30 Rock – Season 2 (NBC/Universal DVD)
Picture:
B- Sound: B- Extras: B Episodes: B
The
surreal cast of characters that Tina Fey and fellow writers have created for 30 Rock make it one of the funniest
sitcoms on television today (perhaps ever?).
With only a 15 episode season run, the Second Season of 30 Rock definitely
made the best of the little time they had, filling each episode to the brim
with madness, guest stars, and solid storylines.
Between
Alec Baldwin’s crazy portrayal of network exec Jack Donaghy as he scheme’s his
way into Bush’s Whitehouse, seduces a sexy Democrat (though his convictions
tell him otherwise), and digitally inserts Jerry Seinfeld into other NBC series
to boost ratings and Tina Fey’s odd, awkward Liz Lemon as she tries to keep
order in the studio, while trying to maintain her own chaotic life; there seems
to be no end to the possibilities at 30 Rockefeller Center. If the Muppet
Show were all live action 30 Rock
might just be what came out; with insanity reigning supreme throughout the
building and never sure what guest star could arrive, 30 Rock has the makings of a pure genius.
The
technical features on 30 Rock: Season
Two are (like most TV on DVD releases) adequate and get the job done. The picture is presented in an Anamorphic
1.78 X 1 Widescreen that has a crisp, clean image with solid colors and blacks;
though the picture does seem to be a bit light or soft at times. The sound is presented as a Dolby Digital 5.1
Surround that mostly comes from the front in this dialogue heavy sitcom, but
does make use of light ambient noises in the side/back speakers as well.
The extra
features include the following:
- Audio Commentary from Tina
Fey, Jack McBrayer, Jane Krakowski, Scott Adsit, Judah Friedlander,
Producers John Riggi and Robert Carlosk, Producer/Composer Jeff Richmond
and Guest Stars Tim Conway, Will Arnett and Fred Armisen
-Commentaries on episodes:
- Jack Gets in the Game, The
Collection, Somebody to Love, Cougars, Episode 210
- “Cooter” Round Table Read
- 30 Rock Live at the UCB
Theater
- The Academy of Television
Arts and Sciences Presents: An Evening with 30 Rock
Each
extra is worthwhile and can be watched again and again. The commentaries give great insight into the
5 select episodes, going back and forth between insightful and conversations of
comedic chaos. The deleted scenes just
give fans a bigger helping of 30 Rock and
the featurettes allow the viewer to glimpse into the quick and rising success
of a fresh series. Just because you are
the new kid on the block, doesn’t mean you can’t be an instant classic.
- Michael P. Dougherty II
