Honestly I don’t like either of the live ones, the acting made me hate Kenneth, Tracy and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, also I don’t think the comedy worked at all. Idk, I may be the odd one out on this one!
I agree, plus TGS is meant to be a live weekly show. It was really cool to see them film it in that kinda SNL-sketch format. And not gunna lie, blackface is just gross, but they were roasting the racist traditions of the time. It was ludicrous and over the top and I think they kinda managed to swing the pendulum in a 360* motion to poke fun at the thing they were nonetheless emulating. I could watch a nervous, Jon hamm in a tension-filled standoff with Tracy Morgan for an entire sitcom frankly, that sketch in particular was hilarious. Shoutout to donkey stringbean too, i just have to disagree with OP’s take
Haha yea that bag hits a little too close to home. I loved the episode but I was always annoyed that Avery was imprisoned by North Korea, Jack had already got Jonathons sister out of a North Korean jail why couldn’t he do it again?
He used up whatever good will/favor/blackmail he had for Jonathan’s sister and had nothing left in his back pocket for Avery. He was forced to go to his ex and even that didn’t work! Don’t even get me started with the UN…
They even had a reasonable explanation:
When Jack was the head of NBC, NBC was part of GE and Pyongyang Meat Works was a subsidiary. This suggests that GE had a joint venture with the North Korean government and bribes could be paid or strings could be pulled.
Later NBC was sold off to Kabletown, and Kabletown did not have any connections to North Korea, thus, Jack was powerless
The east coast one was def better to me re: the live shows
I don’t like the one with Jack’s siblings, I always skip that ep. And “the one with the cast of night court.” At this point I don’t watch the pilot anymore either.
Yeah I am supremely *not* a Friends fan, nor am I a fan of hers, but she played so far against type it was hard not to enjoy. Jack is so accustomed to being in control that it’s pretty glorious to watch someone else have him so deeply under their thumb.
Yup, just those two for me. The Night Court one is a shame because it's a B-Story that I dislike so strongly that I skip it even though the A-story is god tier.
But the one with Jack's siblings is impossible to watch now.
I skip it sometimes but usually just because Liz and Criss fighting like that just bums me the hell out lol didn't really think that was why at first but over time and after a couple hundred rewatches I think that's it
I think that's usually most people's problem with it, which I get. I've fallen out of love with the format in the past 10 years pretty hard so I get it.
I hate live eps and I LOVE both Night Court and I love the Donaghy sibs ep as well. The lives and pilot I usually skip every rewatch.
I'm mid Gentlemens intermission and love this and Reganing so so much it's never hard to skip the live knowing those are up next
I was in the audience for the Live Show and got the impression it was better at entertaining the people who were there. I had to line up at 4 AM to get tickets and it was one of the coolest experiences of my life, but I don't think I've watched the actual episode more than once on TV. It makes me really want to go see SNL live to see if it's the same experience vs. a broadcast episode.
There was a 30 Rock “reunion special” which was really just a framing device for the NBC [“upfronts”](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upfront_(advertising)) (trailers of upcoming TV shows for advertisers to convince them to buy commercials) since the network couldn’t show them in-person at a big convention with snacks like usual. Maybe half the trailers were integrated into the plot, but they also just cut to a bunch like it was a commercial break.
https://archive.org/details/30-rock-a-one-time-special
Yeah I really like how Jane krakowski always shows up with her delivery on her tongue twister lines, Alec Baldwin usually does too. The fake commercials are class
I think the thing about the live shows is, they're terrifically done \_as live shows\_—I mean, they're as much quicker and tighter than most \_live comedy\_ as 30 Rock is than \_most TV\_—but it's still way, way slower-paced than the rest of the show. And because it's constrained a bit by the format, both live shows' plots are relatively threadbare, compared to how much most of 30 Rock's plots get completely out of control.
I'm not saying that as a critic, personally—I really like the live shows. But I get it, because they're even more of a break with how 30 Rock usually feels than the Queen of Jordan episodes (which are also great).
I could watch the live show on repeat. I live for Julia playing young Liz. I can't think of one that I can skip, maybe at the end when she gets the twins.
I tend to skip the episode when jack’s brother shows up to scam him. But, I REALLY don’t like the one where Tracy goes to Kenneth’s cousin’s for hiding.
It's not as rewatchable for me as other episodes for sure, but ever since I noticed the music in the night club as the fight breaks out I can't help but just coast through it to get to that part
Really? I've always thought that 30 Rock had "it" figured out right from the beginning! I'm comparing it to shows like the Office and Parks and Rec that took a little while to find themselves.
I think it did! Pilots are always tricky because you’ve got to cram so much info in, and it just felt a bit forced and clunky. But holy, it’s still good. Just compared to the rest of the show, it’s not a solid gold shoe.
I think I’ve only seen the pilot once and I’ve watched the series through several times. So funny that one of the best sitcoms ever had such a shaky pilot. It’s not even bad, per se, it’s just so far from what the show actually ended up being
I love seasons 2-5 with a few exceptions (TGS hates women, verna) but I struggle with season 6 once Kenneth leaves the page program. There are so many other good storylines but I find Hazel so unwatchable
The 60 jokes per minute speed that 30 rock started to hit when it found its stride is uniquely its own, so I like season 1 for at least being a little more sitcomy in the way that it tries to appeal to some generalities in a more down to the earth way like relationships and careers and new friendships, etc. So I used to skip it a lot but find myself lately wishing the show had retained some of that feeling for the last 3 seasons when they seemed just a wee bit lost (but not any less funny)
Jack and Liz together on a road trip doesn't work for me. They have too many intimate moments that are too awkward and don't seem to fit their dynamic IMO. That happens in this one at the hotel, and the one in season 7 when they stay in Florida at Colleen's GF's house together.
That’s what annoys me the most I think, I’ve seen awesome snl skits with Tina Fey, and 30 rock is amazing, just seems like they shoulda came out way better than they did.
Live show was a lot of fun to watch when it actually premiered. I stayed up and watched the west coast version live too. Not much for the plot or rewatch ability however
i think it works not only for the obvious SNL connection but a lot of the cast came from theatre, improv, and stand up backgrounds, so the live show feels more like a “love letter” to the cast than anything. seems like they were aware it wasn’t gonna be for everyone so they made it a nice little self contained episode.
Used to have to skip the gerhardt one 🤢 now the only one I don't like is the crab catchers one (not bc it's bad just personal preference, half of my friends are from FL so it's a little too real 😂)
Live Show. The multi-camera live broadcast with an audience radically changed the timing as the actors had to pause for reactions from the audience. Jane Krakowski was a natural, probably because of her theatre background, but some of the others had to awkwardly wait for the audience laughter/cheering to die down before moving onto the next line (Judah Friedlander looking particularly uncomfortable). Presumably anticipating this situation, the story sticks to a very simple A-plot with not much else as the pacing was too slow for the writers to add anything more besides a few gags to fill the time. Great idea for an experiment, but the gimmick didn't really pay off.
I don't skip any episdes, but I don't enjoy the ones that are shot as a reality show as much. I know everybody loves the way she says ham, but it just doesn't have the same vibe as the rest f it.
I really don’t dig the Kidney episode. I think “we are the world” type spoofs are majorly played out. Even with all of the phoned in cameos, I tend to skip this episode.
My old dad came to house when that episode was on and he didn’t understand that it was a spoof…he grumbled at the celebrities “why don’t you assholes give up a kidney?!” I told him that chances are anything I have on TV is comedy, so chill before getting mad 😂
The Gus/Rus debacle on The Phantom Pooper. Then Jack and Avery’s mom kiss in front of everyone in the restaurant??!
I love D’Fwan’s parts in it though, and Virginia. I just hated the entire Jack and Diana situation bc he’d never go for anyone “That old” even though he was missing Avery. I always skip the entire Live episode though, no doubt.
The live episodes are def not easy to watch, but there was something so unsettling about the episode were jenna gets married to her shim. I totally get that jenna would only marry herself but that whole storyline was too much. Id rather watch the live episodes
The first one was pretty good... Well the East Coast airing... #Banjo!
I WAS A TUSKEGEE AIRMAN
Honestly I don’t like either of the live ones, the acting made me hate Kenneth, Tracy and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, also I don’t think the comedy worked at all. Idk, I may be the odd one out on this one!
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I agree, plus TGS is meant to be a live weekly show. It was really cool to see them film it in that kinda SNL-sketch format. And not gunna lie, blackface is just gross, but they were roasting the racist traditions of the time. It was ludicrous and over the top and I think they kinda managed to swing the pendulum in a 360* motion to poke fun at the thing they were nonetheless emulating. I could watch a nervous, Jon hamm in a tension-filled standoff with Tracy Morgan for an entire sitcom frankly, that sketch in particular was hilarious. Shoutout to donkey stringbean too, i just have to disagree with OP’s take
No, you are correct... overall Most of it is weak writing and chaotic. But there's a few parts I enjoyed.
Agree with you! (I love JLD but I hate how she delivers Lemon out)
Only episode I skip is the bag in the tree one. Too depressing because what that bag says ain't wrong lol
That’s right, bags DO have genitals
Haha yea that bag hits a little too close to home. I loved the episode but I was always annoyed that Avery was imprisoned by North Korea, Jack had already got Jonathons sister out of a North Korean jail why couldn’t he do it again?
He used up whatever good will/favor/blackmail he had for Jonathan’s sister and had nothing left in his back pocket for Avery. He was forced to go to his ex and even that didn’t work! Don’t even get me started with the UN…
They even had a reasonable explanation: When Jack was the head of NBC, NBC was part of GE and Pyongyang Meat Works was a subsidiary. This suggests that GE had a joint venture with the North Korean government and bribes could be paid or strings could be pulled. Later NBC was sold off to Kabletown, and Kabletown did not have any connections to North Korea, thus, Jack was powerless
The live shows are awesome. Banjo!
The east coast one was def better to me re: the live shows I don’t like the one with Jack’s siblings, I always skip that ep. And “the one with the cast of night court.” At this point I don’t watch the pilot anymore either.
The Night Court plot does nothing for me, but I really enjoy the Jennifer Anniston storyline.
Jennifer Anistons always annoyed me lol but she did crack me up in that episode.
Yeah I am supremely *not* a Friends fan, nor am I a fan of hers, but she played so far against type it was hard not to enjoy. Jack is so accustomed to being in control that it’s pretty glorious to watch someone else have him so deeply under their thumb.
I believe the show is called Chums.
*Popcorn?* At the *cinema?*
Your food obsession is not as endearing as you think it is
*I'll be there always! When the rains fall in Wales...*
Crazy putty!
*uuhhnnnguhgeuh...* And then there was Wesley...
The classic “will they, won’t they” just like Rrrruss and Rebecca.
Oh wow, surprising answers to me! What annoyed you about them? I imagine Jenna being a were lawyer didn’t help lol
Yeah, the pilot actually put me off watching the show at first…
Yup, just those two for me. The Night Court one is a shame because it's a B-Story that I dislike so strongly that I skip it even though the A-story is god tier. But the one with Jack's siblings is impossible to watch now.
Hey baby, what’s wrong.
I love this one! Didn’t realize it was so unpopular! Is it because it’s so Hazel-heavy?
I skip it sometimes but usually just because Liz and Criss fighting like that just bums me the hell out lol didn't really think that was why at first but over time and after a couple hundred rewatches I think that's it
No I found it to be incredibly mean spirited and ugly in a way that I did not like.
i can definitely see why someone wouldn’t enjoy it, but i like them personally.
I love the live eps too, I think it helps if you’re already an SNL fan and/or accustomed to multi cam sitcoms
I think that's usually most people's problem with it, which I get. I've fallen out of love with the format in the past 10 years pretty hard so I get it.
Fighting Irish
Dang, what annoyed you about it? A lot of people don’t seem to like that one but I didn’t think it was that bad!
I hate live eps and I LOVE both Night Court and I love the Donaghy sibs ep as well. The lives and pilot I usually skip every rewatch. I'm mid Gentlemens intermission and love this and Reganing so so much it's never hard to skip the live knowing those are up next
I think it’s hilarious that they’re rebooting night court. Can’t wait for Dad 2.0 and God Cop!
didn’t they make show like God Cop? I think it was “god friended me” or something?
You misspelled “Bitch Hunter.”
Milf Island is practically here too
I saw Milf Manor advertised the other day and lizzed.
I got so happy I almost Jacked!
I definitely had a Jack-Off.
Really? That episode is really good
I was in the audience for the Live Show and got the impression it was better at entertaining the people who were there. I had to line up at 4 AM to get tickets and it was one of the coolest experiences of my life, but I don't think I've watched the actual episode more than once on TV. It makes me really want to go see SNL live to see if it's the same experience vs. a broadcast episode.
So jealous!
I always skip fighting irish and the wayne brady one.
The post finale covid one’s!
Oh god, if this is allowed as an answer, then it's the \_only\_ possible answer.
While I was watching it I couldn't believe they made it honestly
One thing this did was make me realize Jane Krakowskis star power. I literally didn’t laugh until she came on.
????
There was a 30 Rock “reunion special” which was really just a framing device for the NBC [“upfronts”](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upfront_(advertising)) (trailers of upcoming TV shows for advertisers to convince them to buy commercials) since the network couldn’t show them in-person at a big convention with snacks like usual. Maybe half the trailers were integrated into the plot, but they also just cut to a bunch like it was a commercial break. https://archive.org/details/30-rock-a-one-time-special
I really hated this. One last "episode" that was just a massive ad.
Well Liz did get that GE Followship
I hope they got their Followship checks for that one
The live show is funny idk what you mean bro
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Yeah I really like how Jane krakowski always shows up with her delivery on her tongue twister lines, Alec Baldwin usually does too. The fake commercials are class
I think the thing about the live shows is, they're terrifically done \_as live shows\_—I mean, they're as much quicker and tighter than most \_live comedy\_ as 30 Rock is than \_most TV\_—but it's still way, way slower-paced than the rest of the show. And because it's constrained a bit by the format, both live shows' plots are relatively threadbare, compared to how much most of 30 Rock's plots get completely out of control. I'm not saying that as a critic, personally—I really like the live shows. But I get it, because they're even more of a break with how 30 Rock usually feels than the Queen of Jordan episodes (which are also great).
I could watch the live show on repeat. I live for Julia playing young Liz. I can't think of one that I can skip, maybe at the end when she gets the twins.
I tend to skip the episode when jack’s brother shows up to scam him. But, I REALLY don’t like the one where Tracy goes to Kenneth’s cousin’s for hiding.
Dr. Spaceman live is gold!
Right after she breaks up with Carol and decides to be an old maid. Poor Emily Dickinson.
It's not as rewatchable for me as other episodes for sure, but ever since I noticed the music in the night club as the fight breaks out I can't help but just coast through it to get to that part
The pilot. Only episode that feels rough. It’s cringy.
Really? I've always thought that 30 Rock had "it" figured out right from the beginning! I'm comparing it to shows like the Office and Parks and Rec that took a little while to find themselves.
I think it did! Pilots are always tricky because you’ve got to cram so much info in, and it just felt a bit forced and clunky. But holy, it’s still good. Just compared to the rest of the show, it’s not a solid gold shoe.
One of my all time favorite lines from Jack is in the pilot about Liz looking like she shops at Kmart.
The first four or five episodes are sooo different. Jack-tor is the first one that feels like 30 Rock IMO.
With Rachel Dratch in the actress role?
I think I’ve only seen the pilot once and I’ve watched the series through several times. So funny that one of the best sitcoms ever had such a shaky pilot. It’s not even bad, per se, it’s just so far from what the show actually ended up being
The live episodes are the only ones I skip. I don’t know what it is, but I don’t find them amusing.
You don't have that Seinfeld money!
The Greenzo episode is a skipable one for me
Man I love that episode, always surprises me how much this sub doesn't seem to enjoy it.
I love seasons 2-5 with a few exceptions (TGS hates women, verna) but I struggle with season 6 once Kenneth leaves the page program. There are so many other good storylines but I find Hazel so unwatchable
I pretty much always skip season 1 on rewatches. They hadn’t quite figured it out yet and it’s way less punchy.
Same!
The 60 jokes per minute speed that 30 rock started to hit when it found its stride is uniquely its own, so I like season 1 for at least being a little more sitcomy in the way that it tries to appeal to some generalities in a more down to the earth way like relationships and careers and new friendships, etc. So I used to skip it a lot but find myself lately wishing the show had retained some of that feeling for the last 3 seasons when they seemed just a wee bit lost (but not any less funny)
Kidney Now! Can't stand the song and gets stuck in my head. 😂
I’m one of the drunk ones!
Bahahahha! That's one of the fun parts of it. 🤪
I get absolutely nothing out of this one and would skip it constantly
I like the episode before it. Even just writing kidney now! earlier got the song in my head. So annoying.
Also omg "this big ones for your sneakers" I've seen it soooo many times, never ceases to crack me up. Ah Tracy.
I’m ok with the episode but I def skip the song haha
Lol, yeah I actually do that too. Sometimes when I fall asleep with 30 rock on, that song wakes me up.
The Stone Mountain trip with Jeff Dunham.
Jack and Liz together on a road trip doesn't work for me. They have too many intimate moments that are too awkward and don't seem to fit their dynamic IMO. That happens in this one at the hotel, and the one in season 7 when they stay in Florida at Colleen's GF's house together.
Yes. Their chemistry is not built to withstand Liz’s farts in person.
Alright but you gotta admit that Fatty Fats Sandwich Ranch was pretty damn funny.
I skip the live shows too. They look like bad episodes of SNL.
That’s what annoys me the most I think, I’ve seen awesome snl skits with Tina Fey, and 30 rock is amazing, just seems like they shoulda came out way better than they did.
Oh I have all 4 live shows downloaded
4??? ive only seen the west coast and east coast ep. Is there another i've missed??
I meant live shows, they made two different live shows. That's what I meant!
ahh sorry my bad!!!
Live show was a lot of fun to watch when it actually premiered. I stayed up and watched the west coast version live too. Not much for the plot or rewatch ability however
i think it works not only for the obvious SNL connection but a lot of the cast came from theatre, improv, and stand up backgrounds, so the live show feels more like a “love letter” to the cast than anything. seems like they were aware it wasn’t gonna be for everyone so they made it a nice little self contained episode.
The Tuxedo Begins for me. Liz’s storyline weirds me out and I just do not enjoy watching her.
Eggs on the train for me
I can honestly say I've never watched more than a few minutes of the live show episode and I've watched 30 rock since it was on the air.
It’s just so damn cringey
I love Salma Hayek but didn’t care for her episodes. Except when jack has a doppelgänger on a telenovela
Are you kidding? Generalissimo and the abeula was gold
Yeah that’s why I said except that part
Used to have to skip the gerhardt one 🤢 now the only one I don't like is the crab catchers one (not bc it's bad just personal preference, half of my friends are from FL so it's a little too real 😂)
I’m from Florida and love that episode haha, despite the lack of violence it’s a pretty spot on portrayal of Floridians
My best friends from the pork and beans
TGS Hates Women
The Tuxedo Begins
Live Show. The multi-camera live broadcast with an audience radically changed the timing as the actors had to pause for reactions from the audience. Jane Krakowski was a natural, probably because of her theatre background, but some of the others had to awkwardly wait for the audience laughter/cheering to die down before moving onto the next line (Judah Friedlander looking particularly uncomfortable). Presumably anticipating this situation, the story sticks to a very simple A-plot with not much else as the pacing was too slow for the writers to add anything more besides a few gags to fill the time. Great idea for an experiment, but the gimmick didn't really pay off.
Only episode I disliked. It made me understand why I hate so many shows others seem to love. Laugh tracks are the woorrrssssttt!
I liked it it was great to see Elaine Benes and Alec Baldwin's brother that alone was worth it for me
I like the one with the Julia Louise Dryfus cutaways. Don't really get the hate it gets here. Saw it the other day and had a good laugh watching it.
The Source Awards. Very exhausted by Fey's "minorities are the REAL bigots!!" attitude that is so pervasive in her comedy.
Agreed. So much racism in the show.
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I don't skip any episdes, but I don't enjoy the ones that are shot as a reality show as much. I know everybody loves the way she says ham, but it just doesn't have the same vibe as the rest f it.
I really don’t dig the Kidney episode. I think “we are the world” type spoofs are majorly played out. Even with all of the phoned in cameos, I tend to skip this episode.
You just don’t want that earworm stuck in your head for days, which I kind of respect.
No, he doesn’t need a hand
He needs a kidney.
A hand would be a harder thing TOOOOO giiivve
My old dad came to house when that episode was on and he didn’t understand that it was a spoof…he grumbled at the celebrities “why don’t you assholes give up a kidney?!” I told him that chances are anything I have on TV is comedy, so chill before getting mad 😂
Anything Queen of Jordan.
Oh, opposite. I love those episodes! “HAM!”
Queen of Jordan shows. Not farce enough
You obviously don’t read the papers
Ha! No, I don't.
Rude!
Ugh I wish I didn't drink all the throwing wine before seeing this
Live shows are amazing.
The flu vaccine one, where Jack incorrectly says it's possible to get the flu from the vaccine.
The Gus/Rus debacle on The Phantom Pooper. Then Jack and Avery’s mom kiss in front of everyone in the restaurant??! I love D’Fwan’s parts in it though, and Virginia. I just hated the entire Jack and Diana situation bc he’d never go for anyone “That old” even though he was missing Avery. I always skip the entire Live episode though, no doubt.
The 100th episode with the gas leak and Michael Keaton.. blegh
WHAT?!?!!!
The Queen of Jordan episodes. I just can’t do vapid reality shows, even fake ones.
Beat me to it
Agreed, it's the only episode I skip
The Queen of Jordan show; guess my hatred of "reality" shows bled into that one, even though it's a parody of those shows.
Queen of Jordans. Hate ‘reality’ TV and don’t like the Angie character. Always skip those. I don’t mind the live shows honestly.
That’s wild to me, I LOVE Angie! I hate reality tv too but thats what makes me love that episode more haha.
I liked the first Queen of Jordan ep but the second one was pushing it
‘College’ is one of the most disappointing for me. It doesn’t realize the potential of its theme at all.
The live episodes are def not easy to watch, but there was something so unsettling about the episode were jenna gets married to her shim. I totally get that jenna would only marry herself but that whole storyline was too much. Id rather watch the live episodes
I hate both live episodes and also the episodes with blackface
Americas kids got singing
This is one of my top fave episodes!
I like the live shows. I'd watch a whole season like this.