tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post8706354298633289494..comments2024-03-28T18:01:28.997-04:00Comments on What's Alan Watching?: 30 Rock, "St. Valentine's Day": My mother! My sister! My mother! My sister!Alan Sepinwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-74656346145638487792009-02-16T19:30:00.000-05:002009-02-16T19:30:00.000-05:00darn, that quote doesn't include the part about he...darn, that quote doesn't include the part about her Twitter account<BR/>as <A HREF="http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2009/02/tina-fey-respon.html" REL="nofollow">this one</A> doesPamela Jayehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06135379188588301400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-73060184743237889042009-02-16T11:48:00.000-05:002009-02-16T11:48:00.000-05:00Am I the only one who enjoyed the waiter at Plunde...Am I the only one who enjoyed the waiter at Plunder asking Jack "Is this a Sixth Sense situation? Should I bring another plate for your 'friend'?"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-35760808144533638802009-02-15T10:00:00.000-05:002009-02-15T10:00:00.000-05:00apparently TVGuide and Matt Mitovich got Tina to s...apparently TVGuide and Matt Mitovich got Tina to settle all the controversy and set the record straight:<BR/><BR/>"It gives me great pleasure to inform you that the references to McDonald's in last night's episode of 30 Rock were in no way product placement. (Nor were they an attempt at product placement that fell through.) We received no money from the McDonald's Corporation. We were actually a little worried they might sue us. That's just the kind of revenue-generating masterminds we are."<BR/><BR/>(although I did notice the McFlurry got another mention last night on SNL.)Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04002582937819621936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-82903257117537103622009-02-15T09:52:00.000-05:002009-02-15T09:52:00.000-05:00I thought the episode was fine. I wish Hamm was g...I thought the episode was fine. I wish Hamm was going to be around longer, because for all the oddness, it just seems abrupt to end it next week... like some horribly catastrophic event is going to happen (even tho I know that it's probably trivial) to end their relationship.<BR/><BR/>That said, lots about the episode to like -- most of all, for me, was the mother's deathbed confession followed by the cliched overdramatic snap of the head when she died. Brilliant.<BR/><BR/>The McFlurry stuff doesn't bother me at all. It's fine. Maybe a smidge extended this week over prior spots, but fine. "You'd think they'd be fighting!"<BR/><BR/>I also enjoy the notion that high-powered folks have more refined tastes than the rest of us.<BR/><BR/>If you were middle-class and worked your way into high-society thru the movie business, I'd have to imagine you've been to a McDonald's once or twice in your life... tho I suspect they've been supplanted by In-n-Out once you get to LA.Jeff K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06066184275506238731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-45059636565738637542009-02-14T16:31:00.000-05:002009-02-14T16:31:00.000-05:00Also, does John Hamm sound a lot like Brendan Fras...Also, does John Hamm sound a lot like Brendan Fraser on Mad Men too or just on 30 Rock?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-73587099754036695542009-02-14T16:28:00.000-05:002009-02-14T16:28:00.000-05:00So many great lines in this one, but for some reas...So many great lines in this one, but for some reason I kept laughing out loud at Baldwin's line reading of the word "Plunder". <BR/><BR/>What do DVRs have to do with the product placement, I still tape these shows on my 1900s VCR and skip through the commercials just like you highfalutin' DVR folks. I think the McFlurry placement was hilarious, like one commenter said the idea that a coupon for one was in the collection plate was perfect.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-13152877367241050202009-02-14T15:20:00.000-05:002009-02-14T15:20:00.000-05:00uhh, I'll write my review right after I get my don...uhh, I'll write my review right after I get my donut out of the micromave.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-91346323680627700082009-02-14T14:01:00.000-05:002009-02-14T14:01:00.000-05:00Also? "McFlurry" is an inherently funny word. It's...<I>Also? "McFlurry" is an inherently funny word. It's a comedy word, so I think putting it into a comedy is fine.</I><BR/><BR/>Comedically, it IS "better" than Big Mac or McNuggets references. <BR/><BR/>Maybe Norman Lear made a mistake with "Good Times." With JJ constantly talking about Big Macs, did they ever try to solicit payment from McDonald's?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-5811940889698536252009-02-14T03:04:00.000-05:002009-02-14T03:04:00.000-05:00I Dat Ninja has a point. Anytime I find myself fee...I Dat Ninja has a point. Anytime I find myself feeling the slightest bit annoyed about product placement (although apparently that wasn't the case this week. Thanks BigTed), I remind myself that it is my own fault. Mine, and those of us with Tivo and Tivo-like substances. It's a price I'm willing to pay for the ability to zap through traditional commercials.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05498229045397191604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-46536999312804389472009-02-14T00:46:00.000-05:002009-02-14T00:46:00.000-05:00I just always assume any reference to places like ...I just always assume any reference to places like Arby's, McDonald's, and Dunkin Donuts is a real reference to a place Tina Fey loves to eat.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-75852113728600209932009-02-13T19:52:00.000-05:002009-02-13T19:52:00.000-05:00"Don't tell me you're one of those convenient Cath..."Don't tell me you're one of those convenient Catholics who only goes to church on Sundays."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-45654980853141548952009-02-13T19:38:00.000-05:002009-02-13T19:38:00.000-05:00Okay, Tina Fey now says the McFlurry references we...Okay, Tina Fey now says the McFlurry references weren't actually product placement (and claims they were actually afraid McDonald's would sue them).<BR/>http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2009/02/vulture_exclusive_tina_fey_res.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-51535001211374380582009-02-13T18:49:00.000-05:002009-02-13T18:49:00.000-05:00I'm surprised that people are throwing around word...I'm surprised that people are throwing around words like "real" and "believable" when they complain about this show -- isn't the appeal of <I>30 Rock</I> its unhinged and fanciful surrealism?Leeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12792249859727933595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-11401560733527359282009-02-13T18:38:00.000-05:002009-02-13T18:38:00.000-05:00I thought Blind Girl was comparing her "normal" ch...I thought Blind Girl was comparing her "normal" chin to what Kenneth has. It was funny how she seemed to like his face until she got to his chin.<BR/><BR/>Jack's confession driving the priest out of the confessional was the highlight for me, along with Tracy de Bergerac. And I didn't even notice the McFlurry stuff--seemed like normal conversation to me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-23774979586495139652009-02-13T18:30:00.000-05:002009-02-13T18:30:00.000-05:00My favorite by far was Bethany, Baird's daughter: ...My favorite by far was Bethany, Baird's daughter: <BR/><BR/>"Why does it smell in here?!?" <BR/><BR/>"Blue is for showing your boobs, Purple is for doing stuff over your clothes, Black is for doing stuff under..."<BR/><BR/>And the best line:<BR/><BR/>"She had some more stew while you were outside!"<BR/><BR/>All the jokes about Liz being a food pig always crack me up. But the fact that she sneaked in more stew while Drew was downstairs even after it gave her dysentery was a bullseye.<BR/><BR/>I'm surprised with all the "Jon Hamm is underutilized" comments given how much the Special Guest Stars who were overemphasized in their episodes tended to throw 30 Rock entirely off its game. I think using Hamm and Selma as normal characters that are just in the flow instead of heavily emphasized makes them good on the show. The stars are, and should remain, Jack and Liz, and the Guests should be fine with being supporting roles that don't disrupt what we love most about it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-49788682274981450772009-02-13T18:11:00.000-05:002009-02-13T18:11:00.000-05:00This is the first episode this season that I reall...This is the first episode this season that I really loved, and I thought all the storylines really worked. (And Jenna was at a minimum, hooray!) I like the poster said above about Hamm playing the anti-Don Draper here, and how even with all the baggage he's bringing (certainly more than awkward Liz) they still joke that he's a Ted Bundy in order to be interested in Liz. That's good social satire, and I laughed when Jack ended the ep with it. And Grizz and Dot-Com were great!<BR/><BR/>Now I really want an Oreo McFlurry.Stefhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10024186205791001584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-52982316036644391562009-02-13T17:36:00.001-05:002009-02-13T17:36:00.001-05:00I wasn't sure what it was about Kenneth's chin tha...<I>I wasn't sure what it was about Kenneth's chin that freaked out the blind girl...</I><BR/><BR/>He doesn't have one.MadMemehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13719499288325313334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-50410035674351325512009-02-13T17:36:00.000-05:002009-02-13T17:36:00.000-05:00Did anyone else notice a subtle riff on a great Se...Did anyone else notice a subtle riff on a great Seinfeld episode here? (OK, it may not have been a riff so much as a blatant steal). But, with Liz getting dragged to Hamm's mother, it reminded me of the episode where J. Peterman drags George to HIS mother's hospital bed, where she utters his "boscoe" password as her last words before passing away.Barry Hertzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00505328531478339875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-18948799310319231852009-02-13T17:35:00.000-05:002009-02-13T17:35:00.000-05:00Is adsit still on the show?Is adsit still on the show?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-87533401021420150652009-02-13T16:38:00.000-05:002009-02-13T16:38:00.000-05:00Um, I didn't know Harvard had a divinity school. I...Um, I didn't know Harvard had a divinity school. I think that's funny in itself.<BR/><BR/>And where's Josh? Is he no longer on the show? I miss him.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-36587039992985910552009-02-13T16:31:00.000-05:002009-02-13T16:31:00.000-05:00I liked most of this week's, but not all of it.The...I liked most of this week's, but not all of it.<BR/><BR/>The McFlurry thing didn't bother me. Maybe because, if McDonald's is going to go for product placement, then it's pretty funny to flog the McFlurry, which I had never even heard of before, rather than the obvious Big Mac or Quarterpiunder with Cheese. Also, quite frankly, the description of a milkshake with candy AND...what else was it? I can't even remember...just sounded so nasty that it seemed like some over the top joke, rather than corporate synergy. Also? The notion that someone would put a McFlurry coupon in a church collection plate? That's pretty funny, too.<BR/><BR/>I wasn't sure what it was about Kenneth's chin that freaked out the blind girl, but having her look blindly at her wrist and say, "Oh, look at the time!" was hilarious. As was Tracy's attempt at classy conversation, which seemed to impress Kenneth as much as his love object.<BR/><BR/>I had the toughest time with the Lemon-Baird storyline, because I just don't find it inherently funny for Liz to be exposed sitting on a toilet. The whole mother dying and the deathbed secret--it just seemed like more than they needed to burden her with. She already has to deal with having told him countless lies about herself (how did she explain Buster's absence at their Valentine's dinner?). I did like the pyromaniac daughter, though. That's got real potential.<BR/><BR/>The best part--apart from the boob jokes, as @lungfish pointed out--was Jack going down the list of things Dr Baird must be to be that good-looking and also interested in Liz.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01288100796201737845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-3471807053434342672009-02-13T15:45:00.000-05:002009-02-13T15:45:00.000-05:00Every day life is full of product promo...we talk ...<I>Every day life is full of product promo...we talk about getting coffee from Starbucks, buying a Coke, going to Subway for lunch, etc. Is it weird to have those same product names being shown or talked about in tv shows?</I><BR/>I used to really hate when a show made everything generic to avoid mentioning a product, for much the same reason as mentioned above. The use of brand names in common dialogue is natural, so why not get someone to pay you to say them?<BR/><BR/>So many of the classic Seinfeld episodes center on a real product: junior mints, pez, etc. Maybe I'm naive, but I don't think they were doing paid product placements back then, but I used to always think, wow, that must be helping that company's business.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-41144601967677295762009-02-13T15:33:00.000-05:002009-02-13T15:33:00.000-05:00I loved the 'Malice' reference, if for no other re...I loved the 'Malice' reference, if for no other reason than that scene is up there with Glengarry for "badass speeches by a-hole characters."Bobmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01604050338240551711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-51809672316793227472009-02-13T15:24:00.000-05:002009-02-13T15:24:00.000-05:00Get rid of your DVRs and shows will stop using pro...Get rid of your DVRs and shows will stop using product placement. Is it really something to get so mad about in a smart, silly comedy?<BR/><BR/>Complaining about character development and the Liz/Hamm romance seem pointless as well. Do people really expect 23 minutes (or whatever it is) of genius every week? We should be happy that 30 Rock usually gives us three to four lough-out-loud moments and several sly/funny/quotable throwaway lines ("<I>this conversation has taken an unfortunate turn</I>" "<I>mom's keying your car</I>") each week.<BR/><BR/>Or, we <I>could</I> analyze everything to death.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-78942105706349054622009-02-13T15:10:00.000-05:002009-02-13T15:10:00.000-05:00Quick thoughts on an episode that I really enjoyed...Quick thoughts on an episode that I really enjoyed:<BR/>*Neat casting to have Maria Thayer being unsuccessfully-romanced by Kenneth less than 1 year after Thayer and McBrayer (lol) were an onscreen, newlywed, sexually searching couple in FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL<BR/>*This was the first time that I didn't wonder if Salma Hayek would do to 30R what Alyssa Milano did to EARL. She was really funny tonight.<BR/>*It's cool the way this show presents ridiculous situations like Liz's escalating date of horror with Jon Hamm and shows what a terrific sport she is. Mean girl or not, Liz is a good-hearted woman, and things work well when the stories pick up on that.<BR/>*Hard to imagine that McDonald's would be anything but ecstatic over the product references, after Jack (accurately) lauds their success and the McFlurry is a better romantic item than a $1,000 sugar monstrosity.<BR/>*I suppose Grizz and Dotcom are going to be the next Andy and Dwight, leaving us to wonder who their Angela will be :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com