30 Rock: Hiatus

30 Rock: Hiatus
NBC
April 26, 2007
Sitcom
DVD
B-

Although this story written by Tina Fey introduces Elaine Stritch as Jack's outspoken mother Colleen and has some nice platonic chemistry between Fey and Baldwin, the Tracy held hostage by Kenneth's even more redneck cousin plot doesn't really work.  Emily Mortimer makes her last appearance as Phoebe, since it's clear Jack doesn't love her.  And Liz and Floyd accidentally break up over Skype.

Justin Smith returns as a Black Crusader and Lester Holt again appears as himself.  Matt Dickinson this time is nameless as Jack's Assistant, although he was Matt previously.  Frank Anello wraps up the season as a member of the onscreen Production Staff.  And in her last role on the show for awhile, Rachel Dratch is Dr. Beauvoir.  Most of the writers are absent again.

As the title implies, both TGS and 30 Rock went on hiatus.  This 21-episode season ranges from C to B+, with just over half of the episodes earning a B-, so it's not surprising that it averages out to a B-.  The show takes awhile to find itself, and I'm sorry but the Tracy character just doesn't appeal to me most of the time.  Still, there's some good stuff here, and I recall the second season as being sharper and funnier.