Farewell: 30 Rock (Top Ten Episodes)

Its never easy saying goodbye to TV show, but at least it is exciting to watch when a show is allowed to end properly. Thankfully NBC's 30 Rock is one of those shows. Its actually shocking to believe that a critically adored, but low-rated show, with a joke-per-second ratio even higher than Arrested Development, absurd serialized plotlines, and more jabs at its own network than perhaps anyone else in the world, could last 7 full seasons and remain consistently funny. Even when 30 Rock wasn't "Reaganing," it still had us "lizzing" at one of the best comedies on television, featuring America's favorite coworker/little-brother/mentor/mentee/sister-ployee/work-oracle, Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) and Liz Lemon (show creator Tina Fey), a truly modern (and thankfully platonic) friendship between members of the opposite sex. Both wittily complex and hilariously stupid, 30 Rock was an especially original program that will be sorely missed by all who appreciate its zaniness and topical commentary. Join us as we send off this modern classic with a list of our top ten episodes in chronological order (an extremely difficult task, as any fan will know):

1. Jack-Tor (S01 E05) 30 Rock didn't take long to begin mocking the television industry, as this episode featured the first of many product placement gags as Jack tries to star in a corporate synergy ad.
2. Rosemary's Baby (S02 E04) Liz is inspired when she meets her writer/producer idol, played by Carrie Fisher (aka Princess Leia!), but soon realizes that Rosemary's '60s-era edgy wit has degraded into craziness.
3. Into the Crevasse (S04 E02) Jack must go deep into the darkness to fight off an attack from his nemesis Devon Banks (Will Arnett), while Liz must do the same to get Tracy off her back when he finds out her Dealbreakers book was largely inspired by him (so she lets him produce a porno on her life of course).
4. Dealbreakers Talk Show #0001 (S04 E07) Liz's rational personality splits when faced with the pressure of becoming a television star, forcing her to understand Jenna's insane diva behavior, while Tracy is quickly distracted by his dreams of having a daughter when he discovers EGOT.
5. Anna Howard Shaw Day (S04 E13) Tired of her perpetually horrible Valentine's Days, Liz attempts to skip the holiday completely with a root canal, leading her to see hallucinations of her exes; the douchey Dennis (Dean Winters), charming Floyd (Jason Sudeikis), and dumb-but-pretty Drew (Jon Hamm). Before the next episode where she finds out she met her "settle-mate," the British Wesley Snipes (Michael Sheen), in the recovery room. Meanwhile, Jack meets his future wife, CNBC host Avery Jessup, as the two flirt on her show.
6. Live Show (S05 E04) The first of 30 Rock's two live episodes, a strange fusion of styles, but hilarious nonetheless. Liz is upset that no one seems to have remembered her 40th birthday, while Jack is struggling with his promise to quit drinking while Avery's pregnant. The show's signature cut-away gags featured Julia Louis-Dreyfuss as Liz (being a live program so Tina Fey couldn't be two places at once), prompting Jack to tell her that she looks much prettier in her flashbacks.
7. Double-Edged Sword (S05 E14) Jack and Liz must deal with the consequences of dating someone so similar to themselves, as Jack and Avery struggle to escape Canada so their baby can be American, while Liz and Carol (Matt Damon) have a passenger vs. pilot stand off on the tarmac.
8. Murphy Brown Lied to Us (S06 E18) Liz reconsiders her maternal desires, so Jack sets her up on a blind date to reinspire her, since the date's young daughter happens to have a personality much like a young Liz.
9. Governor Dunston (S07 E02) Jack's plan to tank NBC with poor programming hits a snag when TGS' ratings surge thanks to Romney's new and ridiculous vice presidential candidate, who happens to look exactly like Tracy. Elsewhere, Kenneth's Mom (Catherine O'Hara) and Ron (Bryan Cranston) visit the studio.
10. Mazel Tov, Dummies! (S07 E07) After seeing how easy it was for a married Dennis Duffy to adopt, Liz and boyfriend Criss Chross (James Marsden) sarcastically propose to each other so they can start a family. Although she is at first adamant about her stance against the wedding industry, Criss and Jack help her realize she does want to be a princess (Leia) on her own special day afterall.

Honorable Mentions:
Cleveland (S01E20) Liz falls for the city and dreams of leaving New York with Floyd.
Ludachristmas (S02E09) Jack's mother (Elaine Stritch) attempts to prove that Liz's family aren't as perfect and happy as they appear.
MILF Island (S02E11) Liz schemes like the reality show's contestants to avoid taking the fall for accidentally calling Jack a "class A moron who can eat her poo" to a reporter.
Believe in the Stars (S03E02) Tracy and Jenna argue over which social class has it tougher (leading them to trade places, offensive makeup and all), so Liz invites a tween to come help, since hallucinogenic drugs made her think the girl is Oprah.
100 (S05E20) A gas leak causes trouble during TGS' 100th episode, leading Liz and Jack to question their relationship's benefits, while Jack hallucinates his past, future, and sideways selves.
Tuxedo Begins (S06E08) Jack and Liz emulate Batman and the Joker with opposing views on NYC.
A Goon's Deed in a Weary World (S07E11) Having risen to Kabletown CEO, Jack realizes that the best person to run television must be someone who loves television so he helps Kenneth fulfill his destiny. Meanwhile, the TGS crew help Liz put herself first for once so she can meet her newly adopted children (8 year-old twin versions of Jenna and Tracey, naturally).

Did I leave out your favorite episode? let me know in the comments or just offer up your favorite 30 Rock quotes and chracters!

So, How Is: Go On

Although there is no shortage of great and hilarious comedies on TV today (such as Parks and Recreation, Happy Endings, and Archer, just to name a few at the top), NBC's Go On, which currently airs in the extremely sitcom-crowded Tuesday 9pm slot, has proved to be the best one of the new season so far. Now about halfway into its first season, Go On has demonstrated itself to be much more than just "the Matthew Perry show," with a large cast made up of multidimensional characters instead of dull and over-done caricatures. These fully developed characters allow the show to be a true ensemble comedy, both funny and heartfelt, in the vein of Modern Family.

The premise has recent widower Ryan King (Matthew Perry) join a therapy group to work through his grief so he can go back to work. The role is another wisecracking extension of Friends' Chandler Bing, only as a sportscaster. Whether or not that sounds appealing to you, the real reason to tune in is for the rest of the stellar cast, led by Julie White as Ann, another widower in the group. While Ryan deflects his emotions with mockery, Ann coats everything in a bitter shell, still angry at her wife for failing to take better care of herself for her and their two kids (yes Ann is a lesbian, but that's merely an aspect of her character, rather than what defines it). Another member of the group who is much more than her character description is Sonia (Sarah Baker, Zach Galifianakis' wife in The Campaign), initially known as the crazy cat lady. Her comic timing works wonders when paired with any member of the cast and her sexual enthusiasm is always uncomfortably hilarious. Even the standard "probably actually insane one," Mr. K (Brett Gelman, who's beard should be familiar to comedy fans), has been giving both the group and the audience small insights into his life as a robotics technician, elevating him beyond just being Ryan's idolizer. Even the group's leader, Lauren (Laura Benanti), has been revealed to be only slightly more together than those she helps. With therapeutic training from Weight Watchers, Lauren's insecurities about her relationship with  her boyfriend Wyatt (a recurring Hayes MacArthur, another familiar face) have allowed her to be more than just the group's guide. So if you are able to stand Matthew Perry (which is probably a prerequisite since, lets face it, he is still the center), you'll be pleasantly surprised by this little show's fresh humor and genuine heart.

Why Aren't You Watching: Justified

Justified, currently airing its 4th season Tuesdays on FX (catch up online or with the DVDs), is an all around well-crafted series, featuring tense action and surprising hilarity. Although each episode often features a stand-alone case, plots often bleed into the next episode and there is always a season-long arc/villain as well. Based on the character created by novelist Elmore Leonard, the series revolves around Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens (the phenomenal Timothy Olyphant), after he is transferred from the Miami office for killing yet another person "who drew on him first." So although the killings are justified (hey that's the name of the show!), the constant investigations cause too many headaches and his superiors send him to Lexington, Kentucky, right near the criminal-run backwoods of Harlan County where he grew up.

In Harlan is where things get interesting for the Marshal, as he is reunited with his criminal (and slightly senile) father Arlo (Ramond J. Barry), and Boyd Crowder (Walton Goggins), an eloquent career criminal who worked in the coal mines with Raylan as a teenager. As a Marshal, Raylan's duties are more complex than a cop, allowing him to interact more freely with these characters and others, though these criminal interactions are usually pretty hostile of course. This is just one of the many ways in which Justified reveals itself to be, as star (and hands-on executive producer) Timothy Olyphant describes it, more of a comedy than a drama.

Although the criminals are dangerous, they are often pretty incompetent and fairly stupid, opening the door for a variety of comedic exchanges amongst themselves and with the Marshals hunting them. Raylan's boss Art Mullen (Nick Searcy) and fellow Marshal Tim Gutterson (Jacob Pitts) often exchange wisecracking insults, typically directed at Raylan and his tendency to find trouble, then quickly shoot it. Humor also arises in the clever narrative devices employed throughout the series, such as finding new ways for Raylan to dispatch his enemies than simply shooting them. The show can be consistent with a Western, with Raylan's choice of headwear and quick draw, but the setting and careful writing often take it into its own category. The series truly lives up to its Elmore Leonard roots, with memorable villains and dynamic characters wrapped up in gripping storylines, making Justified feel more like an expertly written neo-noir novel than a weekly television show.

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