Remember that goofy blackout stunt NBC did back in 1994, where Friends and Mad About You and Madman of the People all had storylines revolving around a citywide blackout in New York?

Except Seinfeld, which aired at 9 o'clock, refused to take part. So the lights miraculously came back on for a half-hour, then went out again at 9:30.

I was thinking of that a little as I watched Thursday's 30 Rock, which for my money was the best episode of the season. The show doesn't have enough clout to go the Seinfeld route, so it played along with NBC's "Green Week" theme -- but only in the snarkiest, tongue-sticking-outest way it could. God love Tina Fey and Co.

(Is that a whale in trouble I hear? Nope, it's just the spoilers.)

Let's take a look at all the stuff 30 Rock poked fun at this week: corporate lip service to environmentalism; the sanctimony of the true believer; pompous actors; Al Gore (with help from the man himself); the network; product placement; itself. Pretty good stuff, and that was just the A-story, which featured David Schwimmer playing the increasingly full-of-himself Greenzo, the first "non-judgmental, business-friendly environmental advocate."

Schwimmer plays an out-of-work actor (his last job was in a Rick Lazio ad) who's psyched to get a gig ("You're saying 'gig' a lot," Liz notes) as the corporate spokesstooge, Jack's entry in a GE-wide contest to see "who can make the most money off this environmental trend." So Greenzo goes on Today, where he explains to good sport Meredith Vieira that the planet can be made safer with the purchase of a GE front-loading washer.

Greenzo starts to take his planet-mending mission to heart, though, scolding Cerie for leaving the refrigerator door open ("Did he just talk to me like I'm ugly") and wanting to give notes on the material Liz writes for him (to "make sure it has that Greenzo voice -- wry and wise, but also very sexual").

I was never much of a Ross fan, but I have to hand it to Schwimmer: He sold out for this part and was completely unafraid to look like a tool (which is probably a must when you're wearing a dorky superhero costume for the whole episode). Ditto Al Gore, who's probably the first Nobel Peace Prize laureate to appear on a sitcom within a month of winning the award. Loved Liz's star-struck reaction to him -- "Hi, I'm Lemon" -- and his spilling of information that the staunch conservative, money-loving Jack used to work for Ted Kennedy.

And I haven't even covered Kenneth's party yet, but how much fun must those flashback scenes have been? Liz and Grizz, Jack's day-after hair, "Mr. Jordan, I saw you steal my sink" -- all fantastic.

Other "Greenzo" goodness:

• Jenna: "The only reason men start taking care of themselves is if they're getting someone to have sex with them. Otherwise they just sit at home in their own filth." Cue Frank, in a dirty wifebeater, leaving the office because they're out of string cheese.
• A collection of Greenzo lines: "Do you even bother to compost your own feces?" To Jack: "Merry [Vieira] was totally into me. Have you hit that?" And, "When I die, they'll want to put my face on money. If there is money, and not just hugs."
• Liz on the out-of-control rumors about the party: "People are going to show up expecting all these great things, and they'll be really disappointed and angry." Tracy: "Just like Colonial Williamsburg."
• Liz's reaction to catching Pete and his wife, particularly when she saw her sweater was attached to Pete's wrist. The Pete stuff was all pretty good, actually; Scott Adsit is a little underrated, and it's good to see him more a part of the show.
• Jack, after Greenzo goes off the reservation: "I knew we should've gotten Angie Harmon."

Greenzo out: How'd you like this week's eco-wacky 30 Rock?

Comments

Great episode. This week's My Name Is Earl had some similar sarcasm for being forced to write Green into the episode. Good stuff.

Shane | Nov 8, 2007 8:21:39 PM | #

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I'm such a nerd. I had no idea who T.I. was, and like Jack, first thought of Texas Instruments.
One thing I really liked about this episode was that we had something good from every cast member (Cherie, Frank, Pete, Josh).
Tina Fey dressed as Harry Potter was pretty delightful.

Billiam | Nov 8, 2007 8:56:51 PM | #

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What was written on Jonathan's forehead after the party?

Ryan | Nov 8, 2007 9:05:26 PM | #

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Definitely the best episode of the season... even Schwimmer was good!

Suri: "Did he just speak to me like I was ugly?" Awesome.

AC | Nov 8, 2007 9:35:01 PM | #

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TOOL was written on jack's asistant's forehead - i loved the pop tart bit and as always kenneth - when he was giving his cupcake invites out and that great smile of his.....hahaa

Simon | Nov 9, 2007 5:22:13 AM | #

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30 Rock is not always a must see for me. I record it, but sometime I just dont get around to watching it. Im SO glad I watched this one last night. Al Gore and the Whale's, Lemon as Harry Potter and Tool written on Jonathan's forehead.

Great show last night!!

Ray | Nov 9, 2007 5:59:13 AM | #

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Great recap, you got most of the great lines in there. I really liked the flashbacks of Kevin's previous parties that only Liz showed up for, especially the Halloween party where they were in costune dancing to Tracy's Werewolf song, spooky, scary!

sac | Nov 9, 2007 7:45:00 AM | #

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Oh, and I noticed something in the episode that has peaked my curiosity for it's absolute absurdity and I'd really want to know it's purpose.

Hanging from the wall of Liz Lemons office are a big fork and spoon, clearly visable in two shots.

What is the significance of the big fork and spoon? Who would put that up in their office?

The only reference I can think of is the show, "Everybody Loves Raymond" which had an episode that featured the big fork and spoon on the wall of Frank and Maries kitchen. But I don't see how it would relate.

Any ideas?

sac | Nov 9, 2007 7:50:20 AM | #

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Loved it, every second of it.

Corey | Nov 9, 2007 9:31:48 AM | #

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sac --- I'm going with the fact that Liz loves food, but there is probably some deeper reason for it, either for Liz or for Tina.

Corey | Nov 9, 2007 9:32:40 AM | #

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"I don't know why I told you about the pop tart."

Caleb | Nov 9, 2007 10:52:57 AM | #

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simply fantastic. this episode helps me forgive nbc for having green week.

andrew | Nov 9, 2007 12:06:22 PM | #

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Another great throwaway line: Jack to Greenzo: "you're going to release an endangered falcon at halftime of a Knick game." The show is brilliant

Matt | Nov 9, 2007 1:01:39 PM | #

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The line I really liked was:

"Ahhhh, blurg! (sp?) Why is there a poptart in the bed? What do you DO with the poptart?"

rowlfe | Nov 9, 2007 6:10:51 PM | #

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haha, an excellent episode, but the best part was definitely Liz as Harry Potter. haha!

edgar | Nov 9, 2007 7:17:52 PM | #

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who's the actress that plays suri?

kevin | Nov 18, 2007 5:10:36 PM | #

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The Actress that Plays "Cerie" (not Suri) is Katrina Bowden.

Joanne | Jan 10, 2008 7:04:22 AM | #

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Filipino families have these huge forks and spoons on their walls.

Earl | Oct 21, 2008 1:34:16 AM | #

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