30 Rock: Cutbacks

30 Rock: Cutbacks
NBC
April 9, 2009
Sitcom
DVD
C-

Matt Hubbard wrote this, the weakest 30 Rock episode so far.  Jack and Liz both have to deal with budget cutbacks, which is a promising storyline, but there are too many unfunny and implausible moments, particularly in the thread where Tracy and Jenna think Kenneth is a serial killer, so they accidentally kill his pet bird.

Shockingly, Frank Anello plays a member of the Production Staff.  Then 91-year-old Don Pardo is winkingly cast as Sid, the elderly announcer for TGS.  And Todd Buonopane returns as Jeffrey Weinerslav.

Weird Al Yankovic: I Lost on Jeopardy

Weird Al Yankovic: I Lost on Jeopardy

Song released June 4, 1984

Music Video

VHS

B+

This salute to the pre-Trebek version of the game show remains one of Al's catchiest songs, with the onscreen tech crew (including Dr. Demento) doing the oos.  Don Pardo, whom I then best knew from Saturday Night Live reruns, seems to take particular glee in calling Al a loser.  Unlike "Eat It," this doesn't attempt to capture the original video, except in the closing shots, with Greg Kihn himself in the car.  Look for the naughty "answer" about chrome-sucking, which we're not given the question for.