30 Rock

Last week I spoke pretty harshly of Mad Men's Jon Hamm's venture into television's best comedy 30 Rock. While I still stand by my point about him having the acting ability of a doorknob, he at least had some funny lines here, and actually seemed like a normal person, opposed to the dull life form he was on the last show.



Alec Baldwin was great here as well and I know we're all looking forward to his hosting appearance on Saturday Night Live this weekend. What I did not like was the whole Kenneth storyline. This just seemed like time filler as the writers ran out of ideas for the Elisa/Jack and Liz/Drew pairs. But good episode overall.

30 rock over the last few installments, has looked rather vague. Reason - Fey and gang are drifting away from the older formula of a show within a show, and are exploring common themes. This is why we don't get to see Tracy in his full glory. Here we see Liz and Drew's relationship progressing, with the usual weird scenes like Drew watching Liz trying to poop. And Liz getting entangled in Drew's family affairs. Alec Baldwin was simply fantastic this time. The scene where he say's capitalism is my religion, and the one where he manages to breakdown the Harvard educated priest was hilarious.



The other story line was Tracy helping Kenneth to get a blind girl. This was a bit racist, and rather unfunny. So, this is why I am rating this at 7.



Good one overall.

It's Happy Valentine's Dysfunction Day on 30 Rock; one of the funniest episodes yet. First Jack and Elisa are having Mcflurries and Elisa says they are the best desert on earth. Jack is saying this desert at a restaurant downtown has the best desert and wants to take Elisa there on Valentines Day. She won't go with him until he goes to church with her first. Jack goes to church with her and starts going though the motions and it is very funny to watch. When Jack gets into confession he runs the priest out with what he tells him. Elise and the rest of the church hear what went on and she pretty much throws Jack out. Jack goes to the restaurant by himself and sits there broken hearted. Elisa is sitting in church and the collection plate goes bye and there is a coupon for a free McFlurrie in the collection plate. She knows it is fate and runs to the nearest McDonalds and Jack is there ordering a McFlurrie. Liz agrees to a date with Dr. Andrew Baird. It is a disaster from the beginning. To sum it up Liz serves Stew, Liz's breast pops out, Liz starts to make out with Andrew and her stomach gets upset from the stew, Liz runs to the bathroom, Liz's brownies start to burn, Andrew opens window that in turn opens the door to the bathroom and Liz is sitting on the toilet for Andrew to see. If this is not enough Andrew's daughter arrives on the scene, his aunt calls telling him his mother is about to die. Liz goes with him to his mother's side. Andrew has to leave the room and Liz stays with his mother. She tells Liz that Liz a family secret; that she is not Andrews mother that his sister is his mother and that Liz must tell him.



Kenneth falls in love with a blind girl but cannot talk to her. Tracy helps him by doing all of the talking. They go out on a date and Tracy sets up a French restaurant with Grizz and Dotcomm as the waiters. Kenneth finally talks and the girl asks him why he all of the sudden sounds like a white man. She asks if she can feel his face and when she does she pretty much recoils in horror and leaves.



This was an outstanding episode with all the dysfunction we come to expect. It is a fine example of why it is one of the funniest shows on TV.

If nothing else, this episode captured my heart for one of their casting choices. Allie Trimm as Bethany made my day. The storyline between Liz and Drew is very sweet (with plenty of awkward opportunities), and I hope they explore it more just for that-but I'm on my knees begging for Bethany to come back. Love her other work, yes . . . and love her in this show. I like seeing younger actors work with such talent as Tina Fey-it's good for everyone, I think. Keeps older folks on their toes, and gives young blood the chance to learn from the best. Trimm did a great job as "that" girl: The oversexed, rebellious, "I don't know what to do with her" daughter. The American family provides great fodder for comedy, and I'm glad 30 Rock is taking that and giving it their own special twist.