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'30 Rock' live show tackles two broadcasts with just a few differences
"30 Rock" embraced the gaffe with its live show(s), working in laughter, nipple slips, forgotten lines and plenty more awkward moments into the script.
It was weird to see the series in the live format, especially with the distracting addition of an audience, but they pulled it off. And if you were sorry to have been previously spoiled by Matt Damon and Jon Hamm's cameos, at least we got that awesome surprise (or three) from Julia Louis-Dreyfus. (Come back to TV, Julia. Please.)
So for those of you who didn't catch both the east and west coast versions, we have two things to say to you:
1) Congratulations on having a life.
2) There actually were a few fun differences.
And since we respect your decision to only watch it once, allow us to fill in the blanks.
Jonathon
Liz Lemon's jabs at Jack's assistant, which brought on her forgotten birthday, were equally racist cinematic references, with "Slumdog Millionaire" for the east coasters and "Aladdin" for the westerners.
Theme song
The musical honors of the opening credits went to Jane Krakowski the first go around and then to returning guest Cheyenne Jackson three hours later. (Advantage: east coast.)
Obama citation
During the "TGS's" Fox News spoof, Tracy's Obama got two title cards: "Kenyan Liar" and "Barack Obammunist."
Dr. Spaceman's Love Storm
Both broadcasts got different sampling from Dr. Spaceman's arousing album, with four "doing it" songs between them.
Alcohol
Whilst sniffing cans of paint, Jack gives Liz alternate answers as to why men need alcohol. East coast: "It's the first thing every civilization makes along with weapons and shelters to enjoy prostitutes." West coast: "It gives us the ability to hit on women and later, when we're married, to tune them out."
Dr. Drew Baird
Jon Hamm's first faux commercial cameo was for repurposed hands from executed criminals and the second was from a woman killed in an explosion at a Josh Groban concert.
Fonzie cake
The slightest of differences... as the episode came to a close, Liz said she was pleased with her birthday for being able to eat cake off the floor and then, later, for being able to eat Fonzie's face from the cake.
[Editor's note: there's no way to prove this, but we're convinced the ribbons Jack pulled out of Liz's mouth were slightly longer in the second broadcast. Just saying.]
Notice anything else? Then your eyes are keener than our own. And you're a liar.
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Photo Credit: NBC
It was weird to see the series in the live format, especially with the distracting addition of an audience, but they pulled it off. And if you were sorry to have been previously spoiled by Matt Damon and Jon Hamm's cameos, at least we got that awesome surprise (or three) from Julia Louis-Dreyfus. (Come back to TV, Julia. Please.)
So for those of you who didn't catch both the east and west coast versions, we have two things to say to you:
1) Congratulations on having a life.
2) There actually were a few fun differences.
And since we respect your decision to only watch it once, allow us to fill in the blanks.
Jonathon
Liz Lemon's jabs at Jack's assistant, which brought on her forgotten birthday, were equally racist cinematic references, with "Slumdog Millionaire" for the east coasters and "Aladdin" for the westerners.
Theme song
The musical honors of the opening credits went to Jane Krakowski the first go around and then to returning guest Cheyenne Jackson three hours later. (Advantage: east coast.)
Obama citation
During the "TGS's" Fox News spoof, Tracy's Obama got two title cards: "Kenyan Liar" and "Barack Obammunist."
Dr. Spaceman's Love Storm
Both broadcasts got different sampling from Dr. Spaceman's arousing album, with four "doing it" songs between them.
Alcohol
Whilst sniffing cans of paint, Jack gives Liz alternate answers as to why men need alcohol. East coast: "It's the first thing every civilization makes along with weapons and shelters to enjoy prostitutes." West coast: "It gives us the ability to hit on women and later, when we're married, to tune them out."
Dr. Drew Baird
Jon Hamm's first faux commercial cameo was for repurposed hands from executed criminals and the second was from a woman killed in an explosion at a Josh Groban concert.
Fonzie cake
The slightest of differences... as the episode came to a close, Liz said she was pleased with her birthday for being able to eat cake off the floor and then, later, for being able to eat Fonzie's face from the cake.
[Editor's note: there's no way to prove this, but we're convinced the ribbons Jack pulled out of Liz's mouth were slightly longer in the second broadcast. Just saying.]
Notice anything else? Then your eyes are keener than our own. And you're a liar.
Follow Zap2it and MikeyLikesTV on Twitter and Zap2it on Facebook for the latest TV, movie and celebrity news
Photo Credit: NBC
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i saw the east coast version only - i will have to check out the west coast, too - i thought this was an awesome episode - they really pulled it off - i was floored with julia louis-dreyfus - thought that was amazing
I'm a sucker for these type of live shows and I missed it. I never knew it was coming! Augh. Then again I only watch '30 Rock' on DVD after the whole season is over and never pay any attention to it when it airs.
A few points: The episode, as a whole, wasn't real funny. It was a hoot seeing Julia in the flashbacks. Who was the hot guy in Jack's flashback? Tracy was maybe the least funny of all. Jane K. is both funny and very sexy.
Great show! I saw ther East Coast version and expected a few more gaffes from Tracy Morgan, but the cameos were great, especially JLD as alternate Liz. This season has been slightly disappointing, but 30 Rock is back!!! I hope On Demand shows both versions.
Only saw the West Coast version. Agree, having Julia Louis-Dreyfus as "Dream Lemon" was genius. Man, Jon Hamm killed in his commercial spot (I'm so tired..:) Love him.
Loved the East coast version. I'll have to watch the West coast online but loved the Julia LD double as Liz Lemon. EXCELLENT choice & it was spot on.
Loved Jon Hamm in those commercials. He was too funny! I'd forgotten how different the show looks when its not on tape.
And was Alec Baldwin's yarn supposed to fall out of the basket that way??? Did that happen in the West coast version as well?
This reminded me how funny SNL "should" be. Overall, I thought it funny & if they decide to do it again, I'll be watching.
Good Heavens, there were more than 25 differences including timing, delivery and gaffs, not just lines and audience reaction. East Coast was better delivery but there were timing issues. Overall, East Coast was better. West Coast didn't have the same energy and was sloppier.
It wasn't hilarious or anything, some good moments here and there. There was really no need for the audience to be there; it just felt like an episode of "SNL". And I was surprised at some of the hideously unfunny lines that got a laugh out of the audience. Jack McBrayer, Jon Hamm, and Jane Krakowski (the three J's) get gold stars. No one else, I thought, really excelled. Nice to see Rachel Dratch come back!!
I saw only the East coast version (and that on the Internet the morning after...), but thought the whole thing was creative genius. Aside from the astonishing doppelganger that is Julie Louis Dreyfus to Liz Lemon, Mr. Baldwin was very funny in every camera moment, Tracy was okay (I do like the character a lot), and both Jonathan (Maulik Pancholy) and Kenneth are priceless. But, frankly, I think Jane Krakowski stole the show. Funny, outrageously stupid and sexy as all-get-out! I loved the show, but don't necessarily want them to do more such LIVE shows. I liked it the way it was (not live) a lot more.
There was another difference between the 2, on the East Coast the entire room tells Kenneth to "Speed it up!" when he is trying to tell them his idea for Liz's party. On the West Coast version, Jack only says "Spit it out before I drink you!"