Ep 19. Corporate Crush

Liz Lemon, the head writer of the TGS comedy sketch show on the fictional NBC network, is more than a little stressed as she juggles a number of different duties. Along with the actual work of the show - writing, casting, directing, and producing sketches - there are personnel issues to deal with. One of her team members has gone AWOL and another is going through a tough break-up.

On top of that, the NBC bigwigs have decided that TGS needs a new cast member, and they're sending down their own pick for the job. Liz, who takes her job very seriously, is aghast - she knows that the new guy doesn't have the comedy chops to work on the show. Nonetheless, she dutifully greets the new arrival, a well-groomed sleekster named Danny.

As the rest of the TGS team is less-than-happy with the situation, Danny sets out to win everyone over. He's good-looking, charming, and oh-so-smooth, and he uses all of his considerable wiles to try to cozy up with the crew. Liz remains skeptical, but she's busily trying to solve a number of other problems, so she mostly lets Danny go about his business.

However, there's one person she can't get him near: Tracy Jordan. Tracy, the biggest star of TGS (played by Tracy Morgan), is one of the biggest wild cards on the show - and in real life, if all of Morgan's cast and crew stories are to be believed. Liz knows that Tracy can't be trusted to behave, and she's convinced that Danny is going to try to manipulate Tracy into doing something he shouldn't.

Meanwhile, Jack Donaghy, the high-level NBC executive played by Alec Baldwin, is feeling a bit out of sorts. He's feeling neglected by his girlfriend, a high-level executive for General Electric named Bianca. (If you haven't seen much of 30 Rock, this might sound weird, but trust us - this is pretty standard for the show.) Jack seeks out a little bit of comfort in the form of a dalliance with C.C., the woman who used to date Don Geiss, Jack's boss. It's all part of the show's trademark goofiness, but it's hard not to feel for Jack as he tries to hide his loneliness.

So, there's a lot going on in "Corporate Crush," but everything manages to come together in the end. There are a few standout moments, like Tracy accidentally losing his voice, but most of the laughs come from the character interactions. Tina Fey is always fantastic as Liz, and seeing her flustered and overworked is a true joy. Baldwin does his usual great work as Jack, and there's some fun material for TGS regulars like Kenneth the Page (played by Jack McBrayer) and Jenna Maroney (Jane Krakowski).

Of course, it wouldn't be 30 Rock without its signature goofiness. There are weird pop culture references (the show somehow manages to work in a mention of the 1987 horror film The Gate), strange cutaway gags (there's a moment where Tracy imagines a universe where everyone is a cartoon), and a ton of fast-paced witticisms. This episode also works in a subplot about NBC Universal's ongoing merger, but it never feels like too much of a distraction.

Overall, "Corporate Crush" is a solid episode of 30 Rock. It doesn't necessarily break any new ground for the show, but it's a reminder of why the series was so beloved during its original run. The characters are all just a little exaggerated versions of themselves, and it's a real pleasure to spend time with them. If you're a fan of clever comedy, witty writing, or just a good time in general, this is definitely an episode to check out.