30 Rock – The guest stars still don’t work, but the regulars do

Well, I may have felt that the first episode of this season of 30 Rock was a little stale, but that memory was all but dissolved after this week’s episode. It featured some great, great moments including Tracy Cash Cabbing his way to the birth of his daughter and Jack making a video to leave behind for his unborn son (make that his unborn daughter). I thought those two plot lines really worked. The plot following Liz and her flirtation with the editing department, and guest star Paul Giamatti, was a little less awesome. It continues to seem like most of the big name guest stars backfire, but that’s okay. I still love you, 30 Rock.

I thought the whole concept of having Tracy stumble into the Cash Cab while trying to get to the hospital was brilliant. From there it only got funnier as he backed his way into every answer through the history of his bizarre life. This included trying to keep an orca in an aquarium and having a contract on his head in the Middle East.

Then there was Jack and his videos for his unborn son (who turned out to be a daughter). I swear, every line was comedic gold. I think my personal favorite was punching Lutz in the face. Every scene with Jack had me dying, and reminded me just how much Alec Baldwin kills in this role. I have to imagine that he’ll be sending this episode to the Emmy committee.

I was also happy to see Kenneth back at NBC and it looks like his “firing” is over. I’m glad they didn’t drag that story line out longer than was necessary. A couple episodes was fine, but I’m eager to see Kenneth back with the gang, interacting with the other insane characters on this show.

Quick Hits and Quotes:

• For my money, Dr. Spaceman is the greatest recurring character on any TV comedy right now.
• “Do you remember my tattoo mishap? It was supposed to say peace, but they wrote white hooker instead” – Jenna
• “Full disclosure, most of my experience is putting babies in women.” – Dr. Spaceman, before Angie’s delivery
• “[I] attended Harvard business school where I was voted “most.” I once hit a stand up triple off Fidel Castro. I was the first person ever to say ‘I need a vacation from this vacation.’ The song ‘You’re So Vain’ was, in fact, written … by me.” – Jack
• “Drugs during childbirth? Isn’t the whole point for God to punish you?” – Kenneth
• I loved the cameo from Brian Williams, only made better by the follow on cameo from Andrea Mitchell.

Clacked by Bob Degon
on Sep 30, 2010 @ 21:35 EST5EDT