tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post1704990401963751888..comments2024-03-25T19:18:14.047-04:00Comments on What's Alan Watching?: 30 Rock: Jenna behaving badlyAlan Sepinwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-13919594510681924572007-12-14T06:32:00.000-05:002007-12-14T06:32:00.000-05:00I loved the "I killed my wife" line and the blacko...I loved the "I killed my wife" line and the blackout because there's nowhere you can go with that, nothing can be said to add anything to it. It's obvious that they're all just getting carried away admitting to their dark secrets and this guy makes a huge error by announcing something which no-one can justify and would be abhorrent to all - even Republicans. It's kind of like the end of the end of the first season where Liz announces she's going to pull the plug on Jack's life support anyway.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14651008349321140133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-6904028587458346752007-12-13T22:50:00.000-05:002007-12-13T22:50:00.000-05:00STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT!!!!Joke Killers Joke Kille...STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT!!!!<BR/><BR/><BR/>Joke Killers Joke Killers Joke Killers!<BR/><BR/>STOP Analyzing the Comedy!!!Withnailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16425995213374485249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-54311868004054718502007-12-10T14:49:00.000-05:002007-12-10T14:49:00.000-05:00The "dog wearing clothes," "dog playing the piano,...The "dog wearing clothes," "dog playing the piano," and "dog walking on its hind legs" lines are all descendants of the original by the inimitable Dr. Samuel Johnson, the Great Lexicographer, who observed, on hearing of a woman preacher, "Sir, a woman's preaching is like a dog's walking on his hind legs. It is not done well; but you are surprised to find it done at all."<BR/><BR/>There's no burn like an 18th-century burn, my friends.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01288100796201737845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-9465696992399975982007-12-10T12:14:00.000-05:002007-12-10T12:14:00.000-05:00Just watching the episode for the fourth time, the...Just watching the episode for the fourth time, there is a bit of reaction before the blackout: the extra seated below the confessor does a little shrug like "well, who hasn't?" <BR/><BR/>In addition, on Saturday I went to a UCB show where some 30R writers and Scott Adsit performed, and was reminded that most shows end with a blackout immediately after a line that heightens the game past a point no one can go.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-89723373397918317172007-12-09T20:59:00.000-05:002007-12-09T20:59:00.000-05:00Mozart - It reminded me more of a line from Fey's ...Mozart - It reminded me more of a line from Fey's "Mean Girls" script. "I love seeing teachers outside of school, it's like watching a dog walk on its hind legs."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-58604176445482611822007-12-09T18:38:00.000-05:002007-12-09T18:38:00.000-05:00The line "I like when a woman has ambition. It's l...The line "I like when a woman has ambition. It's like seeing a dog wearing clothes." was hilarious. Surely a response to Mad Men's "It was like watching a dog play the piano."....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-80796093552333967272007-12-08T22:39:00.000-05:002007-12-08T22:39:00.000-05:00yeah Alan, I'd say you missed out if you didn't ge...yeah Alan, I'd say you missed out if you didn't get the the murder confession. It was by far the funniest part of episode for me. The awkward timing was perfect, just as I was about to turn the TV off, that line is blurted out. I practically fell down laughing.Dana Hendersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00137232846374148119noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-30761731970802473192007-12-08T16:21:00.000-05:002007-12-08T16:21:00.000-05:00Granted, I'm in the minority here in finding this ...Granted, I'm in the minority here in finding this show mostly clever and amusing rather than side-splittingly funny, but I actually thought this was a weaker episode (meaning, mainly, that I chuckled less than usual). I thought the closing "murdered my wife" line was by far the highlight of the episode. <BR/><BR/>It's funny in part because the confession comes so far after the moment is over. Everyone's made their banal confessions, Jack & CC have resolved their dilemma, everyone's happy. And then, for no apparent reason, this guy stands up and blurts out a murder confession, as casually as his previous NPR line. And then the show abruptly ends. Showing the crowd's reaction afterwards would only dilute the moment. I vote for brilliant.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-9254102854169832252007-12-08T09:58:00.000-05:002007-12-08T09:58:00.000-05:00Want to add my vote in favor of "I killed my wife"...Want to add my vote in favor of "I killed my wife". Loved it. Loved the akwardness of it. I've been trying to articulate why, but...don't want to overthink it and ruin it. Just know I was laughing out loud by myself. Very Liz Lemon.Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04535415989415301195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1976376351895917672007-12-08T01:09:00.000-05:002007-12-08T01:09:00.000-05:00Maybe if we heard the pushing back of chairs, clea...Maybe if we heard the pushing back of chairs, clearing of throats, something during the blackout, that might have helped with the "murdered my wife" punchline. I'm in the camp that liked it, but felt it could have used something else....Toby O'Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06999037844031101965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-32274719174995686562007-12-07T20:54:00.000-05:002007-12-07T20:54:00.000-05:00What a testament to how jam-packed this episode wa...What a testament to how jam-packed this episode was that Alan's post and 30 other comments listing favorite jokes, and still no one's mentioned the part that made me laugh the most:<BR/><BR/>"This NYCity award is a cookie!" *bite* Then she keeps talking with her mouth full.<BR/><BR/>Since the line about putting wings on a basketball trophy to make a Pacific Rim Emmy, I was waiting to find out what Jenna's disk-shaped award was made of.<BR/><BR/>I usually like the silliest one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-22881695636620363352007-12-07T20:29:00.000-05:002007-12-07T20:29:00.000-05:00I think Alan and I both disliked the "I murdered m...I think Alan and I both disliked the "I murdered my wife" confession, but we didn't hate. It just hit a false note.<BR/><BR/>I already suggested ending on "I'm black" and people are right that line works better where it was.<BR/><BR/>What if after the murder confession someone blurted out, "Everyone already knows!"<BR/><BR/>Okay, not great.<BR/><BR/>I just watched it again, and I think it's a delivery issue. The confessor seems hesitant, when proud would be funnier.afogliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02820361829972093800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-72113717801439834102007-12-07T20:08:00.000-05:002007-12-07T20:08:00.000-05:00The cut-off WAS the joke, because the punchline al...The cut-off WAS the joke, because the punchline all along was the reaction of the other diners. By skipping the reaction, 30 Rock gives you the anticipation with no release. You are anxious to hear if the crowd hisses the man like the others, or if there is some different, unexpected reaction. But instead, you get nothing. That was the point.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-5484350552740924132007-12-07T16:12:00.000-05:002007-12-07T16:12:00.000-05:00No, you're right Bill. I think I misspoke when I s...No, you're right Bill. I think I misspoke when I said "nod wink" because you're right about them playing it straight and that's what makes it funny. Hmm. I'm having a hard time articulating what I'm thinking, so i'm just going to leave it alone. I do think the cutoff felt truncated for some reason, but I absolutely agree that it was a great last line.olucyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12047701257768309071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-82888079310688857652007-12-07T15:59:00.000-05:002007-12-07T15:59:00.000-05:00I'm going to have to agree with everyone who liked...I'm going to have to agree with everyone who liked the last line. I thought it was hilarious and unexpected end to the scene and fit in perfectly by not fitting in. The "I'm black" line wouldn't have worked because it needed to come right after "I'm gay" and needed to be fast because it was so ridiculous. Had it come at the end it might have seemed like the guy was just making fun of everyone else.<BR/><BR/>Also, I think the ending would have been even better if, before the silent blackout, they had held on the murderer for a few seconds. It would have built up the awkwardness that the blackout was going for. With the speed it had here (and it seemed to me the volume dipped as well) it kind of felt like someone tossing away a joke that they're not sure is funny.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, great great episode. The rape whistle line had me cracking up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-17008236941168202402007-12-07T15:57:00.000-05:002007-12-07T15:57:00.000-05:00I think what throws people off is that it was lack...<I>I think what throws people off is that it was lacking that little "nod nod wink wink" throwaway line that we usually get after the blackout. It just needed that extra little something to not sound so disorienting, since the line's topic is so far removed from the show's overall tone.</I><BR/><BR/>No. No, no, no, no, no. The show's tone is to play everything straight, no matter how strange or bizarre. This was the equivalent of anticipating the humor of someone about to slip on a banana peel and then they get by a bus. You don't come back after the break to say "just kidding." No winking, no nodding, no nudging, no chuckling at your own jokes. It's like a sudden ending in improv or dropping a mannequin on the stage (one of my happiest TV moments was when the David Letterman NBC morning show did this in the middle of a boring interview with a toothbrush inventor). In short, no infantilization of the jokes. It was funny because it screwed with our expectations and with the form. They should be applauded for that, not chastized.billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16116980864333670109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-12696569391709191022007-12-07T15:50:00.000-05:002007-12-07T15:50:00.000-05:00On second viewing I realize the man who killed his...On second viewing I realize the man who killed his wife was also the one who donated to NPR. <BR/><BR/>However, I don't think this changes my analysis of the joke too much; in fact, it may even heighten it, suggesting the man first volunteered his "sin" so that others might confess theirs and somehow make his final confession seem less offensive -- and even appropriate, as I wrote earlier.<BR/><BR/>Ah ha ha. BANTER!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-23471792472159190172007-12-07T15:35:00.000-05:002007-12-07T15:35:00.000-05:00Moreover, the joke is not that killing one's wife ...<I>Moreover, the joke is not that killing one's wife is the same as being a black or gay Republican, but rather that that is what the wife-murderer believes -- that his confession is somehow appropriate in this context.</I><BR/><BR/>I agree with this. The comment was funny because it was such a ludicrous "build" from NPR/public school/gay/black to "I murdered my wife." I think what throws people off is that it was lacking that little "nod nod wink wink" throwaway line that we usually get after the blackout. It just needed that extra little something to not sound so disorienting, since the line's topic is so far removed from the show's overall tone.olucyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12047701257768309071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-62153691178842616532007-12-07T14:31:00.000-05:002007-12-07T14:31:00.000-05:00classic, for sure! i liked "token women" line in ...classic, for sure! i liked "token women" line in the republican room scene. heeeeee hee!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17510212513073148729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-84057800745243087022007-12-07T14:18:00.000-05:002007-12-07T14:18:00.000-05:00This is probably the only show where I watch the e...This is probably the only show where I watch the episodes twice. Wonderful.SJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01245472084190224186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-48363633716508230022007-12-07T14:00:00.000-05:002007-12-07T14:00:00.000-05:00When the scene suddenly went black at the end, I t...When the scene suddenly went black at the end, I thought maybe they were trying to satirize the final episode of "The Sopranos," but didn't take it far enough to make it work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-37265111067837681092007-12-07T13:23:00.000-05:002007-12-07T13:23:00.000-05:00There were something like 50 lines from that episo...There were something like 50 lines from that episode that bear quoting the next day. This is the most quotable 30 Rock episode; I'd venture it's the most quotable episode of anything, ever. Beat that, Simpsons fans. <BR/><BR/>And the lunch bit *could* have ended with "I'm black" but the "I killed my wife" works better because the second beat heightens ("I'm black") and the third beat heightens and breaks the pattern. The blackout was just icing. <BR/><BR/>"I forgot my birthday yesterday!" Tina was maybe too pathetic in this episode, but I identify with her so strongly, everything rings so true.SMMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03228707282665237517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-16423113771283650992007-12-07T12:17:00.000-05:002007-12-07T12:17:00.000-05:00Totally agree that this show has made not having "...Totally agree that this show has made not having "The Office" around OK. Don't get me wrong...I want "The Office" back but "30 Rock" is the show I most look forward to every week.<BR/><BR/>I used to work for NPR in my local market so the NPR line to me was hilarious.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-35803157881820287222007-12-07T12:12:00.000-05:002007-12-07T12:12:00.000-05:00As a liberal non-profit fundraiser, I just about b...As a liberal non-profit fundraiser, I just about busted a gut at "Last year, I gave to NPR." Priceless!Stefhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10024186205791001584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-64290740110170414322007-12-07T11:31:00.000-05:002007-12-07T11:31:00.000-05:00Agreed with Bill. Moreover, the joke is not that k...Agreed with Bill. <BR/><BR/>Moreover, the joke is not that killing one's wife is the same as being a black or gay Republican, but rather that that is what the wife-murderer believes -- that his confession is somehow appropriate in this context.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, I don't know why, but my favorite line was: "And your name is probably something like...Melissa."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com