Between reality TV, outdated game shows and nostalgic pop-culture flashbacks ? la VH1's "I Love the '90s," viewers sit back en masse to witness the stupidity and hilarity of people just like themselves. But there is something Americans enjoy laughing at more than themselves, and that's laughing at celebrities.
In this vein, "Saturday Night Live" has hit small-screen gold. Its universal appeal draws from the thrill of seeing the events of a celebrity's life being picked apart, mocked and rendered ridiculous every Saturday night.
This season, "SNL" has inspired two new NBC shows: a drama ("Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip") and a comedy ("30 Rock") the latter of which premiered Wednesday night. Unfortunately, "30 Rock" doesn't provide the same brand of celebrity-mocking humor fans of "SNL" have come to expect. "30 Rock," is star Tina Fey's (formerly a writer and performer on "SNL") much-anticipated foray into the world of sitcom TV.
The show centers on the life of overstressed television writer Liz Lemon (Fey) and the contrived situations she must face in order to pull together her newest venture, a sketch-comedy show titled, "The Girlie Show."
Fey loses her signature thick-rimmed glasses and bouncy hairdo in favor of a disheveled pony and unwavering grimace. Gone are the days of the bubbly bespectacled brunette we've come to love; enter the depressed, cynical New Yorker. Starting from the opening scene when she yells at the man in line at the local hotdog stand, Lemon's grumblings continue throughout the rest of the show.
As with most sitcoms, "30 Rock" comes with the customary list of goofy, yet lovable characters: Jack Doughtery, (Alec Baldwin) the suave 50-something studio exec, Jenna Maroney (Jane Krakowski), the token blond ditz, and Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan), the say-anything comedian. All three actors provide their usual brand of humor, but without many new tweaks and twists, leaving the viewer with the unsatisfying been-there-done-that feeling.
We've seen it all before, and we tire of the rehashed, contrived situations. How many times has fun-loving employee loosened up the obstinate boss or an inevitable romance occurred between a washed-up star and charming newcomer? While the idea of a show within a show seems appealing, it just provides two opportunities for unoriginal plotlines to plague the newest sitcom.
After following the antics of Fey and company, viewers are left wondering what genius twist will salvage the fate of the tired show-within-a-show arrangement. The messy climax of too many cats, a blond in hysteria and a random interjection to save the day just doesn't cut it.
Unless you can't get enough of the "SNL" gang and their brand of sketch show humor, skip "30 Rock." However, if a lonely Wednesday night rolls around and you're in the mood for an "SNL" fix (i.e. Rachel Dratch as a rogue "cat wrangler,"-arguably the single memorable event of the entire show) and can't wait until Saturday, then watch with caution.
