# 30 Rock - most overrated show for years? Or am I missing something? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 26, 2009, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-rock-most-overrated-show-for-years-or-am-i-missing-something/497670 "2009-05-26T13:43:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![choie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/choie/32/7829_2.png) [@choie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choie)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-rock-most-overrated-show-for-years-or-am-i-missing-something/497670/41 "2009-05-26T20:13:25Z")
OMG, people find differnt things funny! Stop the presses! I love _30 Rock_, _Arrested Development_, and _The Office_ (US). I hate _South Park_ and _Family Guy_. Does that mean people who think otherwise are wrong, bad, dumb, unable to recognize good or bad comedy? Nope. There is _nothing_ as subjective is humor, and it’s amazing that people get so damn offended (and/or vitriolic) when others admit to liking or disliking different shows. Nothing wrong with being passionate, but dayum. It usually takes me about four episodes to decide whether a show’s gonna grab me or not. (_The Office_ had me with the first two eps I saw, which were “Performance Review” and “The Injury.”) That was certainly the case with both _30 Rock_ and _AD_. These are strange fictional universes and for me, it took some time to get into the groove. I fell for the rapid-fire wit, both the smartness of the dialogue coupled with the undeniable silliness, and the talent of the cast. I’m attracted to behind-the-scenes looks at showbiz and that was a big help too. The self-deprecatory slams at the show itself and NBC are always fun. And I’m a particular rarity because while I went in certain I’d hate Tracy Morgan, Tracy Jordan has turned into my favorite character on the show. His vacillations between lecherous playa and oddly childlike vulnerability – and above all, the way he displays both ends of his personality spectrum with complete wholehearted sincerity – crack me the hell up. And his line readings are gold. Jane Krakowski is fabulous, and I also thought I’d dislike her. Of course, Alec Baldwin is perfection (and yes, that “It’s after six, what am I, a farmer?” is the best line of the series, IMO) and I’m surprised anyone finds his performing style _mugging_ – Jack is usually pretty low key and controlled, with notable exceptions such as the absolutely brilliant bit where he roleplays Tracy’s entire family and next door neighbors as stereotypes from _Sanford & Son_ and a variety of Norman Lear comedies. If _NewsRadio_ was hopped up on laughing gas, it’d be _30 Rock_. Love 'em both. ---
**Author:** ![Jester](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jester/32/8223_2.png) [@Jester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jester)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-rock-most-overrated-show-for-years-or-am-i-missing-something/497670/42 "2009-05-26T21:03:18Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > And that’s the entire problem. There _are_ no characters in the show – just eccentricities and absurdities that appear at whatever random point they’re needed to get a laugh. > > Compare that to **Arrested Development** , where all the characters were extremely well-defined and were funny because they’d behave just as we should expect them to behave. **Thirty Rock** just does anything for a laugh, ignoring any sort of consistency of character. > > There are a few funny moments in each episode, I’ll grant. But the show keeps shouting at you “WATCH ME WATCH ME THIS IS FUNNY!!” **Arrested Development** knew things are funnier when the humor is understated; **Thirty Rock** never understates anything. > > Compare the show to **Mean Girls** and you can see that Tina Fey is better than this. I agree that it can feel a bit cloying at times, but I don’t agree that all the zaniness is completely arbitrary from character to character. It might’ve been me misspeaking in my last post, but the quirks assigned to each character are pretty obviously specific to that character (Jack is rich, Liz is insecure, Tracy is oblivious, etc.). What I find funny is the way that the quirks for each character manage to build on and one-up each other, in very surprising and delightful (for me) ways. I’d look at **Family Guy** as an example of a show where the gags really are not in any way tied down by character. **30 Rock** is a far more grounded in its randomness and, in my opinion, better for it. ---
**Author:** ![BrandonR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-rock-most-overrated-show-for-years-or-am-i-missing-something/497670/43 "2009-05-26T21:57:04Z")
Why do people even try to judge an entire series (with 3 seasons and counting) by a single episode? Do you seriously think you can get a proper feel of the characters and various situations of the show from watching one random episode? Even beyond that, every show has its good and not-so-good episodes. I think 30 Rock is a funny show when its not delving into Liz’s (Fey) personal dating life and when it focuses more on the show (which is obviously a parody of SNL). Give it a chance and perhaps watch a few more episodes before casting judgment. ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-rock-most-overrated-show-for-years-or-am-i-missing-something/497670/44 "2009-05-26T21:57:13Z")
> [@choie](#): > > And I’m a particular rarity because while I went in certain I’d hate Tracy Morgan, Tracy Jordan has turned into my favorite character on the show. His vacillations between lecherous playa and oddly childlike vulnerability – and above all, the way he displays both ends of his personality spectrum with complete wholehearted sincerity – crack me the hell up. And his line readings are gold. I’m also going to rise to Tracy Morgan’s defense. I had no idea who he was before 30 Rock, having not seen SNL for quite some time. So he was a blank slate to me, and I’ve enjoyed learning about his character’s background. Although I don’t think he’s the best part of the show, he consistently makes me laugh. It must be fun writing all of the non-sequitors and general weirdness for his character. Alec Baldwin is terrific. Can’t believe he’s the same guy who was in Hunt For Red October. My favorite Jack moment from 30 Rock was the first episode dealing with his mother calling him. His assistant Jonathon freaks out when he realizes he’s failed to screen the call. We hear screaming and crashing noises. Then Alec Baldwin comes out red-faced and rasps… “Who let 407 through? Jonathon, we have DRILLS for this!!!” ---
**Author:** ![Pyper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Pyper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pyper)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-rock-most-overrated-show-for-years-or-am-i-missing-something/497670/45 "2009-05-26T22:17:54Z")
What I love about 30 Rock is that it is wacky, but only 1 degree of wackiness removed from real life. Like NBC is owned by GE which is owned by the Sheinhardt Wig Corporation. Or you could almost imagine Fox airing a show called “MILF Island.” ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-rock-most-overrated-show-for-years-or-am-i-missing-something/497670/46 "2009-05-27T00:10:13Z")
Count me as another fan of 30 Rock. I’ve been watching the show on DVD, one episode at a time every few days (as I watch many shows), and I have been burning through the episodes faster than with any other show I’ve ever watched on DVD, and have to force myself not to go through them even faster. Some of the things they come up with are really inspired. I like it better than _Arrested Devlopment_, maybe because I find the characters actually likeable and the situations are a teensy bit closer to reality and believability, but there’s still plenty of silliness. And I like Tracy Jordan. I agree with what **choie** says. I loved _some_ of what he did on SNL (“I’m Brian Fellow!”) but think he’s limited and suspect his schtick only works within a relatively narrow context. But _30 Rock_ plays to his strengths. ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-rock-most-overrated-show-for-years-or-am-i-missing-something/497670/47 "2009-05-27T00:25:44Z")
> [@choie](#): > > Of course, Alec Baldwin is perfection (and yes, that “It’s after six, what am I, a farmer?” is the best line of the series, IMO) and I’m surprised anyone finds his performing style _mugging_ – Jack is usually pretty low key and controlled, with notable exceptions such as the absolutely brilliant bit where he roleplays Tracy’s entire family and next door neighbors as stereotypes from _Sanford & Son_ and a variety of Norman Lear comedies. This was the first episode that I saw, and it completely hooked me. Jack’s roleplaying and Tracy’s admonishment to “not get racist,” coupled with the shrink’s absolute _horror_ at what was happening (“This is just _Happy Days_ now”), just killed me. That would have been enough on it’s own, but it’s also the episode where Liz meets her comedy idol, played perfectly by Carrie Fischer. I knew I would love the series forever when Jack looks at Liz with shock and says, “What are you? An immigrant?” I also agree that it’s just one step away from reality. I mean, MILF Island is funny, and it’s even better now that TVLand has had a series called “The Cougar.” And I could totally see NBC trying to get away with something like Seinfeldvision. ---
**Author:** ![choie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/choie/32/7829_2.png) [@choie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choie)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-rock-most-overrated-show-for-years-or-am-i-missing-something/497670/48 "2009-05-27T01:42:33Z")
I think I remember the bit that really sold me on the show – when Jack referred to his current girlfriend – “a prominent African American in the Bush Administration” – as his “neo-con inamorata.” ---
**Author:** ![AdmiralCrunch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6f9a4e/32.png) [@AdmiralCrunch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AdmiralCrunch)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-rock-most-overrated-show-for-years-or-am-i-missing-something/497670/49 "2009-05-27T02:46:02Z")
> [@choie](#): > > If _NewsRadio_ was hopped up on laughing gas, it’d be _30 Rock_. Love 'em both. I think I love you. Anyway a couple points late to the game [ul] [li]Stop comparing comedies to Arrested Development. It’s an impossibly high standard of subtlety and craft. [/li][li]30 Rock isn’t a laugh a minute show for everyone. What I love is the one or two brilliant lines per episode that leave me in stitches, plus the hit-and-miss average other parts. [/li][li]Tracy Morgan is a deconstruction of stereotypical black humor and spoiled celebrity humor. He frequently takes a regular black vs. white observation to an absurd extreme. I found him excruciating on SNL, but he’s my 2nd favorite character on the show now. “I was in an adaptation of that movie, A Blaffair to Rememblack.” In fact, I found Chris Parnell and Tina Fey painfully unfunny on SNL, but rewarding on 30 Rock. [/li][li]Watch Glengarry Glenross and then watch Alec Baldwin on 30 Rock. And Jack’s on-camera intro in his construction-zone office is great. [/li][li]If you’re still confounded, try watching the same episodes again, I didn’t like the show the first time I saw it, and upon re-watching I found the same episodes great.[/li][li]Dr. Spaceman is pure gold.[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Frostillicus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Frostillicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frostillicus)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-rock-most-overrated-show-for-years-or-am-i-missing-something/497670/50 "2009-05-27T02:50:17Z")
I love 30 Rock. I also loved Arrested Development and Scrubs. Go figure. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-rock-most-overrated-show-for-years-or-am-i-missing-something/497670/51 "2009-05-27T02:57:52Z")
What **AdmiralCrunch** said seconded. At first I found Tracy Jordan off-putting and unfunny but now he cracks me up. “Sheinhardt Wig Company: Not Poisoning Rivers Since 1997” If you don’t get it you just don’t get it and I don’t know how to help. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-rock-most-overrated-show-for-years-or-am-i-missing-something/497670/52 "2009-05-27T05:44:01Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > It’s derivitive? I find it to be one of the least derivitive shows out there. And you haven’t noticed that Tiny Fey plays Mary Richards, single girl producer; Alec Baldwin plays Lou Grant, crusty but respected get it done boss; Tracy Morgan plays Ted Baxter, talentless talent and the writing crew plays Murray and Sue Ann? The setting is switched from a news station to a comedy variety show and the jokes borrowed from other shows. But borrowed well. I tolerate Tracy Morgan in this show, but the only thing he was ever funny in was Astronaut Jones. I can see how the show isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but it is the funniest thing on TV besides The Daily Show. ---
**Author:** ![SmackFu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-rock-most-overrated-show-for-years-or-am-i-missing-something/497670/53 "2009-05-27T20:27:47Z")
Such a fine line between “I don’t find it funny” and “it’s not funny”. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-rock-most-overrated-show-for-years-or-am-i-missing-something/497670/54 "2009-05-27T20:37:56Z")
_30 Rock_ is funny. It was scientifically proven in a series of controlled peer experiments at the UCLA School of Comedyology. So those of who don;'t find it funny obviously are anti-science. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-rock-most-overrated-show-for-years-or-am-i-missing-something/497670/55 "2009-05-27T20:45:17Z")
Jack’s lines and delivery make me laugh out loud more than a few times per episode. There’s no show currently on TV that will do that for me. Liz: Do you want a hug? Jack: What is this? The Italian Parliament? No, thank you. Funny, but funnier when you hear him [deliver](http://www.entertonement.com/clips/jyfylgwqgx--What-is-this-the-Italian-parliament) it. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2009, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-rock-most-overrated-show-for-years-or-am-i-missing-something/497670/56 "2009-06-09T23:44:39Z")
Whether you love the show or not, [this is a funny article](http://bloglynch.blogspot.com/2009/06/30-rock-is-rip-off-of-muppet-show.html) on the show’s unsung source of inspiration. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-rock-most-overrated-show-for-years-or-am-i-missing-something/497670.md?page=2)