30 Rock: Fireworks

30 Rock: Fireworks
NBC
April 5, 2007
Sitcom
DVD
B+

This episode introduces Will Arnett as one of my favorite recurring characters, Devon Banks.  But that's not the only reason why this is the first great episode of 30 Rock.  

• Arnett is awesome though, from his double-entendrous exchanges with his rival Jack to his flirtation with Kenneth, he is fun to watch;
• Banks come up with the 15-second sitcom, and we get to see an entire webisode;
• Jack believes that television shouldn't be smaller but should embrace the spectacle, so he offers live fireworks, not a good idea in midtown Manhattan only five and a half years after 9/11;
• For once the Tracy plot is good, with Tray finding out (from Dr. Spaceman, but no one questions this) that he's descended from Thomas Jefferson, who's played by Baldwin in Tracy's dream;
• Pete is staying at Liz's while his wife is mad at him, which leads to such funny moments as him dressing like Liz one morning;
• Liz pursues Floyd into an AA meeting and claims to be an alcoholic, but she does confess when she doesn't have to;
• And Tootsie jokes!

Frank Anello and Sue Galloway return as respectively a member of the Production Staff and Sue.  Matt Dickinson, who's Matt here, would return as Jack's Assistant (possibly the same character).  Dave Finkel, who plays the Husband in the Makin' It Happen episode, had previously played the 2nd AD and wrote two episodes, including this one (with Brett Baer), while Kay Cannon, who plays the Wife, would have two more roles and wrote the "Black Tie" episode and would do eleven more.  Al Roker would return as himself, but Maury Povich would not.  And Jenna is absent.