Top 10 “30 Rock” Moments

This Emmy-winning episode is one unforgettable moment after another. We see Jack – or, sorry, Larry Braverman – trying to fit in at Liz’s high school reunion, some fantastic ‘80s throwbacks, and the ultimate reveal that Liz was actually the high school bully, and not the quiet nerd. However, we couldn’t resist including this cutaway gag. While flying into White Haven, Pennsylvania for Liz’s high school reunion, she and Jack hit some turbulence. Since Liz can’t help but make things hilariously awkward, we’re treated to several dark revelations as she hopes to cleanse herself of her sins before the plane crashes. It’s a brief scene, but one that speaks to Fey’s talent as both a writer and performer.

After writing one of the most successful sketches in TGS history, Liz becomes enamored with the fame it brings her. This results in a ton of great moments, including the hilarious opening credits of her eventual talk show. The height of this storyline, though, is this scene where Liz informs several characters of the various and admittedly odd reasons their relationships won’t work out. It’s another hilarious bout of misguided confidence courtesy of Elizabeth Miervaldis Lemon, and it’s moments like these that remind us how just how kooky, yet lovable, this leading lady can be. Ya burnt!

Near the end of the series, Liz gets her happy ending and finally manages to have it all when she marries James Marsden’s Criss (two Ss). This episode closes with a quickly thrown-together courthouse wedding ceremony that explodes with the quirkiness “30 Rock” is famous for. Liz’s ex-boyfriend is there, Criss buys the ring at a police auction, Jack reads from “The Fountainhead” – it’s all so random, yet so cohesive. Sure, Liz has donned her Leia costume on other occasions, but this one’s definitely the most noteworthy. Aside from being hilarious, this sitcom wedding is also a sweet moment that provides a rare instance of uncompromised happiness for Liz, which makes it that much more rewarding – especially after seven seasons!

If you’ve become as successful as Jack Donaghy, you’ve almost definitely developed some strategies to get where you are, and some of them you may not be super proud of. And if Tina Fey created you, those strategies are bound to be revealed at the worst possible time. Here, Jack performs a psych-up speech at a business retreat, unwittingly speaking into his hot microphone. This incident is an unusual moment of vulnerability for Jack, but what’s even better is that it results in a touching, albeit hard-to-watch scene wherein Liz tries to out-embarrass Jack to save him from humiliation. A great moment for their relationship, it also teaches us a valuable lesson. (Play final line of the episode: “That’s what friends do, Jack. Duy.”)

Much to Liz’s dismay, Tracy and Jenna are often at each other’s throats for very dumb reasons. So when she leaves town, things get pretty extreme. Unable to agree on whether or not it’s harder to be black or female in America, Tracy and Jenna decide to trade places. Of course, that’s not the end of the gag, as it’s only complete once a monster claw and a musical number from “The Wiz” find their way into the episode. Also whiteface AND blackface. However, everyone realizes that there’s only one person who could possibly understand what it’s like to be both black and female, and therefore solve this dispute. Uh...no, not Oprah. A preteen girl. Of course.

We all have things from our past that we would prefer to keep to ourselves, but Liz’s are so funny you’ll Lizz yourself. In order to resolve an argument, Liz allows Jenna to tell the writing crew about an ad she once made for a phone sex hotline...which didn’t have enough numbers or accept credit cards. Liz’s admirable...okay, underwhelming attempts at being sexy, which include eating pizza, crawling on a bed, and playing tug-of-war, are just as fun to watch for the audience as they are for the writers. Aaaaaaaand Jack.

Tracy Jordan is easily the most eccentric character on this series – and that’s saying something. It’s always a ton of fun when his craziness rubs off on other characters, and that’s exactly what happens here. In an attempt to get to the root of his daddy issues, Tracy brings Jack into his therapy session, which culminates with some role-play. Jack plays essentially every member of Tracy’s family – including Tracy himself – in an energetic and uproarious sequence. In fact, Alec Baldwin won an Emmy for this episode, and it’s not hard to see why. Dynomite!

Sometimes, it seems like Jack excels at everything. This moment proves that’s definitely not the case. Jack shows the writers what seems to be a well-put-together PSA starring himself, instructing them to integrate GE products into TGS. Liz tells Jack she’ll do it if Jack appears in the sketch. It’s important at this point to note that TGS, much like another NBC sketch comedy show, airs LIVE. So, when Liz is shown the outtakes from Jack’s PSA, it becomes clear that he is no actor. He fails to remember more than a few words at a time, becomes far too easily distracted, and, at one point, can’t even figure out how to walk. That’s what you get for trying to force a “dignified” show to do product placement.

Well...maybe this is what you get when you force a dignified show to do product placement. “30 Rock” never shies away from satirizing the current media landscape, most notably with its very meta take on product placement, which has appeared in multiple episodes. Instead of shoehorning products into the script, the show will turn itself into a full-blown commercial, even breaking the fourth wall to address the audience. It works as a clever joke, but also as a way to indicate that, while the show might feature the occasional product placement to pay the bills, that doesn’t mean the show has signed a deal with the devil; they remain as self-aware as ever. Hmmm, suddenly we could really go for a Snapple…

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- Rosemary Howard
“Rosemary’s Baby”

- Werewolf Bar Mitzvah
“Jack Gets in the Game”

- Liz Drunk Dials the Co-Op Board
“Episode 210”

- Muffin Top
“Jack-Tor”

- Jack Tries to Promote the GOP
Various episodes

There’s no doubt that Jack Donaghy is one sophisticated guy, and sometimes that clashes with Liz’s casual attitude – especially in the early days of their mentor/mentee relationship. Their rapport manages to be disdainful and disapproving, yet still respectful and friendly, which is what makes it one of the best elements of the show. One particular interaction that epitomizes this happened early in the series, and it’s where Liz fails to understand Jack’s philosophy on evening wear. While the same episode features the classic Tracy on Conan moment – and all the shenanigans leading up to it – this scene proved that “30 Rock” was a masterful combination of witty writing and perfect delivery. Now if you’ll excuse us, it’s six o’clock.

Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite “30 Rock” moment? For more mind-grape-blowing top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to MsMojo – dummies.