30 Rock

Jan Hooks guest starred as the title character last night on 30 Rock, as "Verna" featured the arrival of Jenna's mom, which tied into Jack's own mom issues.

As a Saturday Night Live fan introduced to the show in the late 1980s and early 1990s, it was great to see Jan back, and appropriately on a Tina Fey show.

She was terrific as Jenna's mom, although any episode featuring Jenna leaves something to be desired. As did Liz's story, which basically recycled past ones.

Really, seeing people from TGS crash at her place is hilarious, but even that gets old the second or third time. Especially having set the bar high with Tracy.

Jenna and Verna (guest star Jan Hooks) rock out on 30 Rock.

Of course, even a mediocre episode of 30 Rock still contains a dozen classic one-liners, some coming at you at a pace faster than you can even process.

Some classics resulted when Jenna, reeling from Verna's arrival, found someone empathize with her about having a bad mother - Jack Donaghy, natch.

Meanwhile, Kenneth had all sorts of crazy ideas and observations, and Frank clogged the toilet and sink, and Pete did what he could to feel ... anything.

Follow the jump for some classic 30 Rock quotes from last night ...

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As previously reported, Jon Hamm will reprise his role as Dr. Drew Baird on the February 11, Valentine's Day-themed episode of 30 Rock.

But might he somehow not be the studliest stud on that week's installment?!?

The episode will reunite Liz Lemon will several ex-boyfriends, including Hamm's Drew; Dean Winters' Dennis Duffy; Jason Sudeikis' Floyd... and Jon Bon Jovi's Jon Bon Jovi!

Why do all these former flames pop up? Because "Liz is upset to learn Floyd is not only getting married, but is competing to get a free wedding on The Today Show," says star Tina Fey.

Why did Bon Jovi ever date Liz Lemon? That's harder to explain, but we can't wait to find out.

Thursday evening's installment of 30 Rock, entitled "Winter Madness," featured the TGS crew deciding to take a group trip to Miami to beat back a case of the Winter blues.

That sounded like a great idea until Jack overruled it and proposed that instead of sunny Florida, they travel from NYC to even-colder, less-friendlier Boston, Massachusetts!

Jack's ulterior motive was to see Nancy (Julianne Moore) of course.

The Boston-centric episode was hit and miss. The downside is that we prefer the standard TGS-based, show-oriented shenanigans. But the Boston aspect was entertaining.

So many times, shows resort to stereotypes that are annoying, name-drop the wrong locations, etc., but 30 Rock passed the Boston test with flying, often-hilarious colors.

If you can't find humor in Tracy getting into it with guys dressed as the founding fathers, well, you might want to check your pulse. We're liking the Jack-Nancy dynamic too.

Below are some classic 30 Rock quotes from last night ...

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Liz Lemon is on a woman on fire these days.

Over the last two episodes of 30 Rock, she's bedded James Franco and made out with her underling on TGS, Danny.

According to Tiny Fey, this steak isn't ending any time soon. The actress confirmed a pair of casting notes at last night's Golden Globe Awards:

1. Oscar-nominated actor Michael Sheen (The Queen, Frost/Nixon) will be guest star on an upcoming episode, as his character will attempt a romance with Liz Lemon.
2. Jon Hamm will return as Drew (pictured), Liz Lemon's ex, on the show's Valentine's Day episode.

The second of two episodes of 30 Rock Thursday, "Black Light Attack," fully lived up to the hilarious, absurd standards of the first. Maybe NBC should just air 30 at 11:30!

While "Klaus and Greta" revolved around a perverted version of guest star James Franco, Cheyenne Jackson's Danny took center stage in part two of this 30 Rock event.

Unleashing Liz's Dirty Thirties? Priceless. Also classic? Jack again trying to feign attraction for Liz. One of these days we swear they're going to hook up for real. Just watch.

Jenna's narcissism and self-delusion? Also on display. Pretty standard.

Below are some classic 30 Rock quotes from this episode ...

Just another day at the office for Liz.

Jenna: But those were my majors at the Royal Tampa Academy of Dramatic Tricks! | permalink

Liz: That girl has a name, Jack. We call her 'Skankovich.' | permalink

Jack: For four years I've had to make do with what passes for men around here, with their untucked shirts, boneless faces, their Stars, both Wars and Trek. | permalink

Kenneth: [on his teeth] You'll have to ask the fella who whittled 'em for me! | permalink

Jenna: It's funny — all my 'aha!' moments end with a mustache pushed against me! | permalink

Jack: My secret is, I'm in love with Liz Lemon. | permalink

The first of two hilarious episodes of 30 Rock last night, "Klaus and Greta," featured guest star James Franco in a truly bizarre role as ... a bastardized James Franco.

More accurately, a creepy, ultra-perverted James Franco.

James' obsession with body pillows (and other things) gave us weird nightmares, as did Liz's willingness to go along with the disturbing fantasy. But what are you gonna do?

Meanwhile ...

Jack was disgusted with Jonathan, Kenneth unhitched his pelvis, the staff played a Today Show drinking game, and Tracy declared Kenneth's haircut an insult ... to lesbians.

Below are some classic 30 Rock quotes from this episode ...

James Franco on 30 Rock: Even funnier and weirder than billed!

James Franco: Objects are made by men, and used for many purposes... but we never... love... objects. | permalink

Tracy: Before you got here, were you an air scientist? Because your ass blah blah blah, you get the point. | permalink

Kenneth: Albino monk!
Jack: That's a mirror, Kenneth. | permalink

Kenneth: Sorry, sir, that happens sometimes when I unhinge my pelvis. | permalink

Jenna: Liz, I am happy. All this attention, getting my picture taken, having ice cold diarrhea from drinking too much Jamba Juice. | permalink

Jenna: They're calling us 'James,' which is a combination of 'Jenna' and 'James.' | permalink

Tracy: I know it's a girl, Liz Lemon, because I yelled out 'Susan B. Anthony' at the moment of conception. | permalink

Liz: Lemoned? That's not a thing people are saying now, is it? | permalink

Jack: They're probably having beach sex. Which is the third best sex after elevator and White House. | permalink

Cerie: As a frequent receiver of drunk messages, they are not cute. Even when they're from Liz. | permalink

Tracy: [forgetting what floor he works on] Six! I knew it was a character from Blossom, but I couldn't find the Joey Russo button. | permalink

During his unusual guest-starring stint on General Hospital, James Franco is portraying an artist/killer.

When he debuts on 30 Rock on January 14, however, he'll portray someone a lot more familiar to fans: himself.

The talented, hilarious actor will appear on a few episodes of the NBC comedy, beginning with its return from a month-long hiatus. Franco is expected to start a romance with Jenna.

How does that storyline fit into whatever the heck is going on below? We have no idea. But it's sure to be hysterical.

Last night's 30 Rock, "Secret Santa," was even zanier than usual with three separate holiday-themed plot lines unfolding and more hilarious moments than we can count.

Plot #1 involved Pete's desire to stick it to Jenna by having new cast member Danny duet with her in TGS' Christmas show. The weakest of the three story lines by far.

Nevertheless, that's all relative - Cheyenne Jackson was great as Danny, and hopefully we get to hear him sing more in the future. Jenna still needs to get hers, though.

Plot #2 involved Jack reconnecting with his high school crush Nancy on YouFace. This led to many great Facebook jokes, and Julianne Moore was terrific guest starring.

Sure, maybe she overdid it a little with the Boston accent, but that was probably intentional, and Cerie tutoring a smitten Jack on YouFace ettiquette was a great touch.

Plot #3 was the best, with Tracy breaking the news to Ken that no one likes doing Secret Santa and that all religion is manipulated by man. Tracy is beyond hilarious.

It was nice to see Liz play a supplementary role for a change, as awesome as she is. This show has almost too many characters at times, but this week they all shined.

Below are some classic 30 Rock quotes from Thursday ...

Even Cerie got into the hilarious action on last night's holiday episode of 30 Rock.

Liz: [on Christmas gifts for Jenna] I want to take that Internet photo of her nipple slip and make it into a jigsaw puzzle! | permalink

Kenneth: An angry God is punishing them. It's a Christmas miracle! | permalink

Danny: I'm sorry, are you being sarcastic? It's hard for me to tell. I'm Canadian and we don't have a big Jewish population. | permalink

Nancy: [to Jack] I thought you'd have some hotshot wife with black hair who said queeah stuff like "dressing on the side." | permalink

Tracy: [to Kenneth] That's the whole thing, K-Fed. Why don't the Catholics not eat meat on Fridays? Because the Pope owns Long John Silvers! | permalink

Tracy: Oh, oh Ken ... we may have fallen into the intellectual deep end here. And if you try to grab on to me, we'll both drown. | permalink

Jack: Weird in a good way. Like going to the gym drunk. | permalink

Liz: Oh, shark farts! | permalink

Tracy: Whoa! New dude sings as good as Tracy Jordan does everything! | permalink

Frank: The whole thing was so confusing I ended up getting my own crappy gift back. Like I need two copies of Over 60 Vixens. | permalink

30 Rock sure brings in the star power with its guest appearances.

Al Gore, Julianne Moore, Betty White, Edie Falco and many, many others have graced the set of NBC's hilarious comedy. Now, a day after we learned that Elizabeth Banks has signed on as a love interest for Jack, Tina Fey may have just scored another huge name:

Matt Damon.

According to EW, that's the rumor going around, and we already know he'd be down.

Asked about a potential Rock guest role at the premiere of Invictus, Damon said:

"I would do [30 Rock] in a heartbeat if they asked me to come on ... Let’s make this happen. Tina is a brilliant comedy writer. My wife and I download that show in bulk. We love that show, so if [Tina Fey] has a part for me, I’m absolutely game."

Bring it on, Tina, and let the inane 30 Rock quotes follow.

We can't get enough of Elizabeth Banks.

Fortunately, the beautiful, hilarious actress can't get enough of guest-starring on hit sitcoms, either.

More than a year removed from her stint as JD's baby mama on Scrubs, and just a few weeks removed from her appearance on Modern Family, Banks has signed on for a recurring role on 30 Rock in early 2010.

According to Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello, Banks will come aboard the NBC hit as a love interest for Alec Baldwin's Jack Donaghy. She'll appear in at least four episodes.

Her character will actually mark Jack's second high-profile romance of the season: Julianne Moore kicks off a multi-week arc as his high school crush this week. That lucky, dry-witted dog.