30 Rock: The Moms

30 Rock: The Moms
NBC
May 6, 2010
Sitcom
DVD
B-

In this Cannon & Carlock episode, some of the mothers of the performers and writers show up for a special Mother's Day episode of TGS.  It's the backstage drama, including in one scene between Frank and his mom (I'm omitting Patti LuPone and Judah Friedlander from the overcrowded tags),  that is the real focus here.  Note that Colleen Donaghy meets Avery and she pushes Jack to choose between his two girlfriends.

Frank Anello continues his streak as a member of the Production Staff.  John Anderson plays Astronaut Mike Dexter again, and Will Ferrell is back as Shane Hunter.

30 Rock: Verna

30 Rock: Verna
NBC
February 4, 2010
Sitcom
DVD
B-

Ron Weiner wrote this episode where Jenna's mother, the title character (Jan Hooks in her first of two cameos), shows up and seems to want to make up for being a bad mom, but Jack doesn't trust her.  Hooks is quite good (even if she is only about eleven years older than Krakowski) and I wish the rest of the episode were at her level.  Frank moving in with Liz and the two of them having a bet about breaking bad habits (junk food for her, smoking for him) isn't that interesting, although the pay-off is pretty good.  Also, I don't like how people keep moving in with Liz without her really wanting them to.  I could see it with Pete in the first season, but not with Frank here, or with Tracy earlier this season.  Director Don Scardino plays a Maitre d'.