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May 25, 2013

30 Rock: Black Tie

by Julia Ward, posted Feb 2nd 2007 2:27AM
Tina Fey Black Tie 30 Rock(S01E12) Ladies and gentlemen, 30 Rock presents Paul Reubens in the Martin Short role of crazy, accented guy with floppy limbs. Actually, as far as sweeps guest stars go, Isabella Rossellini and Paul Reubens are pretty inspired choices. Also inspired, the "Tracy as the devil, Kenneth as the angel" gag. What can you say? This show has really come together. I think Jane Krakowski is even growing on me. She had one of the evening's best lines - "You know how much I remind myself of Grace Kelly."

The reason again, however, to keep tuning in is Alec Baldwin. Setting him and Liz up on a non-date went to show how great they'd probably be for each other in a sick, twisted kind of way. Liz Lemon continued her winning streak as my favorite loser by responding to Jack's invitation by asking, "Would I have to wear high heels?" That would pretty much be my response to any invitation that required something dressier than my Adidas. Jack snapping the necklace box closed on Liz's fingers a la Pretty Woman was genius. "Who does that?" Indeed, who does that? I hate that movie. Thank you, Tina Fey, for mocking it. Thank you also for putting Kenneth in an elevator with a stripper who practically licked her lips when she said, "You look like a baby."

There was no major character development this episode because, well, there's never going to be any character development on this show. It's not that kind of show. It's this kind of show - great one-liners, some truly goofy and inspired situations and Alec Baldwin. That's it. Here's my review from now on - funny quote, funny quote, funny quote, Alec Baldwin is a comedy genius.

Rinse and repeat.

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Marco Garbelini

Another great episode. This has become my Arrested Development fix as well. The one liners, the incidental music, the camera work, the crazy characters and situations inserted into a mostly believable environment always reminds me of AD. I thought I was alone with this and was afraid to mention and pass as an Arrested Development heretic. Actually, this is just one big compliment to my former favorite show in the sense that it's bearing fruits, it shows that AD changed something. I doubt the people involved with 30 Rock would deny any direct connection, they are certainly giving a giant nod to the Bluth family.

February 04 2007 at 2:52 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
penguendedektif

I know you tvsquad guys don't make the one-liners of the week lately but you definitely should do it this week and Kenneth's line should be on the top: "Do you remember the movie Footloose where those evil kids win in the end?" It reminded me Dwight's line where he was saying that his maternal grandfather was a war veteran who spent years in an ALLIED prison camp in The Office. I laughed so hard I had to pause for about a minute. These "buried" jokes are the work of a genius mind I must say.

Also Will Forte was once again amazing with his German accent once again (a la Beerfest).

I think every week the show gets better and this boosts Tina Fey's self-confidence and that self-confidence makes the show a little more better. It's delicious circle...

February 03 2007 at 8:19 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Steve

I watched a "marathon" of the show with a friend that hadn't seen it yet. You really get a good sense of how funny Baldwin is in this show after watching him for 3 hours straight.

Not a perfect AD replacement, but I'll take it!

February 03 2007 at 5:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mel

Also it's the kind of show you can watch reruns of over and over. Just my cup of tea.

February 03 2007 at 12:11 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mel

Best comedy on any channel right now. It's even beating out Extras for me at the moment.

February 03 2007 at 12:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Craig

I have to agree that it seems like maybe they're setting you up for sexual tension between Liz and Jack. That would be so unwise. It would be like when they tried to set up Mary and Mr. Grant. Stick to the basics. It's funny enough.

February 03 2007 at 1:39 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Diego M

this show is great it's a great compliment to scrubs and the office, one liners and crazy situations. the prince drinkin and dyin was great. Jenna grew on me a few eps back with the Rrrr Jrrrr haha.

February 03 2007 at 12:19 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jenny J

I totally agree with the previous comment--this show is the new Arrested Development!

February 02 2007 at 7:25 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
OneCharmingBastard

I was a little late to the "30 Rock" party - I think I started watching around episode 7 - but it has quickly become my favorite network sitcom since "Arrested Development" - Alec Baldwin is pure gold, and the whole cast is chock full of great performances (Kenneth the page is also a minor classic) - in many ways it is a latter day "Larry Sanders" in terms of pacing, and the one liners keep me and my friends chuckling all week.

PLEASE NBC - nurture this baby - it has the potential to become a classic -

February 02 2007 at 4:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
TomB

How funny was Paul Reubens?!? I thought I was going to die when he blew out his birthday candels.

February 02 2007 at 2:30 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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