines revolve around them, in fact they generally don't, but because they liven up every scene they're in. Virtual show-stealers, a good second banana can turn a generic sitcom or drama into television gold. The ultimate wingman on television, there was no greater second banana than my man Barney Fife, brilliantly played by Don Knotts on The Andy Griffith Show, and later Mayberry R.F.D.

When it came time to put together this list, I wondered if I'd be able to find ten viable and qualified bananas on the airwaves today. But I guess I needn't have worried. It looks like Barney was an inspiration (in more ways than one) to the current crop of second bananas. They litter their peels all over the television landscape, leaving us to trip over in laughter time and time again at their antics. But how do they stack up? Who's the biggest fruit in the tree? There's only one way to find out!

First the apology, then the early look.

Dear Tina,

I've always liked 30 Rock, but I've never loved it. Maybe it was because my concentration was on Studio 60 or maybe it was because I wasn't in the right frame of mind when I watched the pilot. Or maybe I just didn't try to get into it because Thursday nights are really jam-packed (would it upset you to tell you that I watch Ugly Betty too?). I just never gave the show a chance to grow on me, though I did enjoy Alec Baldwin's performance as Jack.

I love, love, love local news bloopers. And this one is a doozy.

Tracy Morgan was in El Paso, Texas recently for a comedy show. He visited a local morning news program to promote the event where I think he was channeling Tracy Jordan, his character on 30 Rock. He went nuts on the anchorman and ignored all the guy's questions. Let's just say there's a removal of a shirt, dancing, talk of knocked-up strippers, and belly slapping.

About 30 seconds into the interview, the anchor obviously loses control. At two minutes, he relinquishes control to Tracy. While Tracy is very funny, the anchorman's terror and attempts at being cool had me laughing out loud.

Video is after the jump:
[Thanks to my husband for the link!]