Lizzing to keep from crying: Reflecting on “30 Rock’s” best episodes

Lizzing to keep from crying: Reflecting on "30 Rock's" best episodes

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By “30 Rock’s” fifth episode, the series was starting to settle into its particular brand of zany-silly-smart absurdism — the Snapple product placement and the first appearance of Dennis Duffy happened in Episodes 5 and 6. But it all crystallized in the seventh episode, “Tracy Does Conan,” which included the first mentions of “The Rural Juror,” the first appearance of Dr. Spaceman, and Liz busting her ass to get a tweaking Tracy ready for "Conan." And it’s in this episode that Liz asks Jack why he’s wearing a tuxedo and gets schooled Donaghy style: “It’s after 6. What am I, a farmer?” NBC Universal

"Tracy Does Conan" (Season 1, Episode 7)

This episode, a meta-riff on Tina Fey’s experience impersonating vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin that featured Tracy impersonating vice-presidential candidate and Paul Ryan replacement Gov. Dunston, aired on the same night as the real vice-presidential debate between Ryan and Joe Biden: It got a little lost in the resulting hall of mirrors. But “Governor Dunston” is a shining example of the ballsy, go-for-broke brazenness of “30 Rock’s” final season, which has taken on just about anything it wants, and gone further with it than anyone else would. NBC Universal

"Governor Dunston" (Season 7, Episode 2)

“30 Rock” has probably had more hilarious recurring characters than any live-action TV show ever — and it’s probably used those recurring characters more effectively than any show ever. Dr. Spaceman, Devon Banks, Avery Banks, Carroll Carroll, Wesley Snipes, Colleen Donaghy, Phoebe with the hollow bones, it just goes on and on and on. And yet, among all this talent there is one standout, Dennis Duffy, dummy, and this episode is all about him. NBC Universal

"Subway Hero" (Season 2, Episode 12)

“30 Rock” was at its best in Seasons 2 and 3, but later seasons had their moments and the story line in which Jack’s wife, Avery (Elizabeth Banks), gets kidnapped by North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il (Margaret Cho) is one. This is the episode that kicks that story line off (and also features Liz getting really upset about a plastic bag, which I always like to think of as a shot at “American Beauty”) and finally pays off Jack’s romance with Condoleezza Rice, who appears as herself. NBC Universal

"Everything Sunny All the Time" (Season 5, Episode 21)

This episode is an embarrassment of silly riches: Kenneth sees everyone as a Muppet; Liz appears as a Muppet; Lizzing; Dennis and his fake sex addiction; Liz’s pre-Invisalign phone sex commercial; Jack jacking out of happiness; and the awesome efforts everyone at "TGS" will take to make sure Tracy Jordan thinks he’s in outer space. If they tried half that hard on their show, it just might be great — though not as great as this episode. NBC Universal

"Apollo, Apollo" (Season 3, Episode 16)

In one of “30 Rock’s” most notorious meta episodes, “TGS Hates Women,” lady blog Joan of Snark (basically Jezebel) chastises “The Girlie Show” for being misogynist and not having enough women writers on staff. Liz goes out and hires a woman, and then becomes obsessed with proving her girlie persona is fake. Like most episodes of “30 Rock,” “TGS Hates Women” doesn’t take a position, it just fleshes everything out and then laughs at all of it. And like all great episodes of “30 Rock,” the B-story is no slouch, featuring the canny Chloe Moretz as Jack’s cutthroat teenage nemesis. NBC Universal

"TGS Hates Women" (Season 5, Episode 16)

Jack wants to turn Liz’s sketch-turned-book "Dealbreakers" ("If he wears an Atlanta Falcons jersey to your sister's wedding? That's a dealbreaker, ladies!") into a TV show, turning Liz into an insecure, crazed actress, whose tears come out of her mouth in the process. It’s an episode that showcased just how good Fey got as an actress, and introduced the world to the acronym EGOT. NBC Universal

"Dealbreakers Talk Show #0001" (Season 4, Episode 7)

Otherwise known as the gorgeously structured episode that is an extended riff on “Amadeus,” with Tracy playing Mozart, a genius not at music but at pornographic video games. Just the mental image of Dr. Spaceman running slo-mo through the halls of “TGS,” his cape billowing behind him, makes me giggle. This is also the episode in which Jack taps Liz as his successor, so we get to see her in a business suit and drunkenly walk into the writer’s room to announce, “Hey, nerds, guess who's got two thumbs, speaks limited French, and hasn't cried once today? This moi." NBC Universal

"Succession" (Season 2, Episode 13)

Prior to this episode, “30 Rock” viewers had no reason to doubt Liz Lemon’s perception of her younger self as a loser nerd. But upon attending her high-school reunion with Jack, we learn (as she does) that she was actually a big ol’ bully — an important, missing, spiky layer to Liz Lemon. This is also the episode that introduced “I want to go to there,” and yes, you should want to go to here. NBC Universal

"Reunion" (Season 3, Episode 5)

A perfect episode from a perfect season: Liz hires Rosemary (Carrie Fisher), one of her heroes, to write for “The Girlie Show.” Rosemary agitates to do controversial material, Liz backs her, Jack fires both of them. Then, in Rosemary’s apartment in the dangerous neighborhood of Little Chechnya, Liz confronts her potential single, lonely future and flees back to Jack and accepts her Followship award. It’s a hilarious encapsulation of all of Liz’s anxieties and limitations — and then on top of that, this episode includes what is likely Alec Baldwin’s most memorable scene, as a one-man impersonation machine helping Tracy resolve his issues with his father. NBC Universal

"Rosemary's Baby" (Season 2, Episode 4)

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7 motorist-friendly camping sites

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White River National Forest via Lower Crystal Lake, Colorado
For those OK with the mainstream, White River Forest welcomes more than 10 million visitors a year, making it the most-visited recreation forest in the nation. But don’t hate it for being beautiful; it’s got substance, too. The forest boasts 8 wilderness areas, 2,500 miles of trail, 1,900 miles of winding service system roads, and 12 ski resorts (should your snow shredders fit the trunk space). If ice isn’t your thing: take the tire-friendly Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway — 82 miles connecting the towns of Meeker and Yampa, half of which is unpaved for you road rebels.
fs.usda.gov/whiteriveryou

Image credit: Getty

Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest via Noontootla Creek, Georgia
Boasting 10 wildernesses, 430 miles of trail and 1,367 miles of trout-filled stream, this Georgia forest is hailed as a camper’s paradise. Try driving the Ridge and Valley Scenic Byway, which saw Civil War battles fought. If the tall peaks make your engine tremble, opt for the relatively flat Oconee National Forest, which offers smaller hills and an easy trail to the ghost town of Scull Shoals. Scaredy-cats can opt for John’s Mountain Overlook, which leads to twin waterfalls for the sensitive sightseer in you.
fs.usda.gov/conf

Image credit: flickr/chattoconeenf

Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area via Green Road, Michigan
The only national forest in Lower Michigan, the Huron-Mainstee spans nearly 1 million acres of public land. Outside the requisite lush habitat for fish and wildlife on display, the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area is among the biggest hooks for visitors: offering beach camping with shores pounded by big, cerulean surf. Splash in some rum and you just might think you were in the Caribbean.
fs.usda.gov/hmnf

Image credit: umich.edu

Canaan Mountain via Backcountry Canaan Loop Road, West Virginia
A favorite hailed by outdoorsman and author Johnny Molloy as some of the best high-country car camping sites anywhere in the country, you don’t have to go far to get away. Travel 20 miles west of Dolly Sods (among the busiest in the East) to find the Canaan Backcountry (for more quiet and peace). Those willing to leave the car for a bit and foot it would be remiss to neglect day-hiking the White Rim Rocks, Table Rock Overlook, or the rim at Blackwater River Gorge.
fs.usda.gov/mnf

Image credit: Getty

Mt. Rogers NRA via Hurricane Creek Road, North Carolina
Most know it as the highest country they’ll see from North Carolina to New Hampshire. What they may not know? Car campers can get the same grand experience for less hassle. Drop the 50-pound backpacks and take the highway to the high country by stopping anywhere on the twisting (hence the name) Hurricane Road for access to a 15-mile loop that boasts the best of the grassy balds. It’s the road less travelled, and the high one, at that.
fs.usda.gov/gwj

Image credit: wikipedia.org

Long Key State Park via the Overseas Highway, Florida
Hiking can get old; sometimes you’d rather paddle. For a weekend getaway of the coastal variety and quieter version of the Florida Keys that’s no less luxe, stick your head in the sand (and ocean, if snorkeling’s your thing) at any of Long Key’s 60 sites. Canoes and kayaks are aplenty, as are the hot showers and electric power source amenities. Think of it as the getaway from the typical getaway.
floridastateparks.org/longkey/default.cfm

Image credit: floridastateparks.org

Grand Canyon National Park via Crazy Jug Point, Arizona
You didn’t think we’d neglect one of the world’s most famous national parks, did you? Nor would we dare lead you astray with one of the busiest parts of the park. With the Colorado River still within view of this cliff-edge site, Crazy Jug is a carside camper’s refuge from the troops of tourists. Find easy access to the Bill Hall Trail less than a mile from camp, and descend to get a peek at the volcanic Mt. Trumbull. (Fear not: It’s about as active as your typical lazy Sunday in front of the tube, if not more peaceful.)
fs.usda.gov/kaibab

Image credit: flickr/Irish Typepad

As the go-to (weekend) getaway car for fiscally conscious field trips with friends, the 2013 MINI Convertible is your campground racer of choice, allowing you and up to three of your co-pilots to take in all the beauty of nature high and low. And with a fuel efficiency that won’t leave you in the latter, you won’t have to worry about being left stranded (or awkwardly asking to go halfsies on gas expenses).

Image credit: miniusa.com

Lizzing to keep from crying: Reflecting on “30 Rock’s” best episodes

On Thursday we bid adieu to Liz, Jack, Tracy and Jenna after seven hilarious seasons. We don't want to go to there VIDEO SLIDE SHOW

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