Last night's episode had some hilarious moments.

JENNA: "This is the defining moment of my life! Not that hit and run!" LOL!

CERIE: "Oh I forgot. I got the birth certificate.

LIZ: "How did you do that?"

CERIE: "Oh well the guy just gave it to me..."

LIZ: (interrupting) "You will get old some day."

LOL!

"That's a dealbreaker, ladies!" (I'm using this s--- in real-life.)

"Why don't I have any other friends?"

"I struggled through that sentence."

"I'm gon' teach karate, and what not, to kids, or whatever." (Michael Benjamin Washington was awesome here as Donald.)

"It takes two to make a thing go right . . ."

"You're the funny one."

"The Tracy Jordan Institute for Black Karate."

This episode had a lot of setup for the finale, but it still had a bunch of great material in it. Alan Alda was pretty much perfect as Jack's dad, and this kidney storyline should be interesting for both him and Alec Baldwin. This should be an easy guest actor nomination for Alda. I loved Tracy's section with his fake son, and Michael Benjamin Washington's line deliveries were incredible throughout. I almost lost it with the "Tracy Jordan Institute for Black Karate" line. I hope that isn't a one-time appearance, b/c all of those scenes were great, and a return visit would be very welcome. I always like it when Liz and Pete team up for storylines. Jenna's part with the catchphrase and Liz becoming jealous was good too. The photo shoot was the best part of that with the rubber chicken bit, and once again I was taken aback by how strong a comedic presence Tina Fey has become on the show now. With that, the "Mamma Mia" tie-in, and Liz convincing Jack to go through with finding his dad through that bogus contest, she's more than come into her own as an actress, and she shouldn't be embarrassed anymore about winning acting accolades. I can't wait to see how they wrap up the season now.

Grade for "Mamma Mia": B

I do not usually watch 30 Rock, as I have seen almost a dozen episodes and do not find it funny, but I did see "Mamma Mia". First of all, I do not know what my problem is because my favourite sitcoms are Arrested Development, Seinfeld, The Office (both versions) and Flight of the Conchords, so the 30 Rock brand of humour and writing should be right up my alley--oh well. Anyway, I enjoyed "Mamma Mia", with my favourite part being the reference to NCIS and how old-skewing the show is in terms of its audience. I also liked Jack's fake fathers and their anecdotes and the explanation for the picture that was ultimately used for the magazine cover. Side-note: Tracy has gained a significant amount of weight in the last few years.

i really enjoyed the episode. They should make an episode all about Tracey's family. Sherri Shepard, the kid from "Role Models" and now his scam artist son! Brilliant!

Could be an episode submission.

A-

The first ten minutes was near-genius then the writing became shifty, trying to juggle all those sub-plot. Still, an out-and-out hilarious episode though. Wouldn't mind it being a series submission.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Brilliance inmorbid,

That was a hilarious episode.

I loved Jenna's 5 sec "That's a dealbreaker ladies" sketch. I would love to see more of it.

Actually, I'd love to see Jane Krakowski host SNL and reprise some of the skits that we've on this show.

This episode was a lot of fun, and had a ton of funny moments. It's nice that the show is rallying towards the end of the season.

Another decent episode...nothing special though. There was some laughs, but I didn't feel like it gelled well. Alda was fun.
B

I hate to be the dissenter, but I thought this episode was awful and highlighted most of the things that "30 Rock" does wrong.

1) Waste of a guest star. Alan Alda is a fine actor who just doesn't fit with this show. Jack's "Mamma Mia" plotline was only mildly amusing.
2) The inconsistency of Liz Lemon. Whenever they can find a way to humiliate Liz and put her in a bizarre situation everything we know about her character seems to fly out the window. The chicken birthing was no exception (even though Fey was quite funny)
3) Tracy Morgan's complete lack of acting talent. It seems as though 90% of the humor of Tracy Jordan comes from his labored, awkward line readings. Usually his character is used to perfectly accommodate that, but here it was highlighted.
4) Completely wacky segueways that just don't work. Whereas "Arrested Development" used these to absolutely brilliantly studied and satirical effect nearly ever time, sometimes "30 Rock"'s just feel like awkward filler, as they felt tonight.

To me this episode just highlights what I have believed about "30 Rock" since the pilot. When it's on, it's absolutely brilliant TV, but when it's uneven it falls with a very loud thud.

Grade for "Mamma Mia!": C
Grade for Season Three (so far): B+

Episode Title: "Kidney Now!"

Synopsis: The third-season finale closes with Jack trying to connect with his biological father, but the elder's health begins to suffer; Liz gains fame as a relationship expert.

Guest Stars: Clay Aiken, Alan Alda, Mary J. Blige, Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow, Adam Levine

Discuss.

That was fantastic!

The writing in this was so sharp. But that's what you'd expect from a Jack Burditt/Robert Carlock combo.

Jack calling it Rainstorm Katrina.
All the Dr. Spaceman stuff.

And that musical number was insane!

Liz as the relationship expert had me rolling laughing. I could watch a full 22 minutes of just her dishing out advice.

A very satisfying end to the season!
Grade: A
Season: A-. (B for the first half, A for the second.)

This could be a series tape.

I thought the first half of the season was MUCH better than the second. OMG, that bisexual line was HILAR! Great show!

quote:

Originally posted by MTSRocks:
I thought the first half of the season was MUCH better than the second. OMG, that bisexual line was HILAR! Great show!

Really? I thought the second half was way better than the first.

First part of the season:
Believe in the Stars
Reunion
Retreat to Move Forward
Generalissimo

Second Half:
St. Valentine's Day
The Funcooker
Apollo, Apollo
Cutbacks
Jackie Jormp-Jomp
The Ones
The Natural Order
Mama Mia
Kidney Now (I'm on the fence on this one, parts of it really worked for me (Liz's advice) and some parts didn't (Tracy's story)).

Really, there were only a few really bad episodes (Gavin Valure, Christmas Special) while there were okay episodes (The One with The Cast of Night Court, Flu Shot, and most of the Jon Hamm episodes).

I would probably rate this season as a B+

The episodes was just ok for a finale. Liz storyline was funny (and especially Jenna on that show with her half sister). I didn't like Tracy's storyline. It just fell flat.

LOL at Clay Aiken as Kenneth's cousin, Elvis Costello as an art thief and Sheryl Crow as Liz Lemon's old classmate.

The musical number was great with all the stars but I wish they didn't just end the episode with that.

Liz as the relationship expert will probably be expanded next season. We can also expect Alan Alda back.

Episode: B
Season: A-

This message has been edited. Last edited by: SkyLight,

I found this season finale a step up from last week's but quite underwhelming. Very little plot-wise happened here and the farcical plotlines were only partially successful. Tracy's fell flat with only minor laughs coming out of his high school graduation plot. Liz had some hilarious moments (especially the appearance of the wonderful Sherri Shepard and the scenes on the talk show) but was overall flat. Only Jack's charity song plotline worked and not because of the scenes with Alan Alda and Chris Parnell (who are usually great but were really given poor lines tonight), but surprisingly because of the onslaught of guest talent that was integrated into the show's humor surprisingly well. However, the most exciting part of the season finale was trying to point out every guest star (I didn't realize Norah Jones, Wyclef Jean, or Moby were there until I went on the web). And when the reigning Outstanding Comedy Series Emmy winner ends its season with an episode where the highlight is pointing out celeb cameos, you know something's wrong.

Grade for "Kidney Now!": B
Grade for Season Three: A-/B+

I do wonder if Tracy's plot was set up for him going to college next season? They just sort of used Tracy to use him tonight. For example that chicken/baby bit was just a huge set up so that Alan Alda could make the M*A*S*H reference (Awesome by the way.) But they didn't give any time to that story beyond the bare minimum. So I don't think it tarnished the episode to much.


I meant to do this before but Submissions:
Tape 1: "Reunion", "Christmas Special"
Tape 2: "Belive in the Stars" "Retreat to Move Forward"
Tape 3: "The Funcooker", "Apollo Apollo"

Also good: Generalissimo, St. Valentine's Day, Cutbacks, Jackie Jormp-Jomp, Wouldn't mind Kidney Now.

I think Office had a more consistent season (well post Stress Relief) but 30 Rock has some dynamite tapes. It's going to be a great show down! (And watch something else like Two and a Half Men win :P)

"Oh my, That's very urban!"

"Vontella don't care who Liz is!"

"Classic case of fruit-blindness."

"He thinks he deserves a va-ja-jay upgrade. He doesn't. He's not Tom Brady. Shut it down."

"Rainstorm Katrina."

"You should do a celebrity concert, like that gig I did to benefit old gays." (Ugh, please nominate Jane Krakowski this year, Emmys).

"Only one snake in the bed. Dealbreaker."

"We had quite a year./ What are you talking about? It's only May."

I thought that this episode was great, and it capped off a great season for the show. All of the music guest stars at least served a purpose (Beastie Boys! Sheryl Crow! Mary J. Blige! Elvis Costello and Clay Aiken feud! Cyndi Lauper drunk! Wyclef Jean! Michael McDonald! Norah Jones! Sara Bareilles! Adam Levine piercing the screen!) with Jack's dad benefit concert. Alan Alda was amusing, but last week is his tape. They've opened the door for a few new plotlines next season, like Liz as this relationship "expert," which Tina Fey was awesome in with those Vontella scenes, Jack trying to find his dad a kidney (I'm waiting for some scenes between Alan Alda and Elaine Stritch next season), and Tracy possibly going back to school (though he'd have to have his GED or something more than an honorary diploma). They have tape after tape ready to go for that third comedy series Emmy, and now with the sixth slots in play, Tracy Morgan and especially Jane Krakowski have a legitimate shot at nods this year, and maybe even wins.

Grade for "Kidney Now!": A-
Season Average: A-/B+

For tapes I'd go with:

series:
tape one: "Believe in the Stars" and "Reunion"
tape two: "Retreat to Move Forward" and "Funcooker"
tape three: "Apollo, Apollo" and "Mama Mia"

Fey: Reunion
Baldwin: Generalissimo
Krakowski: Retreat to Move Forward
Morgan: Gavin Volure
McBrayer: Cutbacks

I thought the finale was OK. As much as I love 30 Rock musicals ("Muffin Top" and "Werewolf Bar Mitzvah"), the one from last night did not measure up (except for the Beastie Boys and Cyndi Lauper). Plus, both Tracy and Liz's story-lines were week. Overall, it wasn't a very memorable finale or episode. Definitely should not be a submission for the show or any actors.

As a die hard 30 Rock fan, I would not be too upset if the show lost best comedy series to The Office. Overall, this season hasn't measured up to the previous two. That being said, they definitely have 6 tapes to win.

If both "I Believe in the Stars" and "Reunion" are on one tape, they pretty much lock up 1/3 of the vote. That combo is unstoppable! The third obvious choice is "Apollo, Apollo."

For the actors:
Fey: Reunion (She would have a shot with "I Beleive in the Stars" too)
Baldwin: Reunion
Krakowski: The Ones
McBrayer: Cutbacks
Morgan: ??? not sure ??

This message has been edited. Last edited by: clementine,

Tape wise, I'd say:

Tape A: "Believe in the Stars" and "Reunion"
Tape B: "The Funcooker" and "Apollo, Apollo"
Tape C: "Mamma Mia" and "Kidney Now"

Acting wise:

Fey: "Reunion"
Baldwin: "Generalissimo"
Krakowski: "Jackie Jormp Jomp" or "The Ones"
Morgan: "The Natural Order"

quote:

Originally posted by Moviemjk102:
Tape wise, I'd say:

Tape A: "Believe in the Stars" and "Reunion"
Tape B: "The Funcooker" and "Apollo, Apollo"
Tape C: "Mamma Mia" and "Kidney Now"

Acting wise:

Fey: "Reunion"
Baldwin: "Generalissimo"
Krakowski: "Jackie Jormp Jomp" or "The Ones"
Morgan: "The Natural Order"

Pretty much hit the nail on the head with those choices. For series, I might slip in "The Bubble" or "Retreat to Move Forward" somewhere. Otherwise, those are the best options.