30. The Rural Juror (Season 1, Episode 10)
Dir. Beth McCarthy
Writer: Matt Hubbard
How long do you think it took the writers to decide that the hardest most indecipherable two words together would be rural and juror. It’s a simple joke, one that forces you to try and figure it out before the show gives you the answer. How many people guessed that the name of the film was “The Rural Juror” before Liz blatantly shows it? Even better than the joke of the name? The fact that it’s written by John Grisham’s brother Kevin, equally marble mouthed Barbara Walters being of no help, and Tracy’s get rich quick scheme: The Tracy Jordan Meat Machine. While it’s no Fun Cooker, it is wonderful to see Whoopi Goldberg endorsing it on Ukrainian TV!
29. SeinfeldVision (Season 2, Episode 1)
Dir. Don Scardino
Writer: Tina Fey
The first of many meta, and not so meta, cross overs from past “NBC Must See TV” shows. While I’ll forever stan for Frasier, who has an amazing arc on the show, SeinfeldVision is pure genius. And not just Jerry Seinfeld’s cameo, but Jack’s idea to try and digitally insert famous actors into other programming. Of course Jerry isn’t having any of this which leads to a confrontation where Seinfeld agrees, only if Jack donates to his favorite charity and promotes Seinfeld’s upcoming film The Bee Movie. Also this introduces Mystic Pizza: The Musical which, I dare you to not have stuck in your head when you EAT A PIZZA!
28. Dealbreakers Talk Show #0001 (Season 4, Episode 7)
Dir. Don Scardino
Writer: Kay Cannon
Not only is this episode the rise and fall of Liz’s tv hosting career, but also the introduction to Tracy’s EGOT Arc! Liz’s book turned talk show is gearing up until Devon Banks (Will Arnett) psyches Jack out by threatening to tank him if the show loses any money, leading him to overly fixate on perfecting Liz which pushes Liz into Jenna Maroney territory: barricading herself in her dressing room and giving herself bangs. But who is in charge of TGS while Liz is making Dealbreakers? Frank who, over the course of the episode, begins to lose himself in his new position donning new glasses and a sweater and simply “trying to have it all!”
27. Jackie Jormp-Jomp (Season 3, Episode 18)
Dir. Don Scardino
Writer: Kay Cannon, Tracey Wigfield
Jackie Jormp-Jomp is the pseudonym NBC has to use while in production for their unauthorized Janis Joplin biopic that stars Jenna, a guaranteed failure. But thanks to The Kids Choice Awards incorrectly including Jenna in the memoriam, everyone now thinks she is dead. Seeing an opportunity, Jack continues to fake Jenna’s death to promote the film. But it’s Liz accidentally joining an all-women fight club, featuring Elizabeth Marvel and Kerry Butler, that certifies this episodes classic status.
26. Ludachristmas (Season 2, Episode 9)
Dir. Don Scardino
Writer: Tami Sagher
Is Ludachristmas the best holiday episode of 30 Rock? Yes. Why? Well, mainly because of the pun Ludachristmas, which is a drunken debaucherous Halloween party TGS throws every year. But also it’s Andy Richter playing Liz’s brother who believes it’s still December 7th 1985. Or maybe Jack, who finds himself enamored with Liz’s family who appear to be the Norman Rockwell painting of family he never had. But also we have Colleen, wanting to prove to Jack that the Lemon family isn’t all that perfect after all. Everyone fights, naturally, and as usual this brings Jack and Colleen closer together. An early Christmas present though? Jenna’s rendition of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”. Y’all: Jane Krakowski slays.
25. Greenzo (Season 2, Episode 5)
Dir. Don Scardino
Writer: Jon Pollack
I think because David Schwimmer never really got to have as much fun as the other friends on Friends, when the show was finally over, he broke out of his Ross Geller shell. Here as the megalomaniacal Jared, who becomes egoistic and power hungry after Meredith Viera casually says that he is “saving the world”, Schwimmer clocks in easily one of the top ten best cameo’s of the series. His Greenzo is passionate, a mean drunk, and friggin loves the environment. Of course after Jack has to shut it down, he calls in a favor from everyone’s favorite Planeteer: Al Gore. Also notable in the episode is Kenneth’s party which, thanks to Tracy, gets fictiously larger (“T.I., Fall Out Boy, and Foxy Boxing will be there!’) until even Jack Donaghy is attending believing that TI stands for Texas Instruments.
24. Last Lunch (Season 7, Episode 13)
Dir. Beth McCarthy-Miller
Writer: Tina Fey, Tracey Wigfield
I probably have seen the last episode of 30 Rock the least. Filled with emotions that I get goosebumps just thinking about, it’s hard to say goodbye to characters you held so dear for so long, even if I can just immediately start season one again to start the journey all over again. But the episode truly is special, giving us a satisfying conclusion to the story of Liz, Jack, and TGS. Hell, we even get an answer to perhaps the series ‘greatest question: yep. Kenneth is an immortal. 30 Rock gives all you ever want from a season finale: a fitting end that is true to the characters they created seven years before.
23. Apollo, Apollo (Season 3, Episode 16)
Dir. Millicent Shelton
Writer: Robert Carlock
While this episode does have our favorite ex Dennis Duffy atoning for his sins as he reveals he’s a sex addict, and slept with Jenna, this episode is titled Apollo Apollo and is all about space. In one way or another. First Tracy is willing to spend $30 million to travel to outer space, which Jack helps him do by staging the entire thing Capricorn One style in the TGS studio. Meanwhile Jack is trying to discover what gift he received as a child that made him so happy he barfed. Of course Jack would throw up from excitement, it’s one of many traits that humanizes the lovable representation of big corporations.
22. Idiots Are People Three! (Season 6, Episode 3)
Dir. Beth McCarthy-Miller
Writer: Robert Carlock
Criss, who discovers that his hot dog businesses benefactor is actually his girlfriends boss doesn’t necessarily know how to feel. Bless him. But he just doesn’t understand the strange depths of Liz and Jacks mentee relationship. Well, he sorta gets it because he is pleased when Jack approves of him BUT STILL. How can you distrust the Marsden! So what that he sometimes doesn’t get outta pajamas all day! If only we could all be as confident within our masculinity to be Criss! But this episode is the Kelsey Grammer show who, in a continuation from Idiots Are People Two!, help Kenneth and Jenna distract the studio so they can move an unconscious Pete out of a supply closet. How may you ask? By putting on a one-man show about Abraham Lincoln. In their eventual success of moving Pete, they share a glass of champagne and dub themselves “The Best Friends Gang”. It’s as absurd, and adorable, as you think.
21. Unwindulax (Season 7, Episode 4)
Dir. James E. Sheridan
Writer: Matt Hubbard
“I caught crabs in paradise, yes I mean both kinds of crabs”. Thus begins Jenna’s Jimmy Buffett esque career. What makes Jenna’s new following is the face: Amy Sedaris and Gary Cole. They so pitch-perfectly play their inner Floridians with so much chillaxing gusto that you too wanna throw your life away, don a Hawaiian shirt and call yourself Panama too.
Related Topics: 30 Rock, Alec Baldwin, NBC, ranking, Tina Fey
