Jane Krakowski

TV Review: ‘30 Rock’ Returns With Two Perfect Episodes

BrianTT — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:03:25 -0600

CHICAGO – NBC sent over the first two episodes of the fourth season of the Emmy-winning “30 Rock” and, believe it or not, the show may actually be better than when it left the air last spring. Tonight’s premiere is good but next week’s episode is even better with some of the strongest comedy writing of the year to date and amazing work by the standard cast and one of their most talented regular guest stars, Will Arnett.

Television Rating: 4.5/5.0

Tonight’s episode, the fourth season premiere, is a clever satire of not just the show itself but the entire network. (A show-closing jab at “The Jay Leno Show” is a true gem.) “30 Rock” has never set the ratings on fire, appealing more to critics than actual viewers. It doesn’t really have that big a following or audience. And the season premiere brilliantly and subversively plays off the popularity, or lack thereof, of the show itself.

Tracy Morgan, Alec Baldwin, Tina Fey, Jane Krakowski, Jack McBrayer.
Photo credit: Mary Ellen Mathew/NBC

In the premiere, “Season Four,” Jack (Alec Baldwin) tells Liz (Tina Fey), Tracy (Tracy Morgan), and Jenna (Jane Krakowski) that “TGS” needs to make a few adjustments to become more relatable to the masses. Jenna decides to makeover her image, including a hilarious sports theme song a la the opening number to “Monday Night Football”. Tracy takes to the streets to get in touch with the common man again. Meanwhile, Jack sends Liz and Pete (Scott Adsit) to find a new cast member for the show, something that Tracy and Jenna are not going to take very well. At the same time, Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) leads a hysterical Page strike after accidentally seeing how much Jack makes. Steve Buscemi guest stars.

“Season Four” Episode 401 — Pictured: Jack McBrayer as Kenneth.
Photo credit: Ali Goldstein/NBC

The first episode of the fourth season of “30 Rock” is nearly perfect. Each cast member gets a scene or two to shine and the overall self-awareness is clever without being smug. The show has reached the point that it’s merely comforting to have the characters and the writer’s sense of humor back on the air like later seasons of “Cheers” or “Seinfeld”. The state of comedy on television is simply weaker when “30 Rock” is off the air.

Remarkably, the second episode is even better, standing among the best in the history of the show. “Into the Crevasse” features the return of the great Will Arnett as Devin, plotting revenge against Jack by bringing down GE and him with it. Jenna continues to work against Liz by getting a hilarious acting gig that takes her away from her work on the show and every man in town is angry after the publication of Liz’s book. Kenneth gets a job at an animal shelter.

If it’s possible, and I certainly think it is after a slightly-down third season, “30 Rock” has gotten better in season four. This is the best opening pair of episodes for any season of the show to date with rapid-fire dialogue, unpredictable plot turns, and great performances. There’s a scene between Arnett and Baldwin in the second episode that is one of my favorite of the year to date from any show.

With consecutive wins for Best Comedy Series, it seems likely that the rest of the industry is waiting for “30 Rock” to fall from its pedestal. Based on the excellent fourth season premiere and its even better second episode, it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen this year.

‘30 Rock,’ which airs on NBC, stars Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, Jack McBrayer, Jane Krakowski, Scott Adsit, and Judah Friedlander. Season four premieres on October 15th, 2009 at 8:30PM CST.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

DVD Review: Third Season of Emmy-Winning ‘30 Rock’

BrianTT — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:53:22 -0600

CHICAGO – Maybe you’ve heard of a little show called “30 Rock”? It doesn’t set the ratings on fire but critics and award-giving bodies go crazy for it like kids with pixie sticks. Personally, I think the third season of “30 Rock” was a slight step down from the second, but there’s no denying that this is one of the best comedies on television, as its recent major wins at the Emmys proved yet again.

DVD Rating: 4.0/5.0

Sitcom television is always about the ensemble. Think about your favorite comedies. Shows like “Seinfeld,” “Cheers,” “Arrested Development” - they were all amazing group efforts. “30 Rock” is no different. Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Jack McBrayer, Tracy Morgan, and Jane Krakowski may be the five faces peering out the front of the DVD box for the recently released third season, but even they regularly have their scenes stolen by the extended cast, one of the best on television.

Of course, when a whole cast works as well as the gang at “30 Rock,” you have to credit the writers. Headed by the unbelievably talented Tina Fey, the writing on “30 Rock” can be as good as anything on television. I think season three got a little too heavy on guest stars (a regular trick with aging NBC shows…”Will & Grace” was practically “The Love Boat” for the second half of its run it was so heavy on commercial-friendly guests) and I’ve always liked “30 Rock” more when I can relate to Liz, Jack, Kenneth and the rest of the gang.

30 Rock: Season 3” was released on DVD on September 22nd, 2009.
Photo credit: Universal Home Video

Except for the great, recurring Dean Winters (as Dennis) and Elaine Stritch (as Jack’s mom), the show should pull back on stunt casting and guest stars and let the regular stars do their thing. As for the writing, season three occasionally got a little too wacky for its own good. The show works best when the focus is on relatable comedy like Liz going to her high school reunion or Jack going to a retreat not when it’s on Telenovela characters or charity musical numbers.

Having said that, a slightly-down third season of “30 Rock” is still better than most television. If you haven’t caught up with the show, you’re missing one of the most beloved and acclaimed series of the ’00s. And Universal treats the many fans of the show who watch it on DVD well with a very nice three-disc box set. First, some episode highlights from the season to either refresh your memory or give you a preview of what to expect:

“Believe in the Stars” - On a flight back from Chicago, Liz spills her soul to Oprah Winfrey. Meanwhile, Tracy and Jenna butt heads as they try to determine whose life is harder and Jack’s morality is tested by Kenneth after an Olympics snafu.

“Reunion” - Liz is opposed to going to her high school reunion, but Jack manages to convince her otherwise. Meanwhile, Don Geiss (Rip Torn) wakes up from his coma only to shock Jack with his declaration of who will be GE’s CEO.

“Christmas Special” - Liz participates in a charity program to help underprivileged kids celebrate Christmas. Meanwhile, Jack takes his frustration out on the “TGS” staff when his plans for a dream holiday vacation away from his overbearing mother (Elaine Stritch) are crushed.

“Retreat to Move Forward” - Nervous about the corporate retreat, Jack recruits Liz to accompany him for support. Jenna decides to take up method acting to prepare for her Janis Joplin role. Kenneth must convince Tracy that diabetes is affected by his diet.

“Apollo, Apollo” - While Jack plans the perfect 50th birthday party for himself, he watches old home videos that inspire him to recreate one of the happiest moments he had as a young boy. Liz’s ex-boyfriend Dennis (Dean Winters) decides to come clean about an addiction, stirring up drama between Liz and Jenna.

The DVD set for “30 Rock” is a beauty but the original broadcast in HD is stunning, so why can’t I own the show on Blu-Ray? It’s ridiculous that a show this popular and this high-selling on DVD hasn’t made the jump to the next-gen format.

The episodes are presented in 1.78:1 widescreen and accompanied by English Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks. Of course, they look and sound good, but a show should be available in at least the same quality it was originally broadcast in, arguably better.

As for bonus features, “30 Rock” includes audio commentary by Tina Fey, Jon Hamm, Alan Alda, Jack McBrayer, Jane Krakowski, and more, deleted scenes, “Behind-the-Scenes with the Muppets,” “1-900-OKFACE,” “The Making of “He Needs a Kidney,” photo gallery, and more.

Come back for our review of the fourth season premiere next week!

‘30 Rock: Season 3’ is released by Universal Home Video and stars Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, Jane Krakowski, Jack McBrayer, Scott Adsit, and Judah Friedlander. The show was released on September 22nd, 2009. It is not rated and runs 486 minutes.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Interview: Rainn Wilson Lays Down Tracks Beyond ‘The Office’ in New Film ‘The Rocker’

HollywoodChicago.com — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:10:08 -0600

CHICAGO – Rainn Wilson is more than just the popular NBC character Dwight Schrute. The bespectacled antagonist of “The Office” is nowhere in evidence this time around as Wilson sat down with HollywoodChicago.com to talk about his new film “The Rocker”.

The theater and TV veteran expressed a thoughtfulness and gratitude about his journey to this first feature-film lead role and spoke more about the craft of acting than the virtue of his celebrity.

Rainn Wilson in Chicago (left) for “The Rocker” with HollywoodChicago.com film critic Patrick McDonald (right).
Photo credit: Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

Rainn Wilson is “The Rocker” (also known as Robert “Fish” Fishman) who joins his nephew’s band “A.D.D.” and finally reclaims the rock-god throne he has always thought he deserved in the film “The Rocker”.
Photo credit: George Kraychyk

“The Rocker” is a comedy about Richard “Fish” Fishman (Wilson): a drummer from the 1980s whose hair metal band “Vesuvius” is about to hit the big time.

Unfortunately, he isn’t going with them. The band decides to dump Fish right before the breakthrough. Distraught, Fish goes on a downward spiral for a few decades and ends up living in his sister’s attic in Cleveland, Ohio.

Rainn Wilson was able to play a drummer because he had a music background.

“I had a little bit of experience when I went to New Trier Township High School (in the Chicago suburb of Winnetka, Ill.). There was a short-lived band I was in called Collective Moss,” he said. “We only played two gigs. We were the world’s worst cover band. We were just awful.”

Rainn Wilson in Chicago for “The Rocker” on June 10, 2008.
Photo credit: Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

Rating: 2.0/5.0

Wilson added: “But I could read music and that’s how I learned the tracks for ‘The Rocker’. I would tape the ‘score’ on the drum set and learn to play that way. This made it easier for me to pick up the rhythm.”

When Fishman’s nephew (Josh Gad) finds that his fledgling band “A.D.D.” is in need of a drummer, he turns to his now-older uncle to sit in. In a calculated turn of events, this new band (with old-man Fish on drums) becomes an up-and-coming sensation.

They go on the road with their parents (including Christina Applegate) and a new manager (Jason Sudeikis) in tow.

“A lot of dialogue was improvised,” Wilson said. “Jason Sudeikus would say some of the most wildly inappropriate stuff that would come out in a stream of consciousness. Josh Gad had the strangest wiring of his brain. You never knew what he was going to do.”

Christina Applegate is Kim: the mother of and chaperone to a young rock musician in “The Rocker”.
Photo credit: George Kraychyk

Rainn Wilson in “The Rocker”.
Photo credit: George Kraychyk

He added: “It was nice to see everyone doing their thing and being allowed to do their thing. Everyone was allowed to be funny.”

Strangely enough, it is Fish who’s the wild and inappropriate child on the tour. His antics almost derail the entire band. There is one last concert chance, though, at the Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame against his old 1980s band mates.

How did the normally lower-key characters that Rainn Wilson plays get morphed into a wild-man rock star?

“It was studying the drums. There is something about a drummer,” he said. “They’re not cerebral. I have a tendency in my life to be more cerebral and a bit reserved. But he’s a big puppy dog, a physical person and a ‘talk first, think later’ type with his heart on his sleeve. It was lot of fun to plunge into that.”

“There was no specific drummer who I based my character on,” he added. “It was a compilation of watching the heavy-metal drummers on YouTube. I recommend that to anyone. Start researching hair-metal drummers.”

Wilson also talked about the inevitability of comparisons between his essential Dwight Schrute character on “The Office” and drummer Fish in “The Rocker”.

“There are similarities between Dwight Schrute and Fish and there are differences,” he reflected. “But there has to be enough similarities so ‘The Office’ fans will line up when ‘The Rocker’ opens to see the guy who plays Dwight play a heavy-metal rocker dude. It was just a blast to enter into that whole genre of music.”

RELATED IMAGE GALLERY
View our full, high-resolution “The Rocker” image gallery.

RELATED READING
More film reviews from critic Patrick McDonald.

Finally, Wilson discusses his experience in working at “The Office”.

“I’ve been very fortunate because Dwight Schrute comes from the writers and creator Greg Daniels. They aren’t interested in doing things the normal way things have been done,” Wilson said. “They want to find different facets and different sides to all the characters.”

“It works well,” he added. “When you see Dwight’s vulnerabilities, people respond to it and are more likely to tune in. Then we get to make more episodes.”

Note: In a unique viral marketing promotion, Rainn Wilson has “kidnapped” “The Office” mate Jenna Fischer and will not free her until “everyone” sees “The Rocker”. Visit FreeJennaNow.com to play along.

“The Rocker,” which features Rainn Wilson, Josh Gad, Christina Applegate, Emma Stone, Jason Sudeikis, Teddy Geiger, Jeff Garlin, Jane Lynch, Fred Armisen, Will Arnett and Jane Krakowski, opens on Aug. 20, 2008 everywhere.

By PATRICK McDONALD
Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com