TV Review: 30 Rock 3.10 – Generalissimo
Posted by Jim Rohner (jim@filmschoolrejects.com) on February 6, 2009
30 Rock, NBC, Airs Thursdays at 9:30/8:30c
Episode: “Generalissimo” (Season 3, Episode 10)
Synopsis: When Jack realizes that Elisa’s (Salma Hayek) grandmother dislikes him because he resembles exactly the dastardly Generalissimo on her favorite Spanish soap opera, he makes Liz write some flattering episodes with Elisa’s help. Unfortunately, the exploits of the Spanish antagonist just give Liz ideas on how to win over her new attractive neighbor, the philanthropic Dr. Drew Baird (Jon Hamm). Back at the studio, Tracy fears that his inability to keep up with the hard partying of the new frat boy interns, all of whom are ex-investment bankers, means that he’s getting too old.
Review: Did you know that Salma Hayek once breast fed somebody else’s baby because the child was starving? What does that have to do with this 30 Rock episode? Nothing, but Salma Hayek’s back on the show! That means the episode was geometrically more sexy than it could’ve been without her. Her re-insertion back in the show signals plenty of opportunities for jokes about crazy old Puerto Rican woman (”As a child my grandmother worked in a silver mine without proper ventilation. Now her mind is squishy like a hackey-sack”) and horrible Spanish soap operas as well as a chance for Elisa to involve herself with the other characters of the show, specifically, Liz and Jenna. Jack’s joke and banter is rather mediocre in this episode and the inclusion of the Generlissimo character unfortunately also calls for the imminent, yet tacky gimmick of having both he and Jack on screen at the same time. Their conversation together is sort of “meh,” mostly because Baldwin’s accent as Generalissimo is difficult to wade through, but it was loud and clear (and hilarious) when he was shown a picture of Elisa and admitted, “wow! I am super gay and I would totally switch for her.”
Lemon continues to take her creepiness to new heights as she finds herself emulating the manipulative tactics of the fictional Generalissimo, and somehow, makes creepy pretty damn funny. She goes through his mail (a federal offense, by the way), pretends to be interested in his charities, and puts up posters for a missing dog that doesn’t even exist to win over Dr. Baird and in the hands of Fey and 30 Rock writers, it all comes out as hilariously endearing. Hamm is a welcome addition to the show as well. Being a level-headed and kind-hearted doctor, he’s not funny like Floyd (Jason Sudeikis) was but he’s quite a handsome chap and his mellow nature is a good foil for Liz’s borderline psychotic shenanigans. Weird, obsessive fans in love with Liz (okay, me) can find many positive qualities in Baird and his being so different from Floyd actually raises the question of “what if?” seeing Liz did give him a key to her apartment back in Season 2. A potential battle for Liz’s heart on the horizon?
You knew that with a relevant social topic such as America’s economic condition that the show would address it sooner or later and we get that with the ex-Wall Street interns who are described as having “zero real world skills, but God they work hard.” The interns are douche bags to the utmost degree and that’s fine because embodied in them are opportunities to make fun of two demographics: Wall Street assholes and eternal frat boys. Both of these groups are people that I’m sure the vast majority of us would love to punch in the face/kick in the balls, but seeing them lampooned on nationwide TV is so much more satisfying. The pen truly is mightier than the sword. The interns also bring about some good moments from Tracy Jordan including an obscure Arthur Ashe reference and his admitting that he once drank a yard “like the lawn” of beer. Unfortunately, Kenneth is once again offered up as a sacrifice for the rest of the funny moments in the show, appearing on screen for about 12 seconds and not contributing anything worthwhile.
Favorite Quote: [Jenna] – “Well, he’s a pediatrician so you know he likes kids. Or is it feet? No, no it’s kids. He has a bill from a divorce lawyer so you know he’s single and he has a golf magazine so you know he’s not gay or poor.”
Grade: B. Alec Baldwin is funny, but Jack Donaghy is funnier and when, oh when will Kenneth do something funny?
Read More: 30 Rock Recaps
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