Finalewatch '07: '30 Rock'
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When 30 Rock began its inaugural season last fall, about the best thing I could say about the show as a whole was that it was a lot better than its original companion, Twenty Good Years.
If ever there were a case of damning with faint praise, that was probably it. Fortunately the people at NBC had a little more faith in it than I did, and the show got a full-season pickup.
Good thing, too, because in the second half of the season 30 Rock improved exponentially, such that it has now become a show I refuse to miss. Creator/star Tina Fey really seemed to find a great balance between playing the straight woman for Alec Baldwin and Tracy Morgan and stepping up to nail jokes of her own (her "I'm the decider" frenzy of a few episodes back was fantastic stuff).
Thursday's season finale was not the show's absolute best this season -- that title goes either to last week's Cleveland-centric episode or the Paul Reubens episode from February -- but it continued the nearly unbroken string of DVR-worthy moments ever since Reubens showed up as an inbred-within-an-inch-of-his-life European prince in February.
The back half of Tracy's run from the Black Crusaders was a little disappointing, although knowing that Twofer is watching Tracy could set up some things for next season (this feels like a gag the show can go back to if it wants). Seeing Sean Hayes almost perfectly copy Kenneth's mannerisms, then twisting them just a little as befits a hillbilly cousin, made up for some of that, but the Misery-esque jokes felt a little too easy.
But Elaine Stritch as Jack Donaghy's mother? Brilliant. Having met a significant portion of the Donaghy family now, it's not hard to tell why Jack's biggest regret when he thought he was dying was that he didn't work enough -- even if he did personally coin the phrase "What's the upside?"
The ongoing theme of Liz-as-nerd got its due tonight as well, as Fey made not one but two semi-obscure Star Wars references: threatening Kenneth to "cut you open like a tauntaun" and, upon seeing her webcam image, asking "Are my eyes really that far apart? I look like Adm. Ackbar."
Shows will sometimes make big creative leaps from one season to another, but it's rare to see this much improvement within the course of one season. The only downside is that it might be tough for Fey and Co. to top themselves next season, but that's not a bad problem to have.
Your thoughts on the 30 Rock finale? Happy to see it coming back?
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That wasn't Twofer watching Tracy. That was some BC guy from last episode who'd been trailing Tracy.
With Network television reaching an all time low with "Ultimate Wedding Crashers", "Wife Swap", "Bachelor 82", the mundane "Deal or No Deal", etc. It is great to see a wonderfully and smart written comedy for people who have a brain. Tina Fey has delivered that with "30 Rock". NBC who is absolutely the worst network now with horrible reality shows, has a bright spot and hopefully will grow on that. With the likes of Alec Baldwin, Jane Krawkowski, Tracy Morgan, etc. The cast is funny, witty, bright and the show just gets better and better!
Bring it back NBC! You finally have a new "Friends" for your Thursday line up!
I agree, it went from a show I didn't care to watch to a show I can't miss. There are some absolutely hilarious moments on this show. Last week I DIED laughing at the scene where Liz points out the old New York woman she wants to be, who then gets thrown into a pile of trash just as a man spits in Liz's mouth as she's talking about how "cultured" NYC is.
I wonder, though, what the future of Alec Baldwin will be. He's already said he asked them to let him out of his contract but they said no.
This show by far is my favorite on the air right now....very close to "The Office". I was so glad to hear NBC renewed the show for next season and I hope they continue pushing their "Comedy Night Done Right"....Having My name is Earl, The Office, 30 Rock and Scrubs all in one night truely is the best comedy's on TV. Now if only NBC could add some dramas that will attract viewers to the network...they are ending a distant 4th once again. Very sad
My favorite line of the finale was the very last one, after the screen had gone dark, by Liz, "OK, I'm going to pull the plug now."
I agree with the poster upthread; NBC currently has the strongest Thursday night lineup I can remember. I feel so lucky that so many great shows are on the same night, one right after the other. Don't screw this up, NBC!
Yes, NBC's Thursday nights definately deserve to be top of the ratings heap. Office, 30 Rock, and Scrubs are easily the best comedies on network TV. Well, maybe HIMYM would be in the running a little bit...