30 Rock
Reviews

With so many great jokes lined up between the three storylines of this week's episode of 30 Rock, it was impossible not to love "Don Geiss, America and Hope."

The primary storyline belong to Jack as he tried to find his place in Kabletown (with a K) after their acquisition of NBC and Don Geiss' death.  We've been especially loving this story the last couple weeks as it's based on two real world events: NBC being acquired by Comcast and Rip Torn going crazy.

The A story also led to some fantastic jokes including Don Geiss being frozen in carboninte like Han Solo and the LA-Phildelphia-Boston war from the teleconference.  And, yes, we really want to know why the Japanese were wearing women's pajamas.

Meanwhile, the B story of Liz continuing to running into Wesley (Snipes) was definitely strong too.  And really, we're kind of on Wesley's side here.  A pasty British guy is a much better fit for the name, Wesley Snipes.  Plus how can you not laugh at the pathetic Dentist comparing himself to her Cardiologist brother.  "I've only killed on person!"

The weakest of the three storylines belonged to Tracy.  We love the reverse-notion of what Tiger Woods did in concept, but the actual jokes as a result were just not that funny.  Except for maybe Tracy offering Liz some succulent fruit.

Overall, the episode was definitely one of our favorite of the season.  We're going to miss you Wesley.  Hopefully we do get to see you during the May Sweeps.  You know, spring cleaning in England.  Really, how can a show have this many awesome meta jokes!?

Our favorite 30 Rock quotes are after the jump.

Continue Reading...

As 30 Rock episodes go, "Future Husband" was not a personal favorite of ours. Something about it felt too serious at times, or too dependent on its actual plot. Imagine that.

This isn't to suggest it was dreadful, as it was laugh out loud funny on more than a few occasions, but there are only so many in jokes about Comcast and NBC we can take.

Plus, any episode that reveals Don Geiss is dead (not at all related to Rip Torn's recent drunken bank robbing, we're guessing) can't help but cast a pall over the viewership.

Geiss' death did serve the purpose of advancing the story of NBC's buyout at the hands of Kabletown (hilarious use of the K), coincidentally a Philadelphia cable magnate.

Meanwhile, Liz had her root canal, and apparently met a guy there and put his phone number in her cell phone under "Future Husband" (he put hers under "Future Wife").

We aren't really feeling this too much yet (or Tracy's attempt to branch out into serious acting), but both plots elicited some laughs and we're excited to see where they go.

Jack and Avery (Elizabeth Banks) hash out some important business matters.

As jumbled as the episode seemed, give 30 Rock credit for going beyond wacky jokes and visual humor and attempting ongoing plots and references to previous episodes.

One of the funniest moments? In reference to the show's Olympics hiatus, Liz moved her mouth, saying nothing, while Tina Fey said something about skier Lindsey Vonn.

Because they didn't know the results then, of course. So ridiculous and random.

As always, even a somewhat scattered episode that at times falls short of our admittedly lofty standards contained more than its share of hilarious jokes and quotes.

Follow the jump for some classic 30 Rock quotes from last night (and check out our library of lines from every episode in the great comedy's four-season history) ...

Continue Reading...

It was Valentine's Day last night on 30 Rock, and "Anna Howard Shaw Day" featured more than its fair share of self-deprecating Liz Lemon lines and loneliness gags.

At TGS, Liz was without a date, Toofer was set up on one, Frank was ... well, being Frank, and Lutz was talking about his new girlfriend, who no one believes is real.

He says that he has proof on his website - which is real!

Unfortunately, the reappearance of Floyd, Dennis, and Drew was only a figment of drugged-out Liz's imagination, and there was limited interaction between the three.

At the same time, Jason Sudeikis, Dean Winters, and Jon Hamm are all great, as was this week's newest big-name guest star, rock legend Jon Bon Jovi as himself.

The idea of Jon Bon as NBC's "artist on call"? Hilarious.

Past Liz Lemon boyfriends reunite ... in her drugged-up subconscious state.

Meanwhile, Jenna is missing her stalker on Valentine's Day. Yup, Jenna is just plain crazy. She seems to delight in bizarre things happening to her, no matter how unpleasant.

We're always hit or miss when it comes to Jenna-oriented plot lines, and even though her stalker plot featured a couple of great quotes, this one falls in the miss category.

We get that she's this out-there showbiz diva and that nothing she does surprises us, but she needs to be a little more likable, more human. Bat$h!t insane only goes so far.

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

Continue Reading...

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 ...

Continue Reading...

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 ...

Continue Reading...

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

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

Last night's episode of 30 Rock, "Dealbreakers Talk Show #0001," featured exactly what the title says - Liz's first attempt at being a star, hosting her Dealbreakers talk show.

This spurred countless jokes about Liz's perceived unattractiveness, as well as some slightly-cliched but still entertaining role reversals with the staffers at the TGS offices.

Frank took over for Liz in the writers' room while she was doing her thing, and started to look and act just like her. Behind the camera, Liz channeled her inner diva Jenna.

Out to sabotage them all? The hilarious Devin Banks (Will Arnett), Jack's gay, corporate arch-nemesis who recurs every so often and never fails to leave us in stitches.

Elsewhere, an introspective Tracy was determined to win more awards and boost his serious acting cred. LOL. Below are some classic 30 Rock quotes from Thursday night ...

As usual, 30 Rock provided witty puns ... some not even spoken aloud.

Jack: If this show doesn't work, I might as well let Banks do one of his gay home-invasion fantasies on me. | permalink

Tracy: How could five of the world's most popular musical styles played at the same time sound so bad? | permalink

Devin Banks: FEMA paid for these flowers ... because this show is going to be a disaster! | permalink

Pete: [to Liz] OK, smile ... with your mouth ... wave ... like a human being! | permalink

Tracy: [to Angie] OK, I'll be in touch. You still use your Hotmail account? | permalink

Tracy: Recently I realized I have a hole in my heart. And not the one I got from eating batteries. | permalink

Tracy: I'll do the Christmas shopping this year and prove to you that I can be reliable and that I can finish everything I... | permalink

Devin Banks: If this fails I'm going to flog you like ... well, like me at the Provincetown Flogging Festival. | permalink

Liz: Maybe we can undid these handcuffs.
Tracy: Racist! | permalink

Jack: There's a lot of history in Studio 4C: To Catch A Predator, the XFL halftime show, storage for broken copiers. | permalink

Jack: [to Liz] You're like a swarthy, big-hipped Kelly Ripa. | permalink

Last night's 30 Rock, "Sun Tea," showed us that Liz may actually be growing up a bit, saving some of her Dealbreakers money and - gasp! - buying a place of her own.

It also showed us that Tracy and Tracy Jr. together are comedic gold, as are Dr. Leo Spaceman and digs at NBC's Green Week ... during a show on NBC's Green Week.

Oh, and Frank? What a dirty, dirty individual. We don't care if it's good for the earth ... there are just some lines that even a modern day neanderthal should not cross.

Jack was a little lost this week, and relegated to the sidelines, pondering something that was bothering him (in this case, it was a vasectomy). Still, a good 30 Rock.

Below are some classic 30 Rock quotes from last night's episode ...

As usual, 30 Rock provided witty puns ... some not even spoken aloud.

Frank: Some of them are sun tea and some of them ... were sun tea. | permalink

Jenna: Drama is gay man Gatorade. It replenishes their electrolytes. | permalink

Al Gore: Recycle everything, including jokes. | permalink

Dr. Leo Spaceman: If a patient's friend runs in the room in the middle of an operation, then you have to stop. It's the doctor's code. | permalink

Liz: [on Green Week] Oh brother. Are they really going to do something this year or just put that stupid green peacock in the corner of the screen? | permalink

Jack: Holding up one finger to get someone to be quiet? He invented that ... Geiss also invented the abrupt conversational segue. Okay, talk about your thing now. | permalink

Jack: With real estate there are no rules. It's like check-in at an Italian airport. | permalink

Kenneth: Global warming? Sorry, sir, that's just scientist talk. The same people who say my grandfather was a monkey. If that's true, why was he killed by a monkey? | permalink