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Season Three of 30 Rock ... is it just me ...

post #1 of 54
9/23/09 at 11:59pm
Thread Starter 
... or is it not good? I'm wrapping up disk one, and I've found it pretty awful. Loved season one, found season two pretty decent. Not digging this so far.
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post #2 of 54
9/24/09 at 12:10am
It might be just you...I'm not going to say every episode was magic in season three, but some episodes were magic, and there was nothing approaching awful, in my opinion. At it's worst it was still pretty great.
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post #3 of 54
9/24/09 at 12:14am
It picks up steam throughout the season. The last few feature some of the best Jack Donaghy material we have seen.
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post #4 of 54
9/24/09 at 12:15am
It's definitely where the series started to slide deeper into stupidity. I wouldn't continue onward if I were you.
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post #5 of 54
9/24/09 at 12:16am
I thought season 2 started off a little rough but got better, but season 3 was solid all the way through. In fact, I think this last one was by far their best season yet.
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post #6 of 54
9/24/09 at 12:21am
There's an episode based around Harry and the Hendersons, so it's great.
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post #7 of 54
9/24/09 at 12:32am
I kind of liked how vicious they were to Lutz but maybe that's just me. There was a severe lack of Hornberger during the season, too, but it was still mostly enjoyable. At least watch the episodes with Jon Hamm.
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post #8 of 54
9/24/09 at 12:56am
i think of 30 rock exactly the opposite. first season was rough but showed promise, second season was solid, third season was greatness.
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post #9 of 54
9/24/09 at 12:59am
It's fine, but there are some deadly episodes where I think I laughed twice.

Anyone who tells you this season of 30 Rock was better than last season of The Office is a goddamn liar and fool.
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post #10 of 54
9/24/09 at 1:01am
I used to think no, but I watched Season 1 recently (hadn't seen much of it before, started at the end of the season, watched all of s2 and s3), and realized the show had just stopped focusing on certain characters. Pete and Josh virtually disappeared, and Toofer and Cerie barely ever got anything. And there were a number of episodes that mainly coasted on Tracy being totally insane, especially the one where he went on Larry King. Though, that episode has the immortal line: "With us is Tracy Jordan, who is giving guitar legend Peter Frampton enigmatic clues to a hidden treasure."
Another problem was an overreliance on famous guest stars. Jennifer Aniston, Steve Martin, Megan Mullaly, and Salma Hayek in particular. On the positive side, Chris Parnell hit it out of the park in every appearance as Dr. Spaceman.
I think 30 Rock has fallen into some weird funk, but it's still frequently funny, and for anyone than loves surreal comedy, it's got plenty of that.
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post #11 of 54
9/24/09 at 2:19am
I always feel like I'm through the looking glass because 30 Rock keeps getting better for me and The Office is getting considerably worse with each season.
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post #12 of 54
9/24/09 at 10:23am
Same here. I still really like it. Maybe it's the Six Sigma conditionning.

The Generalissimo episode killed me a hundred times.
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post #13 of 54
9/24/09 at 10:30am
It took the show a while to find its voice. And that voice is a retarded, ridiculous voice that sometimes involves Alan Alda, telenovellas and Muppets. If you enjoyed the more mellow humor of season 1, you won't like season 3. But season 3 is a show doing things I haven't seen before on tv (Salma Hayek subplot, Generalissimo, Jenna faking her own death), so I'm going with that.
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post #14 of 54
9/24/09 at 10:43am
I love this show. I find it to be consistantly brilliant, but I do have a quirky, surreal sense of humor. The Harry and the Hendersons episode is fantastic. Inloved Lemon's romantic subplot with the doctor, Kenneth's apartment, Dinklage. Season 3 was gold.
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post #15 of 54
9/24/09 at 10:58am
For my money, "Apollo, Apollo" is the best episode of Rock so far, and Fey was at her finest in "The Bubble" being simultaneously funny, sweet and heart-breaking along with Jon Hamm.

But I have to side with Mediumdave. Although it was consistently solid last season, it's getting a tad repetitive at this juncture where The Office made it a point to shake things up (and did so successfully imo). That said, the series is still gold.
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post #16 of 54
9/24/09 at 11:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Phil View Post
It took the show a while to find its voice. And that voice is a retarded, ridiculous voice that sometimes involves Alan Alda, telenovellas and Muppets. If you enjoyed the more mellow humor of season 1, you won't like season 3. But season 3 is a show doing things I haven't seen before on tv (Salma Hayek subplot, Generalissimo, Jenna faking her own death), so I'm going with that.
This.
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post #17 of 54
9/24/09 at 11:33am
I thought Season 3 was its most uneven Season to date. I wouldn't call it 'bad' by any means, but I will say I felt well out of place in the Season 3 thread when everyone was talking about how funny that weeks episode was.

I do think it's a show that's maybe starting to run low on ideas but it's never really 'bad'. It does pull in some mediocre episodes, and I didn't think the finale worked AT ALL. But Season 3's highlights rank up there with the shows highlights.
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post #18 of 54
9/24/09 at 12:10pm
We all agree we're just nitpicking one of the best comedies ever, right?
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post #19 of 54
9/24/09 at 12:15pm
As far as I'm concerned, more Tracy Jordan insanity is a good thing.
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post #20 of 54
9/24/09 at 12:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Graynadian View Post
We all agree we're just nitpicking one of the best comedies ever, right?
It seems like that. A Tracy Jordan's plot involving sex dolls is fine in my catalog.
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post #21 of 54
9/24/09 at 12:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Graynadian View Post
We all agree we're just nitpicking one of the best comedies ever, right?
A comedy not being funny is not really a 'nitpick'.

Like I said, on the whole there are some great great moments in Season 3. But to date it is the shows weakest Season.
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post #22 of 54
9/24/09 at 12:35pm
Best comedies ever? That's funnier than anything in the last two seasons...
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post #23 of 54
9/24/09 at 12:39pm
I think 30 Rock is excellent, and an all-timer, but I thought last season was a bit uneven, which means that I only belly-laughed, oh, 60 percent of the time.
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post #24 of 54
9/24/09 at 12:49pm
I really like this show, but it's such a mixed bag for me. I've only ever really enjoyed Jack, Jenna (sometimes), Pete and Kenneth. And especially regarding Jack, Pete and Kenneth, I REALLY dig their stories/acting/humor. But on the complete polar opposite end (and with VERY rare exceptions), I can't fucking stand goofy glasses/hat guy, Toofer, Liz Lemon, Tracy, etc. etc.

This show is an odd blend for me that has two-three elements that I consistently love and are my sole reasons for watching, all up against the rest of the show which more or less makes my skin crawl. Never been a Tina Fey fan at all (can't you tell?), so this was an uphill battle for me until Baldwin quickly cemented himself as the real heart of the show.

The guest spots have also been mostly great to me. Seinfeld was fucking awesome.

And as much as I usually feel the Tracy Jordan stuff is usually just stupid in the worst way and way too "out there," every now and again they throw in a "Werewolf Bar Mitzvah" that just kills.

About to start Season 3 from Netflix.
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post #25 of 54
9/24/09 at 12:57pm
Season 3 starts out kind of weak, but gets stronger as it progresses. I think they made an attempt - since the show needed to get viewers to go along with it's awards - to dumb it down a little, and focus on Fey and Baldwin. It starts returning to its greatness later in the season, so I say stick with it.
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post #26 of 54
9/24/09 at 1:13pm
Season 3 made me laugh at Steve Martin again, and not in a cruel way. I have no quarrel with this season.
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post #27 of 54
9/24/09 at 1:16pm
Like the Office the biggest problem with this show for the last few seasons is that there are far too many episodes per season and not nearly enough content. There are just way too many filler episodes to keep my interest. The Brits got it right, I tell ya- fewer episodes, more story.
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post #28 of 54
9/24/09 at 1:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Deanburger View Post
i think of 30 rock exactly the opposite. first season was rough but showed promise, second season was solid, third season was greatness.
Yup. I loved Season 3, thought it did have an over reliance on guest stars.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Phil View Post
It took the show a while to find its voice. And that voice is a retarded, ridiculous voice that sometimes involves Alan Alda, telenovellas and Muppets. If you enjoyed the more mellow humor of season 1, you won't like season 3. But season 3 is a show doing things I haven't seen before on tv (Salma Hayek subplot, Generalissimo, Jenna faking her own death), so I'm going with that.
Also, the Jackie Jormp-Jomp stuff was greatness. Some of Jane Krakowski's best work.
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post #29 of 54
9/24/09 at 1:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex Riviello View Post
The Brits got it right, I tell ya- fewer episodes, more story.
You're right as far as TV series structure goes. Look at Life on Mars. Fewer episodes, no fluff, and only 2 seasons. That's another problem with American TV. Too many seasons, the show gets eventually cancelled, and you're left with an unfinished (or rushed) story. Or it goes on and on like CSI: Bullshit, and it's a competition to see how much theu can bore you to death. Lost nearly went there, but I'm pretty sure setting an ending date helped the show get where it is now.
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post #30 of 54
9/24/09 at 1:36pm
The problem with our Seasons over here though is that they are only 6 episodes long, and sometimes it's really just not enough. For a US comedy show I think somewhere around 15-16 episodes is fine. Doesn't 'Curb' managed fine on about 13 a Season?
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post #31 of 54
9/24/09 at 2:42pm
Some of the people in thread are nuts.
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post #32 of 54
9/24/09 at 2:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by James View Post
The problem with our Seasons over here though is that they are only 6 episodes long, and sometimes it's really just not enough. For a US comedy show I think somewhere around 15-16 episodes is fine. Doesn't 'Curb' managed fine on about 13 a Season?
Yeah, that's a good length. But both The Office and 30 Rock have about 25+ episodes a season which leaves us with too much goddamn filler. I finally gave up on The Office after watching it descend into a sappy, ridiculous mess of a show last season, where characters did whatever the hell the writers needed for that particular episode, whether it fit in with their characters or not.
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post #33 of 54
9/24/09 at 3:04pm
Funny, I thought I was the only one who stopped watching halfway through last season. I did enjoy the good eps but I didn't like the filler much. So it gets better towards the end? I'll have to finish it out at some point.
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post #34 of 54
9/24/09 at 3:46pm
The first half of the season had some episodes that only made me laugh once. It does get better later in the season, though.

I will say that this previous season made me rethink my opinion of it being a worthy successor to Arrested Development. In fact, I find Better Off Ted to be funnier than both The Office and 30 Rock at the mo.
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post #35 of 54
9/24/09 at 4:41pm
Well with Arrested Development, it goes back to the conversation earlier about too many episodes per year. Fox cut what was supposed to be 4 episodes from season two and gave the third (and final) season only 13 shows. So Hurtwiz & Co. had less time for "filler" and put their energy into what they were given.
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post #36 of 54
9/24/09 at 6:27pm
Started off a bit weak but it got better...much better.
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post #37 of 54
9/24/09 at 6:37pm
No offense to any of you, but 30 Rock is not even in the same universe as Arrested Development.
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post #38 of 54
9/24/09 at 6:48pm
I've said this before and I'll say it again. In my mind 30 Rock has surpassed AD. In fact to me "It's Always Sunny..." has as well.
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post #39 of 54
9/24/09 at 6:52pm
No way. No way in hell, Paul. But that's for another thread.


I'm still looking forward to checking out 30 Rock. It helps that I've never had high expectations for the show. I pretty much watch it for Jack.
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post #40 of 54
9/24/09 at 7:00pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the all the info. Seven episodes in ... and I'm done with season three until I've got nothing else on my plate, I suppose. It's been a chore to get through the last few. I realize now I've been basically watching it for Baldwin's storylines.

I find it somewhat ironic that after three years of the show, every aspect of Tina Fey's appearance has been mocked ... even though much of the mockery of her looks is pretty undeserved. Except, they haven't touched with a ten foot pole the very noticeable facial blemish she has (the big ol' scar).
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post #41 of 54
9/24/09 at 8:02pm
Overlord, just in case you want to be spoiled...
  • 1. I want to go to there.
  • 2. Oh, no! Kenneth's a murderer and the Riddler's coming!
  • 3. Rich 50 is middle class 38.
  • 4. We all have ways of coping. I use sex and awesomeness.
  • 5. You are wise, Liz Lemon. Like a genetically manipulated shark.
  • 6. The reason I speak with a slight English inflection in my voice is because I lost my virginity to the My Fair Lady soundtrack.
  • 7. A Blaffair to Rememblack.
  • 8. He looks like a cartoon pilot!
  • 9. When will modern science find the cure for a woman's mouth?
  • 10. I was just thinking how weird it is that we eat birds.
  • 11. No judgements in brainstorming.
  • 12. Puerto Rican!
  • 13. You've got wife eyes.
  • 14. ...when I was working the day shift at that graveyard and the graveyard shift at the Day's Inn.
  • 15. Kenneth: Well, also speaking as a white male...
  • Jack: No. You're not. Socioeconomically, you're more like an inner-city Latina.
  • 16. "For those of you just joining us, Tracy Jordan is giving guitar legend Peter Frampton enigmatic clues about a hidden treasure."
  • 17. Everybody, shut up! Lutz, shut up!
  • 18. This is the part of my process where Liz Lemon usually comes along and fixes everything. (sigh) Heavy is the head that eats the crayons. Well, I'm going to take a nap. See you in 10 hours.
  • 19. I'M LIZZING!! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! I'M LIZZZZZZINNNGGGG!!!
  • 20. Science was my favourite subject at school. Especially the Old Testament.
  • 21. It smells like dude in here.
  • 22. Liz Lemon, I might hug people too hard and get lost in malls. But I’m not an idiot.
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post #42 of 54
9/24/09 at 9:05pm
Thread Starter 
Yes, the show has some great one liners.
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post #43 of 54
9/24/09 at 9:20pm
Count me in as thinking 3rd season of 30 Rock was its weakest so far--if only because of how uneven it was. A lot of the ratings-bait was in early 3rd season, and the big guest stars hurt the show as much as helped it (esp. Salma Hayek--although I think I may be in the minority in that I hated that whole plot thread). However, as the season progressed, they had several episodes that are as good as anything they've ever done (and made me sad that Jane Krakowski didn't get that Emmy--she really knocked it out of the park in S3).

I hope this season 30 Rock doesn't try so hard to get ratings, and goes back into itsinsular world of crazy off-the-wall satire. Even as uneven as S3 was, however, it was still better than most of The Office S5 (a show I still watch and enjoy, but readily admit is well past its prime).
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post #44 of 54
9/25/09 at 12:16am
I'd love to know what shows you guys find funnier than the last season of 30 Rock.
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post #45 of 54
9/25/09 at 1:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Overlord View Post
I realize now I've been basically watching it for Baldwin's storylines.
Why is that a negative, though?
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post #46 of 54
9/25/09 at 2:11am
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post #47 of 54
9/25/09 at 2:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jacob Singer View Post
I'd love to know what shows you guys find funnier than the last season of 30 Rock.
Always Sunny? That's about it. Not many funny shows out there any more. 30 Rock continuously goes for the cheap jokes nowadays. But hey, if you like women obsessing over babies I guess it's pretty funny.
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post #48 of 54
9/25/09 at 2:58am
So, we like it because we like easy, boring comedy? Hey, thanks for pointing out one of our many flaws.
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post #49 of 54
9/25/09 at 3:06am
Hey you said it, not me. It's just incredibly safe comedy. It's like the people who continue to torture themselves with The Simpsons- they might get a chuckle out of it once an episode but they're mostly just killing time. There's so much better stuff out there that you could be wasting your time with instead.

And I really do like the first two seasons of the show, too. It just became a complete parody of itself- much quicker than most shows do.
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post #50 of 54
9/25/09 at 3:41am
Safe comedies don't have Lemon Party jokes. Or ones revolving around grandmarape.

But that's not really the point. Comedy doesn't have to be edgy to be great (although I love it when it is). Brian Regan does jokes whose subject matter would be appropriate for Raffi's audience. It's still funny because he performs it well. And regardless of whether it's pushing the envelope or putting its own spin on sitcom tropes, 30 Rock consistently performs.
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