['30 Rock' - 'When It Rains, It Pours']

"Do not hire Sting to play the reception. He'll insist on doing jazz versions of Police songs and it's just ... demoralizing." - Jack's advice to his unborn son

For the past few seasons, fans and critics have been debating whether or not '30 Rock' has too many guest stars and too much stunt casting. I've often thought that they were just on the edge of having too many famous cameos, but it usually makes sense in that NBC/TGS world. That's why it's OK when a Jerry Seinfeld or a Matt Damon or a Brian Williams shows up.

And one of them showed up again tonight in a very funny scene that included another NBC News star.

Of course, there was yet a third guest star tonight, Paul Giamatti, but even that was OK. The guest stars they get either fit in because they're in the TV world (Williams, Andrea Mitchell) or they're the type of celebrity who would like '30 Rock' in real life and the role makes sense (Seinfeld, Damon, Steve Martin, Carrie Fisher, Elaine Stritch, a dozen others). Giamatti seems like he could be an editor at NBC, so the guest role didn't irritate or grate.

Of course, we'll probably never see Giamatti again, but there's a lot of turnover in TV, right?

One guy who is back at NBC is Kenneth. Last week I wondered how long they would keep him away. He was over at 'Late Show With David Letterman' and I bet they could have milked that subplot for a few more episodes. Maybe Letterman or Paul Shaffer could have guest-starred on the show. Yeah, I know, again with the guest stars, but it's TV and it would have worked.

But it's good that he's back at NBC for real, after running around in a cape like the Phantom of the Opera, fixing everyone's problems and subbing for Tracy as Angie gives birth while he's stuck on 'Cash Cab.' I really liked the Tracy and Kenneth plots this week, even if Kenneth's problem did have a rather quick solution from a happy Jack.

I'm also glad to see Jack and Avery actually remaining a couple. Some critics have welcomed the fact that the show is sticking with previous character arcs (Liz being in a steady relationship with Carol, Jack staying in a steady relationship with Avery, etc) and I'm in that group too. I guess it's really early in the season and we could still have Liz and Jack breaking up with Carol and Avery because ... well, Carol is Matt Damon and Avery is Elizabeth Banks and they have movies to make. But as I said last week, their jobs make it easy for them to only have to show up here and there so I hope the couples stick together.

If I were to guess which couple would break up it would be Liz and Carol, if only because Jack is older and richer and would want to settle down. We'll see how the plot develops.

More thoughts:

• I love how Richie was busy editing 'Today' footage about next month being October. That sounds like something that show would have, and I wonder if they had a segment like that this morning or will have one tomorrow?

• This is the second episode without Cheyenne Jackson. Let's hope he hasn't pulled a Josh.

• The book Grizz was reading? 'Urban Fervor,' the sequel to 'The Rural Juror.' Maybe that's a hint Jenna will film the movie later this season.

• I think I'm going to use the phrase "Whatevs, Tony Randall," no matter what the situation is

• As an Italian myself, I don't get Jack's "standing in the crowd" joke (below). Explain!

Quotes!

"Not because you're not cute, you are. Like a pretty refugee on the news." - Jenna, to Liz

"Hello Javery. Time-saver." Liz, to Jack and Avery

"This is just what I need ... to store my rock collection." - young Liz, raiding the liquor cabinet

"50 is the new 40. For men. 50 is still the new 60, for women." - Jack

"Whatevs, Tony Randall." - Liz
"Whatevs, indeed. Because that makes you Jack Klugman." - Jack
"Damn! I'm a writer, I'm messy, I'm a lovable curmudgeon. That is solid! Advantage Donaghy!" - Liz

"I'm werewolfing myself." - Tracy
"Sure." - Liz

"Cooking a French bread pizza' and 'forgot'." - Dotcom, listing reasons why Tracy missed the birth of his first two kids

"... and my mood ring! And I don't know how I feel about that." - Tracy, about his mood ring being taken away

"Will I even be there for his first subpoena?" - Jack, about being too old to see his son grow up

"And stand in the middle of a crowd like some Italian? I don't think so." - Jack, about leaving the building for the fire alarm

"Now, full disclosure, most of my experience is putting babies in women." - Dr. Spaceman

"Well I can't go backwards, but yeah I'm good." - Richie, on his hockey skills

"It's like I always say, white cab drivers are weird!" - Tracy

"It's very authentic, so don't play it around your black friends." - Richie, about his Civil War songs CD

"What the hell, Liz? I thought Richie was lying. You know, if you want to cheat on Carol with an Italian guy who smells like cigarettes, I've made it very clear that I would flip over my futon for you. Not cool!" - Frank

"Your new vibe is a double-edged sword. Much like the one Mickey Rourke tried to kill me with." - Jenna

"You know, neighbors my exact size don't die every day!" - Pete, after Liz got sauce on his shirt

"Do not hire Sting to play the reception. He'll insist on doing jazz versions of Police songs and it's just ... demoralizing." - Jack's advice to his unborn son

"Oh reallo? I meant to say really, I misspoke. Continue." - Liz, to Richie

"Drugs? During childbirth? Isn't the whole point to feel God punishing you?" - Kenneth, to Angie

"How many guys out there own a fully-loaded Toyota Tercel? Or a real pinball machine? How many guys have been to Canada ... twice?" - Liz, listing Richie's good points

'30 Rock' airs Thursdays at 8:30PM ET on NBC.

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