30 Rock (TV Series) Jack-Tor (2006) User Reviews

Alec Baldwin Is Just Very Good!

[g-bodyl · 9/10 · 6 January 2014]

The fifth episode in Season One of 30 Rock is perhaps the most brilliant episode yet. This episode seemed to focus more on Jack than ever before and that's a good thing because it elevates this level to a height never seen before in this young season. It's funny, full of one-liners, and features Alec Baldwin at this best.

This episode, "Jack-Tor," has Jack wanting to integrate product placement in the show much to dismay of cast. Meanwhile, Jenna ha been told someone was going to be fired. In order for her not to be fired, she decides to act more sexually.

Overall, this is a very good, funny episode. Alec Baldwin is truly a comic genius and his role is more of a satire and he plays it off very well. I rate this episode 9/10.

One of the sharper, funnier episodes of 30 Rock

[gizmomogwai · 9/10 · 7 October 2007]

Jack-Tor is one of the sharper, funnier episodes of 30 Rock. In it, Alec Baldwin's character Jack, the producer, is given a part in a comedy sketch, but it turns out he can't act. Meanwhile, the staff begins to suspect their lead actor is illiterate.

The episode's strengths are in wit, with Jack insulting Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) in various ways, some of which seem accidental. It's also clever in misleading the audience regarding who Jack's boss is, but I don't want to give away too much of that or its amusing consequences. The Snapple gag didn't make me laugh at first until it emerged for a second time unexpectedly. Another key scene, in which Jack's failures as an actor are seen on tape, is stretched, but the stretch made it somewhat funny. One of the odder parts of the episode is that we ultimately skip over Jack's performance, which the episode had been building up to, so whether Jack pulled off the acting and how is slightly unclear. Still, this episode is good as is and we don't even miss Kenneth, a character left out of this one.

Jack-Tor (#1.5)

[ComedyFan2010 · 9/10 · 16 November 2013]

Liz suggest Jack to participate in the show and he agrees but turns out he is a horrible actor.

Tracy never reads the cards, so Liz believes that he is illiterate.

The writing team messes with Jenna by telling her that an actor will be fired from the show.

A great episode, with several funny story lines greatly put together.

I absolutely love the sequence of Jack messing up all the shots on his commercial filming.

Another great part is Jenna hooking up with Jack's boss only to find out that he is only the boss on the sketch.

And the song of hers is hilarious!

"I can't act!"

[MaxBorg89 · 10/10 · 30 September 2008]

Jack-Tor is one of the funniest episodes of 30 Rock's first season, and was understandably Emmy-nominated for its witty script, which focuses on Jack Donaghy's pitiful attempts at pulling it off as a comedian.

Why does he do that? Because he had the genius idea of showing TGS's writing staff an informational video to emphasize his point: they should write sketches with GE product placement. Liz gets back at him by writing a skit that actually makes fun of the decision, and insists Jack play himself on the show. Of course, that was before she finds out the famous video, which is only a few minutes long, took five days to shoot, courtesy of Jack's lack of acting talent. In addition, Liz has to deal with the possibility that Tracy might be illiterate, while Frank and Toofer scare Jenna by making her believe someone will get the sack for the sake of budget cuts.

Jack-Tor is a complete success because of its self-referential (and self-spoofing) main storyline: watching the informational video's Making Of (basically a very long gag reel) and hearing Baldwin humbly admit he can't act is a huge treat, with the irony being even more poignant if you consider the funny-man won a Golden Globe for his work in Season One. The Tracy subplot is also one of the funniest ever made about that character (plus, it comes with a Barack Obama joke - always good), and finally, Jack-Tor features one of the smartest "breaking the fourth wall" moments ever seen on the small screen: while helping Jack to get over his stage fright, Liz says the most important thing to do is to not look into the camera. Baldwin, with a smug grin on his face, does exactly the opposite, as if to say: "What the hell, I know what I'm doing". He sure does.

Jack-Tor is funniest ep of 30 Rock yet

[tavm · 10/10 · 26 November 2006]

Movie star Tracy Jordan has not gotten used to the constant rehearsals so he skips out whenever he can. In addition, Liz finds that he rarely follows the script or even Emergengy Exit door signs making her think he's illiterate. Meanwhile, the network exec Jack Donaghy has asked for a product placement for GE, the parent company, in the show. Liz writes a sketch that makes fun of product placements and asks Jack to appear in it since he did the GE instructional video that was shown to the writers. Two of those writers, in order to shake up Jenna, tell her that Jack plans to fire an actor in order to make budget cuts. Jenna tries to flirt with Jack's boss to keep herself from getting sacked. Liz confronts Tracy about his lack of reading skills and mentions he could get help. Since it means he can skip rehearsals, he agrees. An intern who worships Jack requests Liz and her producer not to put their boss on live TV, then shows them the long rehearsals on the GE instructional tape that took 129 takes and two days. Liz finds Tracy may have played her on the illiteracy thing and vows to catch him by putting "smallest penis" on his poster. He finally gets caught when he sees a sign saying "Lesbians wanted" and only sees Liz and the producer in the room. Liz gets Tracy to agree to follow the scripts as written. She also gets Jack to just be himself on camera and not to look at it. He later replays video of his line about firing a couple of castmembers. Jenna found out Jack's "boss" was actually an extra, having misunderstood a scene that originally looked like Jack and the "boss" were talking to each other but, in actuality, was Jack talking through an earpiece while the extra was speaking on a pay phone angry at the Extras Guild. Jenna vows to get even with the writers but only gets one of them naked on the roof before leaving him by himself. Later, she does a sexy sketch that she doesn't know is not airing...Even though this was a super-sized episode, I hardly saw any filler. Funniest scenes were when Liz refused to sell out, she and the other characters were suddenly plugging the Snapple drinks culminating in a walk-on by someone wearing a Snapple costume. I also loved Tracy's sudden outburst of his acknowledgement of his "illiteracy" to everyone after being told of being allowed less rehearsal time as a result. I said last week's was the funniest yet. I now stand corrected. Hope 30 Rock does well following Scrubs on Thursday next week.

This is Where 30 Rock Begins

[josephcasillas · 8/10 · 21 December 2023]

I've grown up with 30 Rock on in the background because my parents loved it. Started watching it on Peacock randomly. Started with season five, moved to season three (don't know why I did it so randomly). But after finishing season four I decided to start from the beginning.

I was very surprised to find that the pilot is SO DIFFERENT (as a lot of shows tend to be early on). It reminded me a lot of The Office and Seinfeld in the sense that both their pilots (and first seasons) are very different than the rest of the show.

I have a theory, now that I've seen more, that the end of this episode - the last ten minutes - is where the show truly begins. All of the relationships are set up - Liz going to Jack for help, Jenna feeling like she's losing her spotlight, Tracey not wanting to work. The dynamics that the show consists of are really solidified - in my opinion - at the end of this episode.

Sure, Jack and Liz aren't close friends yet. But most pieces are set! It really only took five episodes to reach.

I don't know, just thought I'd share my observation - maybe some others agree. Great show!

Jack-Tor

[Prismark10 · 7/10 · 24 July 2021]

Episode 5 benefits from a witty script as it works on several levels.

Jack Donaghy wants to integrate product placement on the show. The staff are against it while all the time plug Snapple.

Liz persuades Jack to appear in a skit only to later find out that Jack cannot act.

There was more on the nose stuff as Liz thinks Tarcy might be illiterate. Only for Tracy to take advantage of the situation by skiving work.

Jenna tries to make the most of her feminine charms to get what she wants. Only to hit some extra issues.