Release Date: 9/4/07

The Show

Ever since the world fell in love with Tina Fey on SNL’s Weekend Update, Fey was destined for greater things. Well, it seems like the time has come for Fey and company as 30 Rock is one of NBC’s solid hits. Basically hopping on the recent wave of sitcoms that blur the lines between reality and fiction, the series focuses on a variety show, and its three power players that all have their own issues going on at all. Season 1 starts off slow, but definitely hits it stride, creating one of the most hilarious shows on television.

Liz Lemon (Fey) is the head writer for a live sketch comedy show in New York City. When the network’s clueless executive, Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin), steps in and starts interfering, Lemon’s life gets turned upside down. A mentally unstable Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan), who does what he does best as a maniacal actor, is introduced and ultimately shoehorned into the show causing many problems for everyone involved. Having to balance her own personal life and newly chaotic professional life, the series takes us backstage of a popular variety show and is a great mix of over the top comedy and even more comedy! Notable guest stars include Paul Reubens, Rip Torn, and Isabella Rosselini.

The 3-disc set includes all 21 episodes from the first season with a Play All option found on each disc.
Disc 1
1. Pilot
2. The Aftermath
3. Blind Date
4. Jack the Writer
5. Jack-Tor
6. Jack Meets Dennis
7. Tracy Does Conan
8. The Break-Up
Disc 2
1. The Baby Show
2. The Rural Juror
3. The Head and the Hair
4. Black Tie
5. Up All Night
6. The “C” Word
7. Hard Ball
8. The Source Awards
Disc 3
1. The Fighting Irish
2. Fireworks
3. Corporate Crush
4. Cleveland
5. Hiatus

The DVD

The main menu comes with static backgrounds and music. Submenus include silent stills.

The video transfer is offered in 1.78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen Format. The picture is adequate with colors looking natural and detail levels looking above average. It’s not perfect, but it certainly looks very good.

The audio is offered in English Dolby Digital 5.1 and English Dolby Digital 2.0. The sound is adequate with crisp and clear dialogue. It’s mainly a front loaded experience, but for what you need, it does the job just fine. Subtitles are available in English and Spanish.

The Extras

The 3-disc set comes in a foldout digipak encased within a glossy cardboard box. The episode guide is printed right on the digipak.

Perhaps the most curious decision about the set is the fashion of how the Audio Commentary tracks were included on the discs. Instead of just keeping the commentary tracks on the discs where the episodes are first found, the episodes are repeated on the third disc with the tracks. However, with that in mind, I’m glad that the tracks were included nonetheless. The tracks include Tracy Does Conan by Tracy Morgan, Black Tie by Tina Fey, Hard Ball by Lorne and Henry Michaels, Fireworks by Jack McBrayer, and Hiatus by Alec Baldwin.

There are 9 Deleted Scenes running about 10-minutes in total and come with a Play All option.

The Wrap Party Video runs about 13-minutes and features footage from the party where bloopers from the show were put on display.

An Evening with Kenneth offers up 5 shorts that feature the character interviewing guests on his made up show.

The Behind-the-Scenes Featurettes offers a couple of options: with Judah Friedlander and Jack McBrayer & Lonny Ross. There’s a Play All option available and both pieces run a total of approximately 20-minutes long. For the most part, they share a good deal of information as the players take on an on set tour.

The bonus options round out with 3 Makin’ It Happen Shorts.

Final Thoughts

There’s not much more I can say about 30 Rock – Season 1 that already hasn’t been said. Go out and get this hilariously funny show on DVD as soon as humanly possible.

- Morris Tang