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Episode Recap: "Cougars"
You know, a week without a new episode doesn't seem that bad until that new one comes along and you find yourself giggling, chuckling and LOLing like a fool. This week's 30 Rock had so many fun lines, my bullets may runneth a bit over — and I left out at least 15 percent of them!
Now it has been revealed: As edited out of my recent Q&A with Judah Friedlander, Frank went gay for an episode. I am not quite sure why NBC was so adamant that that not get out — it's not as if he actually had sex — but I played nice. I hope no one missed the little coda at the end, with Frank dancing at the gay club, but ultimately deciding it wasn't his thing. A flamboyant fella then shouts good-bye to "Sugar Bear," only to get scolded by a peer for making 'em look bad.
The "cougars" storyline was a lot of fun, because Liz is best when Liz is feeling awkward. Her lame attempts at hipster lingo ("gellin' like Magellan"), the references Jamie couldn't get, the subplot with Jenna and Aidan ("Stop repeating what I say!").... It all led up to a moment I forgot had been spoiled for me somewhere, as Liz meets her boy toy's very Lemony mother. Glurg.
Call me dense and/or politically ignorant, but it took me about half the episode to realize the Little League team story was a big metaphor for Iraq. (Thank you, I finally "got it" when the "Fun Times Accomplished" banner unfurled.) That Knuckle Beach must be one tough 'hood! Where orange soda is an acceptable substitute for breast milk?!
One final note: Last time, there were the blatant shouts-out to Verizon Wireless, which I informed you were in fact paid product integration or whatever. This week we had the "advertorial" within the first pod of commercials, where a bit with Kenneth sharing homemade bacon-mint gum with the writers segued into an Amex spot. The best part: Frank's hat said "KOMIRSHUL."
And now, the bullets:
• Jenna inviting Liz out: "Legally separated sound guy is going to be there!"
• Tracy about the animal strip club: "Animal customers? That's ridiculous."
• Jack predicting Liz's evening featuring "a meatball sub with extra bread, a bottle of NyQuil, TiVo'd Top Chef, a little Bonnie Raitt and lights out" and then spoiling Top Chef for her. ( Did Casey get booted?) • "Dijonaise is a boy's name? Pardon me."
• Jack's story about his own Little League team back in Boston... And cutting it short when he realized his audience.
• "I'm going to be a talkative doorman with a drinking problem." Shoot for the stars!
• "Who ordered the veal?"
• Jefferson Davis Park
• Jack founding a charity which gives tuxedos to homeless people • Frank smelling his hand after touching Jamie • Jamie making plans with Liz for 10. "At night?!"
• You can't be gay for one person — unless you're a lady and you meet Ellen."
• Jenna's "No sex with Asians" rule flying out the window upon seeing Quan at Sharper Image • Kenneth has a dream journal — "and they've all come true so far"
• "I'm 37. Please don't make me go to Brooklyn."
• "This just went from a senior dating a freshman to Mary Kay Letourneau...."
• Jamie; "They just changed bartenders. I'm going to see if this guy will serve me."
• "Where did you two meet? An amber alert?"
• Kenneth not understanding the kids chant to "Kill whitey." "I'm not alcohol!"
• Insanely hot Cerie asking Liz about her being at a late-night hot spot: "Is it like that time they found my grandpa at the bus station?"
• "That's great, Maude. How's Harold?" (Someone has to give Lutz props.) • "It is ill."
• Jack's "off the market" slip, reminding us that he and C.C. Are still going strong.
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Nov 30, 2007 9:11 AM
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Don't feel bad Matt. This was a smart episode and although I laughed hysterically throughout, there were a few jokes I didn't get. Like what did the kill whitey, Kenneth saying I'm not alcohol mean? Obviously the kill whitey is self explanatory. I need help with Kenneth's part.
Speaking of Kenneth, I don't think I've ever not enjoyed a storyline that included him. His manner and his willingness to obey makes him one of the best characters on tv. And when he took off running when he noticed the little thugs had bats had me hitting rewind on my Tivo so I could laugh and laugh and laugh again.
I enjoy Liz best when she's awkward and uncomfortable and when she's dating. Last nite was fantastic. Seeing Dude's mom as a Liz clone was so gross. But at least she hadn't slept with him yet. Then it really would've been Glurg.
Tracy's response to Liz with the animals that are customers was funny. The kids with the low expectations were extra funny. Tracy informing that orange soda substitutes for breast milk in the hood has just upgraded the Kool-aid being a substitute in the hood comment that I grew up with. In the hood.
Jenna's relationship with that little boy might've been my favorite. Of course she would try to outdo Liz and of course she would choose somebody completely inappropriate. I think Jenna may well be my most favorite oblivious character on tv. Well, I'd have to count her among the folks at The Office so she may not win but she's at least in my top 5.
I also LOVED everything Frank in this episode. I really enjoyed all the hat changes he made last nite. My favorite: Handy man. I marvelled at how comfortable he was with all the gay teasing he was getting. The idea of him being gay for one episode for one guy is genius.
And the guys dancing at the end at the club were so funny. They were dancing so hard!
Excellent episode as usual. Loved it. Mean it.
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Nov 30, 2007 9:48 AM
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The witty and smart Matt did not catch the Iraq references? I'm in shock. Great shot of Jack with the cigar and looking like George W after landing on the carrier. So many good lines. Please come to an agreement so these writers can get back to work!
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Nov 30, 2007 10:10 AM
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How can I not love an episode with that Amber alert line? (Gee, where was that line when I needed it?)
I loved Lemon trying to be hip: "I like Gnarls Barkley. He's great. Have you seen his website?" I love Lemon! And you're right, Matt, she's at her best when she's uncomfortable. Again, I love my Lemon!
Oh, as for Kenneth's line, I'm thinking his grandpa Whitey died by the bottle. Kenneth didn't realize "whitey" was an insult; he only recognized it as a name. I think he said someting along the lines of "They keep saying, 'Kill Whitey'. Why do that want to kill my grandpa? Who do they think they are, alcohol?"
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Nov 30, 2007 10:11 AM
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How can I not love an episode with that Amber alert line? (Gee, where was that line when I needed it?)
I loved Lemon trying to be hip: "I like Gnarls Barkley. He's great. Have you seen his website?" I love Lemon! And you're right, Matt, she's at her best when she's uncomfortable. Again, I love my Lemon!
Oh, as for Kenneth's line, I'm thinking his grandpa Whitey died by the bottle. Kenneth didn't realize "whitey" was an insult; he only recognized it as a name. I think he said someting along the lines of "They keep saying, 'Kill Whitey'. Why do that want to kill my grandpa? Who do they think they are, alcohol?"
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Nov 30, 2007 10:12 AM
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I got the Iraq references right away. What about when the kids toppled the statue of Jefferson Davis? It was like when the Iraqis pulled down the statue of Saddam. This show is completely brilliant, I love it!
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Nov 30, 2007 10:42 AM
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I thought Jack was channeling Douglas Macarthur when he arrived at the baseball field?
Such a great episode!!!!
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Nov 30, 2007 10:48 AM
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isembard thanks for clearing up Kenneth's grandpa issue.
Maybe I had 1 too many cocktails right before the show came on? 
And the Gnarles Barkley official website comment was the most proof of how NOT cool Lemon is.
Funniest thing I saw last nite. I think....
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Nov 30, 2007 11:06 AM
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you forgot the best moment!
the painting of the one-armed mermaid with bigfoot.
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Nov 30, 2007 11:06 AM
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After coffee boy asked Liz out and Jenna was telling her to go for it, Liz deemed the kid too young by telling Jenna: "You're looking at an ultrasound!"
Best.Line.Evah.
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Nov 30, 2007 11:09 AM
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Funniest thing I saw last nite. - KAD
I second that (though it is a definite for me.)
I really enjoyed all the hat changes he made last nite. My favorite: Handy man.
That was funny. I think my favorite was the pink Power Tool.
You all quoted most of my favorites.
"These aren't winners. They are 0 and 17. Damn, we supposed to be at the game right now. 0 and 18!" So Tracy.
I also loved seeing what Jack's idea of a "surge" (that's two words) ended up being.
Also, Tracy yelling "Bush! Now I don't wanna go off on a rant here." And he doesn't. Nothing. For some reason that cracked me up. It may have been the look on Kenneth and Jack's faces as they awaited the rant.
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Nov 30, 2007 11:33 AM
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I nearly died of laughter when Jack was saying how he didn't need to understand the kids to help them, he could do what America does and just impose his values and make everything better. SO FUNNY.
I also loved when Jamie called Liz a sexy librarian and she replied: "What? Sexy? You are. Shut up!" hurriedly and awkwardly. Also, when she sees Jack at the gallery and says, "When will death come?" She was on fire tonight.
What an amazing episode. I never get bored of this show. It is honestly the funniest show I have ever seen!
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Nov 30, 2007 11:40 AM
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Like what did the kill whitey, Kenneth saying I'm not alcohol mean? Obviously the kill whitey is self explanatory. I need help with Kenneth's part.
Kenneth said something like, “Why would they want to kill my grandfather. They kept saying ‘kill Whitey’. Who do they say think they are alcohol.” It was a lot to follow because he said it quickly, but apparently his grandfather’s nickname was “Whitey” and was killed by alcohol, and apparently Kenneth wasn’t aware of the other use for the word “whitey”.
I thought Jack was channeling Douglas Macarthur when he arrived at the baseball field?
It was McArthur, not Bush he was channeling. Although the statue toppling was great. Not to mention that there would be a Jefferson Davis(president of the confederacy) monument somewhere in New York.
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Nov 30, 2007 11:46 AM
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Another great episode!! I just love this show so much! I agree with all your bullets Matt. The Amber alert line was hilarious and the orange soda substituting for breat milk was great too. Frank was great with his one-man gayness. The cougar story line was awesome as well. I agree, Lemon scenes are great when they are awkward. I just love how the 3 stars of TGS are all weird and crazy in their own ways. To answer your question about the Top Chef spoiler Jack said to Liz, Casey was in the final three, but didn't win the whole thing so I guess technically she was booted. I loved that reference because I love Top Chef and like Liz, I would've been pissed of someone spoiled it for me. Great episode. I am re-watching season 1 just because I am jonesing for more 30 Rock.
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Nov 30, 2007 12:09 PM
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Jayhawk you're right. The rant line from Tracy was funny because of how Jack and Kenneth looked while they were waiting for it.
Kathleen I loved when Jack explained he would run the team just like America runs other countries. Jack's honesty is always a special treat for me.
Thanks Brandon. It's absolutely hysterical that Kenneth wouldn't realize that Whitey could be anything but the name of his grandfather.
Man I love this show!
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Nov 30, 2007 12:25 PM
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