With the clue in the episode title, you might already have guessed that Jennifer Aniston guest stars in this episode with a wannabe Sex In The City scenario. Luckily for 30 Rock fans, that’s not going to be possible because, as we’ve seen before, Liz and clubbing nightlife are like milk and orange juice. They just don’t mix and bad things happen when they’re combined. Liz would prefer on-the-town torture to what does happen, though, as Claire takes a liking to Jack and turns all her manic attentions in his direction. And there’s a Jack attraction right back at her. Jack ignores Liz’s warning not to sleep with Claire: “She’s not fun. She’s crazy. Like ‘grab a cop’s gun’ crazy.” The deed and damage already done by a heedless Jack, Claire crashes a black tie fundraiser he’s attending and performs a Monroe-esque birthday song and writhe, threatening suicide – loudly – when Jack tries to make her leave. Claire ups the stalking stakes even higher, leading to eventual arrest for Jack, and a rescue from Liz, whose Owe-Me-One card is filling up quickly. Elsewhere in Studio 6H, an unhinging Kenneth is distraught over a change to the page uniform. Tracy shows concern and, to make Kenneth happy, brings back the Night Court cast of Harry Anderson, Markie Post and Charles Robinson (who played Harry, Christine and Mac), to complete their story and give Kenneth the sitcom closure he was denied when the late 80s-early 90s show was cancelled before its tenth season and a satisfactory conclusion. Kenneth (who can squeeze out a girly squeal like no other man) directs the partial cast reunion to the matrimonial finale he’s always wanted. Contrarily, though, even with the storyline of Claire’s claws in Jack’s back, Mr Donaghy enjoyed less face time in this episode, and I always think the more Jack, the better. (I laughed hardest when Jack hadn’t uttered a word, but appeared suddenly in one of Claire’s designer hat creations. Hysterical!) What minutes lacked Jack were made up for with some very funny lines from Tracy: “What’s wrong, Ken? You’ve got wife eyes.” “I hate to see you like this Ken doll. It’s like a owl without a graduation cap – Heart-breaking.” This outing won’t make it into my top ten list. The joke rate and tempo was much less frenetic than I’ve become accustomed to. And more Friends-etic than I like. It was as though the cast needed a good long nap before they came back to the set refreshed. Everything had a slightly sleepy feel compared to the hyper pace of past shows. But even a less successful episode of 30 Rock is higher karatage than any other purely comedic show. Next week’s wish list: more regular cast member appearances, please. And all the Jack they can pack into the time slot. Check out our review of episode 2 here.
