30 Rock

ashyle

it's effin excellent. I really think it's the new Arrested Development - clever writing, great ensemble, memorable one-liners. Hopefully it won't wind up in the same way..
I know it's not on telly over here, but is anyone else following it?

Bondvillain

Yup. It is shown here though. The first season ran on TV3 last year, and it's currently being repeated there midweek after midnight, with the promise of new series to follow.

Good show, very underrated on this side of the Atlantic.

Basq

Sorry.. but I just don't see it.

I watched the first few episodes of season 1 and really didn't like it. Revisited it again recently and still couldn't see the appeal.

Maybe a marathon of it will convince me otherwise... but in my current lack of enthusiasm about it, it's blasphemous to compare it to the far-superior Arrested Development.

elshambo

Watched it once (or twice)
The jokes couldnt be more signposted if a guy stood to one side with a big sign on a post telling what the punchine was

Mr E

I like it actually. I wouldn't go out of my way to watch it, but when I do, I always get a good few laughs out of it - its definitely one of the consistently funnier shows on at the moment. I think without Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin and Jack McBrayer, it wouldn't be half the success it is.

Bondvillain

To be honest, I think it's a second-viewing show.

I was given the box set as a gift, and struggled through 4 or so episodes before giving up. It was only when watching tv3 one night when too bollixed to reach for the remote that I found myself really enjoying it. (The episode where Concierge Kenny designed a new game show for NBC, fwiw. Jack McBrayer is a gifted comedian)

It's not the messiah of comedy shows, but it's far better than most.

J-blk

I love this show and I've been following it since the beginning - currently on Season 3 in the US:

http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055410091&highlight=30+rock

TBH though, I think the first 4-5 episodes of season 1 do not help it gain viewers, as those were some of the weakest of its' entire run to date (I almost gave it up at that point too, but it got a whole lot funnier later on, especially as the supporting characters came into it more).

I've never really watched Arrested Development (I'll get around to it someday, I promise!) but this show to me seems more like a live-action Family Guy more than anything else: there are a lot of really random jokes, moments that are just "out there" and tons of one liners. And really, that's all the show is about - don't expect any drama or over-arching storyline (like the US Office), just as many jokes as they can pack into an episode.

That said, I think it's really worth it, especially for some of the one-liners coming from Alec Baldwin, Tina Fey and Jack McBrayer...

JPA

Mr E wrote: »

I like it actually. I wouldn't go out of my way to watch it, but when I do, I always get a good few laughs out of it - its definitely one of the consistently funnier shows on at the moment. I think without Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin and Jack McBrayer, it wouldn't be half the success it is.

Ya don't say! Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin both win golden globes for their roles but that makes it seem better than it is.
It's good, I laugh and it passes 20 minutes.

Basq

JPA wrote: »

Ya don't say! Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin both win golden globes for their roles but that makes it seem better than it is.

OT: Since when is the Golden Globes a gauge?

The Golden Globes lost any credibility they had remaining when they awarded 'Desperate Housewives' the Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy award over 'Arrested Development', not to mention the fact that Michael C Hall hasn't won an Emmy for his unbelievable performances in 'Dexter' (despite being nominated the last 3 years running).

Case closed!

ekevosu

golden globes aside, it's definetly one I find myself looking forward to watching each week, alongside the US office.....and the recently returned flight of the concords!!!

ashyle

ekevosu wrote: »

golden globes aside, it's definetly one I find myself looking forward to watching each week, alongside the US office.....and the recently returned flight of the concords!!!

new FOTC wasn't great.

@basquille- y'see i watched it as a marathon, which is good as the first few eps aren't terribly strong.

i think it's very funny. obv arrested development is better but i really enjoy that astute kind of comedy.

ashyle

JPA wrote: »

Ya don't say! Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin both win golden globes for their roles but that makes it seem better than it is.
It's good, I laugh and it passes 20 minutes.

I think they won Emmys too :pac:

Xavi6

One of the least funniest shows on tv. Absolutely awful.

Tracey Morgan deserves a good slapping for being so damn irritating.

Leaderbored

I thought his character was supposed to be irritating. If that's the case, surely it works?

Still, as said above, it's definitely a second viewing show. Didnt like it first time round, got into it through the tv3 repeats. Not the funniest show ever, but far better than what passes for comedy on most channels.

ekevosu

Xavi6 wrote: »

One of the least funniest shows on tv. Absolutely awful.

Tracey Morgan deserves a good slapping for being so damn irritating.

I hated Tracey Morgan when he first appeared but now he's definetly one of my favourite characters, a show you can't just view once, its one that grows and grows.

TarfHead

Xavi6 wrote: »

One of the least funniest shows on tv. Absolutely awful.

Like many US shows (Seinfeld, Larry Sanders, Curb your enthusiasm, Daily Show, Colbert Report), 30 Rock has it's own 'wavelength' that takes some time to tune in to. Once you get there (and it took me 4/5 episodes), it pays off.

In contrast, after watching many episodes, I'm still at a loss to understand why The Simpsons is held in such esteem, by 'grown-ups'.

To each, their own.

Xavi6

To be fair I did what people are saying and watched it regulary for the whole first series (every Monday night at 11.30pm over here) and it still sucked. Massively.

eire1

Arrested Development was better but 30 Rock is still a great show. It completely deserves every award it's won!

I want to go there!

AdultSlashChild

Science can be whatever we want it to be.