TV Recap: ’30 Rock,’ “Audition Day”

I don’t have much to say about this episode of “30 Rock” because not much happened. A lot went on, yeah, but without much payoff. Liz and Pete went through auditions, Jack tackled a case of bedbugs, and Tracy and Jenna tried their hardest to keep TGS from getting a new cast member.

Of all these story lines, Jack’s was probably the funniest. Except for the weird advertisement-like interlude involving Cisco Systems (which actually had a ‘promotional consideration,’ designation in the show’s end credits) his battle against bedbugs provided some smart, funny commentary about how our society treats sick people – a pertinent topic in our swine flu-infested times. There are usually laughs to be had in getting Jack out of his natural habitat, and I think his subway speech was one of this show’s funniest moments.

Putting Jenna and Tracy together for this episode was insane, mostly because they’re insane and having them interact with each other was just too much crazy for me to put up with. Tracy by himself is fine, because he occasionally has moments of logical clarity. But the continuing stereotype that is Jenna needs to be brought down a notch in terms of diva-ishness.

Also, Tina Fey’s Christopher Walken impression was pretty funny. Martin Scorsese, Christopher Walken and Gilbert Gottfried actually did their own voice work in this episode, so that’s more big name guest stars even if they didn’t actually show up on screen.

Unlike a lot of people, I actually liked the first couple episodes in this season. I just wish they could have sustained the momentum a little longer.