30 Rock (TV Series) Believe in the Stars (2008) User Reviews

Worth finding the DVD for

[trbothrowaway · 9/10 · 4 October 2022]

Liz talks about Oprah a lot in the first 2 seasons, so this episode is a big moment for the show and for her character. This episode is very funny, features some legitimate character development for a few folks, and actually takes time to explore a few political and ethical subjects.

It's odd that this episode was removed from streaming solely because it includes blackface. Yes, they could've told the same story without blackface, and yes the blackface exists for humor. But in my perception the reaction by the others characters - pure repulsion and an explanatory of how hurtful blackface is - is a fair way to handle the story. There's more screentime dedicated to talking about how offensive blackface is than actual blackface on screen. I wouldn't call it 'educational' but it takes a firm stance against it.

I found a copy of 30 Rock season 3 at my library, and for folks who want a complete watch I recommend you find this episode.

And now I have to go reflect because I think I just defended blackface. Maybe I've been watching too much Jack Donaghy.

Best 30 Rock Episode Yet!

[g-bodyl · 10/10 · 14 November 2014]

This is the second episode of the third season of 30 Rock and as of this moment, this episode is the greatest episode of this series to grace our screen. It's incredibly hilarious, political-savvy, and it features the greatest guest star to be in this show yet, and that is Oprah Winfrey who successfully lampoons herself.

In this episode, "Believe in the Stars," Liz sits next to Oprah on the airplane as she flies from Chicago to New York City. Due to Jenna not receiving payment from working on Tracy's video game, she and Tracy begin a social experiment. Finally, Kenneth fells betrayed when he learns that the Olympics may be staged and that Jack may be heavily involved.

Overall, this is an incredible episode and it's one of those must-talk-about episodes. There are some revelations between Liz and Oprah which are just too funny. The best episode of this series to date. I rate this episode 10/10.

Believe in the Stars is another very funny episode of "30 Rock"

[tavm · 10/10 · 15 December 2008]

Jenna and Tracy do a "Freaky Friday", Jack fakes Synchronized Running during the Summer Olympics, Liz meets "Oprah" on an airplane, Kenneth has a crisis of conscience....Lots of funny stuff are once again happening on "30 Rock" what with Jenna miffed not getting compensated for her voice work on Tracy's porn video game so they turn it into a woman-vs.-black discrimination thing as they try to literally try each other's skin (especially hilarious hearing Tracy telling how they wouldn't put some on "my butt"). And seeing Liz in a Princess Leia outfit with the cinnabun hair or confession to "Oprah" about her fears on an airplane in a stream-of-conscious mode is what makes Tina Fey such a comedic genius! And seeing Kenneth actually being noble when he thinks the elevator is actually losing air. Jack McBrayer can do no wrong as far as I'm concerned! So for that, I recommend this episode of "30 Rock".

The Force IS with you...

[elefvam · 10/10 · 5 December 2008]

Season 3 launched from the very beginning to what seems to be another great year of inspired comedy, with smart dialogue and hilarious characters! My half-co-patriot Tina Fey proved what she has already proved:what a genuine comic talents she is, not only in writing, but in acting, as well. Her 5 seconds in the court room in Chicago, gave me some minutes of true laughing and the urge to register over here and write this comment. 5 seconds outside the episode's main issues, namely Jenna/Tracy gender/racial confrontation and Jack/Kenneth ethical laws. Both plots provide us with extremely funny moments of visual (Jenna's and Tracy's dress-up) and verbal (Jack quoting:"I thought pure morality died with Chuck Heston, but you proved me wrong.") humour. Not to mention the pills' side-effects that were the reason for Jack to discover a great assistant, for Liz to chat, touch and... caress a personal myth and for us to enjoy another sparkling guest star...

P.S. Women's soccer IS a real Olympic event....

WTF is wrong with people?

[JamieClaye · 10/10 · 1 September 2023]

In a world where humor is seemingly on trial, "30 Rock" has become the latest defendant. Jenna, in her audacious attempt to portray Tracy, has led the show to face the guillotine of cancel culture. But what about when Tracy donned WHITE FACE? Why hasn't there been an uproar about that?

The sheer number of politically incorrect jokes in this show could lead one to believe that every single episode should be locked away in the vaults of television history, never to be seen again. If we go down this rabbit hole, where does it end?

What made "30 Rock" a beacon of comedic genius was its unapologetic irreverence. In an era where laughter is under siege, this show dared to poke fun at the very noise drowning our society.

It seems we are on the precipice of a humorless abyss. If we continue down this path, will we even remember how to laugh? The magnifying glass of cancel culture seems to be amplifying the most minute of faults, casting shadows over the brilliance of creative freedom. The end is nigh!

The one where Liz meets Oprah

[MaxBorg89 · 10/10 · 23 September 2010]

After an excellent start, the third season of 30 Rock shows no signs of backing off in its second episode, throwing in even more insane gags, slapstick and gratuitous guest appearances (well, just one, but it's major), all in the name of great television comedy.

The plot consists of three definite strands that are eventually tied together: Jenna, irked because she received no payment for her voice work in Tracy's porn video game (remember the dubbing session in Season 2?), throws another of her tantrums, resulting in a "social experiment" between the two to sort out their racial/gender dispute; Kenneth, always the show's moral lynch-pin, is shocked when he discovers certain events at the Summer Olympics were staged (and his mentor Jack was in on the whole thing); and Liz, on a plane from Chicago to the Big Apple, happens to be sitting next to Oprah Winfrey (yeah, that's the real Oprah playing herself), who just happens to be one of her all-time great idols.

With the status quo restored in the season premiere, the show really hits another gear on this occasion, putting aside the NBC satire (let's face it, there's enough of that on the late night programs) and opting for plain craziness. And it works beautifully: the Tracy/Jenna and Jack/Kenneth scenes are a masterclass in zany comedy writing and acting, and Tina Fey's interplay with Oprah is proof that having a famous guest star does more than just increase the ratings, it's funny as hell, too (if only all celebrities were this willing to lampoon themselves).

Oh, and as for the show's trademark absurdist flashbacks (like Family Guy, but a little less irreverent), Believe in the Stars contains one of the best: Liz getting out of jury duty thanks to Star Wars. Long live the nerds!

Believe in the Stars (#3.2)

[ComedyFan2010 · 10/10 · 26 November 2013]

Jenna and Tracy continue having a problem because of his game and have an argument on whether it is harder to be a black man or a white woman these days. Liz sits on a plane next to Oprah who will solve all her problems. And Jack disappoints Kenneth who finds out that some of the Olympics is staged.

Another high quality episode with many great ideas, wonderful scenes and funny lines. The social experiment of Jenna and Tracy is hilarious. Jack telling Kenneth that he is an inner city Latina is classic. Oprah turning out to be a 12 year old kid who still manages to solve the problem was a perfect idea. Well done by Raven Goodwin whose promising career just kicked off.