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30 Rock: Season 2 | 
 enlarge | Actor: Tina Fey
Studio: Universal Studios
Category: DVD
List Price: $39.98
Buy New: $25.99
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Rating:  37 reviews
Sales Rank: 206
Format: Ac-3, Color, Dolby, Dvd-video, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Number Of Items: 2
Running Time: 300
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.5 x 1
MPN: MCAD61102113D
UPC: 025195017312
EAN: 0025195017312
ASIN: B001B9LWME
Release Date: October 7, 2008
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Product Description
Studio: Uni Dist Corp. (mca) Release Date: 10/07/2008 Rating: Nr
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"I really feel like this is going to be my year," an uncharacteristically optimistic Liz Lemmon proclaims in 30 Rock's season two opener. Reality quickly intrudes on the hapless Liz, but for Tina Fey and 30 Rock, the year couldn't be better. Nominated for 17 Emmys, the series repeated for Outstanding Comedy Series and earned Outstanding Actress and Actor honors for Fey and co-star Alec Baldwin as GM CEO-in-waiting Jack Donaghy. TV icon Tim Conway was also honored as Outstanding Guest Actor as Bucky Bright in "Subway Hero"--just one of the strike-shortened season's benchmark episodes--as a faded TV star from the 1940s and '50s who shatters the illusions of television-loving NBC page Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) with appalling (and unprintable) stories about "the good old days." If you're going to make a television show, Bucky tells him, "things are going to get weird." And from one of Kenneth's lame parties that turns dark and twisted to the "Page Off" between Kenneth and his nemesis (Human Giant's Paul Scheer) things get really weird behind the scenes of TGS, the SNL-ish sketch show where Liz oversees a motley crew of writers and her tempermental, demanding stars, insecure diva Jenna Maroney (Jane Krakowski) and all kinds of crazy Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan). 30 Rock is rarefied television, each episode brimming with quotable dialogue ("Never go with a hippie to a second location"), brilliantly absurd bits (Tracy Jordan's novelty hit, "Werewolf Bar Mitzvah," the TV series "MILF Island," Liz's Cathy moment), and edge of the frame silliness that rewards close attention ("Anne Heche Leaves Husband for Pony," reads a network news scroll in the episode, "Somebody to Love"). Stellar guest stars rise to the occasion. Edie Falco was an Emmy nominee for her recurring role as "C.C.", the liberal Democratic Congresswoman who becomes conservative Republican Jack's "hippie dippy mama," as was Carrie Fisher as former Laugh-In writer Rosemary in the instant classic episode, "Rosemary's Baby." It's this episode which features Tracy's therapy session during which Jack channels Fred Sanford and J.J. from Good Times. Making welcome returns this season are Will Arnett as Jack's corporate rival, Devon Banks, Chris Parnell as unethical Dr. Spaceman, Elaine Stritch as Jack's castrating mother, and Dean Winters as Dennis Duffy, Liz's sleazy former boyfriend and New York's unlikeliest hero. But the real muffin top on this two disc set are the awesome bonus features, including a revelatory table read of the season finale, "Cooter," the benefit live performance of the episode "Secrets and Lies" (complete with an improvised commercial), a 30 Rock panel discussion with cast and creators moderated by Brian Williams, and a backstage look at Fey's Saturday Night Live homecoming last season. Most sitcoms are as bad for you as the offbrand Mexican Cheetos that Liz gorges herself on, and as Jenna tells Liz at one point, employing "a weak metaphor," you deserve a good meal. 30 Rock is a feast. --Donald Liebenson
Stills from Season Two of 30 Rock (click for larger image)
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| Customer Reviews: Read 32 more reviews...
 The best comedy on TV just gets better July 27, 2008
29 out of 30 found this review helpful
Watching 30 ROCK during its second season was a completely exhilarating experience. It had in its rookie year quickly established itself as the funniest show on TV, but during its sophomore campaign the writing and acting got sharper and sharper with each episode. Next to ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT, I honestly believe that this is the funniest American comedy series ever.
Most comedy shows, when the writers get a funny joke or idea, they massage it and call attention to it, perhaps even taking a pause to allow everyone to notice and appreciate it. Not 30 ROCK. The jokes just tumbled out and sometimes they were only there if you looked hard for them. The humor came in waves, in layers. For instance, in one episode Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) is watching Celeste Cunningham (Edie Falco), with whom he has just had a passionate romantic encounter, get interviewed on a news network. The main point in the scene is that the right-wing Republican Jack is horrified to learn that his flame is a left-wing Democrat, but if you look very carefully at the ticker tape along the bottom of the TV screen, you will see the words "Anne Heche leaves husband for pony" scroll across. And shot after shot during the season features in-jokes concerning the Shinehardt Wig Company ("NOT Polluting Rivers since 1997"), which somehow manages to be the parent company for GE. This is not to say that the main jokes aren't great as well (I mean, just how funny is the idea of the fake reality series MILF ISLAND?). The key point is that it isn't just that they jokes are plentiful and unrelenting; they are GOOD. It is humor with an edge, but it is never less than brilliant.
This year Alec Baldwin will almost certainly win what should have been his second Emmy for Best Actor in a Comedy series. Last year news broke about an abusive message he left on his daughter's phone mail service. It unquestionably cost him the Emmy he deserved. But there is simply no question that he is the most outstanding lead actor on a comedy series today. And Tina Fey not only matches him scene for scene in her self-effacing portrayal of GIRLIE SHOW head writer Liz Lemon, but gets additional major kudos for serving as head writer on the show itself. The two of them are backed by a deep and talented cast, from Tracy Morgan in his inspired role as the literally insane Tracy Jordan to Jack McBrayer in his scene stealing role as Kenneth the page (I would love to see him get an Emmy nomination). And in addition to the regular cast there was an endless string of wonderful guest appearances, including return visits from Dean Winters as Liz's horrid (but very, very funny) ex-boyfriend Dennis and Will Arnett as Jack's company rival Devon Banks. But there were some great one-time guest appearances as well, perhaps none as delightful as Tim Conway's portrayal of a TV veteran who shatters all of Kenneth's illusions about the Golden Age of TV. Oddly enough, the one guest appearance that misfired was that by Jerry Seinfeld. It was as if the show ceased doing what makes it so brilliant to accommodate Jerry's guest spot.
The lone mystery about 30 ROCK is why it doesn't attract a larger audience. I won't name names, but there are hosts of truly lousy series that get far larger audiences than 30 ROCK. This show gets the critical acclaim and wins the awards, but it simply doesn't pull in the large ratings. This distresses me. It makes me wonder if America is clueless about great comedy. I don't get it. Never have and perhaps never will. But trust me: this is as brilliant, as funny as TV can get.
I am so glad there are only 2 seasons (so far) November 8, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I can't get anything done. I have stopped writing. I have stopped editing my new books (both of them). I have sworn off designing Tarot decks, designing magical calendars, and forgot what supermodels I want to date when I am famous. Every night I come home after work and watch this damned TV show! My only hope for future productivity is that I will eventually run out of episodes.
But let me sum up: I don't watch TV. Yeah, yeah, TV paid my bills for several years when I was working with the wonder trio that created Friends, whatever... But I have sworn off of the box for several years now, with only the occasional relapse. But, this show is like crack! Well, having never actually done crack I suppose I am not specifically qualified to give any kind of formal declaration that this show is as euphoric and addictive as that powdery wunderkind of illicit intoxicants. Nonetheless! This show is like crack as I imagine crack would be if you dressed it up in a [...] suit and whored it off to [some random giant multi-national electronics conglomerate] executives in Times Square.
You just can't watch one episode. (Maybe this show is like a potato chip...) Tina Fey is some kind of super-sexy TV genius of our generation and her choice of casting is so spot-on that you literally feel as if you are relaxing in your favorite chair, just off-camera, watching the surreality of network television invade your day. Tina's (I call her that*) particular je ne sais quoi stems from a blend of intelligence, sexual frustration, floppy stance, and Sandra Bullock-esque cuteness that infects the very celluloid (digital just can't capture this level of warmth) the show's magic is captured on with all of the comfort of the sister you wish you had.
The rest of the cast is spectacular as well. My pathetic prattlings will not do justice to the level of humor and camaraderie everyone brings to the set for each episode. This is high alchemy the likes of Seinfeld or I Love Lucy. Without Alec Baldwin or Jack McBrayer (or any of the other hilarious cast members) the show wouldn't flow as seamlessly. The collective on-screen chemistry at play here comes across as both real and (as mentioned before) surreal, like "one of those days" we all face occasionally--but these are the norm here.
It is safe to say that this (and season one) makes an excellent gift for any occasion, and could be enjoyed by anyone with a sense of humor. The subtle innuendo of political views is backlit by the farce of Alec Baldwin's brilliant portrayal of a (platinum, presumably) card carrying member of the upper echelon of uber-right-wing elite media, which should not be confused with the so-called "liberal" media elite, who to the best of my knowledge do not make an appearance in this season.
If you only watch one TV show this year, watch something boring! THIS show will enslave you to the wonders of the 22-minute episodic visual comedy (er... "sit-com"). This show will make you believe in TV again. It will make you laugh so hard you will pee (and get lettuce in your hair, which is embarrassing if that happens in public). You cannot go wrong with this show. One day it will probably be proven to cure cancer. It's just THAT funny.
Thanks for reading.
No "Sophomore Slump" here. July 30, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Season 1 of "30 Rock" was a landmark of television, if you ask me. Finally a sitcom that was original, refreshing, and, most of all, hilarious. When Season 2 began, my expectations were high. To say that my expectations were surpassed would be an understatement of grand proportions.
Whereas the plotlines and randomly vanishing characters (any one of Rachel Dratch's appearances???) in Season 1 were out of left-field in that funny-but-almost-too-random kind of way, Season 2 was a different kind of animal.
"30 Rock" season 2 came from left-field, but this time, it pulled you over there with it. In the beginning, it held onto some of the pitfalls of Season 1 (i.e., Where was Jenna half the time???), but as episodes aired, the ensemble and the writing both grew into something much greater and more entertaining than Season 1 ever reached.
Even as many shows suffocated and failed the hiatus the writer's strike brought, "30 Rock" seemed immune. In fact, I would be so bold as to suggest the break fueled the creativity. Either those last handful of episodes were pure, unadulterated brilliance, or I was just desperate for more "30 Rock" after their lengthy sabbatical.
Some brilliant moments in Season 2: Carrie Fisher as a crazy ex-writer, EVERYTHING involving the Devon (Will Arnett) vs. Jack rivalry (including the Don Geiss coma), Jack's job at Homeland Security (can you say, "gay bomb"?), & Kenneth's House Party AND a special appearance by Al Gore satiring himself ("A whale is in trouble!") in one episode? Oh HECK yeah.
All in all, "30 Rock"'s sophomore season was a brilliant display that proved that comedy can be even better the second time around.
Didn't lose a step in S2 July 22, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Despite the momentum-threatening writers strike that gave us a 3-month break between the 10th and 15th episodes, "30 Rock" suffered no sophomore slump. Many of the S2 episodes were instant classics, including "Rosemary's Baby" with Carrie Fisher as Liz Lemon's one-time comedy idol -- a once-edgy but now just whacked-out writer; the "Somebody to Love", "Secrets and Lies," "Coffee and TV" trilogy featuring Jack's doomed but oh-so-hot romance with congresswoman C.C. Cunningham (Edie Falco); and a finale that hilariously nails the attitudes of Bush-era D.C. ("Cooter"). Marvelous turns by guest-stars abound, including a reprise of Jack's mother by the astonishing Elaine Stritch; the return of Will Arnett as Jack's G.E. nemesis, Devin Banks, and of Dean Winters and Jason Sudeikis as Liz's former boyfriends, Dennis "the Beeper King" Duffy and Floyd, former G.E. attorney now relocated to "the Cleve"; Fred Armisen as a suspicious neighbor in Liz's apartment building; and Buck Henry, Anita Gillette, and Andy Richter as Liz's parents and brother.
To make up for the shorted season, the producers are augmenting the strike-shortened season with many more extras than the S1 DVD set had. Check out the listings here: http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/30-Rock-Season-2-Extras/9979
TEN of the fifteen episodes will have commentary tracks (compared to only six of S1's 22 episodes). Then there's a table-read, Tina hosting SNL, an ATAS evening, and the item I'm really dying to see: "30 Rock Live" at the UCB theater (an on-stage sneak-preview performance of Ep. 8, "Secrets and Lies" that occurred during the strike). Can't wait for this set's release on Oct. 7!
One of the Best Shows Currently on Television! July 19, 2008
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
Of course this season was shorter due to the writer's strike, as were the seasons of many other shows this year. This is unfortunate, but has no effect on the quality of the episodes that were created before the strike. In my opinion this continues to be one of the best shows on television. It is consistently hilarious and smart and it is well worth watching, whatever the duration.
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