95 replies to this topic

[Josh Hurst]

One of the only funny people on SNL says her final "Good Night... and have a pleasant tomorrow."

[TexasWill]

Rachel Dratch is also leaving for 30 Rock.

Edited by TexasWill, 25 July 2006 - 11:35 AM.

[Russ]

I suspect they'll both be free to return sometime before Christmas.

(Was that my out-loud voice?)

There isn't room enough for two meta-SNL shows, and I think the other one is going to go further.

[Darren H]

There isn't room enough for two meta-SNL shows, and I think the other one is going to go further.

Oh, how I am looking forward to the other one.

I'm not the only one here with a wicked crush on Tina Fey, right?

[Clint M]

SNL is also scaling down the cast list, from what Lorne Michaels has said recently.

[Peter T Chattaway]

TexasWill wrote:
: Rachel Dratch is also leaving for 30 Rock.

Fey AND Dratch? Swoon.

[Josh Hurst]

Rumor has it Horatio Sanz is leaving, as well.

Thank God.

[SZPT]

TexasWill wrote:
: Rachel Dratch is also leaving for 30 Rock.

Fey AND Dratch? Swoon.

A week later and I am still stunned that you would swoon over Rachel Dratch.

[TexasWill]

TexasWill wrote:
: Rachel Dratch is also leaving for 30 Rock.

Fey AND Dratch? Swoon.

A week later and I am still stunned that you would swoon over Rachel Dratch.

Peter is not the only one who likes Rachel Dratch. Sara and I are big fans as well.

I've never been able to figure out why so many people dislike her. Most of the SNL fan sites that bash her complain that she's "ugly." While she's no glamour model, she has a face for comedy and carries herself well.

She and Tina Fey have a long history of collaboration so it doesn't surprise me that they are leaving together.

[Rich Kennedy]

The thing that always amazed me about Dratch is that she played boys so well. She seems to relish the opportunity. I found her one of the more versatile cast members. That Sanz is leaving is an immediate improvement for SNL. Even his movie roles and cameos brought the level of any project he touched down a notch.

[Jason Panella]

The thing that always amazed me about Dratch is that she played boys so well. She seems to relish the opportunity. I found her one of the more versatile cast members. That Sanz is leaving is an immediate improvement for SNL. Even his movie roles and cameos brought the level of any project he touched down a notch.

I have a funny story involving Sanz, David Dark and David Bazan...but it'll have to wait 'til another time.

[gordimer]

sounds like Seth Myers will be the new head writer. ugh.

[TexasWill]

CNN story on the changes and cuts at SNL

[Nick Alexander]

sounds like Seth Myers will be the new head writer. ugh.

A good thing out of this: he will no longer be doing sketch comedy.

Nick

[Christian]

Can anyone report on last night's "30 Rock"? I had a meeting and had to miss it.

[Nick Alexander]

Can anyone report on last night's "30 Rock"? I had a meeting and had to miss it.

It was a lesser episode. One of the female characters dresses inappropriately for work, and everybody is distracted (while all the men state that it wasn't a problem AT ALL). Baldwin insists to sit in on the creative meetings, and begins to take it over.

Tina Fey's humor is mostly reactionary. That means she can sell a terrible joke, and milk yuks out of it, by showing Baldwin laughing hysterically, and thus the joke is that this GE "suit" has no concept at what comedy is. Good for her.

Me, I fell asleep watching it.

[Sara Zarr]

Hah! I just came to post that it was my favorite episode so far and I think it's improving. I love watching Alec Baldwin and I thought the bits with Kenny the Page were funny.

[Christian]

30 Rock moves to Thursdays beginning tonight, and it gets a major endorsement today in The Washington Post, courtesy of Tom Shales:

"30 Rock" clearly deserves another shot, and tonight's episode shows why. The series has consistently and considerably improved since its premiere, and although it unfortunately shares its setting -- backstage at a "Saturday Night Live" kind of comedy show -- with NBC's congested windbag "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip," the sitcom is refreshingly bright, sweet and, lest one forget, funny. ...

Donaghy's prominence in the story lines has grown because Baldwin's performance is so rare and rich. He isn't doing the easy thing, which would be portraying a network executive as a clueless doofus. Although it's true that Donaghy is full of stupendously wrongheaded notions that he foolishly mistakes for ideas, as well as a pronounced bullying streak, Baldwin gives him an unlikely subtle poignancy. Instead of merely hating Jack, you're likely to develop a soft spot for him, especially when he tries to dismiss failure as mere foible. ...

Regardless of problems, "30 Rock" has earned its spot on the schedule, and not just because comedies are in such woefully short supply -- although, come to think of it, that might be reason enough right there. "30 Rock" is as good as "The Office," "My Name Is Earl" and the rapidly aging "Scrubs." ...

Baldwin's performance, on the other hand, seems perilously close to perfect, beyond improving ...

Most of the time, Baldwin's character is the one doling out abuse and yet, in a truly neat trick, Baldwin makes him the show's most sympathetic soul. That's beyond acting; it's more like alchemy. And a crazy joy to watch.

--If you haven't been watching, try it out tonight. Baldwin alone makes it worthwhile.

[Christian]

Last night's episode had a few good belly laughs, but all in all, it was a let down. I hope future episodes improve.

Alan, can we change the thread title to "30 Rock"?

[Christian]

I’ve come to enjoy the lack of activity in this thread, and being the only person to highlight each week’s episode of “30 Rock.” Maybe Sara will have something to say about last night’s episode, but until that time, let me … well, let me repeat myself, since my thoughts on the earlier episodes continue to apply to the most recent outing:

This show’s humor is wildly inconsistent, but when it’s good, it’s really good. And it’s really good whenever Alec Baldwin is on. His interplay with Tina Fey is one for the ages. Give the man an Emmy.