I must say that i was surprised to see that the 30 Rock Season 1 dvd only had one review. Why? Well, 1 - because it's possibly the best comedy out there at the minute and 2 - because recently it's stock has risen dramatically with Tina Fey's popularity following her Sarah Palin impression and articles in the Guardian. I have no doubt that the show's popularity will sky rocket over the next couple of months and the number of reviews increase but for the moment here's my little bit...
About 30 Rock & Tina Fey
So first thing to say is that 30 Rock is that Tina Fey executive produces, writes and stars in 30 Rock. It is her baby, set in a world which she knows very well. 30 Rock concerns itself with the set of The Girlie Show (a fictional Saturday Night Live kinda show) on NBC (a real network). Fey was once a cast member and head writer of Saturday Night Live.
30 Rock follow's Fey's The Girlie Show head writer Liz Lemon as she has to deal with her new Network Executive Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin), diva-like cast members, fellow writers and a troublesome love life. Whilst there is an overall story, that's not what the heart of 30 Rock is - it's the excellent writing, characters and surreal little stories hidden within.
Alex Baldwin & Tina Fey
Alec Baldwin & Tina Fey have both enjoyed career boosts from 30 Rock's popularity in America and rightly so. Alec Baldwin's Jack Donaghy is brash, corporate, sickeningly rich and self-aggrandizing BUT he gets all the best lines (example - when Liz asks him why he's wearing a tuxedo for no occasion he replies 'It's after 6, what am i a farmer?') and sooner rather than later you warm to him.
And where to start with Fey's Liz Lemon. She is absolutely the best female character on television now. Along with CJ from the West Wing, Liz Lemon is... well... real. Most female characters on tv are either bombshells with no brain or very intelligent & not pretty (although these might undergo a transformation at some point!). Liz Lemon is a geek (she loves star wars), she's clumsy, she loves food (and recounts most of her life's moments using food as the frame of reference), she's intelligent but has silly moments, she likes nice boys not bad boys (when she actually meets one!), she's pretty (geek chic) but not a traditional bombshell (on the occasions she has a transformation - she ends up falling over, being uncomfortable or people not noticing) and above all she's just a normal woman. An element which should not be underestimated.
Supporting Characters
Whilst Donaghy and Lemon are the show's central and best characters the supporting characters are superb. They all have their moments of genius. They include Dr Spaceman - maverick doctor who assures people that 'we have no idea of knowing where the human heart is'. Oh and his name is pronounced Dr Spa-che-man! Tracy Jordan - actor on the show, diva complex, comes with a group of hangers on, is slightly crazy and is the star of hits such as Who Dat Ninja? Kenneth - NBC page who just loves television. Will do anything for anyone and is extremely protective of his NBC uniform.
DVD
The first season dvd has no extras, which is very disappointing,
Overall
30 Rock is a superbly written piece of television comedy, bursting with endlessly quotable lines, surreal moments, fantastic characters and charm. Whilst the dvd has no extras, the quality of the show more than makes up for this.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Comedy - Director: Tony Dow - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: John Challis, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Tessa Peake-Jones, Gwyneth Strong
Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it. RememberArrested ... more
Development?Smartest, funniest show on television. A critics' darling. An Emmy-winner for Best Comedy Series. But no one watched, and it was cancelled. Will history repeat itself wi...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it. RememberArrested ... more
Development?Smartest, funniest show on television. A critics' darling. An Emmy-winner for Best Comedy Series. But no one watched, and it was cancelled. Will history repeat itself wi...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Emmy award winner Tina Fey writes executive produces and stars as Liz Lemon the head ... more
writer of a live variety programme in New York City. Liz's life is turned upside down when brash new network executive Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin in his Golden Glob...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Emmy award winner Tina Fey writes, executive produces, and stars as Liz Lemon, the head ... more
writer of a live variety programme in New York City. Liz's life is turned upside down when brash new network executive Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin in his Golden Glob...
Advantages: Clever, witty, original. Written by and stars Tina Fey - need I say more? Disadvantages: You'll probably have to buy it on dvd, it's rarely shown on tv in the UK
Advantages: Clever, witty, original. Written by and stars Tina Fey - need I say more? Disadvantages: You'll probably have to buy it on dvd, it's rarely shown on tv in the UK
![30 Rock - Season 1 - Complete [DVD] [2006]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/77950500.jpg "30 Rock - Season 1 - Complete [DVD] [2006]")
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