Hardball

Season 1, Episode 15, Aired
EDIT

Episode Summary

Jack sees an opportunity for budget cuts when Josh's contract is up, forcing Liz to go out of her way to motivate Josh into staying with TGS and not moving on to a rival show. Meanwhile, Kenneth earns a coveted spot in Tracy's entourage, and Jenna gets in trouble over a misquote in Maxim.moreless
9.2
out of 10
EPISODE RATING: Superb
308 votes
  • Your Rating: 10
    "Perfect"
  • Your Rating: 9.5
    "Superb"
  • Your Rating: 9
    "Superb"
  • Your Rating: 8.5
    "Great"
  • Your Rating: 8
    "Great"
  • Your Rating: 7.5
    "Good"
  • Your Rating: 7
    "Good"
  • Your Rating: 6.5
    "Fair"
  • Your Rating: 6
    "Fair"
  • Your Rating: 5.5
    "Mediocre"
  • Your Rating: 5
    "Mediocre"
  • Your Rating: 4.5
    "Poor"
  • Your Rating: 4
    "Poor"
  • Your Rating: 3.5
    "Bad"
  • Your Rating: 3
    "Bad"
  • Your Rating: 2.5
    "Terrible"
  • Your Rating: 2
    "Terrible"
  • Your Rating: 1.5
    "Abysmal"
  • Your Rating: 1
    "Abysmal"
Rate It

Watch Online

Netflix
Subscription
Amazon
Buy
iTunes
Buy
VUDU
Buy/Rent

Cast & Crew

See All EDIT

Fan Episode Reviews (9)

See All

  • Hardball

    8.0
    "Great"
    By thefanof, May 21, 2010 Report Abuse
    Oh man, I do not miss the days when Rachel Dratch was on 30 Rock. She just completely was useless on the best comedy in years, even more useless than her time on Saturday Night Live. But getting that out of my system, this was another great episode of 30 Rock. Jenna appearing on Hardball was excellent (down with Obama!) and you automatically laugh at anything Chris Matthews says now because of Darrell Hammond's great impression of him on SNL.

    30 Rock's first season was good, not great, but episodes like this are the reason Emmy voters gave it the trophy.moreless

    DO YOU AGREE?

    0 0

  • great

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By efc91, Jul 30, 2009 Report Abuse
    Jack sees an opportunity for budget cuts when Josh's contract is up, forcing Liz to go out of her way to motivate Josh into staying with TGS and not moving on to a rival show. Meanwhile, Kenneth earns a coveted spot in Tracy's entourage and Jenna gets in trouble over a misquote in Maxim. A episode that centered around Josh was a refreshing change. the negotians where funny like the way Liz and Jack won and the mention of the Daily Show and Jon Stewart was good. Tracy getting attacked was really funny and then him getting saved by his entourage.moreless

    DO YOU AGREE?

    0 0

  • another rib-burster

    9.8
    "Superb"
    By feraflower, Aug 02, 2008 Report Abuse
    In this episode, Liz must deal with the fact that her friend Josh is up for negotiations and Jack making her life miserable as usual, and dealing with Jenna's brainless ear for politics since she's going to be interviewed on Hardball, and Kenneth accidently reveals to Tracy that his entourage have been less than honest with him. Liz and Jack do battle, Jack winning another small victory and Liz still having to pay the price, and Tracy, Tracy has to deal with Kenneth as his only entourage. Another funny episode that proves that Barack Obama and Osama bin Ladin's names are more "similar than previously thought", Tracy cannot shoot a basketball without someone to lift him, and Liz well, learning that friends can often be less than honest. Not to mention the Bodyguard allusion at the end. Kudos. More episodes like this one, please.moreless

    DO YOU AGREE?

    1 0

  • Tracy gets a new member of his entourage. Jenna gets political. Liz gets a lesson in contract negotiations from Jack.

    9.9
    "Superb"
    By Ziggysmama, Jan 25, 2008 Report Abuse
    30 Rock is such an excellent show. I am officially in love with Tina Fey. The character of Joshs' agent was a stroke of pure brilliance ("Enough of the foreplay lets move on to the penetraysh"). Then when Liz Lemon makes the 'crab' fight the 'worm' I literally fell out of bed laughing. There are so many elements to this show that make it funny (Seriously, who hasn't accidently said Osama instead of Obama or vice versa). I really enjoy all of the characters especially Kenneth and Tracy so that was cool seeing a storyline with them together. I wanted to watch this episode again straight away. It must of been good :)
    Also, nice shout-out to The Daily Show in this episode.moreless

    DO YOU AGREE?

    0 0

  • And you thought that it couldn't get any better.

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By geoking66, Mar 25, 2007 Report Abuse
    30 Rock definitely got it right this time. This and "Black Tie" are my two favourite 30 Rock episodes.

    The main story is that Jenna (being the stereotypical stupid blonde that she is) accidentally mixes up Osama and Obama. To apologise, she goes on Hardball and again screws up. The way her story unfolds is quite funny. Liz has to help mentor Jenna just so she doesn't make a complete fool of herself on national television.

    While already helping Jenna, Liz is trying to help Josh keep his job at the show. Jack is strictly against the idea, believing that Josh doesn't do enough to contribute.

    Tracy decides to be nice and allows Kenneth to join his "entourage" (or lack thereof). It's so funny watching Kenneth try to be a "gansgta." Overall one of the best 30 Rock episodes.moreless

    DO YOU AGREE?

    3 0
 

Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

See All

  • Trivia

    ADD TRIVIA
    • Frank's trucker hat in this episode reads "Squeeze It". Edit
    • The MSNBC news crawl in this episode uses some ridiculous headlines: "Panda Murder-Suicide Shocks China" "Wolf Blitzer Injured In Wolf Blitz" "Mysterious Visitor From Future Wins Lottery Again" "Anne Heche Leaves Husband For Pony" Edit
    • In the opening scene an "arrow through the head" gag suddenly appears on Jenna's head. Edit

  • Notes

    ADD NOTES
    • The episode was formerly titled "Negotiation." Edit
    • The German episode title is "Verhandlungssache", meaning "Negotiation". The French title is "Hardball". The Italian title is "Saluta le truppe", meaning "Salute the Troops". The Spanish title is "Bola dura", meaning "Hard Ball". Edit
    • The show was nominated for an Outstanding Comedy Series Emmy for this episode, and the episode was part of the show's Emmy Awards 'For Your Consideration' DVD for this season. Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Jenna: If the president is so serious about the war on terror, why doesn't he hunt down and capture Barack Obama before he strikes again? Edit
    • Tracy: I love this cornbread so much I want to take it behind a middle school and get it pregnant. Edit
    • Liz: Just because I think gay dudes should be allowed to adopt kids and we should all have hybrid cars doesn't mean I don't love America. (winks at camera) Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • At the end of the episode where Tracy Jordan is being attacked by protesters, his former entourage comes to his rescue. In the background the music Tracy is singing is "I Will Always Love You". This was the theme song of the movie The Bodyguard, and what this scene is alluding to where the main character's bodyguard comes to her rescue. Edit
    • Jack tells Liz, "Lemon, I would like to teach you something, I would like to be Michelle Pfeiffer to your angry black kid who learns that poetry is just another way to rap," referring to the 1995 film, Dangerous Minds, where Michelle Pfeiffer plays a teacher. She struggles to teach a class of inner city students. Edit

Show Forums

See All
Last Activity
Replies

Watch 30 Rock Full Episodes

See All

Related Shows

Season 1 Episodes

See All
Ep 21
Hiatus
Ep 20
Cleveland
Ep 19
Corporate Crush
Ep 18
Fireworks
Ep 17
The Fighting Irish
Ep 16
The Source Awards
Ep 15
Hardball
Ep 14
The "C" Word
Ep 13
Up All Night
Ep 12
Black Tie
Ep 11
The Head and the Hair
Ep 10
The Rural Juror
Ep 9
The Baby Show
Ep 8
The Break-Up
Ep 7
Tracy Does Conan
Ep 6
Jack Meets Dennis
Ep 5
Jack-Tor
Ep 4
Jack the Writer
Ep 3
Blind Date
Ep 2
The Aftermath
Ep 1
Pilot

Contributors

Become a contributor
More
Less

TV Listings

Full Listings
BROWSE | Shows | Videos | News | Listings | Forums | People | Photos | TV.com Blog

CBS Entertainment | About TV.com | About CBS Interactive | Jobs | Advertise

© 2012 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Ad Choice | Terms of Use