Reason #3.2 billion that we love Tina Fey: When she does a 30 Rock storyline about Liz Lemon getting a horrible haircut (or three, as Liz said, because “the first two made me look crazy”) to prepare for her forthcoming Dealbreakers talk show, she does not skimp on the horrible. Those bangs were truly offensive, in a way that will haunt me for days to come. (I once got that haircut, too — what woman hasn’t suffered through her own equivalent? — which only compounds the nightmare effect.) Reason #3.2 billion + 1 that we love Tina Fey? That storyline was inspired by none other than an EW photo shoot! She told us for our “Best of the Decade” issue — on stands now! — that said haircut was inspired by a similar (very, very similar, as you can see from the pic) chop she got to get ready for a 2002 Entertainment Weekly cover she appeared on with then-Weekend Update co-anchor Jimmy Fallon. She cites the incident as nothing less than her biggest mistake of the decade: “I got these very short, asymmetrical bangs,” she says. “It was my fault. I saw it in a magazine and I asked for it. It is rough.” We can’t disagree, but don’t worry, 30 Rock fans, we won’t have to look at it for long: “[When] we did it on 30 Rock, … I have to wear a series of wigs while I’m growing it out.” Those high-def cameras, on the other hand, will continue to be that unforgiving.
Photo Credit: 30 Rock: Ali Goldstein NBC; 2002 EW cover
I don’t care what her hair looked like. That was, save for the HD TV part, a HORRENDOUS episode. This show is almost unwatchable now.
I agree Jared….did they change showrunners or writers? The quality from Seasons 1-3 to Season 4 has taken a noticeable turn for the worse. It has gone from being one of my favorite shows to one I’ll watch if I am home.
This show has declined since Season 1.
I’m sorry, but any season that gives me the priceless lines “What have children ever done for us?” “Well, they make our shoes and our wallets” is a good season in my book.
Like others, I haven’t found this season as funny as the first three, but last night did have me howling, particularly when Liz was shooting the promos. Tina Fey was incredibly funny blowing that kiss with her tongue out. I rewound it several times myself and kept crying.
And even though the shows haven’t been as funny as the first three seasons, they’re still very smart. Just hope they can pick up the momentum like last night’s show.
I couldn’t possibly disagree more. It’s gotten sharper and funnier, and the characters have developed so well since season 1. Not that season one wasn’t great, though.
I agree that this season isn’t as great as in seasons past, but I could not stop laughing at the scene where Liz was doing the promos – when she totaly lost the ability to wave like a normal person? That was priceless
Agreed. I was nearly crying at the “Are you spinning a basketball?” line.
ME TOO!
i rewound that part ten times. hilarious!
“Wave like a human being! Remember waving??”
The show was great last night. Very funny.
Excuse me Jared and Michael, but this was probably one of the funniest episodes of the season if not in my top 10 over the past 4 seasons. Everything from Liz’s song about ham, filming the dealbreakers intro, Frank turning into Liz, and Tracy’s analysis of past EGOT winners was hilarious and creative. I was laughing so hard I was tearing up. Well do 30 Rock!
Well do indeed!
yea…this season hasn’t been great. The Salma Hayek story arc was a real dud, and the show hasn’t ever been as good as it was before that. I’d say one more season and it’s done. I figure the last season will be great, though…
Really? I haven’t noticed a difference, I still think it’s hilarious. This wasn’t my favorite episode ever, but I haven’t really noticed a change in tone.
do = done
Oh, boo! I thought it was a funny episode. I liked Jenna’s line about Jenny McCarthy.
I still think it’s hilarious. Not every episode is perfect, but seriously, still smartly snarky and funny.
The season, as a whole, has not been great, but last night’s ep was pretty funny.
I thought last night was a pretty funny episode. I think, in general, the show is erratic. Sometimes the whole thing is genius, sometimes there’s only one good laugh the entire half-hour. Everytime I feel like giving up, it surprises me with a great episode. But I can’t expect it, because I know a mediocre one is just around the corner. It’s sort of like The Sarah Silverman Program was. But even at it’s worst, it’s still better than most of the cr@p on TV.
But I thought that the Lisa Rinna “Taylor” cut from Melrose Place died out a long time ago along with her career?
That haircut happened to me a few months ago. There are not enough barrettes in the world.
I agree that 30 Rock has lulled a little from the pace it had last season, but it’s still brilliant and I always laugh.
Too funny. That episode was too great. She’s used that wig a few times, usually for 90s flashbacks. I actually used to really like that haircut (minus the wonky bangs).
Agree that the show isn’t nearly as good as it’s first season, but I still am amused. And the haircut haunted me as well – having just gotten, thank heaven, a nice cut that day myself. Truly, truly, painfully ugly hair. Did appreciate that. And Frank becoming Liz which did make me laugh.