The Week in Clack – RIP Ted Kennedy
Michael Jackson’s still making news, this time ensuring that his death was a tragedy. The official report out of the LA coroner’s office was that Jackson’s death was a homicide, brought on by the mixture of drugs he was being prescribed for his sleep disorder. So he very well may not have been too frail for those London concerts … but we’ll never know.
- In related news, A&E is going forward with the Jackson family reality show. Exploitation or honor? You decide!
- The passing of Ted Kennedy brought all kinds of specials honoring this last of the dynasty. Read the rest of this entry »
30 Rock Blew the Hatch when Jack and Kenneth played poker
Remember how 30 Rock and Studio 60 premiered at the same time, and everyone knew that there was only room for one “behind the scenes at a late-night sketch comedy show” series, and most people, it seemed, had their money on the Sorkin one? Before they aired, one of my friends even dismissed 30 Rock “the un-funny sitcom version” of what was sure to be the far-superior Studio 60.
Well that obviously turned out to not be true. But while Studio 60 became universally hated, 30 Rock was busy being universally ignored. No one I knew was watching 30 Rock. I fell instantly in love, but felt as though I were by myself. I tried to get my friends into it, but nobody was biting. Until, that is, Jack and Kenneth played poker.
30 Rock – Tracy plays the race card … literally
Hey everybody, I’m back! After my fun excursion to NPR-land last week, I have returned to save you from the scourge of Aryeh (just kidding, Aryeh). I thought last week was a funny episode. This post, however, is about this week’s episode.
Like last week, this episode probably wasn’t for you if you watch 30 Rock strictly for Jack and Liz. I happen to think that some of the supporting characters are really coming into their own this season. I’ve enjoyed most of the Jenna and Tracy stories this year. Yes, Jenna is annoying and self-centered, but that’s where most of the comedy with the character comes from. I understand that’s not for everyone, but I like it. Besides, if you don’t like her, at least you got to see her get attacked by a gibbon, right? And for anyone who claims that this show is too brainy: I would like to direct you to the farting writers’ room scene from this week’s episode.
30 Rock continues its downward spiral
In their infinite wisdom, the powers that be here at CliqueClack have given me the opportunity (yet again) to air my grievances about 30 Rock. Somebody’s asleep at the wheel!
And not only here; over at 30 Rock, as well. Bob’s recently been writing about the good run the show’s been on; permission to respectfully disagree, sir? Because, my God, has the show sucked lately!
Let me be clear: the writing continues to excel. As do Jack (Alec Baldwin), Kenneth (Jack McBrayer), and … right. But that’s about it. When Liz (Tina Fey) has too much to do (non-Jack related), or Jenna (Jane Krakowski) or Tracy (Tracy Morgan) are featured too heavily, 30 Rock sinks into the abyss. They’re capable of delivering solid lines (Fey continues to score in the writer’s room), but they’re just not pleasant to watch. I laugh sporadically during each episode, only to find myself somehow disappointed with it on the whole when it’s over.
However, as we have plenty of fans of the show here at CliqueClack, I’ll share with you some of my memorable moments from last night: Read the rest of this entry »
30 Rock – Page-ing Kenneth Ellen Parcell
I have a mixed relationship with 30 Rock. I tried it when it first aired on NBC back in 2006. I quickly passed. And, that had nothing to do with the fact that I loved Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip; the two have absolutely zero in common. Rather, it just wasn’t funny for me.
Zoom ahead six months, or so, to the spring of 2007. With nothing to do one day, I was surfing around NBC.com. Having already watched every episode of The Office more than a dozen times, I decided to try 30 Rock again. I watched the entire season, and, you know what? Still not laughing.
Then speed on to late summer, when NBC aired the final episodes from season one in anticipation of the new year. My wife and I, having nothing to fill our TiVo with (God, I miss those days now!), decided to try 30 Rock once more. Three times was not the charm.
However, she wanted to give season two a shot. We did, recording week after week of episodes, without being able to make up our minds. By mid-season, we realized that we’d seen so much we’d inadvertently committed ourselves anyway. So, we finally season passed it. It was nice not to have to remember to manually set the show to record anymore.
Anyway, to the point. We continue to watch 30 Rock today, and I’ll let you in on a little secret: still not so funny. Shh! Read the rest of this entry »
30 Rock – Crazy can’t get you out of jury duty in New York
Another week, another episode of 3o Rock full of laughs. I feel like the season has really been on a good roll for a while now. I’m not sure if it has something to do with the end of the long string of guest stars or not, but I’m happy about it.
This week featured Liz trying to get out of jury duty again. I really wish we could see Tina Fey dressed in her Princess Leia outfit every week. Good times. It turns out, though, that crazy may get you out of jury duty in Chicago, but it doesn’t work in NYC.
30 Rock – Tracy panics New York City
What a bizarre episode, and that’s saying something for a show like 30 Rock. Between Tracy causing a panic through the whole city, the writers tearing apart the office looking for Tracy’s stash, and Liz’s trek to get her cellphone back, there was a lot of craziness this week.
The highlight for me? That’s an easy one: it had to be Liz trying to pass off 99 Red Balloons as her grandmother’s German lullaby.
Most Commented (Past Week)