30 Rock: Season 2 | 
| Actor: Tina Fey
Studio: Universal Studios
List Price: $39.98
Buy New: $23.60
You Save: $16.38 (41%)
New (54) Used (7) from $23.60
Rating:  32 reviews
Sales Rank: 106
Format: Ac-3, Color, Dolby, Dvd-video, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Number Of Items: 2
Running Time: 300 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.5 x 1
MPN: MCAD61102113D
UPC: 025195017312
EAN: 0025195017312
ASIN: B001B9LWME
Release Date: October 7, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Studio: Uni Dist Corp. (mca) Release Date: 10/07/2008 Rating: Nr
Amazon.com
"I really feel like this is going to be my year," an uncharacteristically optimistic Liz Lemmon proclaims in 30 Rock's season two opener. Reality quickly intrudes on the hapless Liz, but for Tina Fey and 30 Rock, the year couldn't be better. Nominated for 17 Emmys, the series repeated for Outstanding Comedy Series and earned Outstanding Actress and Actor honors for Fey and co-star Alec Baldwin as GM CEO-in-waiting Jack Donaghy. TV icon Tim Conway was also honored as Outstanding Guest Actor as Bucky Bright in "Subway Hero"--just one of the strike-shortened season's benchmark episodes--as a faded TV star from the 1940s and '50s who shatters the illusions of television-loving NBC page Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) with appalling (and unprintable) stories about "the good old days." If you're going to make a television show, Bucky tells him, "things are going to get weird." And from one of Kenneth's lame parties that turns dark and twisted to the "Page Off" between Kenneth and his nemesis (Human Giant's Paul Scheer) things get really weird behind the scenes of TGS, the SNL-ish sketch show where Liz oversees a motley crew of writers and her tempermental, demanding stars, insecure diva Jenna Maroney (Jane Krakowski) and all kinds of crazy Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan). 30 Rock is rarefied television, each episode brimming with quotable dialogue ("Never go with a hippie to a second location"), brilliantly absurd bits (Tracy Jordan's novelty hit, "Werewolf Bar Mitzvah," the TV series "MILF Island," Liz's Cathy moment), and edge of the frame silliness that rewards close attention ("Anne Heche Leaves Husband for Pony," reads a network news scroll in the episode, "Somebody to Love"). Stellar guest stars rise to the occasion. Edie Falco was an Emmy nominee for her recurring role as "C.C.", the liberal Democratic Congresswoman who becomes conservative Republican Jack's "hippie dippy mama," as was Carrie Fisher as former Laugh-In writer Rosemary in the instant classic episode, "Rosemary's Baby." It's this episode which features Tracy's therapy session during which Jack channels Fred Sanford and J.J. from Good Times. Making welcome returns this season are Will Arnett as Jack's corporate rival, Devon Banks, Chris Parnell as unethical Dr. Spaceman, Elaine Stritch as Jack's castrating mother, and Dean Winters as Dennis Duffy, Liz's sleazy former boyfriend and New York's unlikeliest hero. But the real muffin top on this two disc set are the awesome bonus features, including a revelatory table read of the season finale, "Cooter," the benefit live performance of the episode "Secrets and Lies" (complete with an improvised commercial), a 30 Rock panel discussion with cast and creators moderated by Brian Williams, and a backstage look at Fey's Saturday Night Live homecoming last season. Most sitcoms are as bad for you as the offbrand Mexican Cheetos that Liz gorges herself on, and as Jenna tells Liz at one point, employing "a weak metaphor," you deserve a good meal. 30 Rock is a feast. --Donald Liebenson
Stills from Season Two of 30 Rock (click for larger image)
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| Customer Reviews: Read 27 more reviews...
 The best comedy on TV just gets better July 27, 2008
Robert Moore (Chicago, IL USA)
28 out of 28 found this review helpful
Watching 30 ROCK during its second season was a completely exhilarating experience. It had in its rookie year quickly established itself as the funniest show on TV, but during its sophomore campaign the writing and acting got sharper and sharper with each episode. Next to ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT, I honestly believe that this is the funniest American comedy series ever.
Most comedy shows, when the writers get a funny joke or idea, they massage it and call attention to it, perhaps even taking a pause to allow everyone to notice and appreciate it. Not 30 ROCK. The jokes just tumbled out and sometimes they were only there if you looked hard for them. The humor came in waves, in layers. For instance, in one episode Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) is watching Celeste Cunningham (Edie Falco), with whom he has just had a passionate romantic encounter, get interviewed on a news network. The main point in the scene is that the right-wing Republican Jack is horrified to learn that his flame is a left-wing Democrat, but if you look very carefully at the ticker tape along the bottom of the TV screen, you will see the words "Anne Heche leaves husband for pony" scroll across. And shot after shot during the season features in-jokes concerning the Shinehardt Wig Company ("NOT Polluting Rivers since 1997"), which somehow manages to be the parent company for GE. This is not to say that the main jokes aren't great as well (I mean, just how funny is the idea of the fake reality series MILF ISLAND?). The key point is that it isn't just that they jokes are plentiful and unrelenting; they are GOOD. It is humor with an edge, but it is never less than brilliant.
This year Alec Baldwin will almost certainly win what should have been his second Emmy for Best Actor in a Comedy series. Last year news broke about an abusive message he left on his daughter's phone mail service. It unquestionably cost him the Emmy he deserved. But there is simply no question that he is the most outstanding lead actor on a comedy series today. And Tina Fey not only matches him scene for scene in her self-effacing portrayal of GIRLIE SHOW head writer Liz Lemon, but gets additional major kudos for serving as head writer on the show itself. The two of them are backed by a deep and talented cast, from Tracy Morgan in his inspired role as the literally insane Tracy Jordan to Jack McBrayer in his scene stealing role as Kenneth the page (I would love to see him get an Emmy nomination). And in addition to the regular cast there was an endless string of wonderful guest appearances, including return visits from Dean Winters as Liz's horrid (but very, very funny) ex-boyfriend Dennis and Will Arnett as Jack's company rival Devon Banks. But there were some great one-time guest appearances as well, perhaps none as delightful as Tim Conway's portrayal of a TV veteran who shatters all of Kenneth's illusions about the Golden Age of TV. Oddly enough, the one guest appearance that misfired was that by Jerry Seinfeld. It was as if the show ceased doing what makes it so brilliant to accommodate Jerry's guest spot.
The lone mystery about 30 ROCK is why it doesn't attract a larger audience. I won't name names, but there are hosts of truly lousy series that get far larger audiences than 30 ROCK. This show gets the critical acclaim and wins the awards, but it simply doesn't pull in the large ratings. This distresses me. It makes me wonder if America is clueless about great comedy. I don't get it. Never have and perhaps never will. But trust me: this is as brilliant, as funny as TV can get.
 Another Great Season July 19, 2008
Rob Gordon (Chicago)
19 out of 92 found this review helpful
It's another great season of 30 Rock... almost. Enjoy all 15 episodes... Wait a minute! 15 episodes? That's only 2/3 of a season. Then Why is it full price? Shouldn't it be 2/3 the price, retailing at $29.99 and selling on Amazon at $19.99? What a rip off. They deprive me of eight more episodes of one of my favorite programs, then they try to swindle me by giving me 2/3 of a product.
One of the Best Shows Currently on Television! July 19, 2008
Ashley E. Kress (Milwaukee, WI USA)
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
Of course this season was shorter due to the writer's strike, as were the seasons of many other shows this year. This is unfortunate, but has no effect on the quality of the episodes that were created before the strike. In my opinion this continues to be one of the best shows on television. It is consistently hilarious and smart and it is well worth watching, whatever the duration.
A great show gets even better. July 23, 2008
Steward Willons
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
After viewing the first season of 30 Rock, I was worried that it could become one of those shows that wins awards, but still fails to find a big audience until well after it's been cancelled - basically what happened to Arrested Development. It just seemed a little too good to last. Fortunately, it seems that 30 Rock is flourishing and will be around for quite a while.
I'm sure many people who are considering this purchase are already familiar with the show, so I won't bother to describe it or give away any plot points for this season. I think season 2 is even stronger than season 1, even if it has been truncated to 15 episodes. The characters are sharper, the dialogue is hilarious, and the episodes are all pretty topical. I'm not sure how this topical material will hold up in twenty years when the Clinton/Obama references begin to require explanation, but for now, it's hilarious, cutting, and usually right on target.
Tina Fey's Lemon is a nearly perfect character, someone almost everyone can either identify with, or pretend to identify with. Don't we all see ourselves as sensible, but struggling underdogs just looking for a little happiness and success? As perfect a character as Lemon is, my favorite is Jack who forced me to completely reevaluate my feels about Alec Baldwin. Everything about his performance is so hilarious that I have to chuckle every time he's on screen. Tracey Morgan's character occasionally annoyed me in the first season because he was so loud all the time, but by season 2, his character is much more developed and his craziness is funny rather than an unfortunate by-product of a one-dimensional character.
While I am tired of reviewers using this space to complain that the shows are full price for less than one season, I suppose it's worth discussing since the majority seems to care about it. The writers strike was an unfortunate, but necessary event that won writers compensation that at least begins to approach "fair". It cost the industry millions and, to anyone that wasn't born yesterday, the industry doesn't like to absorb costs like this when it can pass it along to the consumer. That's exactly what is happening here. You can boycott this season's TV DVDs, but there will be so many that don't care, that I doubt it will send a message. I'd advise people to just buy the show if you like it.
The one minor complaint I have is that the show sometimes comes off as preachy. I know Tina Fey is an activist with strong political feelings, but I don't enjoy being hit over the head with them again and again. It's not that I don't agree with her on issues, but rather that it sometimes comes off as forced and unnecessary. However, as soon as I write this comment, I'm reminded of a few instances where she pokes fun at opinionated individuals such as herself.
The main reason that I bring up the politics of the show is that conservatives may have a difficult time dealing with Fey's ideology. It's not like there are a lot of shows that actually cater to a conservative audience, but this one especially does not. Some may be questioning this line of thought altogether. It is, after all, a comedy show. This is true, and I'm sure many will just enjoy the clever writing and hilarious gags. However, with our increasingly polarized political climate, it seems worth mentioning.
Overall, 30 Rock is an excellent show and one that most people should check out, if they haven't already. Maybe some will think the price is unjustified, especially with all the episodes available online. To me, it's worth it to have access to the episodes anytime and without commercials. I beg your indulgence as I end with the cheesiest of lines - the season may be short, but it's not short on laughs.
Best show on TV July 25, 2008
Tyler (New York, NY)
4 out of 6 found this review helpful
When the studio charges full price for this second season set, I thought this set will come in 3 discs, comprising all 15 episodes in the shortened season and tons of extras to justify its price. Then I read the description and it says this set has only 2 dics!!!
Still, because of the quality of the show, I'm giving it all 5 stars. Even though there are only 15 episodes, I find it has lots more laughter than first season's offering. My favs of the second season are Seinfeld Vision, Rosemary's Baby, LudaChristmas, Untitled hiatus episode, NILF island, Subway Hero, Succession, and Sandwich Day. I guess I should have said I enjoy pretty much every episode. Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin are the obvious stars but there are plenty of guest stars that made this show the best on TV such as the legendary Rip Torn.
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