Season 6 - Episode 1
NBC (US)
It's been away a long time, held off until January on account of Tina Fey having a baby, but 30 Rock is back. And while it's not quite back with a bang, the sixth season premiere had enough to suggest that it's going to be another good season with Liz, Tracy, Jack and co.
Liz is unusually chipper as the gang return from their holidays, and Jack sets out to find out exactly why. He is accompanied by Tracy, who is becoming increasingly infuriated at not being able to get Liz to acknowledge his craziness. As the two first think that she's on drugs, it turns out that she's been dancing with the WNBA's New York Liberty's Timeless Torches Dance Team. A troupe of amateurs who entertain the crowds at Madison Square Garden when the Liberty are at home. Thinking he's solved the mystery, Jack drops Liz off at the cinema, where he sees her meeting a man. And thus the stories for the next few weeks are started!
Elsewhere, Jenna has found herself as the mean spirited judge on an American Idol style competition for kids (John McEnroe plays himself - as the nice judge in an absolutely inspired cameo), which Jack meddles with when he sees Jenna upset a child who reminds him of his own daughter (his wife, Avery is still imprisoned in North Korea, now by Kim Jong-un following the death of his father!) After realising he cares more about ratings than the feelings of other people's children, he allows Jenna go back to her mean ways. And Kenneth is convinced the Rapture is coming, and the writers decide to mess with him while Pete tries to keep the peace. It's a silly, but ultimately very funny sub-plot.
It's a welcome if unspectacular return from 30 Rock, but seems to have worked well as an episode to set up the rest of the season. It is a shame that it's replaced Community in the schedules (still no news on its return BTW, just "Spring" for now) but I'm always happy to have Liz Lemon and the gang on my screen.
*** 1/2
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