Image Credit: Ali Goldstein/NBCFor the past 42 days (not that I’ve been counting), my only connection to 30 Rock has been the occasional phone call. You see, this is my ringtone. So I couldn’t have been happier that my favorite NBC comedy finally returned, albeit in a different time slot. Now, I’m adequately prepared to enjoy the rest of 30 Rock season 5. I’ve got my toiletries, closed-toe shoes, and government-sanctioned mosquito head net. What more could I need?
During the winter hiatus, Jack and Avery finally tied the knot. Sorta. We can’t be exactly sure how it all went down because, like Jonathan, we didn’t deserve to be invited to the nuptials (sniff). But the short version is that Jack accidentally married Liz. Thanks to Lemon’s confusion during the wedding, (and perhaps the fact she wore white and the officiator mistook her head net as a veil) she became the newest Mrs. Jack Donaghy. Blerg! The two set out for a quickie divorce, but instead used their marriage as leverage for things they each wanted. But a sit-down meeting with their resident HR coordinator, Mr. Weinerslav, put things into perspective for the couple. Jack needs Lemon to point out his eye boogers. And Lemon needs Jack to teach her not to wear tan slacks with a tan turtleneck. No one wants to look like a giant condom. The divorce is back on, and the world will not spontaneously combust.
Meanwhile, Jenna had to share a dressing room with Danny “We Forgot You Worked Here” Baker due to NBC cutbacks. They developed their own faux marriage, complete with their faux child, Kenneth. Spoiler alert! It doesn’t work out. So they sat Kenneth down and told him the truth. “And don’t think for one second it means we love you less. Know that it means that.”
Over in Tracy Jordan land, Tracy thought he was dying based on a diagnosis from Dr. Spaceman. “Who will be around to raise my kids when I can’t be around to pay somebody to raise my kids?” Valid point, Trey. Enter Angie, who has no discernible talent or skills, looking for a job. Jack’s solution? Her own reality TV show. (I know it’s a joke, but I really would watch Queen of Jordan on Bravo. Let’s make that happen.)
So what did you think of last night’s return of 30 Rock? Was it worth the wait? And more importantly, would you join me in watching Queen of Jordan?
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[AUDIO http://pdl-stream.timeinc.net/EW/podcasts/audio/2011/01/ew_podcast_01-20-11.mp3]
i was so happy it was back. it was great – so glad to see danny “we forgot you worked here!,” loved that liz would watch Queen of Jordan, and loved dr. spaceman. p.s I actually have werewolf barmitzvah as a ringtone on my phone.
LOVED the episode! The writers are so smart because I really think this is the most quotable show on television, with some of the best characters. I REALLY love the idea of Queen of Jordan, and thought the fake intro at the very end of the episode was brilliant. Also, another great moment last night was when Jonathan started singing “All by Myself”…hysterical.
Loved it. The Jenna/Danny/Kenneth felt slightly repetitive but Kenneth didn’t grate and that’s pretty much all I want Kenneth to do. Also, it revealed more of Pete’s quips on marriage.
Loved Spaceman/Tracy and the Angie scenes.
The Jack/Liz scenes are always great but it felt like they were building towards something during Weinerslav’s speech then suddenly the issue was resolved..it was weird.
Also weird? The fact that we don’t see Banks/Avery at all. I really hope this is not an excuse to do a big wedding episode during the season finale. I really couldn’t care less about the Jack/Avery relationship. MORE WRITERS PLEASE.
“Don’t get me started on marriage……thank you” I loved that. Tracy had me cracking up this episode.
The Jack-Lemon storyline was great. The other two were awful, especially the Jenna-Danny-Kenneth nonsense. Way too over the top…
The “Queen of Jordan” opening credits during the closing credits were scarily, hilariously plausible. (“I think elegance and attitude are the same thing.”)
Even though the Danny/Jenna/Kenneth storyline was kind of horrible (it was mostly nice to see that Cheyenne Jackson is still around), it was a pretty decent ep, and I’d hate to lose this show if NBC somehow figured out how to time travel back to 1997 through the use of science or magic.
I really hope Tina does do an episode of “The Queen of Jordan” this season. That needs to happen!
I heard it was!
LOVE LOVE LOVE that show!
P.S. Breia, that’s my ringtone too!!
I honestly just watch the show for the Liz/Jack moments, and they were priceless as always last night. “I did bring up slavery” “I knew I could count on you.” LOL!
I loved that the outfit Liz wore during the press conference was the “Barbara Bush” costume that she wore in the first episode when she had to meet Tracy Jordan about joining the show. Although, I believe the hat was a new addition.
I loved that the Jack/Liz/Weinerslav scene was a huge shout-out to fans who have debated over whether Jack & Liz should ever get involved with each other romantically or have their relationship remain a platonic mentorship. I’m going firmly with the latter – and I think last night’s episode confirmed that the writers think that as well.
Loved her impression of Drew Barrymore’s impression of that crazy lady! SPOT ON!
I was laughing so hard I could barely hear the dialogue. I think that press conference is my new favorite “30 Rock” moment ever.
The tone felt off in this episode. It was too silly and they were trying to cram too many subplots into the episode, without connecting them.
What do you mean, without connecting them? It was more connected than most 30 rock eps. Everything was about marriage!
lol this comment looks like it didn’t watch the show at all.
It was the whole marriage-fights theme that compelled the writers to do the Jenna/Danny plot which allowed Pete to connect it to the main Jack/Liz one.
This show rocks!!! I love Jack and Liz and was glad this episode showed why they’re so much better as friends then any romantic notion in the future. Alec Baldwin amazes me with how he can act with his EYES!
This episode was so funny that my bones vanished.