30 Rock – Season 6 Review
30 Rock is back for its 6th and penultimate season. The show has maintained a pretty constant formula for the past 5 seasons and there is no change now. The same characters are still paired to play off one another, the same people get into shenanigans and there is no character development with any sentimentality being played out with tongue in cheek sarcasm. But if you’re a fan of 30 Rock its simplistic, never changing, formula of likeable characters (often hyper-reality versions of our own character traits – what woman doesn’t identify with Liz Lemon) and quick witted dialogue, often with current cultural, social and political references, is exactly what you will still enjoy.
Addressing an overview of this season it does hold up against the other seasons but has strong and weak points emerging that maybe I never noticed before or which are becoming more prominent as they take this formula show into 6 seasons.
What has also been the core of the show is the way in which characters play off each other with Liz (Tina Fey) and Jack (Alec Baldwin) at the centre. I did notice a little this season that Liz and Jack have less time together than usual and being one of the best relationships of the show this is a shame. The episode focusing on Liz and Jack as they recreate a perverse Batman and The Joker role play is pee your pants funny and their negotiations for Liz’s new contract is classic Liz and Jack. What did dawn on me this season was the lesser screen chemistry and banter between Liz and Tracy (Tracy Morgan). I am sure this existed more in previous seasons but now any exchanges they have feel rather flat and forced. Tracy and Jenna (Jane Krakowski) however are still the perfect combination of two idiots. I however have never been a fan of Tracy, I find him crass and pointless and the weakest part of the show.
What has always been a huge strength of 30 Rock is its ability to bring in new bit part characters who often just steal the show. This season you are in for a treat with an impressive collection; Kirsten Schaal joins the cast playing the new page Hazel Wassername. I love this actress (Mel in Flight of the Conchords) and her manipulation of the cast, stalkerish and psychotic tendencies are so fun to watch. Chloe Grace Moretz as Jack’s nemesis reminds you just how great this actress is (and may convince you that she was the perfect person to play Carrie in the new remake). James Marsden joins to flash those beautiful pearly whites, a beautiful man who is actually extremely good at comedic acting. And then there is the appearance of Billy Baldwin playing Jack in a TV movie. An obvious but inspired piece of casting.
30 Rock season 6 may be more of the same but it is the same goodness as what has come before. My only fault with this season is that some of the writing does feel forced and one line rather than comedic dialogue which does suggest the writers are tired and that it is a good thing there is just one more season.
Of course, though, I couldn’t write a review of 30 Rock without mentioning Kenneth Parcell. I’m sure that this show is not actually about Liz and Jack but really about Kenneth and his journey. He is, as usual, my favourite thing about 30 Rock. Who is Kenneth? When was he born? Is he wearing a wig. Where his parents really brothers? Answers I feel will never be revealed.
Lauren Cracknell