3 recommendations

30 Rock

Editorial Review

Has this show gone off the rails, or is this wobbly instalment just a detour?

Program Summary

Channel:

Seven

When:

11:30 PM, Monday, 1 Sep 2008

Rated:

Type:

Comedy

Editorial Review

30 Rock follows the plight of Liz Lemon (Tina Fey), the female head writer of a sketch comedy show, as she endeavours to keep the show's outlandish star and ratings-hungry producer in check. Or at least that was the premise.

With the backside of season two of 30 Rock in sight, one can't help but notice a number of critical deviations from the series' original concept. For a start, protagonist Liz doesn't seem to care about her show anymore - an important point to overlook. Not to mention the cast appear to have readily accepted their fate as mere pawns in Jack's (Alec Baldwin) quest for network supremacy, and as a result all the delicious tension and conflict has disappeared. This instalment actually sees Jack giving Liz financial advice and sharing relationship issues.

Despite getting a little off track there are still some laughs to be had. The ensemble cast is still brilliant, and there are some gems among them: Baldwin is hilarious as Jack Donaghy, the show's improper executive, and Tracy Morgan is always good for a laugh as Tracy Jordan, the uproariously deranged star of TGS.

30 Rock airs on the Seven Network on Monday, September 1, at 11:30pm.

Katherine Scott, August 2008

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