NBC destroyers of worlds!!!
Return to 30 Rockefeller Plaza where the crew of TGS is working hard on another season. Whether Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan) is getting in trouble or trying to invent a porno video game, Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) trying to teach the staff the true meaning of Christmas, or Jenna (Jane Krakowski) attempting to stay fat, Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) always seems to find herself stuck in the middle as she tries to solve her own problems in her life. When Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) learns that he could become CEO of GE, the battle is on and he who runs GE also controls 30 Rock!
Liz Lemon goes for glamour!
30 Rock—Season 2 aired from October 4, 2007 to May 5, 2008 and had a shortened season due to the writers’ strike. The series though critically acclaimed still struggled to find an audience but won Primetime Emmys for Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series, Oustanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (Baldwin), Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (Fey), Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy series (Tim Conway for “Subway Hero”), Oustanding Sound Mixing for a Half-Hour Comedy or Drama Series and Animation, and Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series (“Cooter”) with nominations for Outstanding Cinematography for a Half-Hour Series (“Rosemary’s Baby”), Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series (“Rosemary’s Baby”), Outstanding Picture Editing for a Comedy Series (“Cooter”), Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series (Will Arnett, Steve Buscemi, Rip Torn), Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series (Edie Falco, Carrie Fisher, Elaine Stritch), and Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series (“Rosemary’s Baby”).
See something, say something
30 Rock is a smart series…probably too smart for its own good. It is a comedy (like The Office) that builds on itself (so you can’t miss episodes) but it also is really an acquired taste. This combined with NBC jerking the series around was a toxic combination that 30 Rock never completely got over despite the awards.
This season has some great episodes and they are so tightly written that every second counts. You have fun stuff like Liz thinking her neighbor (Fred Armisen) is a terrorist, 30 Rock’s take on the mandatory “Green Week” by NBC programming which plays with the whole idea, and the fantastic MILF Island TV series within the series (“We no longer want to hit that…get off MILF Island”). The series is very topical and some of the jokes might not be understood out of context.
Bucky Bright to the rescue!
The series also has a great standing cast with perfect guest stars. Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin are a good team, but the writing staff of TGS, Tracy Morgan, Jack McBrayer, and the other regular cast members combine great with some fantastic guest stars like Tim Conway and Will Arnett. The season even has Al Gore mocking his own environmentalism in “Greenzo”.
A lot of scripted comedies look very average. 30 Rock even tries different things with their show’s shots and editing. It is snappy and fresh and the series has aged well because it looks good and employs a lot of visual gags with the writing gags.
30 Rock is an acquired taste, but it is a taste worth acquiring. It is a fun show that stand its own with some of the series greats like Seinfeld (who also cameos this season in Seinfeld-centric episode). If you never could keep up with the series, it is a perfect series to watch in binge setting due to the fast and furious writing which has made it a modern classic.
30 Rock—Season 2 Complete Episode Guide:
“SeinfeldVision”
2.1 SeinfeldVision Airdate: 10/04/07
Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) is back from his heart attack and promoting SeinfeldVision…where Jerry Seinfeld appears in all NBC shows. Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) tries to get over Floyd and start a new season of TGS. Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan) finds himself kicked out by his wife and trying to move into the studios with Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) as his work wife. Jenna Maroney (Jane Krakowski) is back from her Broadway run on Mystic Pizza and sporting extra pounds. Liz and Jenna are asked to be bridesmaids for Cerie (Katrina Bowden), and Liz finds her perfect wedding dress. Seinfeld finds about Jack’s plans and Jack has to find a way to keep Seinfeld from taking over NBC.
“Jack Gets in the Game”
2.2 Jack Gets in the Game Airdate: 10/11/07
Devon Banks (Will Arnett) is back and gunning for Jack’s job again. Jack tries to keep his heart attack from Devon and Don Geiss (Rip Torn) while both he and Devon stump for a possible retirement promotion. Jenna tries to deal with her weight as Kenneth attempts to be the medium between Tracy and his estranged wife Angie (Sherri Shepherd).
“The Collection”
2.3 The Collection Airdate: 10/18/07
Sheri has moved in to TGS and controlling Tracy’s every move which puts her at odds with Liz. Jenna finds she’s losing weight and that her brand is threatened. Jack hires Lenny Wozniak (Steve Buscemi) to investigate himself which uncovers his secret collection.
“Rosemary’s Baby”
2.4 Rosemary’s Baby Airdate: 10/25/07
Liz hires her writing idol Rosemary Howard (Carrie Fisher) but finds she’s a problem for TGS. Jenna destroys Kenneth’s page jacket and puts him into a page-off with Donny Lawson (Paul Scheer). Jack discovers Tracy’s acting out stems from his relationship with his father.
“Greenzo”
2.5 Greenzo Airdate: 11/08/07
In an attempt to subvert environmentalism for the benefit of the company, Jack hires Greenzo (David Schwimmer) to appear on NBC shows…but Greenzo has different plans. Kenneth is planning another party, but Tracy sets out to make it the best party ever!
“Someone to Love”
2.6 Somebody to Love Airdate: 11/15/07
Liz suspects her new neighbor Raheem Haddad (Fred Armisen) could be a terrorist. Jack attends a party and meets a woman named C.C. (Edie Falco) who wins his love…but Jack learns C.C. is a Democrat Senator from Vermont!
“Cougars”
2.7 Cougars Airdate: 11/29/07
Jack gets involved in Tracy’s community service baseball team. A new (young) delivery boy named Jamie (Val Emmich) has the hots for Liz and has Frank (Judah Friedlander) questioning his sexuality.
“Secrets and Lies”
2.8 Secrets and Lies Airdate: 12/06/07
Jack and C.C.’s romance is heating up, and Liz knows about it…which forces Jack to make a decision. Frank goes head to head with Toofer (Keith Powell) over his Harvard graduation. Liz attempts to appease both Tracy and Jenna.
“Ludachristmas”
2.9 Ludachristmas Airdate: 12/13/07
It’s Christmas and Liz’s parents Dick (Buck Henry) and Margaret (Anita Gillette) are coming to town with Liz’s handicap brother Mitch (Andy Richter)…and Jack’s mother (Elaine Stritch) is determined to prove they aren’t as perfect as they look. Tracy’s probation is threatened by the holiday party but Kenneth is out to show the group that they don’t know the true meaning of Christmas.
“Episode 210”
2.10 Episode 210 Airdate: 01/10/08
Liz tries to investing in real estate…which doesn’t go so well. Jack and C.C.’s relationship hits a wall that it might not overcome.
“MILF Island”
2.11 MILF Island Airdate: 04/10/08
It is the MILF Island finale and everyone’s ready. When a slanderous quote appears in the gossip column about Jack, Liz is out to find out who is responsible.
“Subway Hero”
2.12 Subway Hero Airdate: 04/17/08
Dennis Duffy (Dean Winters) is back when he becomes the “Subway Hero” by saving a person from an oncoming train. Jack demands Dennis on the show and Liz finds herself thrown together with Dennis again. Kenneth shows his idol Bucky Bright (Tim Conway) around 30 Rock.
“Succession”
2.13 Succession Airdate: 04/24/08
Don Geiss has unofficially named Jack as the next CEO of GE, and it could mean a big raise for Liz. Tracy vows to invent a porn video game!
“Sandwich Day”
2.14 Sandwich Day Airdate: 05/01/08
Geiss is in a coma, and Jack finds his job threatened by Devon Banks. Liz learns her old boyfriend Floyd (Jason Sudeikis) is in town. It is teamster sandwich day, and everything hits the fan when the staff eats Liz’s sandwich.
“Cooter”
2.15 Cooter Airdate: 05/08/08
Jack has taken a job in the Bush government but learns from Cooter Burger (Matthew Broderick) that leaving his new post might be harder than he thought. Kenneth tries to get his application in for the Beijing Olympics but faces off against Donny. Liz finds she might have a new addition coming soon, and the daddy isn’t who she hoped!
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