What I’m Watching: 30 Rock

30 Rock: Season 5, Episode 12 “Operation Righteous Cowboy Lightning” (B-)

I’ve actually had the opportunity to see this episode twice already, thanks to its status as one of the only shows I watch that some of my friends actually regularly view too. I didn’t love the episode all that much the first time around, and while the second time proved a bit funnier, it wasn’t all that much better. The series is trying to take more risks now that’s it in the 10pm slot, like referencing snarting, as mentioned in the show’s most recent breaking of the fourth wall, with Liz acknowledging the new airtime. Tracy and especially Jenna didn’t seem like themselves in this episode, though Tracy’s efforts to not be caught on camera doing anything stupid were rather impressive and hilarious (his best line referenced Charles Widmore as a celebrity who owns an island). The reality reconciliation stunt was quite funny, even if I’m not as much of a fan of them actually wanting to make up with each other and the episode-ending Jack and Liz music-enhanced scene. Everyone trying to get onto Lutz’s good side to secure a spot in his nonexistent car represents one of my least favorite elements of this show, part of which has to do with the character of Lutz. His mirror-facing panicked horror moments just didn’t work at all. I also detested all of Kenneth’s awkward clerical sexual abuse references. Irreverent is the word of the nigh in this episode, and I feel like when this show gets really into itself, it ends up not working too well, even if some parts of it actually do work okay on their own.