Ah, another solid 30 Rock, though "Apollo, Apollo" didn’t quite slay me like the last few episodes have. Sure, Tracy’s fake space flight was funny, and yes, Alec Baldwin can infuse smarminess with a subtle humanity in a way no one else really attempts, but the episode was heavy on my least favorite relationship on the show: Liz and Jenna. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen Jenna do something redemptive — and I’d settle for anything not strenuously vacant and narcissistic. I get that that’s her bit, but we see so many dimensions of the other characters: think of how tenderly Tracy and Kenneth treat each other, or Jack’s mommy issues, or even the little glimpse of Pete lamenting his could-have-been career in politics. Jenna, though, is totally one note, and that note is starting to drive me crazy. Blerg. Anyway, on to the highlights!
1. Yay for the return of Dennis — though I would have loved to have seen juuuuust a little more of him. "Hello, dummy," was a great opening line from the Beeper King, but his "One word: coffee. One problem: Where do you get it?" business plan was even better.
2. "I’m Lizzing!" (Funny when Liz said it; 20 times funnier when Tracy said it.)
3. "I once shot a manatee."
4. "What is this, Horseville? Cause I’m surrounded by naysayers!"
5. Kenneth’s Sesame-o-vision
6. "Aw, guys, come on, I ate in there!"
7. "Oh my god, you puked! Why wouldn’t you warn me?! I’m staring at your mouth!"
8. In possibly my favorite moment of the season, Liz’s goofy Muppet walk.
9. "Is that Billy Jean King?"
10. And of course, this:
Okay, PopWatchers, how feel you about "Apollo, Apollo"?
Muppet Liz Lemon and Dennis were enough to make this an A+ for me.
I actually loved last night’s episode more than some of the previous week’s. It was hysterical! I loved the fact that Dennis and Jenna (who I always love, by the way) slept together because they were “emotional about Hurricane Katrina”. And the fact that one of Jack’s goals before turning 50 was running over his mother! Haha. Or Liz impersonating Jenna with an English accent (Jenna: The reason I have some English inflection in my speech is because I lost my virginity to the My Fair Lady soundtrack.) Quality episode!
I was personally “Lizzing” through the entire episode. I’ll agree that Jenna has fallen into a rut as a character, but she gave me my biggest laugh of the night – “I have a British affectation because I lost my virginity to the soundtrack to My Fair Lady.” No fewer than three ways to interpret that, all of them HILARIOUS.
Consistent excellence, I must say. Liz’s muppet walk was inspired, the sex line commercial was genius and I cannot get enough of Grizz and DotCom!
It was a good one, but the Muppets’ appearance was my favorite part. Liz’s/Tina’s Muppet walk reminded me of John Krasinski’s Conan interview a while back where he did his Muppet arm impression. Love Jack’s view of the world — everything is broken down by worth.
Wordplay!
Liz’s Muppet walk one probably one of the greatest things I will ever see on TV.
I love this show — so hilarious! Best part for me: seeing how Kenneth, Tracy, and Jack all see the world. (Kenneth is worth $7 – lol)
Funny that Jenna drives you crazy. She’s one of my favorites on the show. Everyone’s favorite, Kenneth, drives me INSANE. To me, he’s one of the most annoying characters on television.
Margaret -you’re on target. You forgot the close up of “Bijou” with the lipstick on her teeth and the phone number, 1-800-OKFACE.
“In possibly my favorite moment of the season, Liz’s goofy Muppet walk.” – Agreed! I think the manatee bit was a reference to Alec’s ‘Simpsons’ guest shot.
Tracy’s understated, “Computer, when do I get my tang? Also I’m thirsty. Word play!” almost made me Jack.
Awesome episode! LOVED the muppets so much. That first part with Muppet Jack singing cracked me up so hard I had to pause the show. Fricking genius!
I like Jenna, but I agree with you that she’s not as complex as the other characters. I liked the season finale last year when she made the entry tape for Kenneth for the Page Olympics. It was a perfect balance – it was still totally self-centered and all about her, but she was doing something nice for someone else at the same time. They should do more of that for her.
Kenneth wasn’t worth $7.00, I think it was his tie.
I love Tracy’s naysayers line, but the “Wordplay” at the end sent me over the edge