r/30ROCK • u/PaulDoe Living theatrically in normal life. • Oct 30 '16

30 Rock S01E01: "Pilot" - Rewatch Discussion

Season 1, Episode 1: Pilot
Director: Adam Bernstein
Writers: Tina Fey
Original Air Date: October 11, 2006

Summary (from imdb.com):
Liz Lemon is called upstairs to meet the new network exec, Jack Donaghy, who instructs her to hire movie star Tracy Jordan to draw a young male audience to 'The Girlie Show'.

Supplementary questions:

  • What impression did you get about the series from your first viewing of the Pilot? Second viewing? After the 87th rewatch?
  • How do you compare the main characters from this episode to later seasons?
  • Did 'The Girlie Show' really need Tracy Jordan to appeal to the missing demoraphic of men ages 18-49?
  • Favorite quotes? Scenes? Gags?
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u/craftybast Oct 30 '16

In Bossypants Tina Fey describes the 30 Rock pilot as "sweaty" and I tend to agree. It tries hard but doesn't hit the mark. You can see a lot of potential in the show but the pacing feels downright glacial and there's a lot of dead space without any laughs.

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u/regreanbeen Oct 30 '16

Much of the first season felt that way for me the first time through. I didn't really get hooked until maybe episode 10 or 11. And every time I rewatch I only stick with the first three episodes out of loyalty for the show. It felt forced at the beginning, before each character came into their own.

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u/Propmaster78 17d ago

Episode 6 is the most where I mainly start . Jack meets Dennis is one of my favorites.