30 Rock: Season 2
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Movie Reviews of 30 Rock: Season 2
Movie Review: The best comedy on TV just gets better
Summary: 5 Stars
Watching 30 ROCK during its second season was a completely exhilarating experience. It had in its rookie year quickly established itself as the funniest show on TV, but during its sophomore campaign the writing and acting got sharper and sharper with each episode. Next to ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT, I honestly believe that this is the funniest American comedy series ever.
Most comedy shows, when the writers get a funny joke or idea, they massage it and call attention to it, perhaps even taking a pause to allow everyone to notice and appreciate it. Not 30 ROCK. The jokes just tumbled out and sometimes they were only there if you looked hard for them. The humor came in waves, in layers. For instance, in one episode Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) is watching Celeste Cunningham (Edie Falco), with whom he has just had a passionate romantic encounter, get interviewed on a news network. The main point in the scene is that the right-wing Republican Jack is horrified to learn that his flame is a left-wing Democrat, but if you look very carefully at the ticker tape along the bottom of the TV screen, you will see the words "Anne Heche leaves husband for pony" scroll across. And shot after shot during the season features in-jokes concerning the Shinehardt Wig Company ("NOT Polluting Rivers since 1997"), which somehow manages to be the parent company for GE. This is not to say that the main jokes aren't great as well (I mean, just how funny is the idea of the fake reality series MILF ISLAND?). The key point is that it isn't just that they jokes are plentiful and unrelenting; they are GOOD. It is humor with an edge, but it is never less than brilliant.
This year Alec Baldwin will almost certainly win what should have been his second Emmy for Best Actor in a Comedy series. Last year news broke about an abusive message he left on his daughter's phone mail service. It unquestionably cost him the Emmy he deserved. But there is simply no question that he is the most outstanding lead actor on a comedy series today. And Tina Fey not only matches him scene for scene in her self-effacing portrayal of GIRLIE SHOW head writer Liz Lemon, but gets additional major kudos for serving as head writer on the show itself. The two of them are backed by a deep and talented cast, from Tracy Morgan in his inspired role as the literally insane Tracy Jordan to Jack McBrayer in his scene stealing role as Kenneth the page (I would love to see him get an Emmy nomination). And in addition to the regular cast there was an endless string of wonderful guest appearances, including return visits from Dean Winters as Liz's horrid (but very, very funny) ex-boyfriend Dennis and Will Arnett as Jack's company rival Devon Banks. But there were some great one-time guest appearances as well, perhaps none as delightful as Tim Conway's portrayal of a TV veteran who shatters all of Kenneth's illusions about the Golden Age of TV. Oddly enough, the one guest appearance that misfired was that by Jerry Seinfeld. It was as if the show ceased doing what makes it so brilliant to accommodate Jerry's guest spot.
The lone mystery about 30 ROCK is why it doesn't attract a larger audience. I won't name names, but there are hosts of truly lousy series that get far larger audiences than 30 ROCK. This show gets the critical acclaim and wins the awards, but it simply doesn't pull in the large ratings. This distresses me. It makes me wonder if America is clueless about great comedy. I don't get it. Never have and perhaps never will. But trust me: this is as brilliant, as funny as TV can get.
Movie Review: Suck it monkeys! I'm going Corporate!
Summary: 5 Stars
30 Rock is by far the funniest show on television. I know it's not for everyone. It's not a question of whether you "get" the in-jokes, or if you're off-put by the editting style (it is single-camera, not 3-camera like a typical sitcom), or the political leaning of the viewer. But if you appreciate absurdity, or have banged your head against corporate silliness (and worse, had the silliness turn out to be the correct course of action), this is the sitcom for you. Its closest relations are the Dilbert comic strip and M*A*S*H (especially if you watch the DVDs with the laugh track turned off). Of course, given that this is the second season of the show, anyone reading this review is likely to enjoy the show and is more interested in knowing if this is a DVD worth buying.
One warning to the viewer: this is the Writer's Guild-strike-shortened season, so there are only 15 episodes. The producers of this DVD make a valiant attempt to give the buyer value for the money, though, with numerous extras, and a break in the cost (on Amazon, at least, this season is priced a few buck less than Season 3). The best extras include a table read for one episode and a stage reading before a live audience at a rep theatre (which includes most of the cast). The latter was a fundraiser for the productions assistants who were forced out of work by the writers' strike, and it is at least as funny as the actual episode that aired live (but then, I think live theatre is always funnier than TV). Not all the extras are as good - there are MANY commentaries, each featuring one or two actors/producers of the show, with most of the cast getting the opportunity of doing at least one. The best, for my money, are those with Tina Fey herself (presumably because she brings multiple angles to the table as actress, producer, writer, and creator). Another highlight is the commentary by the peerless Tim Conway, who has a guest turn as a former sitcom star touring the studio.
This last point serves to highlight one of the defining characteristics of this season (and, I think, all the seasons). Following the fine precedent of Season 1, where we had guest stars LL Cool J, Isabella Rossallini, and Nathan Lane, Season 2 has yet more stars: Jerry Sienfeld (Jack attempts to insert Seinfeld into other sitcoms through Forrest Gump-style computer effects), Edie Falco as Jack's girlfriend (and Democratic Congresswoman), the aforementioned Tim Conway, David Schwimmer as NBC's environmentally friendly spokesman "Greenzo", Matthew Broderick as a member of George W. Bush's government ("He named me 'Burger' because he saw me eating a burger one time.... and it wasn't even a burger, it was a sandwich!"), and Carrie Fisher's Emmy-nominated performance as Liz's hero (a former comedy writer from "Laugh In" who now lives in anarchic poverty).
Topping them all is the semi-regular appearance of Rip Torn as the G.E. chairman who is planning to retire and is looking hard at Jack (Alec Baldwin's character) as a replacement. This is the thread that drives the plot through much of the season, and leads Liz Lemon (Fey) to utter the memorable phrase I use as the title for my review.
Unfortunately, there's only 15 episodes (instead of the usual 22 or so for a regular sitcom season). I guess if the biggest complaint is that I wanted more of the same, that's a pretty strong endorsement on how good the material is!
Movie Review: I am so glad there are only 2 seasons (so far)
Summary: 5 Stars
I can't get anything done. I have stopped writing. I have stopped editing my new books (both of them). I have sworn off designing Tarot decks, designing magical calendars, and forgot what supermodels I want to date when I am famous. Every night I come home after work and watch this damned TV show! My only hope for future productivity is that I will eventually run out of episodes.
But let me sum up: I don't watch TV. Yeah, yeah, TV paid my bills for several years when I was working with the wonder trio that created Friends, whatever... But I have sworn off of the box for several years now, with only the occasional relapse. But, this show is like crack! Well, having never actually done crack I suppose I am not specifically qualified to give any kind of formal declaration that this show is as euphoric and addictive as that powdery wunderkind of illicit intoxicants. Nonetheless! This show is like crack as I imagine crack would be if you dressed it up in a [...] suit and whored it off to [some random giant multi-national electronics conglomerate] executives in Times Square.
You just can't watch one episode. (Maybe this show is like a potato chip...) Tina Fey is some kind of super-sexy TV genius of our generation and her choice of casting is so spot-on that you literally feel as if you are relaxing in your favorite chair, just off-camera, watching the surreality of network television invade your day. Tina's (I call her that*) particular je ne sais quoi stems from a blend of intelligence, sexual frustration, floppy stance, and Sandra Bullock-esque cuteness that infects the very celluloid (digital just can't capture this level of warmth) the show's magic is captured on with all of the comfort of the sister you wish you had.
The rest of the cast is spectacular as well. My pathetic prattlings will not do justice to the level of humor and camaraderie everyone brings to the set for each episode. This is high alchemy the likes of Seinfeld or I Love Lucy. Without Alec Baldwin or Jack McBrayer (or any of the other hilarious cast members) the show wouldn't flow as seamlessly. The collective on-screen chemistry at play here comes across as both real and (as mentioned before) surreal, like "one of those days" we all face occasionally--but these are the norm here.
It is safe to say that this (and season one) makes an excellent gift for any occasion, and could be enjoyed by anyone with a sense of humor. The subtle innuendo of political views is backlit by the farce of Alec Baldwin's brilliant portrayal of a (platinum, presumably) card carrying member of the upper echelon of uber-right-wing elite media, which should not be confused with the so-called "liberal" media elite, who to the best of my knowledge do not make an appearance in this season.
If you only watch one TV show this year, watch something boring! THIS show will enslave you to the wonders of the 22-minute episodic visual comedy (er... "sit-com"). This show will make you believe in TV again. It will make you laugh so hard you will pee (and get lettuce in your hair, which is embarrassing if that happens in public). You cannot go wrong with this show. One day it will probably be proven to cure cancer. It's just THAT funny.
Thanks for reading.
Movie Review: Squeezed from the Finest Mind Grapes...
Summary: 5 Stars
I can only wonder how this show manages to stay on network TV with it's amazing writing and high quality acting. If that's not enough of an endorsement, then let me elaborate:
"30 Rock" is the kind of show you expect to see on HBO. It's well written, subversive, and chock full of the kind of talent that must be making the NBC accountants cry.
It's difficult to compare or classify comedy, but it's more "The Upright Citizen's Brigade" or "Arrested Development" then "Friends" or "How I Met your Mother." The excellent writing (some of it by Tina Fey who also plays Liz Lemon, the starring role) is both intelligent and absurd. It makes for a really interesting mix when the writers can combine a parody of "Amadeus" with the quest to create a video game based on pornography. This is only one example of the madness that lies in store when you watch "30 Rock."
Literally every actor in this amazing cast does a spectacular job. Alec Baldwin is the obvious big gun but that doesn't mean that he dominates the screen when Tracy Morgan or Tina Fey are on set. The characters the cast creates are equal parts SNL and Alice in Wonderland. Tracy Morgan's alter ego Tracy Jordan is mentally ill, (read: insane) Tina Fey's Liz Lemon is so comically flawed that you can't help but root for her, and Baldwin's Jack Donaghy is an iconic villian/mentor.
The "supporting" cast can barely be called that. These guys could easily hold up their own sitcom. Standouts are the incredibly naive Kenneth (played by Jack McBrayer) and the hilariously ditzy Jenna. (Jane Krakowski)
Do yourself a favor and pick up this DVD along with the first season. It's arguably the better season (it's definitely not in it's sophomore slump, at least) but it's most definitely even more absurd and insane then the first.
Movie Review: No "Sophomore Slump" here.
Summary: 5 Stars
Season 1 of "30 Rock" was a landmark of television, if you ask me. Finally a sitcom that was original, refreshing, and, most of all, hilarious. When Season 2 began, my expectations were high. To say that my expectations were surpassed would be an understatement of grand proportions.
Whereas the plotlines and randomly vanishing characters (any one of Rachel Dratch's appearances???) in Season 1 were out of left-field in that funny-but-almost-too-random kind of way, Season 2 was a different kind of animal.
"30 Rock" season 2 came from left-field, but this time, it pulled you over there with it. In the beginning, it held onto some of the pitfalls of Season 1 (i.e., Where was Jenna half the time???), but as episodes aired, the ensemble and the writing both grew into something much greater and more entertaining than Season 1 ever reached.
Even as many shows suffocated and failed the hiatus the writer's strike brought, "30 Rock" seemed immune. In fact, I would be so bold as to suggest the break fueled the creativity. Either those last handful of episodes were pure, unadulterated brilliance, or I was just desperate for more "30 Rock" after their lengthy sabbatical.
Some brilliant moments in Season 2: Carrie Fisher as a crazy ex-writer, EVERYTHING involving the Devon (Will Arnett) vs. Jack rivalry (including the Don Geiss coma), Jack's job at Homeland Security (can you say, "gay bomb"?), & Kenneth's House Party AND a special appearance by Al Gore satiring himself ("A whale is in trouble!") in one episode? Oh HECK yeah.
All in all, "30 Rock"'s sophomore season was a brilliant display that proved that comedy can be even better the second time around.