30 Rock: Sun Tea

30 Rock: Sun Tea
NBC
November 19, 2009
Sitcom
DVD
C

This episode, the first of seven written by Dylan Morgan and Josh Siegal, is best symbolized either by Al Gore returning and telling us why it's important to recycle jokes, or by the title, which is Frank's term for the urine he collects in jars.  Liz moves in with a cool gay cop, but only so she can drive him away and she can buy his apartment when the building goes condo, and she actually uses "sun tea" to achieve her goal.  Meanwhile both Jack and Tracy consider getting vasectomies but don't go through with it, mostly so the series can go on to make them have baby daughters that they'll neglect (Tracy's in particular).  I would've given a C- if not for the Cosby Show parody.

Marceline Hugot returns as Kathy Geiss, while Rip Torn's actual son Tony plays Bertram Geiss, presumably the father of Don Geiss's grandchildren.  Bobb'e J. Thompson returns as Tracy, Jr., and impacts the plot.  Exercise Woman Kristin McGee would next be seen as Kaitlin.  And Sue Galloway is Sue.

30 Rock: Greenzo

30 Rock: Greenzo
NBC
November 8, 2007
Sitcom
DVD
B-

In this first of two 30 Rock stories written by Jon Pollack, David Schwimmer plays the title character, an out of control actor whom Jack has hired to be a corporate-friendly and kid-friendly environmental superhero.  Meanwhile, Pete is having an "affair" with his wife Paula (played here and later by Paula Pell), whom he's been with since getting her pregnant on their first date in their sophomore year of college.  And Tracy's scheme to make Kenneth's party the event of the year of course backfires.

Meredith Vieira appears as herself for the first of five times, and Al Gore as himself for the first of two.

The Daily Show: Coverage of Democratic Convention Day 1

The Daily Show: Coverage of Democratic Convention Day 1
Comedy Central
July 27, 2004
News Comedy Show
DVD
B-

This is at its best when Colbert is commenting on the convention itself, while the side reports by the reporters aren't as good.  And, yes, 80-year-old Jimmy Carter spoke at the Dem Con, along with the Clintons and Gore.

Roseanne: Some Enchanted Merger

Roseanne: Some Enchanted Merger
ABC
February 11, 1997
Sitcom
DVD
C

Roseanne has a crush on Edward Wellman, Jr. (James Brolin again), to the point that she has daydreams about him in thought balloons.  Meanwhile, Mark gives D.J. bad advice on girls.  I couldn't get into either thread and was leaning towards C-, but I did laugh out loud at the "consummation" montage that includes not only a roaring fire but donuts and a Clinton-Gore victory.  Richard Paul is listed in the IMDB credits again, so I guess he was in one of the daydream sequences.  This is the first of three Roseanne episodes written by voice actress April Winchell.

inAuguration 93: America Gets the Bill

inAuguration 93: America Gets the Bill

Comedy Central

January 20, 1993

Politics

VHS
C+

Clinton gets inaugurated, with "Live - eight hours later" coverage from CC.  Al Franken wears a top hat and says things going to and from commercial, but most of the commentary is chyrons.  Sometimes dull, but has its moments.  And, yes, we're basically in the mid '90s now, although that won't be immediately obvious.

inDecision 92: Election Night: Fragment

inDecision 92: Election Night: Fragment
Comedy Central
November 3, 1992
Politics
VHS
B-

Future Senator Al Franken and company, including Joy Behar, Roy Blount, Jr. and Buck Henry, cover Bill Clinton's election from a humorous and decidedly Democratic angle.  There are some slow moments, but it's worth watching again for things like footage of Calvin Trillin at the Republican Convention interviewing "the wrong George Bush," i.e. the giddy, somewhat goofy eldest son of the President.  Note that CC used this opportunity to promote not only Gaffney's Women Aloud but three of the classic sitcoms it was then airing:  Bilko, Car 54, and That Girl.  (I don't have enough space to tag Phil Silvers, but, yes, he was also on a great episode of Gilligan's Island.)