One of the best lessons that Seinfeld taught TV networks is that it really isn’t important to have life lessons built into prime time sitcoms. 30 Rock has been a great torchbearer for that sentiment. The biggest emotional reach they decided to take in setting up this week’s season finale was to have Jack find his long lost biological father.In an attempt to generate more interest, the long lost father is in need of a kidney. Despite that somewhat lame cliffhanger, 30 Rock did try to deliver some season ending fireworks via a round of high powered musical guest stars.

After barging in on Jenna’s newfound stardom, Liz goes on a daytime talk show giving relationship advice. Despite being a total wreck herself, Liz is a smash hit. She hands out the same meaningless catchphrase “that’s a deal breaker” over and over to the delight of squealing women. Liz for the first time, is getting recognized.

While hesitant at first, Jack becomes enamored of his new found liberal father. After testing the two and finding their kidneys are not a match, Jack is off the hook. However, Jack has taken a shine to his new father and he pulls out all the stops to create a “charity” with the sole purpose of getting his father a kidney. Elvis Costello, Clay Aiken, Wyclef, Sheryl Crowe and a whole gang of others are assembled to awkwardly sing a crazy tribute to Jack’s father and his need for a new kidney. Its very funny and it was impressive to see all the musicians having fun playing with their public images.

Its was a good episode to be sure, but it seemed like a low note to end a season with. Though the episode was still better than any episode of Kath and Kim, I expected more as a wrap up to 30 Rock’s most successful season. Never the less, I hope we’ll get to see more of Alan Alda as Jack’s father next season. Plus the fact that a quirky and smart show like 30 Rock is safe from cancellation should be comforting. I hope we get to see Tina Fey and the rest of the writers feel some of the freedom that comes with that success and take a few more risks as well.

30 Rock has gotten attention as being a show created mostly for liberals. With Tina Fey’s Sarah Palin impersonation and Alec Baldwin’s very active political endorsements, its hard not to agree with that. Compared to the first two seasons however, the third season has been relatively independent. This weeks episode might show a return to the leftist bent of the past two seasons just in time for the season finale.

The show left us with a minor cliffhanger last week. Jack discovered that the man he thought was his father was not. So with Liz egging him on, Jack goes on the hunt for his real father. Jack hires his shady PI, played well by the terrific Steve Buscemi, to find his father. The Investigator returns with a list of three possibilities. Pushing him toward a “Mama Mia” moment, Liz summons all of the men who could be his father. Its immediately obvious who Jack’s father is. Mr. Green, played by Alan Alda is the opposite of the corporate conservative Jack. He’s extremely liberal, possibly Jewish and worst of all, in need of a kidney. Jack’s decision with the kidney is left for next week.

Jenna is finally having some success on the show with a new catchphrase. Its a line that Liz wrote, but that Jenna is getting all the credit for. Liz’s frustration boils over when Jenna is asked to be photographed for a magazine article proclaiming her the funniest woman in the world. Insisting she gets credit too Liz tags along, eventually stealing the spotlight from Jenna but not before making an ass of herself.

Tracey annunces he has an illegitimate son who he has been supporting financially for the last three years. Though the cast eventually tells him that this man is probably not his son, Tracey explains that he knew the whole time and that he was supporting the scammer as some sort of charity work. Tracey continues to be both stupid and wise.

30 Rock, like most comedies, probably doesn’t feel the need to ramp up tension in order to try to get viewers to tune in for its season finale. The Jack’s long lost father who needs a kidney story is as close as they’ve come. Although I’d love to see more of Alan Alda, I’m not sure that he’s a compelling enough twist to carry viewers through the summer rerun break. Regardless of that, 30 Rock has settled in to be one of the most successful comedies on TV.

A general running theme in almost every episode of 30 Rock is the idiocy of the entertainment industry. Stars are always self-centered and dumb and the writers always nerdy and awkward. This episode drove that point to the hilt.

Claiming he’s tired of being treated differently, Tracey literally plays the race card saying that Liz treats him like monkey. Tracey even goes so far as to get a actual monkey to replace him. Liz challenges Tracey to show up on time and do his work just like all the other staff. He does. For a day, he’s on his best behavior. Eventually, he turns the tables on Liz and forces her to do physical work as a sign of ‘equality’. There’s a long shot of Liz trying to refill the water cooler, which turns out great. Its classic physical comedy, which Tina Fey pulls off surprisingly well.

Jack’s bulldog-ish mother is also featured this week. In from Florida, Jack discovers that she’s brought a man with her. Conflating his revulsion for her mother’s new boyfriend with his feelings of abandonment from his father, Jack decides to investigate and discovers he’s a married man. Again confusing this new man as his father, he confronts  him. In the ensuing argument with his mother, Jack discovers that the man he thought was his father may not be. Also we find out that Florida retirement homes are for swingers. Which is its own set of sillyness.  In a final ‘twist’ Jack realizes that his father may not actually be his biological father at all.

As Tracey’s plan to get revenge on Liz unravels, the two switch roles. Liz is forced to go out to a strip club with the writers and Tracey must stay at the studio working. Not surprisingly, it drives both of them to tears and reconciliation.

Good job again from Fey and company. I was really impressed by the ammount of physical comedy Fey brought into this episode. She certainly isn’t known for it, but she came through with flying colors.

(S02E22) “Chuck vs. the Ring”

As far as season finale’s go, I’m saddened to admit, Chuck’s was a bit lacking. Not only is this a season finale, it may be a show finale. For a series filled with spies, humor and romance, I expecting it to go out with more of a bang. Not that two weddings, a shoot out and the shows biggest stars coming together is going out with a whisper; far from it.

Perhaps if we had not hit a sadly expected “to be continued” at the end, I’d feel a bit better about it all. Or if the spies who came in to overpower both fulcrum and the government had more of an introduction and explanation. Even Chuck’s new found kung-fu power seemed just a tad too random.

In the end we’re left with a happily married Ellie and Awesome. Orion/Dad is back in the family with a warm welcome. Sara gave up a life of espionage with Bryce in order to stick with Chuck. Even Casey looks like he’ll have his happily ever after, filled with guns, manpower and control. Then there’s Chuck. Forever stuck as the governments pawn. It’s so disheartening. Moreover, it’s so just like every other episode where he almost gets his freedom then “poof” gone a second too soon. Bummer, that’s all I can say.

30 Rock is right back this week with a surprisingly tender episode. Filled with stories of long term commitment, blossoming love and snuggies. Love is in the air, but for perhaps the first time, not from poor star-crossed Liz.

Jack’s lost love Elisa returns this week. Its always welcome to have the crazy hot Selma Hayek on screen, but she just wasn’t that good this week. She comes to Liz behind Jack’s back to tell her the real reason she left town. Years ago in a jealous rage, Elisa killed her husband. She fears that if she and Jack get married, her insane jealousy will once again strike.

Worried about his ability to commit to one woman, Jack turns to the only married person in the cast, Tracey. He and Tracey go out to a strip club and after discussing their love lives, Tracey admits that he’s been faithful to his wife all these years. Inspired by this surprise announcement, Jack decides to go through with his proposal. Unfortunately, they eventually decide that it won’t work and Elisa makes her inevitable exit from the show. It’ll be sad to see her go (again) but it was expected.

There were two real comedic highlights. The first really doesn’t need to be explained, its so simple and sophomoric that no description is needed. Its described by one line by Mrs Hayek. “Liz, shouldn’t you be trapping farts under your snuggie?” The second is Tracey. As usual Tracey as the uber-rich man child is simply hilarious. For me, week in and week out, Tracey is the highlight of the show. This week was just a prime example of why.

(S02E21) “Chuck vs. the Colonel”

Will Chuck be returning next year? The jury’s still out on that one. However, I believe that if they can step up next season like they were able to do for these past few episodes, they could definitely start gaining back a little audience appreciation. I actually had to double check my TV listing to ensure that tonight’s excellent episode wasn’t the season finale, it was that good.

Orion has been saved! Better yet, the intersect is, once and for all, out of Chuck’s head. I mean really, why would they not save a little bit of that for the conclusion? Don’t worry, the finale will still be interesting. Seeing as the mastermind bad guy survived and is en route to Ellie and Awesome’s wedding, the spy drama is far from over.  More exciting than that, it appears as if the whole team will be fighting together on this upcoming mission.

It was so cute to see Casey struggle with his inner soldier in order to join Sarah and Chuck as they saved Orion. I almost wanted to shed a tear as he stood by  Sarah and informed the General that this whole time Sarah was acting for the better good of the country while undercover instead of actually acting on pure emotion as she saved Chuck. Ok, so I didn’t actually cry, but still, it was a touching moment. As was the slow clap Morgan received as he exited Buy More for the last time ever.

Now I must know, which was your favorite Chuck moment?

Last week Liz’s attempts to thwart budget cutbacks on the show led to a trumped up sexual harassment charge. This week as part of her suspension Liz must spend two weeks away from the show. Its the only time she’s ever been absent from the show’s taping. Not surprisingly, the show falls apart without her.

Jenna’s unapproved Janis Joplin pic has stalled and in order to drum up interest Jack decides to have Jenna fake her own death. Kenneth’s crush on one of the show’s dancers lead Tracey to fire one dancer, losing all of them in solidarity. Tracey replaces them with transvestite hookers and Jenna’s phony memorial is accompanied by classical violin, transvestites and Jenna herself who is so vain she was unable to resist the spotlight of her own fake death tribute. Its the usual ego driven disaster.

What is surprising is what Liz finds while she’s away. Desperate for something to do, Liz meets a gaggle of ex-career women and rich divorcees. They spend their day getting massages, attending yoga classes and drinking. Though Liz tries to resist, pretty soon she’s up to ears in lost days and relaxation. There’s always a catch though, as in the end we find out the ladies are actually a fight club and Liz must fight her way out.

A solid episode from 30 Rock, if not a spectacular one. Even with her buddy Amy Poehler joining her on NBC Thursday nights, Tina Fey is still queen of cute mousey prime time SNL alumni.

(S02E20) “Chuck vs. the First Kill”

Poor Big Mike. On tonight’s Chuck, Emmett gets sneaky and tricks Morgan into leading a group brown-nosing session where all hail to Chief Emmett in order to get him out of the store and onto better things. Unfortunately, what Morgan and the rest of the crew fail to realize is that Buy More’s corporate manager wasn’t there to evaluate Emmett, but instead Big Mike. The very man they sent on a fishing trip for the day while the store was left in Emmett’s “safe” hands, ends up demoted and miserable.

The Buy More crew weren’t the only one being used and abused. In a desperate attempt to break his dad free from harm, Chuck turns to ex-girlfriend/fulcrum agent Jill who eventually leads them to a Fulcrum cover building where recruitment as well as holding cells are used in exchange for her own freedom, a freedom Chuck and the crew never plan on showing her. However, after Jill proves useful, Chuck realizes that he may not have a lot, but he does still have his word and he cuts her loose.

The General, less than thrilled that Jill is now running free and Orion is still MIA, instructs Casey and Sarah to trick Chuck into their custody where they’ll take him underground and destroy any hopes of his having a normal life. Basically, they’re planning on putting him into a nice little prison where his problems no longer have to be there own. Casey shows no hesitation but Sarah, of course, is not ready to let her almost-boyfriend go. After a final show of humanity and trust by Chuck, Sarah decides that keeping him alive and in a somewhat semblance of normal is more important than government orders. The pair are now AWOL and soon to be hot pursuit from the government.

There’s plenty of big questions to be answered this season. Will Orion be saved? Will he be able to get reverse the damage that the intersect has done on Chuck’s brain and personal life? Will Sarah and Chuck ever be able to experience a normal relationship? However, the question I’m most curious about at the moment is, which side will Casey choose? This Regan-loving, all-American soldier sure does find pride in his CIA roots, but one has to wonder if there will ever be a time when humanity will win out over patriotism. Something to ponder anyway.

TGS has reached its 50th episode but due to the economic downturn, cutbacks are being made. Kenneth is enlisted to replace Jonathan, Jack’s assistant. Sadly, Kenneth can’t get the hang of the workload. Because of his overwhelming burdens, Kenneth asks Tracey to feed his pet bird. He mysteriously warns Tracey not to enter his bedroom while there. Being an over grown child, Tracey is curious and terrified. After enlisting the equally dimwitted Jenna, they come to the conclusion that Kenneth must be some kind of pervert or serial killer.The two decide to risk it and open the door only to discover that Kenneth had set off a bug bomb. In their haste to escape they leave the door open, killing Kenneth’s pet bird.

NBC’s parent company has enlisted a headhunter to come in and trim the budget fat on TGS. Liz decides to try to save the show from cutbacks. Even creating a Steve Jobs style presentation. Despite this, Liz is forced to find a way to cut the budget by twenty-five percent. Unable to bring herself to make the cuts herself, she attempt to seduce the budget manager sent to do it for her. Though the seduction is a success, the manager doesn’t reciprocate still slashing the TGS budget. It turns out that the manager was actually not in on the quid pro quo and his realization leads to Liz receiving a sexual harassment complaint.

Though there where a few bright spots, the episode just wasn’t up to the standard. 30 Rock’s bar is pretty high, so its normal to see a few duds. I hope it gets back on track next week.

(S02E18) “Chuck vs. the Dream Job”

Good enough to be a finale is how I’d rank tonight’s episode of Chuck. With both Chevy Chase and Quantum Leap’s Scott Bakula guest starring, how could they go wrong?

To top if it off, the rumors were true, Chuck’s dad, played by Bakula, was in indeed the famed Orion. Taking a 180 turn from dead-beat deserter Dad to super-hero computer genius, Orion was able to show Chuck that mental strength runs in his blood. Who knew being a CIA agent ran in his blood? You’ve got to love it. Then to have Chevy Chase as Orion’s nemesis Roark, well, that’s just perfection.

My only regret is that Ellie couldn’t see just how fabulous her “crazy” father really is. I understand why she can’t know, but it still upsets me to think that everything in her life keeps falling apart due to having a secret spy father and brother. The girl deserves a break. Good thing she’s got Awesome.

Next week’s episode promises to be just as thrilling. Jordana Brewster, as Jill, will be making a comeback. Hopefully she’ll be able to give Chuck the information he needs to save his Dad, and also make up for her shady past. I can’t wait!