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 – Liz helps Jack save face, Frank helps Jenna lose some face
(Season 3, Episode 9 – “Retreat to Move Forward”)
Another episode devoid of guest stars, and another episode full of laughs. Even Salma Hayek got the week off in this installment, but I thought it was one of the stronger episodes of the season.
It had all the right elements — Jack and Liz being funny and adorable, Tracy and Jenna being crazy, Kenneth being “folksy,” and we even got to spend some time with the overlooked writers’ room, including appearances by Frank and Toofer.
Things that didn’t suck this week: Leverage, I love you, merry Christmas, and goodbye
I just remembered gravity… and the squishiness of all my manly bits. – Leverage premieres on TNT
So I don’t know why, but when I saw all of the commercials for Leverage, I wasn’t interested at all. I think it may have been the ads themselves: After seeing them practically every day, I still couldn’t tell you what the show was about. Maybe it was Timothy Hutton that I found off-putting, since he looks like a battered wife. I’m not sure what’s actually happened to him, but he looks like someone beat the crap out of his face and he’s wearing makeup to cover the bruises, but the swelling is still there, and you notice, but you don’t want to say anything because you don’t know what the actual deal is, and, well anyway, I heard good things about the show, so I checked it out. It’s pretty good.
Things that didn’t suck this week – crazy old rich ladies, lemons, outburts and Spock
“With my investment in this family, I think I should have some say.”– Virginia blackmails Gaby on Desperate Housewives.
I’ve missed Frances Conroy and sad Ruth Fisher since the end of Six Feet Under, so I was excited when she turned up on Desperate Housewives for a multi-episode arc as a crazy old rich lady. Virginia Hildebrand is the kind of desperately lonely person that you feel sorry for, but completely hate at the same time. She makes me uncomfortable, but is still eminently entertaining.
Things that didn’t suck this week – awkward moments, cursing and Keith Olbermann
amctv.com
“I could have had you in my life forever, if I wanted to.” Peggy tells Pete she’s not perfect on Mad Men
How awesome is Elisabeth Moss? When I’m watching Mad Men, I’m often distracted by the utter hotness of Jon Hamm as Don Draper, but damn, Peggy Olson is a great character. Along with her genteel ambition and mousy exterior, there’s a quiet desperation that runs under everything she says and does. It’s the yearning that I notice the most when I watch Moss play Peggy, but the scene in last Sunday’s season finale in which she finally tells Pete exactly what the result of their affair was, she reveals a strength that is pretty damn impressive.
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