Photos
Video
Between a rock and an hilarious place . . . the season finale of '30 Rock'
Is 30 Rock the funniest show on television?
I’m beginning to think so.
This season as the show has steadily improved, it has gone from an above average show with moments of brilliance to a brilliant show with a few scattered moments of mediocrity.
More and more, the series is reminding me of Arrested Development. (Let's pause for a moment of silence for that late, great comedy). The humor on 30 Rock is so quick and is the right mix of overt slapstick and sly subtlety. I often find myself having a delayed reaction to a joke. It assumes its audience is intelligent (see the Amadeus homage two weeks ago). And it pushes its characters to the brink of absurdity but never so far that they become cartoonish.
In this week’s season finale (Thursday, NBC, 9:30 p.m.), Liz thinks she’s pregnant, Kenneth wants to be a page at the Olympics, Tracy is perfecting his porno masterpiece, and Jack’s in new government job. Matthew Broderick guest stars as Jack’s new best friend and co-worker and Edie Falco reprises her role as Jack’s now ex-girlfriend. The whole half-hour is simply perfect. From Jack’s inspirational speech (who knew the line, "we need pens," could be so hilarious) to Tracy's directing Jenna in voice-over work. And amid the lunacy (Kenneth’s back flip, Jenna’s personal essay), Tina Fey infuses Liz’s scenes with palpable emotions. Fey is representing a whole group of women who have been underrepresented on TV since Sex and the City went off the air.
But last week I received an email from a reader about 30 Rock and he asked me, "Why is this garbage still on?" And I think that’s the really difficult challenge with comedy and why TV comedies have really struggled in the last few years. What may be funny to me may not be funny to you. It happens all the time in real life. How often have you made a sarcastic comment and had someone take it literally. How often have you said something you thought was hilarious and been looked at with blank stares. We all find different things amusing.
So I’m wondering what do you think of 30 Rock?
Do you find it hilarious like I do? Or do you not understand why so many people think it’s funny? Talk about it below.
Highlights of the Week Ahead
All times listed are Eastern Time for May 5-11
What do you think of Michelle Trachtenberg’s Georgina (or should I call her Sara?) on Gossip Girl (Monday, CW, 8 p.m.)? I like her stealthy evil ways but what I really want to understand is why Serena is turning to Chuck during this crisis and not telling Dan anything. I’m slightly concerned that Serena is in danger of going the way of Marissa on The O.C. I don’t want her to become a character who is always a complete and whiny wreck. I’m also struggling a bit with the Jenny story line. I think the show needs to decide if she’s a nice girl who does bad things. Or a bad girl who is sometimes nice. Also this week, a character comes out. Given the show’s over-the-top nature, I’m really hoping they handle it in a way that really reflects how the series totally has the attention of its target demographic. Remember you can only watch the show on TV -- the episodes won't be available on line. But check out these sneak peaks here and here.
Sarah Chalke is back on How I Met Your Mother (Monday, CBS, 8:30 p.m.). This role is really showcasing what a terrific actress Chalke is – I honestly didn’t even think of Elliot when I watched her on Mother. That’s pretty amazing considering she’s been playing Elliot on Scrubs for seven seasons. This week, Ted breaks Stella’s trust when he reveals one of her secrets to his friends. That’s a big relationship no-no. And what do we think about the way the show is handling the Barney/Robin one night stand. The scene between Barney and Ted in the limo was believable and I liked that Barney felt guilty. One of the reasons his character works so well is that Neil Patrick Harris doesn’t let him become a one-note joke. You can understand why the gang is friends with him. I don’t know what is going to happen next between Ted and Barney and I like that. And don’t forget that Britney Spears returns to the show next Monday.
We caught a glimpse of Jason Lewis on House last week and now he’s back as House’s patient of the week (Monday, FOX, 9 p.m.). The only problem is he doesn’t come to House, the cranky doc sees him on TV and decides he’s sick. They are taking the rivalry between Amber and House for Wilson’s affection/attention too far. I like Wilson a little less now that he’s letting those two fight over him like that. How about you?
I’ve loved this sweeps stunt idea ever since I heard about it. The writers of CSI penned this week’s episode of Two and a Half Men (Monday, CBS, 9 p.m.) – that means there’s a murder at Charlie’s house and a guest appearance by George Eads. And on CSI (Thursday, CBS, 9 p.m.), the writers of Two and a Half Men took over, so there’s the death of a sitcom star, played by Katey Sagal. I can’t wait to see how this all turns out.
Could Lindsay’s cute new, coffee drinking love interest Pete be the Kiss Me Not killer on Women’s Murder Club? (Tuesday, ABC, 10 p.m.). Many of you seem to think so. Word is that the ladies will find out who the Kiss Me Not killer is before the end of next week’s season finale. It’s a basic tenet of crime dramas that if they have a season long mystery, the best way to make the reveal exciting for the audience is to have the criminal be a character we already know and still be a believable twist.(Remember Harry Hamlin in the first season of Veronica Mars? This is why I’m convinced that the Gormogon killer on Bones will be someone we’ve seen before). But I think Lindsay has already suffered enough this season, don’t you? I would like to see this show return next season but if it does, I think they need to make Cindy slightly less annoying and figure out a way to make Jill and Claire’s storylines fit more naturally into the overall action on the show. Right now it is still a little too clunky and awkward. Plus they really should ban the use of any dialogue that goes something like this "I could lose my job for doing this but here’s the file/autopsy report/witness statement you asked for."
Hmmm. . . is the plan to make Rebecca/Ava a little crazy on Grey’s Anatomy (Thursday, ABC, 9 p.m.). I know many of you found her to be more than a little irritating but it still seems to me like a bad direction for the show to go in – she’s going to lie to Alex about being pregnant just to get his attention? I liked her better when she was a conflicted, confused pregnant woman who had just regained her memory. I’m officially continuing to ignore the Rose story line since it still seems pointless to care. This week, the ghost of seasons past returns when Christina hears news about how Burke is doing at his new job (wait does she find out about the Bionic Woman too?). And Loretta Devine, who was so wonderful on Eli Stone, returns as the Chief’s estranged wife. My favorite storyline right now is Miranda dealing with her disintegrating marriage.
I’m loving the tension between Jack and Vivian on Without a Trace (Thursday, CBS, 10 p.m.). Their friendship has always been a nice undercurrent to the show’s action and it will be interesting to see the fallout as that relationship continues to be fractured. Even more interesting is the new take-no-prisoners Jack. I love that Sam’s pregnancy has brought Sam and Jack’s clandestine relationship back to the show.
You know I just don’t believe Lynette would allow herself to be blackmailed by Kayla on Desperate Housewives (Sunday, ABC, 9 p.m.). Of all of the women on Wisteria Lane, she is the most grounded. But I am thinking if – as rumored – the show does jump ahead five years in its season finale, Kayla will be a force to be reckoned with next season. Actually every story line, except for the endless bickering between Gabby and Carlos, seems to be on track. The final scene between Katherine and Wayne was chilling. This week Mike’s mother visits and the Gabby and Carlos learn that Ellie (Justine Bateman) isn’t a tattoo artist.
That’s all for today. Make sure to check out Korbi TV the new blog on Zap2It by my friend Korbi Ghosh. She’ll have spoilers, scoops and breaking news about all your favorite shows.
I’ll be back on Wednesday with this week’s familiar faces (do you know where Hannah Montana’s brother was?) and a status report on how I think show are doing since returning from the writers strike. Have a question? Seen a familiar face? Want to nominate a quote of the week or topic for discussion? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com. Have a great weekend. Talk to you on Wednesday.
I LOVE 30 Rock! It is so funny, and if you watch it again you catch a bunch of stuff you missed the first time around. Not sure why it doesn't get the ratings it deserves, and I hope it doesn't go the way of AD!
katie | May 5, 2008 12:17:31 PM | #Completely off topic and I apologize for that, but after all the TVgal talk about Supernatural, I checked out the first season through netflix. I'm not loving it, and need to know why/if it gets better as it grows, and whether I should stick with it. Thanks for any feedback. Great column Amy.
jessie | May 5, 2008 12:18:37 PM | #"This week, Ted breaks Eliot’s trust when he reveals one of her secrets to his friends."
Yeah, I can see you're not thinking of Elliot at all.
Mike | May 5, 2008 12:19:55 PM | #I am one of those who really enjoys 30 Rock. There are so few good comedies on nowadays and this one always makes me laugh.
I also like Sarah Chalke on HIMYM. Although I have to point out that you typed that you don't even think of Elliot when you see her and two sentences later you said Ted breaks Elliot's trust. :)
As for DH, loved the scene with Katherine and her ex. I thought she might shoot him right then and there even before I saw the gun! So sick of Gabby being so one dimensional. When she called Carlos useless I wanted to smack her. Getting very tired of the Kayla storyline too. I mean, does everyone on Wisteria Lane have to have a demon child? And I also have to mention Bree's hypocrosy towards Orson. Hello, has she forgotten she covered for Andrew when he ran over Mama Solis?!?
30 Rock is very funny, they don't always tell a good story, but every show has great lines and moments in it.
kevin | May 5, 2008 12:21:06 PM | #oh look Amy fixed her typo! Stella... LOL
jessie | May 5, 2008 12:25:00 PM | #Thanks for the correction on the whole Stella/Elliot situation -- it's fixed now!
Amy Amatangelo | May 5, 2008 12:25:43 PM | #I agree with you, I LOVE 30 Rock! I stuck by it at the beginning because I'm a fan of Tina Fey, and it really has got progressively better, and I laugh out loud! But I can see for some, it's not the traditional comedy, it's quick, wittty & sarcastic, and for some jokes you need to be up on your popculture, but I hope it stays, one of the best on TV!
Courtney | May 5, 2008 12:26:47 PM | #Just my opinion, Jessie, but I'll throw it in: The first few eps of Supernatural were actually my favorite - I loved the mini-horror movie feel, so, as a fan concerned about its ratings I would totally tell you stick with it, but I have to be honest and say it was the first few that hooked me. Not that the family dynamic doesn't get better as it grows and develops, especially when Daddy (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) enters the picture, because it does, but I liked some of the horror movie/urban legend clear-cut cases of the first season best!
AndreaC | May 5, 2008 12:28:48 PM | #30 Rock - consistently the funniest show on TV right now. Great characters, great writing and great acting.
DaisyRose | May 5, 2008 12:30:14 PM | #I LOVE 30 Rock, but I believe it is an acquired taste. I hated the first two episodes, so I didn't bother to watch it again until I caught a couple episodes at the end of last season. What a vast improvement! This season has been stellar.
I think another reason it doesn't work for everyone is that you simply can't be multitasking when you watch it. The humor is often so subtle that you miss it if you aren't paying close attention.
I'm loving Wilson from "House" all the more each passing episode. Like Kate the psychiatrist said, he isn't as nice as we'd like to believe. Wilson is the alpha dog in his friendship with House, so I think it's safe to say it's the same in his relationship with Amber. He's just letting the two fight it out because he knows they wouldn't listen to him anyway.
Aino | May 5, 2008 12:31:48 PM | #I love HIMYM but didn't they already do the whole Ted breaks his girlfriend's trust by talking about their private life to their friends thing when Ted and Robin were together?
30 Rock is one of the best comedies on TV right now. And why CBS doesn't immediately renew How I Met Your Mother is nonsensical.
John F. | May 5, 2008 12:34:45 PM | #Long-time reader chiming in to express my love for 30 Rock. All my TV-loving friends watch it too, but I agree that it's not for everyone. I, for one, sometimes can't figure out who these 15 million people are that watch three different CSIs each week.
Michael | May 5, 2008 12:39:52 PM | #30 Rock is very funny, and I enjoy it. But I do have to say that it doesn't make me care about the characters as much as some other comedies (Office, Scrubs, and HIMYM). So I would call it my 4th favorite comedy on TV. The characters are all very funny though (my favorite being Kenneth). And Tina Fey is wonderful: there is no other woman like her on TV right now.
Billiam | May 5, 2008 12:48:01 PM | #Jessie, Supernatural did take awhile to find its grove. I personally think it keeps getting better and better and season 2 had some really great episodes that made me laugh and cry (which I find amazing). That said, sometimes a show doesn't work for everyone. I think it's the best show on television, but it may not work for you. And that's my two cents.
As for the Rebecca/Ava situation on Grey's, do we really know yet where they're going with this? Yes, she may be lying to Alex. Then again she may be really crazy and think she's pregnant but she's not. Therefore, she's not really lying to Alex so much as herself. She may want to be with Alex so badly that she's creating in her head a situation where she needs to be with him. A third option is that she has some type of illness that has the same symptoms as pregnancy. So she thinks she's pregnant but she really has such-and-such disease. So I'm actually interested to see where this will go. I hope they do something more interesting with it than "she's lying to Karev to be with him."
Lindlee | May 5, 2008 1:13:01 PM | #30 Rock = Yawn. But I felt that way about Arrested Development, too.
KayCee | May 5, 2008 1:33:21 PM | #Oh-oh-oh!! Pick me!
I felt really old when (but sso in the know) when I saw Jason Earls last week. The guy really has a good comic sense and I hope some network picks him up when Hannah Montana is over.
rockstarmom | May 5, 2008 1:37:50 PM | #I don't watch 30 Rock, but it's not really because of the series itself. I just don't watch comedy series anymore. To Amy and all the posters on here that give it a good review: ENJOY!
I am patiantly waiting for Amy to discuss a series that I do watch in the meantime.
lem | May 5, 2008 1:42:56 PM | #Psst, Amy....it's a basic *tenet* not "tenant."
I love 30 Rock, and I think it's the first thing I've ever seen that's seriously made me want a DVR, because it's impossible to catch all of the jokes as they fly by.
The 2 1/2 Men/ CSI crossover sounds like a good idea, but it's kind of a shame Chuck Lorre is still so hung up on Cybill that he's still looking to get back at her.
Tego Livi | May 5, 2008 1:43:50 PM | #I totally agree with you on 30 Rock. It's the best sitcom on TV right now. I end up watching it again online before the next new episode airs just to catch the moments I missed while laughing. So many quotable moments. Tina Fey is brilliant. Love, love, love it!
A | May 5, 2008 1:46:43 PM | #I like 30 Rock, but I don't love it. It's not like The Office where I make it a point to watch it. However, I am glad that they moved it to after The Office for now. I like it better there. I will say that Kenny and Jack are probably the biggest reasons I keep watching the show. And the more I see it, the more I like Tina Fey's character.
Denise | May 5, 2008 1:48:03 PM | #You're only beginning to think 30 Rock is the funniest show on television? What took you so long? 30 Rock is easily the funniest. As much as I love The Office and HIMYM, 30 Rock usually beats them both of them in terms of shear hilarity.
Lorrie | May 5, 2008 1:59:06 PM | #It never occurred to me that Ava/Rebecca might be lying to Alex about being pregnant. I automatically assumed that she has a medical condition that mimics the symptoms of pregnancy. Would she have allowed the intern to do an ultrasound if she was lying about it? Imagine Alex's emotional reaction if he allows himself to become invested in her pregnancy and it turns out to be an illness instead.
Angie | May 5, 2008 2:02:38 PM | #
Zap2it Twitter Talk
