Lithgow

30 Rock returns for a mostly guest star free episode (I’m not counting John Lithgow.) Going back to the multiple cast member plots format the show is known for is a nice return to form. 30 Rock has some of the best writing on network TV and the writers shine best when given the core cast of players rather than guest stars.

Jack is still carrying his torch for Elisa. To avoid temptation, he goes somewhere he’s sure will be woman-free. He joins the writers for their weekly nerd movie session. Frank and Jack’s late night heart to heart about their families and feelings with the mid eighties Bigfoot flick Harry and the Hendersons as a backdrop makes me chuckle even as I writ. Jack feels inspired by Frank’s admissions of regret about not finishing law school. Pulling some strings, Jack gets Frank a free ride to law school. After having dinner with Franks mom, Jack discovers that Frank comes from a long line of attorneys. Mob attorneys. To be more specific dead Mob attorneys. In order to drive him away from a career in law Jack reenacts a  scene from Harry and the Hedersons. Its drop dead funny.

Liz is still trying to adopt a baby. During a late night donut run, she meets a pregnant teen. Liz sees her opening and befriends the knocked up girl, imaging she may have a candidate for adoption. The girl confides in Liz that if she has a baby she’ll have to give up her dream of being a musician. Liz pounces and encourages her awful voice. Its pretty ugly actually even trying to keep the baby’s father away from the mother. Liz, inspired by the power of John Lithgow, relents in the end and the two lovers are reunited,

Jenna feels slighted by Tracey’s star power and throws a tantrum. Hoping to quell her ego, the crew plans a big birthday party. Kenneth destroys that as well after he discovers Tracey doesn’t have a birthday at all, and suggests the Jenna share her party with him. Tracey steals all Jenna’s thunder, but it backfires. Tracey in his insane rambling finds normal days more depressing now that there’s “no more cake in my mouth”.  Eventually the two egotists Jenna and Tracey rush to each other’s arms. Only these two could find solace in each other. Other than a few gags, it just doesn’t pay off.

Liz’s plot really didn’t work for me. I understand she has baby fever, but the gags just didn’t bear much fruit. Jenna and Tracey’s back and forth was full of their patented dim witted banter, but too didn’t have many good laughs. Jack and Frank, or more accurately Harry and the Hendersons was a knockout.