[IMG:L]30 Rock — 8:30/7:30c on NBC
30 Rock continues to struggle mightily with its ratings, but it’s not for a lack of trying, er, guest stars.
Almost every week on NBC’s hilarious sophomore sitcom, a new but familiar face pops up–partly a testament to Tina Fey’s absurdly brilliant material, which really connects with famous viewers, and partly a testament to NBC’s relentless ratings push.
Just last week, for example, three big names were game for a 30 Rock pop-in: David Schwimmer, in a rare TV appearance, as Greenzo (a sarcastic wink to NBC’s “green” week); Meredith Vieira, as herself, attempting to interview Greenzo on The Today Show; and, shockingly, Al Gore in cameo mode.
This week would seem to be small-fry by comparison, as Edie Falco guest-stars, but the Sopranos star couldn’t be more perfectly cast than as a Democratic congresswoman uber-conservative Jack (Alec Baldwin) surprisingly falls for. Liz (Fey), meanwhile, suspects her neighbor is a terrorist.
Such a typically great, if overly quirky, premise. Alas, 30 Rock, A-list guest stars and all, is dangerously close to becoming the next Arrested Development!
ALSO…
[IMG:R]The Office — 9/8c on NBC
Meanwhile, on NBC’s other must-see (in-order-to-keep-it-on-the-air) Thursday show… Jan’s (Melora Hardin) back, and badder than ever! Michael’s (Steve Carell) current girl toy/former superior sues Dunder-Mifflin over corporate and legal complications and he’s summoned as a witness. But that’s not the only workplace drama of the night: Jim (John Krasinski) faces off in table tennis against Darryl (Craig Robinson), with his new quasi-girlfriend, Kelly (Mindy Kaling), providing the trash talk.
Iconoclasts — 10/9c on Sundance Channel
TV producer Norman Lear and Starbucks chairman Howard Schultz discuss creative entrepreneurship. Unfortunately, there likely will be no discussion of how many countries they could own if they pooled their money together.
[IMG:L]Pulp Fiction — 11/10c on IFC
Of all the quotability from Quentin Tarantino’s hilarious, disturbing, groundbreaking, industry-shaking masterpiece, so many lines don’t get their due. Like when Maynard (Duane Whitaker) says to Butch (Bruce Willis) and Marsellus (Ving Rhames), “Nobody kills in my place of business except me or Zed.” Where the hell is that t-shirt?!
