Move over mid-season replacements, the two best comedies on television are back. Finally, “The Office” and “30 Rock” have returned to NBC after the nearly three-month Writers Guild of America strike crippled the entertainment industry. Before recapping the glorious return of the staffs of Dunder Mifflin and “TGS with Tracy Jordan,” a little refresher is needed.
WHERE WE LEFT OFF
“The Office”
A series of hour-long episodes left some viewers and critics (including me) with a little stale taste in the mouth. “The Office” was still funny, but it was pushing too hard. The episodes weren’t without gems like Michael’s (Steve Carell) description of a wanted advertisement to replace Stanley (Leslie David Baker).
“Wanted: Middle aged black man with sass. Big butt, bigger heart.”
When “The Office” closed up shop on Nov. 15, viewers saw Michael travel to New York to give a deposition in Jan’s (Melora Hardin) wrongful termination suit against Dunder Mifflin. The ever unstable Jan crossed some boundaries and brought Michael’s diary in as evidence, leaving the audience on an awkward but sad note with things seemingly going back to normal for the couple … or as close to normal as they’ll ever get. And America’s favorite couple, Jim (John Krasinski) and Pam (Jenna Fischer), was still going strong.
“30 Rock”
Luckily, while “The Office” was going stale, viewers still had “30 Rock” to turn to.
Tina Fey’s comedy was early in its second season when the strike hit. Many shows didn’t have time to prepare an episode to close out what could’ve been the season, but “30 Rock” still went out with a bang. Known for hilarious — and random — song and dance performances, the final episode before the strike saw the cast busting out in a rendition of Gladys Knight’s “Midnight Train to Georgia,” as Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) quit NBC and left to catch a train home to Georgia after getting addicted to caffeine. Very Republican Jack (Alec Baldwin) broke up with his very liberal girlfriend C.C. (Edie Falco), and Liz (Fey) tried to buy an apartment.
LAST NIGHT
“The Office”
Michael finally gets to throw his dinner party and with it comes about 20 minutes of awkward humor, the show’s forte. Jan is trying to start a candle business complete with a “bonfire” scent. Pam learns Michael told Jan they used to date, which explained the daggers Jan was sending to Pam. Michael and Jan’s relationship takes an even more awkward turn after the revelation of Michael’s three vasectomies. Dwight also showed up to Michael’s party with a woman who used to babysit him. “The Office” picked up where it left off making audiences feel incredibly awkward and a little sad, but it was still pretty damn funny.
“30 Rock”
Paralleled with the final episode of “MILF Island,” a fictional NBC show, the gang at 30 Rockefeller Plaza faced down an angry Jack Donaghy as he goes on a witch hunt after Liz accidentally tells the New York Post that Jack was a “Grade A moron,” and he could eat her poop. The episode itself was a little boring but filled with some hilarious jokes, including a comparison of Liz and the comic strip character “Cathy,” complete with a scene of Liz yelling “Chocolate, chocolate, ack!” Eventually Liz confesses to Jack that she spoke to the reporter and admits the bizarre fact that she had an extra foot as a child, so doctors thought she may have eaten her twin. Even when “30 Rock” has a mediocre episode, it still delivers more laughs than any sitcom on a rival network.
WHAT’S AHEAD
“The Office”
Michael and Dwight go clubbing with Ryan in New York City. And some more rumors include a new love interest for Dwight, and possibly another appearance by Jim’s ex-girlfriend Karen.
“30 Rock”
Liz’s two love interests from last season, Dennis and Floyd, both return to Liz’s life, and there is a pregnancy scare. Jack tries to make Tracy the face of the Republican Party.