SOUTH PARK: "Let Gov" In

Article first published as South Park: "Let Gov" In on TheTVKing.

Comedy Central's South Park is an enduring cultural touchstone. While it is not the longest-running animated series for adults on television, it does hold second place, beginning it's seventeenth season last night with "Let Go, Let Gov." The advantage South Park has over its older peer, The Simpsons, though, is instead of getting stale midway through its run, South Park still continues to deliver biting satire and social commentary, making it relevant and funny to this day.

"Let Go, Let Gov" hits a few items recently in the news. The most obvious involves the NSA, whom Cartman (Trey Parker) becomes concerned is listening in on his phone calls and reading his twitter and email. Of course, the NSA doesn't care about a little boy in Colorado, and that's part of the message that shines through. But they are shown paying attention to a lot of other trivial things, so it still lambasts them.

Whether or not people care that the NSA is monitoring us has been a one-sided debate. There are plenty of us that really don't mind, having nothing to hide, but those people don't tend to speak up because it's not important to them. Then there are others who see it as a stripping of freedoms and privacy. Cartman is the face of this side of the argument, stereotyping the worst of that segment, painting an image many may not be pleased with.

Considering that Cartman has no terrorist connections, why does it matter to him so much that he sneaks into the NSA to spill their secrets, a slightly more subtle reference to recent whistle blowers like Bradley Manning? He claims it's because he doesn't want the government in his personal business. This is a valid point, but only if he doesn't shove his business in everyone's face already.

Cartman is part of the constantly-connected community, talking on speaker phone in public places and tweeting his everything he does or thinks. He even takes it a step further and installs the new social media app "Shitter" in his head so his every thought will be broadcast on the internet. When one puts all that out there, it's hard to feel sympathy for that person's complaints that people are paying attention to it, even if it's not the people he wants to pay attention, whether it be the NSA or Kyle (Matt Stone), neither of which are actually trying to spy on him.

Now, not everyone who has complained about the NSA does what Cartman does, and there are nuances to the matter. However, I love that South Park plays on these things in a very funny way, making for a great season premiere.

The 'B' plot is even more amusing in "Let Go, Let Gov," when Butters (Stone again), hearing the government is watching over him, confuses them with God. Soon, he's recruiting a flock to follow his beliefs, too, out evangelizing the Jehovah's Witnesses, and bringing everyone to the DMV for confession.

It's hilarious that a little boy's misunderstanding spawns an entire religion, though not much more ridiculous than some actual religions' origins. That's part of what South Park is going after, never shy about attacking the devout for legitimate reasons. But the other part is a really clever comparison of what religion and our current system of government post-9/11, which I hadn't thought about before, but seems obvious now.

It's this intelligence that makes South Park so persistent, constantly providing new perspectives that make one smile and nod. It doesn't matter if a particular episode doesn't work, or the material quickly becomes dated, because there's another brilliant, up-to-date offering just around the corner. I don't know how long it'll last, but I hope there's no end in sight.

Also, kudos to the updated title sequence, that looks 3D even on a 2D set. It was time for a dramatic change, which the series does every so often, and the new version is pretty cool.

The one odd thing about "Let Go, Let Gov" is that Bill Hader (Saturday Night Live) provides the voice of Alec Baldwin, the spokesperson for Shitter, a fitting app name for both the actor's infamous rants and the next step in social media. Hader does the impression weakly in true South Park style, the voice obviously the comedian's, even though he is skilled at such craft, more so than is displayed here. It's just weird to hear a new person lending their vocal talents, as the show has always been made up of such a limited cast. It's something I could definitely get used to, just jarring at first.

South Park airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET on Comedy Central.

Justin Timberlake brings back Saturday Night Live

Article first published as  Justin Timberlake brings back Saturday Night Live on TheTVKing.

NBC's Saturday Night Live has good episodes and bad. In recent years, after the 2008 election, the bad weeks have outnumbered the good by quite a few. But all it takes is a fantastic host and a bevy of wonderful guests to turn things around, and last week's episode, which features Justin Timberlake as both the host and musical guest, does just that.

Right from the opening where Timberlake does a wonderful Elton John impersonation with a "Candle in the Wind" parody, the episode takes off. Timberlake is obviously a musician, having contributed to many of the best musical numbers in the series in previous episodes, and he uses that skill again in this gig. A good episode plays to the host's strengths, and this one most definitely does.

Besides the opening, he also sings with recurring characters like the parody-singing advertising mascot (this time a block of tofu, and ending with a Harlem Shake in Veganville) and a return of the "D*** in a Box" guys with Andy Samberg. Sure, it takes time to build up a recurring character's popularity, but the ones that the writers and actors love are usually the ones that the fans love to, so the effort is worth it. Timberlake manages to have a couple of very popular characters with only a limited number of appearances. It's quite impressive.

Besides Samberg, many other Saturday Night Live alumni dropped by. This is done in celebration of Timberlake joining the "5 Timers Club," since this is his fifth time hosting, so other frequent hosts including Steve Martin, Candice Bergen, Tom Hanks, Alec Baldwin, and Chevy Chase appear. The cast of SNL is a very important clique. But so is the job of host. Only a few have reached this pinnacle, invited back over and over again, and they all ooze with talent. Seeing them gather together, along with Martin Short, Paul Simon, and Dan Akroyd, is not only thrilling, but hilarious, as these are some of the funniest people of their generation.

Sometimes, though, guests can be wasted. That is not the case in Timberlake's episode. It isn't practical to include all of those named in other sketches, of course, because too many showed up. But Martin and Akroyd dust off their Wild and Crazy Guys for a bit, and Martin, Chase, and Short don their Three Amigos costumes, thankfully altered to accommodate their current bodies. It's these kind of touches that make the episode memorable, and worth the time of these non-hosts who show up.

There are plenty of sketches in this episode that will provide laughs for years to come, unlike the "5 Timers Club," which is fantastic, but not inherently funny. These all have one thing in common: a current cast member holds their own against the host and/or veterans. The dating game show, where poor Bobby Moynihan competes against two pairs of recurring characters is amusing, especially because of Moynihan's role in it, not in spite of it. He knows he can't compete against the others and embracing it, making him a valuable part of the sketch, rather than a throw-away. And the commercial where Timberlake dates a girl with a penis (played beautifully by Nasim Pedrad) will elicit a giggle or two.

I'm not a fan of the musical performances, and often skip them. I will say, though, that I stuck with "Suit and Tie," despite being lukewarm on the song itself, and it was a terrific performance. The stage looked great, the dancing was incredibly impressive, and tone was perfect.

Overall, Justin Timberlake once more delivers for Saturday Night Live. Let's hope they invite him back soon.

Saturday Night Live airs Saturdays at 11 p.m. ET on NBC.

30 Rock scarfs down its "Last Lunch"

Article first published as 30 Rock scarfs down its "Last Lunch" on TheTVKing.

Last night was the one hour series finale of NBC's 30 Rock. In a double length episode entitled "Hogcock!" and "Last Lunch," the cast that works behind the scenes at a late night sketch comedy show, in which we rarely see what the sketches are about, take their final bow, bringing us a few emotional payoffs along the way.

Last week's episode, "A Goon's Deed in a Weary World," felt like a series finale. The Girlie Show is facing cancellation, and the cast and crew band together to make sure the show shuts down so that Liz (Tina Fey) could get to the airport to meet her kids. It was heartwarming, funny, and it would have been pretty darn good if 30 Rock chose to end there.

Instead, the final hour feels forced and off for much of the episode. The entire gambit to make one last episode of TGS cheapens the way the series ends, and comes across as contrived to pull all the characters back together, instead of letting them go their separate ways. Most of the staff, save the bosses, haven't even left the premises yet, taking their sweet time packing up! It doesn't make sense, and is wholly unsatisfying.

The entire premise hinges on Tracy's (Tracy Morgan) contract stipulating that he will be paid thirty million dollars if TGS doesn't film 150 episodes (30 Rock only made 139, by the way), one episode short of where they stopped. It's fine that Tracy is the one mucking things up for everyone; that makes sense, given his character. It's just a shame that this is the way the series decides to have him cause trouble.

Tracy resists doing the show because he doesn't want to say goodbye to everyone. This leads to one of the best moments in the finale, where Liz and Tracy have a heart to heart in a strip club, and Liz admits that she will miss him. This scene is fantastic, a real pay-off between the two characters, and a prime opportunity for Tracy to really open up, as he is at his best when he shows some vulnerability.

I just wish Liz's story played out a little better. Last week, she gets the escape she needs, finally getting away from the job that drives her crazy. This week, she realizes she misses the craziness and is drawn back in, even ending up directing a sitcom you just know she doesn't believe in in the "One Year Later" sequence. Where is Liz's happy ending? Why does her path to peace not stick? Are we supposed to believe she will always be so miserable? Fans don't want that for someone they've come to care about so much!

The dilemma surrounding Liz's plot is twice as bad for Jack (Alec Baldwin). We see Jack not satisfied with his achievement of his dreams, finally in charge of Kabletown. To compensate, he rounds out his life, which only makes him feel like he isn't devoting himself fully to work, keeping him from the goals he desires. His reaction is to go crazy and quit his job, heading off on a boat. This takes things a little too far, even for Jack, and makes one think that when he ends up back in the corporate world, he will still never feel good about where he is in his life and what he does.

Don't get me wrong; I love the scene at the water where Liz and Jack express their non-romantic love for one another. I also love the catalyst for that moment, when Liz and Jack bitingly rip into one another, declaring that they are nothing more than two people who worked together for a time, and don't mean anything. Dramatic, meaty stuff for a relationship that has been the driving force of the series. This story is what we need from the two leads in the final episode, and reinforces just how much they mean to one another. But why is the filler in between these two amazing bits so bad?

Other great stuff: Tracy tells Jenna (Jane Krakowski) he is going out for cigarettes, Tracy's dad finally comes home from buying cigarettes, Jenna realizes what she will miss most is her mirror, Jenna sings the "Rural Juror" song, Jenna is greeted in L.A. by beautiful young women including one that looks just like Cerie (Katrina Bowden), Jenna admitting she has never met Mickey Rourke, Jonathan (Maulik Pancholy) celebrating the dissolution of Liz and Jack's friendship, Tracy releasing Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) from his promise to always be there for Tracy, finding out that Pete's (Scott Adsit) attempt to fake his death didn't work.

Other things that didn't work: everything with Lutz (John Lutz), Jack cheapening his feelings for both Elisa (Salma Hayek) and Nancy (Julianne Moore), Kenneth running the network in such a strict way and still seemingly succeeding, Liz and Criss (James Marsden) in the chat room and park meetup, the lack of so many recurring characters who still mean something to the leads, like Paul and Angie.

I think the main problem with the 30 Rock finale is that it should have stuck to a half hour format. Seeing how the characters end up, especially in the flash forward in the tag, is wonderful, and there are several terrific connections between characters, with goodbyes that mean something. But tossing in the extra episode of TGS and the subplots for minor characters, such as the writers' story, where they battle Lutz for lunch, slows down the episode, and ruins it.

Overall, I ended up being underwhelmed and disappointed. For a series I love so much, and coming at the end of a fantastic season, I expected more depth, or at least more good jokes, and less filler.

Ah, well. It's over now. Unless somehow Tracy Morgan has a similar contract clause, and NBC is forced to make 11 more episodes?

Want to read some of my fiction? It's on my website, JeromeWetzel.com! Also, for the latest updates and article links, as well as commentary on episodes I don't fully review, please follow me on Twitter! 

Not quite "Game Over" for 30 Rock, but getting close

It feels like the beginning of the end this week for NBC's 30 Rock. Jack (Alec Baldwin) engages in a final battle of the wits with Kaylie Hooper (Chloe Grace Moretz) for control of Kabletown. With the current CEO, Hank Hooper (Ken Howard), set to retire, Jack feels his chance to run the company slipping away to an evil teenage girl. Kaylie may be Jack's greatest foe yet, and the battle of wits between them becomes convoluted and full of deception.

This is a really great plot because Jack is at his best when threatened, and he has to end up a high note. Inheriting the position without having to work for it one more time would have been hugely unsatisfying. Instead, he is pushed to his breaking point, having to use all of his wit, and use the witless pawns Jenna (Jane Krakowski) and Devon (Will Arnett, somehow finding time off from Up All Night and Arrested Development) in order to come out on top.

It's interesting, because Hank is a truly good guy, one who appreciates kindness and old-school morality. Neither Jack nor Kaylie is a worthy successor, both plenty willing to splash in the muck, and more shrewd than generous. Part of me thinks that a last minute twist could keep the company from going to Jack, since that is not really what Hank Hooper would want, should he know all, even though Jack won by appearing to be the more heartfelt. But at the same time, Jack is a more important character than Hank, so this may be it.

I really liked that Devon is drawn into the game. With the end in sight (airing January 31st), 30 Rock parades through a few recurring characters in this episode, giving them one last hurrah before the curtain closes. Devon is a great recurring player, and Lenny (Steve Buscemi), Bev (Megan Mullally), and Doctor Spaceman (Chris Parnell) make appearances, too.

Jack isn't the only one heading for his endgame in "Game Over." Liz (Tina Fey) is frustrated with fertility treatments and waiting to adopt a baby, so she considers taking in an older child instead. It makes sense, since she's already spent seven years raising Tracy (Tracy Morgan), who is like an infant. Now, she can graduate to the later stage of motherhood, and be happy.

Tracy finally gets to see himself as others see him in "Game Over." On set at his new film, in which he has cast Octavia Spencer (The Help) as Harriet Tubman, he finds out just what an immature, crazy diva can do to a production, as Spencer turns out to be the female version of Tracy in a hilarious sequence of scenes. Bringing in someone with such recent acclaim as Octavia to play the outrageous role is the type of genius casting that 30 Rock is known for.

Yes, the antics of Octavia are extremely funny, and make for an entertaining episode, but more importantly, Tracy gets introspective. He has to try to understand what Liz puts up with, and how she can get things done. He isn't successful in corralling Octavia, but he gets a lesson in himself.

That's what "Game Over" is all about. On the surface, there are plenty of laugh out loud moments. But underneath that, the major players are all moving towards their finales, taking stock of their lives, and setting themselves on their next paths. Being able to do this without resorting to the sappy, staying as zany and goofy as ever, takes monumental talent. 30 Rock is killing it.

30 Rock continues Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC for just three more weeks.

Want to read some of my fiction? It's on my website, JeromeWetzel.com! Also, for the latest updates and article links, as well as commentary on episodes I don't fully review, please follow me on Twitter!

Article first posted on TheTVKing

Liz Lemon ties the knot

Halfway through the final season, NBC's 30 Rock does the unthinkable: marries off Liz Lemon (Tina Fey)! In the episode that aired this week, entitled "Mazel Tov, Dummies!" perpetually single and goofy Liz goes to City Hall and ties the knot with her soul mate, Criss (James Marsden).

It isn't a smooth ride, of course. Liz wants to do it in jeans and a t-shirt, with no fanfare. But the two men in her life, Criss and Jack (Alec Baldwin), know her better than that. Criss does everything he can to sabotage Plan A, and Jack waits on standby, ready to swoop in as soon as Liz admits that she'd really like to be a princess for a day. In the end she gets to be, walking down the aisle dressed as Princess Leia.

When Liz is first introduced to television audiences, she is completely inept with guys. Some series might seek to change their lead character until she becomes more "normal." 30 Rock goes in the opposite direction, keeping Liz true to herself for seven seasons, and only allowing her to get hitched when she finally found a guy who likes her the way she is. That is Criss, and their marriage will probably last, not just because the series is close to ending, but because he and Liz seem made for each other.

Many over the years have wondered about a possible Liz / Jack pairing. This is flirted with very early on, but ultimately backed away from, never to be revisited again. For many series, this decision would be unthinkable, as the current trend is to let the two main characters be a couple. But for 30 Rock, that would mean changing who the characters are, and that would have killed the show. Besides, 30 Rock has always marched to the beat of it's own drum. Why stop now? It's what makes the show special.

Besides the wedding, "Mazel Tov, Dummies!" like other episodes this season, feels like a bit of a victory lap. The returning guest this week is Dennis (Dean Winters), an ex-boyfriend of Liz's, and the spark for Liz's nuptials no. He shows up with an adopted African American son whom he has named "Black Dennis." This humor may be a little edgy, but it's also very funny, and it's gratifying to have the talented actor once more on screen, no matter how many problems his character has caused.

In one of the 'B' plots, Tracy (Tracy Morgan) worries that he has become too successful and too healthy, and feels like his life is over, having to give up the weird and wild things that he does because he will now have to deal with middle age and consequences.

The challenge for 30 Rock in its last year is to set up the characters to move on with their lives after the inevitable cancellation of TGS, the show within a show, but not to make them too soul-searching, as this clashes with the general tone. Not only does the outcome of Tracy's story do this brilliantly, it also allows Jack to play Harriet Tubman in a dream sequence that totally rocks.

This review is just skimming the tip of the iceberg. In twenty minutes, we get all of the above, plus John Hodgman playing a simpleton that trades Jenna (Jane Krakowski) for money, a reference to an old soda pop, some additional vaguely racist jokes that don't seem at all mean, and so much more. Fantastic!

In short, 30 Rock is having a great final season, and "Mazel Tov, Dummies!" satisfies in unexpected and hilarious ways. Going with the current trend, the series should go out the way that it wants to, staying true to itself, and rewarding those fans who have made the journey with them.

30 Rock airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

Want to read some of my fiction? It's on my website, JeromeWetzel.com! Also, for the latest updates and article links, as well as commentary on episodes I don't fully review, please follow me on Twitter!

Article first posted on TheTVKing

"The Beginning of the End" of 30 Rock

With the final season of NBC's 30 Rock upon us, it's hard not to try to assign importance into everything that happens, looking for clues as to what the last arcs of the series will be, and trying to figure out how it will all end. This week's season premiere, "The Beginning of the End," leave ample opportunity for this (almost completely frivolous) exercise.

At the start of the episode, there is a fake out with Liz (Tina Fey) and a baby. Is this just a gag? The revelation that Liz doesn't have a baby the last we'll ever see of this story? Or is her life just in a really good place, and we can see how she wants things to be, which is what she will be working towards?

Jack's (Alec Baldwin) motivations are far more clear. Liz quickly figures out that he is trying to tank NBC so that he can be fully in charge of the network. It's not a terrible plan, but as anyone who has ever seen The Producers knows, one must be careful with this strategy? What is things backfire, and as terrible as the shows Jack is making are, including one in which he plays God, but can't explain the rules of God, what if they prove popular? As with the real life NBC, being a last place network, there isn't much to lose.

So is this how TGS will meet its demise? A victim of Jack's machinations? Doomed to be forced off the air as it is replaced by even more drivel? Or will the show within a show prove terrible enough to fit within Jack's new business model? Or maybe Jack will have the chance to truly rebrand the network the way he would like, and TGS just don't fit into that outlook? Though Jack will surely have a job offer for Liz to replace the one she will lose.

As serious as Jack might get, there is plenty of goofiness left in 30 Rock, still funny after all of these years. Tracy (Tracy Morgan)  and Hazel (Kristen Schaal) are warring over Kenneth (Jack McBrayer), Jonathan (Maulik Pancholy) is back at his desk, and Jenna (Jane Krakowski) is going to be her own maid of honor, after Liz fails to live up to the task. All of this is a recipe for more over-the-top shenanigans of the sort that has kept viewers tuning in year after year.

Trying to end any series is hard, especially one as original and creative as 30 Rock. There will have to be a sentimentality to it, and yet, 30 Rock is much more a comedy than a drama, never taking itself too seriously. "The Beginning of the End" demonstrates an awareness of this, and is definitely moving in the proper direction.

30 Rock airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Check out my website, JeromeWetzel.com! First posted on TheTVKing

30 Rock poses the question, "What Will Happen to the Gang Next Year?"

NBC's 30 Rock is drawing to a close, with only thirteen episodes left to air next year before going off the air forever. This knowledge hangs over last night's season finale, "What Will Happen to the Gang Next Year?" Several of the major characters begin new stories, or reaffirm old ones, that could lead to a complete ending for them. It's bittersweet, as it's great the series is going out before it loses what makes it so good, but it will be missed.

With Avery (Elizabeth Banks) home, she and Jack (Alec Baldwin) decide to renew their vows. But neither heart is really in it, so they have Liz (Tina Fey) officiate, knowing that she will likely screw it up, and they refuse to let her remove the part of the ceremony when she asks if anyone objects. No one does, as the three people in attendance who have reason to butt in all back down at the last minute. But that just sets Jack and Avery off, and they end things themselves.

It's sad to see Jack and Avery's marriage come to an end, even if it is never built on a solid foundation in the first place. They seem like such a terrific match, but because both are uber stubborn and competitive, their daring behavior goes right up to the edge, with neither one being willing to step in and be the reasonable one. In a way, it's a more extreme version of Jenna (Jane Krakowski) and Paul's (Will Forte) relationship, strange as that may seem.

So will Jack find a happy ending? Maybe in the arms of Avery's mother (Mary Steenburgen), as creepy as that would potentially be to date his daughter's grandma? Will we even see Avery again, as she is not a main character? And will she find love, as both the man she adores and her Korean "husband" Kim Jong-Il (Margaret Cho) are not right for her?

In contrast to Jack's dissolving union, Liz breaks her terrible cycle in "What Will Happen to the Gang Next Year?" Instead of dropping Criss (James Marsden), she affirms her commitment to him, and starts actually talking about having a baby, instead of a plant, as she has been saying. It's a healthy, mature step that shows major growth in the character of Liz Lemon. It's also one that sets her up to finally achieve her dreams. If the fictional TGS gets canceled at the same time as the real 30 Rock, that might even be better for her, allowing her to pursue a project that doesn't drive her crazy!

This new dynamic, of Liz having her life together, while Jack's is falling apart, makes for a big change between this central pair. Despite Kim Jong-Il's assertions, the two should not end in a relationship, something not even hinted at regarding them since early in the show's run. But it's hard for Jack to be a mentor to someone who is doing better than he is. Liz understand this, but with her new wisdom, asks for his advice anyway. Now she is the propping Jack up, but she is doing so in a way that lets him maintain his pride and dignity. Smart, and sweet.

Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) finds love, too. Hazel (Kristen Schaal) may originally try to sabotage Kenneth, but before the episode ends, they are making out. Has Hazel come around, or is she just desperate to keep living with Kenneth, rather than be out on the street? How will having physical relations change the uptight and super conservative Kenneth? This is a rich mine to dig in!

Tracy (Tracy Morgan) also faces a crossroads in "What Will Happen to the Gang Next Year?" Cornel West (himself) visits and tells Tracy that he needs to find a black role model to look up to. Dot Com (Kevin Brown) and Grizz (Grizz Chapman) try to lead Tracy towards some historical figures, but, in the end, Tracy is more drawn to Tyler Perry. Is that such a bad thing? True, Tracy may not live up to his potential doing cheap comedy. But then again, Perry makes a good living, and provides black-centric entertainment that fills a serious void left in pop culture. Tracy doesn't usually stick with things anyway, so this could all be for naught. It will be interesting to see how it plays out.

Lest anyone think otherwise, "What Will Happen to the Gang Next Year" is incredibly funny, on top of all the other stuff that's been discussed in this review. Kim Jong-Il really is the best waiter in the world. Liz has a fantasy sequence where she raises a plant, and even sees it have its own plant grand babies. Criss claims to have seen everything James Van Der Beek has done except for Dawson's Creek, yet names his van after the series, and basically quotes the theme song to Liz. Hilarious!

30 Rock will return next fall to NBC to complete its final season.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here to read every 30 Rock review I've ever written. To catch up on 30 Rock with DVDs and streaming episodes, please go to amazon.com. Article first published as 30 Rock poses the question, "What Will Happen to the Gang Next Year?" on TheTVKing.com

Buy Frozen Planet before it melts away

From the team that created Planet Earth comes a new, seven-part documentary called Frozen Planet. This is the UK Version of the series, narrated by David Attenborough (not Alec Baldwin, as with the version that aired on the Discovery Channel), and captures life at both poles of the Earth, hoping to immortalize these environments on film before climate change destroys them forever.

The first episode of Frozen Planet is an introduction, giving an overall glimpse of the environment. This is followed by four parts covering each of the four calendar seasons. Part six looks at mankind's interaction in these distant regions, where few dare to tread. Each looks at the dizzying, often seemingly barren, landscapes, as well as how life can carve a niche anywhere. For most people who will never venture into a climate so extreme, it's a rich glimpse into a completely alien place.

Many types of animals make their home in this frigid area of the planet. From polar bears to penguins to orcas, Frozen Planet shows us just how they accomplish the monumental task of surviving, which to them is just their way of life. Arctic wolves, albatrosses, eider ducks, and fur seals are just some of the other life forms teeming in this series.

The seventh hour of Frozen Planet is quite controversial, in that it deals with global warming. Originally, Discovery wasn't even going to air this part in the U.S., because of the politicized nature of the debate, despite the scientific evidence. However, cooler (sic) heads prevailed, and "On Thin Ice," as it is called, is airing in the States (with Attenborough's narration), as it was in Britain.

Much of the filming of Frozen Planet is accomplished using a sophisticated, long-distance capture technology so that the animals are not disturbed. While a polar bear birth is filmed in a zoo, almost everything else is authentic to the region. By keeping far away in distance, viewers are treated to behavior untainted by human intruders. It is a rare and gratifying series of sequences, that should delight and entertain. And sure, there is death, like in any nature special, but Frozen Planet is pretty family-friendly, overall.

Some of most impressive sequences? A stalactite growing down, freezing alive any organism that gets in its path. A pod of orcas hunt a seal with planning and precision. The ice sheet melts off of Greenland in the spring. By using time-lapse and slow motion footage, drama is added to events that would otherwise be hard to understand the majesty of.

On bonus features, there are plenty. If one does not want to be distracted by the narration, and instead allow the images to mostly speak for themselves, a music-only audio track can be played. As with other BBC Earth releases, a 'Freeze Frame' option appears with each episode, providing about 10 minutes of behind the scenes glimpses of a particular shot or sequence. There are also about an hour and a half of shorts, which are each only a couple of minutes in length, that let viewers in on some of the filming techniques and challenges.

A twenty minute featurette called "Science at the End of the Earth" reveals who the scientists are that live at the South Pole for long stretches of time, and what they do there. It takes a very special person to thrive in this environment, and they are profiled nicely.

"Frozen Planet: The Epic Journey" is virtually useless, unless one does not wish to watch the entire series. Basically, it's a best of, running an hour in length, that brings together some of the most amazing moments from the seven episodes. The problem is, though, there doesn't seem to be anything new added in, so it's tiresome to watch after already sitting through Frozen Planet. Maybe it could be used to entice some friends who aren't sure they want to watch the whole show? But then, if they are enticed, that makes the watching of the series less exciting. Or it could serve as a quickie rewatch years later, when one does not have seven hours to devote, but would like to relive this spectacular show.

As with other specials in the BBC Earth series, it is impossible to give a short critique of the picture and sound quality that will encompass this set in full. Many different cameras are used, mostly high definition ones, but even within that subset, picture clarity varies. Sometimes bands of color are on the screen. Sometimes blacks are not as rich as they might be. The same holds true for sound, where studio-recorded pieces are always clear, but the natural sounds of the world sometimes aren't exactly how one would want them.

However, Frozen Planet might just be better than previous releases. It appears that much effort has been spent cleaning up images and getting the sound mix just right, striking a good balance between music, ambient noise, and the narration. Perhaps the use of digital HD cameras has allowed for better matching, overall, but it looks like there has also been lots of post production work. It's not perfect, but it's as close to it as one will find for a series of this type.

Buying this on Blu-ray is a must, because that's where the clearest presentation can be found. Not every scene will be perfect, but many will leave viewers stunned with the amount of visual and auditory detail captured. The makers of these films are experts, and have learned how to best satisfy the masses. This is a stunning set that should definitely be experienced.


Another triumph for BBC Earth! Buy Frozen Planet on Blu-ray, available now.

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Nothing is wrong with 30 Rock

NBC's 30 Rock presents a special, one hour, holiday-themed episode this week entitled "Hey, Baby, What's Wrong?" Liz (Tina Fey) thinks that she may get her first ever happy Valentine's Day with new boyfriend, Criss (James Marsden, X-Men). But derailment occurs during an ill-fated trip to IKEA to pick out a dining room table together. Meanwhile, Jack (Alec Baldwin) battles his primal urges when Avery's mother, Diana (Mary Steenburgen, Bored to Death, Curb Your Enthusiasm), comes to town, and finds himself attracted to her. The feeling is mutual.

"Hey, Baby, What's Wrong?" may be the most disturbing episode of 30 Rock ever written. This falls squarely on the fault of Jack's plot, which is horrible. Jack sees many of the same things in Diana that he sees in kidnapped wife, Avery (Elizabeth Banks), so it's natural that there might be some connection. But raising that attraction to a sexual level is beyond wrong. While it's true that Jack and Diana are closer in age than Jack is to his wife, and Diana is just as lonely as Jack, that doesn't excuse anything. The fact that the two characters struggle so hard not to hook up is just plain icky. Forget trying to be funny, at least just be decent. There is something incredibly wrong with Jack's marriage if he considers sleeping with his mother-in-law under any circumstances. Ditto for Diana's mothering ability.

That being said, the rest of the episode is not bad. Liz's relationship with Criss is actually quite a nice development. Criss isn't perfect, having little ambition and no job, but he cares about Liz. He also pulls some weight, cooking a romantic dinner for her, and building a table when they can't agree on one at the store. Liz isn't used to a healthy, balanced relationship, and doesn't know how to act. Yet, with Criss, she just might get to be happy. This is fantastic, and should be explored further. Hopefully Marsden's schedule will stay open for awhile so he can continue to appear on 30 Rock.

Liz's joy comes at the best moment for her, given that she has just realized that she is the female version of Lutz (John Lutz). Both are awkward, and do not know how to react towards the opposite sex. While Liz is a tad bit more graceful, and certainly more attractive, both of their personalities do share some similar characteristics. For "Hey, Baby, What's Wrong?" to end on that realization would be beyond depressing. Thank goodness Criss salvages things for Liz in the end.

Why does IKEA allow 30 Rock to treat it so poorly? Are fighting couples really a standard for the retailer? Having never shopped there personally, it's impossible to know, but it seems unlikely. IKEA just comes across so badly in this episode, it is sad. To make up for it, go watch some Easy to Assemble, a funny, pro-IKEA web series. Speaking of, how could 30 Rock, given its penchant for tons of guest stars and insider-style jokes, do such an IKEA heavy episode without bringing in a single actor from Easy to Assemble in a cameo role?

Pete (Scott Adsit) is perhaps the most underused character on 30 Rock. Luckily, this is not the case in "Hey, Baby, What's Wrong?" Not only does he prove himself worthy of the producer's job that he does, but back story is given, too. It turns out that Pete used to be an Olympic-level athlete. While this isn't exactly realistic, any chance to see Pete out of his element, or in a new light, is welcome. Adsit is a capable comedian that should be better utilized in this series on a regular basis.

Lastly, where is 30 Rock going with the creepy, Liz-obssessed Hazel (Kristen Schaal, Bob's Burgers, The Daily Show)? She is somewhat humorous, but it's a bizarre turn for the character, and only dark things can come from her continued presence. Surely 30 Rock wouldn't go so far as to kill off a character, even Criss, would they? As delightful as Schaal is, and as much potential as Hazel could have on 30 Rock as a recurring character, whether used as a replacement or companion for Kenneth (Jack McBrayer), new direction needs to be given if she's going to last.

"Hey, Baby, What's Wrong" is a rare, disappointing outing for the show. Watch 30 Rock Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

MORE: If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here to read every 30 Rock review I've ever written. To catch up on 30 Rock with DVDs and streaming episodes, please go to amazon.com.

30 Rock rocks out the guest stars

     This week on NBC's 30 Rock, in "The Ballad of Kenneth Parcell," Jack (Alec Baldwin) decides to get rid of the Page Program and replace them with an automated system (voiced by Rachel Dratch), much to Kenneth's (Jack McBrayer) chagrin. But then Jack makes a mistake, and his businessversary present to Hank Hooper (Ken Howard) gets sent to TGS instead. Jack loses the respect of not only Hank, but the TGS staff as well, with Lutz (John Lutz) even thinking that they are on the same level! To save face, Jack rehires the pages and blames Kenneth for the snafu, scrapping the automated machine.

     Writing a review of nearly any 30 Rock episode ends up being a game of name dropping as many celebrities as possible, and a struggle to mention all of the best one-liners, of which there are almost always a plethora to choose from. "The Ballad of Kenneth Parcell" has its share of the latter, and more of the former than any installment in recent memory. That alone makes it an episode well worth watching, as well as guarantees that not every star appearing in the half hour will be mentioned in the following article. Nor will most of those names be linked, but feel free to google them.

     It's been too long an absence for Dratch, who appears regularly as a variety of characters in the early days of 30 Rock. Any excuse to bring her back is more than welcome, so it's a little disappointing that the machine is thrown away so fast. Where might she pop up next, and when?

     It's great to see Jack exposed as a normal man. Everything about his character screams elitist, and even though viewers soon start to root for Jack to fix his image problem this week, it's funny to see him taken down a peg by the likes of Lutz and Frank (Judah Friedlander). 30 Rock needs Jack to be the top dog in order to keep the fictional version of NBC running, but that doesn't mean that he can't suffer temporary setbacks. This story will work especially well for those who wish some ill will on Baldwin, who isn't universally liked outside of 30 Rock.

     In "The Ballad of Kenneth Parcell," Jack gets to deliver a great one-liner about the fame of Maulik Pancholy, who formerly plays Jack's assistant, Jonathan, and now co-stars in Whitney. Jonathan is definitely missed, and is a far better use of Pancholy's talents that his current role. However, Pancholy does get more screen time on Whitney, slightly, so it's probably better for him, career wise. And at least he's a main character on his new series instead of a recurring supporting player, as he is on 30 Rock.

     In a second plot, Liz (Tina Fey) and Jenna (the underrated, fantastic Jane Krakowski) have a falling out as friends when Jenna sets up Liz to have paint thrown on her by PETA, just so Jenna can save face. Both seek solace by gravitating towards others like themselves. It isn't long before Jenna finds her new besties, including an unknown Kardashian, exhausting. And Liz, after a misstep with a very obvious knock off of the Sex and the City friends, who are even listed in the credits with names like Charglotte and Kerrie (Teri Conn, As the World Turns, One Life to Live), ends up really annoyed by a near twin named Amy (Julie Dretzin, Six Feet Under). They return to each other, glad to have someone that complements them, rather than a pal exactly like them.

     30 Rock uses its trademark brand of broad, winky humor extensively in the Liz and Jenna plot this week. Not only is it packed with guest stars, but the jokes are really funny. It may be a typical story, done by many other series, but it is handled with a 30 Rock twist that makes it seem both fresh and hilarious. As such, more of this kind of stuff will keep the show running for a good long time.

     Following on that theme, the MLK Day trailer at the beginning of "The Ballad of Kenneth Purcell," featuring Jenna starring in a Valentine's Day-esque film with Emma Stone, Nick Cannon, and Andy Samberg (themselves), is a wonderful tongue-in-cheek joke. Not many shows have the gravitas to pull these kind of names for a one-shot laugh, but that 30 Rock can do so over and over again really lends to its credibility. Just looking for who will show up next is a great draw to watch each episode. Also, Jenna's growing fame on the show within a show is a neat way to take her character, and putting her in the company of these others actors makes it seem even more believable.

     Finally, Tracy (Tracy Morgan) decides that he'd like to kill himself after Dot Com (Kevin Brown) and Grizz (Grizz Chapman) send out his birthday invitations with the phrase "no gifts." Tracy isn't really looking for death, but rather, wants to illustrate a point to his entourage, mostly because he doesn't have anything else to do. As to what exactly that point is, well, anyone's guess is good, as Tracy's brain doesn't exactly work correctly. But it's amusing, and it gives Morgan some amusing scenes in the jam-packed episode.

     "The Ballad of Kenneth Parcell" aired at 9 p.m. ET, the second of two new episodes this week. Normally, 30 Rock airs in the earlier time slot of 8 p.m. ET on NBC. Be sure to watch it.

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     Click here to read every 30 Rock review I've ever written.

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30 Rock likes to "Dance Like Nobody's Watching"

     NBC's 30 Rock likes to "Dance Like Nobody's Watching," and indeed, no one has been, since the series has been off the air since early May. But it returns last night. Liz (Tina Fey) comes back from holiday break happy and refreshed. Jack (Alec Baldwin) is sure he knows why, as he says he knows Liz better than she knows herself. He's wrong. Jenna (Jane Krakowski) is now the mean judge of a very successful children's singing competition, while Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) by his preacher that this is the last day before the Rapture, and so works on his "dream chores" list. 

     30 Rock has been sorely missed, immediately apparent early into "Dance Like Nobody's Watching." The series returns with a wonderful episode, with some funny plots, and a couple surprise twists. It remains timely, even sneaking in a reference to Avery (Elizabeth Banks) now being held captive by Kim Jong Un, since Kim Jong Il is dead. It also sticks to its trademark brand, but allows a little bit of growth, especially in the character of Liz Lemon.

     Who is the new man in Liz's life? Jack's antics to make sure he is right about her sudden happiness are amusing, especially when he finds Liz dancing. But viewers cannot possibly be more surprised than Jack when he spies her kissing a man, whose back is to the camera. Is it a familiar face, something that seems likely given the show's penchant for bringing back characters? Or is this someone entirely new? It could be the latter, given that Liz has never been low stress and satisfied. But this new Liz probably won't be as good of a boss, so unfortunately, another episode or two is all one can expect to see her act this way. Which doesn't necessarily mean the relationship has to end (though it likely will). Rather, she just needs to return to Earth. But what a great side trip for her!

     Jack, also, has changed, though his is more of an adjustment that is righted by the end of "Dance Like Nobody's Watching." Seeing how mean Jenna is to the young children on her reality competition, he remembers his own daughter, and demands that she tone it down. Jenna does, much to the chagrin of herself and fellow judges (and returning characters), D'Fwan (Tituss Burgess) and tennis champ John McEnroe (himself). And they are right. The show tanks in the ratings with the softer Jenna, which goes against new wisdom gleaned from last season's American Idol, by the way. But Jack has a conversation with his one-year old daughter, and takes her baby nonsense as advice to care more about business again. Thus, order is restored in the world.

     It must be said, "mean judge" is a perfect job for Jenna. She is great at it, and doesn't mind making children cry. This should definitely be a recurring bit.

     Kenneth's subplot is a bit more expected, and not as good in general. With the page scraping Chiquita banana stickers off of lights because that's how he wants to spend his last day on earth, Frank (Judah Friedlander), Toofer (Keith Powell), and Lutz (J.D. Lutz) go on the attack against Kenneth and his faith. But Pete (Scott Adsit) calls them off, and tries to comfort Kenneth when the latter realizes that he will still be around tomorrow. It's not an out of character story, but is doesn't seem all that fresh, and is the weakest of the three plots in "Dance Like Nobody's Watching." That being said, the weakest 30 Rock is still better than many other shows.

     Enjoy 30 Rock Thursdays on NBC, now at 8 p.m. ET.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

     Click here to read every 30 Rock review I've ever written.

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Saturday Night Live sees Baldwin break hosting record

      In the quest to make an epic thirty-seventh season premiere, Saturday Night Live enlisted Alec Baldwin to host for a record breaking sixteenth time last night. A few years ago, Baldwin tied with Steve Martin for most times hosting, then Steve returned to keep upping the record. Finally, Baldwin not only tied, but broke it. Martin showed up to playfully challenge him, though seem none too upset to lose his title.

     In the monologue, Martin inquires whether Baldwin might be on any performance enhancing drugs. To figure out this fact, Martin brings a full medical team and Seth Rogen, a "drug expert." It's all for showmanship, because Steve only needs to taste the yellow sample to determine if Alec has been taking drugs. Baldwin is declared clean in a very gross, but hilarious, bit, and the show moves on. Unfortunately, that's as funny as it ever gets.

     Baldwin has been on long enough that he has a number of recurring characters. Yet, none of th memorable ones are trotted out in this episode. There is mention in the monologue of Schweddy Balls now being a Ben & Jerry's ice-cream flavor. To celebrate, wouldn't a return to that sketch be appropriate? Or something to remember him by?

     In fact, it's really odd that only Martin and Rogen guest star. Steve and Alec's contest has been littered with many celebrities popping in, as they are always big event episodes. But last night, that fanfare and gravitas of the legendary moment were absent. The record was broken with little of the ceremony expected from such an occasion, especially considering how long the title has been in contest.

     It wasn't a wasted evening. There were a handful of amusing sketches. A goodbye to All My Children really captured the soap opera spirit, as plenty of "startling twists" were revealed by various crew members. The game show "Who's On Top?" asked which celebrity would be the top in a gay sex encounter, suggesting straight men as choices. And, of course, Weekend Update had some great zingers from Seth Meyers. But other than that, there wasn't much to fawn over.

     Undoubtedly, though he has mostly left comedy behind, Steve Martin will host again. Perhaps even before Baldwin does, so Alec can once more break the record. But if Saturday Night Live's best days are over, what's the point? The bright spot on the horizon is the 2012 election, though the GOP debate sketch was more dud than laughable. But the 2008 election was the last time the series really worked. So maybe...

     Saturday Night Live continues to air Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

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30 Rock tries to "Respawn" with mixed results

     NBC's 30 Rock completed its fifth (already!?) season with "Respawn," in which a number of characters try to make it through the summer. Liz's (Tina Fey) dream is to stay in the Hamptons, learning Spanish and spending time doing brainless tasks outside. Her peace is interrupted when Tracy (Tracy Morgan) moves in next door to her. Jack (Alec Baldwin) doesn't even try to think of any way he might rescue Avery (Elizabeth Banks). Instead, he tries to carry on without her or other people's pity, and when that doesn't want, he forces Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) to take her place. Jenna (Jane Krakowski) tries to make her boyfriend, Paul (Will Forte), behave normally so that the head of the Wool Council (guest star Victor Garber) will be satisfied with Jenna's morality. And the writers play video games.

     Generally, summer episodes, if they are done at all, appear in the fall, so it is a new and novel idea to do it as a season finale. The drawback, though, is that instead of a big finish, it's a meandering episode spanning a large chunk of time, and not a lot gets done. While 30 Rock may make frequent use of episodes not getting anything done, after its big 'Weddings' finale last year, this one is a let down.
     The title of the episode refers to the writers' plot, where Frank (Judah Friedlander), Lutz (John Lutz), Toofer (Keith Powell), and some other guy keep killing themselves and respawning in a video game so that none of them actually get a kill point, and no one wins. They are only checked in on a couple of times, so it seems an odd thing to pinpoint in the title. However, their scenes may actually have been the funniest in this mediocre episode.

     The best thing "Respawn" has going for it is the great Victor Garber in an apparently one-time guest role. Garber is an extremely talented actor, and is only the latest in a long line of 'big gets' for 30 Rock. His presence elevates the series in a noticeable way, and he steals every scene he is in as the highly moral, wool loving CEO.

     Besides Garber, Forte continues to be a great asset for 30 Rock, and they should consider making Paul a regular, now that Forte is no longer with Saturday Night Live. He was originally introduced as a Jenna impersonator, funny enough, but their continued relationship and hilariously kinky sex has been a constant joy. Also, Paul trying to be normal for his girl is something he would not have done when they were less committed, so it shows a level of growth that is unexpected. Kudos is warranted for this subplot.

     Jack has been completely tamed by Avery and their baby. There is no way  a couple of years ago Jack would have sat by and did nothing while the love of his life is tortured by North Koreans. While this is sort of dealt with last week, it is intolerable that he should grow complacent in the season finale. Is Banks no longer available for 30 Rock episodes, and so she is being written out? It is hard to fathom what the thinking is behind this plot, but it is far from satisfying.

     Kenneth is a joke in "Respawn." While he has always been a bit dim and eager to please, he goes too far in going along with Jack's transference. Not only that, but the character clearly understands what is going on, and that it is wrong, and he doesn't want to do it, but continues anyway. Kenneth has come further than this, and it is very disappointing to see him backslide into such a stooge. And what is up with the little bit at the end where he tells Jacob he needs more time before "To be continued..." appears. To be honest, it feels like a one-note gag, possibly a Lost reference, that will likely not be followed up on.

     Jonathan (Maulik Pancholy), on the other hand, is moved to feelings of revenge when Jack fully chooses Kenneth over him. This has been touched on before, but it's time for an ongoing, full-blown feud between the two. It is certain to be tons of fun, if the writers pursue it. It would be good to see Kenneth get mad enough to fight back, the only possible outcome for his character to survive a full onslaught from Jonathan.

     Tracy is funny in his need to bug Liz, as he has formed quite an attachment to her after hiding out in her upstairs and sneaking in to repaint her apartment three times. He is likely looking for a peer-level friend, rather than his entourage he usually interacts with. This could be something really great to explore further.

     Liz, on the other hand, is sliding backwards. Throughout 30 Rock she has struggled to improve her life. She did so for awhile, even maintaining a steady relationship with Carol (Matt Damon). But since their break up, she has become a joke. She barely cares about the show anymore, other than how its cancellation would cut off her paycheck. What happened to the Lemon that was passionate about TGS? Bring her back!


     30 Rock has been renewed for a sixth season, and will return in the fall to NBC.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here for all of my Current Season Reviews.

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30 Rock Cuts With a "Double-Edged Sword"

     NBC's 30 Rock is one of the smartest sitcoms currently running. The humor is often unexpected, always tight, and the actors delivering the lines have wicked comic timing, every single one of them. I'd almost complain that all the amazing supporting players get too little to do because of the heavy reliance these past few years on big name guest stars. This week's episode was yet more proof of that. Yet, I have a hard time doing criticising because the guests 30 Rock gets are more than stunt; they're just as good as the regulars. In fact, I will state that the series has unequivocally the best guest roster of any sitcom ever. And they just keep coming back.


     This week, in "Double-Edged Sword", there were three major arcs. In the first, Jack (Alec Baldwin) travels to Canada with his gal, Avery (Elizabeth Banks, in her TWELFTH appearance on the show in the last year), where she goes into labor. Both being staunch patriots, and hoping their unborn daughter will one day be president, Jack and Avery battle mightily to make it back to the states before the baby comes. Snow storms cancel flights, the rental car companies are out of cars, and they end up in a mobile meth lab. Only after a conversation with the van's owner (guest star, the hilarious John Cho), does Jack realize that he's going too far and takes Avery to the hospital. A Canadian hospital. The couple are furious when the hospital won't even take their money.

     It's broad comedy. I doubt there are more than a handful of people in this country who would put that much importance on having a child born in America, risking their lives and the baby's to make that happen. But the comic timing of Banks and Baldwin makes you forget that for twenty-two minutes. Add Cho, seemingly out of nowhere, and it was easily the most entertaining of the three stories that night. Not to mention, two stubborn people trying to make a relationship work is still relatable, despite the circumstances, so 30 Rock pulled off another neat trick.

     The question is, how long can Jack and Avery go on? Banks has a movie career. She previously made time to recur on Scrubs after her character had the main guy's baby, despite getting tons of cinema work. She accepted the part of Avery, though, after she'd already blown up. Twelve episodes in twelve months is a supreme gift from her. Does that mean Jack and Avery are heading for Splitsville? Somehow, I think 30 Rock will make them work because they're perfect for each other. Just don't expect Avery to keep recurring as often as she has been.

     Story two was also about a couple that were extremely similar, but it didn't have such a cheery outcome. Liz (Tina Fey) took a trip with her pilot boyfriend, Carol (Matt Damon). Or tried to, since their plane was kept on the runway until the passengers revolted, led by Liz, of course. Carol, meanwhile, let his fight with his girlfriend rule his decision making skills, increasingly the already volatile situation. They were broken up before the ending credits because neither would bend, like Jack did. Perhaps they needed John Cho on their plane, too.

     Damon has only done four episodes, but once could argue that Damon is also on a whole other level than Banks. The fact that someone of Damon's prominence would even agree to do a sitcom is rare. Playing a character so different from Damon's other work would be my best guess on why he did it. Clearly, Fey wrote for him because she just wanted to kiss Matt Damon. Kidding! I worship Tina Fey. Still, it was nice while it lasted.

     The heart of this show is Jack and Liz. Their relationship, while it will never be romantic, is the driving force. The romance was (extremely) briefly toyed with early on, then rejected quite quickly and with finality. Despite the two being in different countries in drastically different, though somewhat connected, situations, they still took time to check in with each other by phone. However bonded Jack and Avery become, do not look for that to change.

    The final story was just Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan) being Tracy Jordan. Completing a long running arc where Tracy strove for an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony), he finally got it, just in time to regret it. The EGOT status is a renowned one, only twelve real people having ever achieved it. Tracy didn't expect to attend stuffy banquets and change his whole life after; it was just something to do. Now he's stuck among the ranks of Mel Brooks, Whoopi Goldberg, Barbra Streisand, Liza Minnelli, Richard Rodgers, and Audrey Hepburn. Can we please get Whoopi, Liza, or Barbara (or better yet, all three) to put in an appearance coaching Tracy on the lifestyle? More likely, though, this story has come to an end, for the most part.

     Best Tracy Jordan line of the night: after Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) tells Tracy that Steven Spielberg wants him to star in his next film, Tracy replies excitedly, "Kate Capshaw's husband!?" (pictured right)

     NBC's 30 Rock has not come to an end. Far from it. It airs Thursday nights at 10 p.m. on NBC.

Article first published as TV Review: 30 Rock Cuts With a "Double-Edged Sword" on Blogcritics.


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