30 Rock (TV Series) Operation Righteous Cowboy Lightning (2011) User Reviews

Reality at 30 Rock

[safenoe · 7/10 · 30 September 2021]

Robert De Niro makes a cameo appearance as himself (his English accent isn't that bad). The Lutz sub-plot had potential, but didn't quite live up to it sadly.

The unsung heroes in 30 Rock are the extras in the outdoor scenes. For example, the opening scene had Jack and Liz on the street, with extras being inconspicuosly seamlessly part of the scene. What would we do without the extras?

It's easy to forget that 30 Rock and Aaron Sorkin's Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip debuted on NBC at the same time. Conventional wisdom was that Sorkin's powerhouse series be the one that would survive the first season, with 30 Rock being a one season wonder. But history has proved otherwise.

Operation Righteous Cowboy Lightning (#5.12)

[ComedyFan2010 · 9/10 · 14 December 2013]

Jack makes a benefit for a disaster that didn't happen yet. In the meantime the cast wants to be prepared for the disaster and is sucking up to Lutz who claims to have a car. And Tracy has a reality TV going on who film him at work.

A pretty great episode. My absolute favorite in it is Lutz. Love all about him in it. His outfit to look good on Tracy's show, him lying about having a car and going on with the evil plan to have everyone sucking up to him.

The benefit story is awesome as well. Both what it ended up to be for and also the participation of Robert DeNiro.

The Epitome of Reality Television

[xelqued · 10/10 · 15 February 2011]

Tina Fey just created another masterpiece, essentially parodying, satirizing, and capturing the essence of reality television in just 21 minutes. Just like the soap opera episode, this episode is styled after a reality show, in its setup, yet like the traditional 30 rock theme, it is mainly the backstage story. There are actually two reality shows in this episode. The first just involves characters in a reality-showesque way, including facing a disaster and Lutz picking who to save causing the others to grovel before him for favor, meltdowns in different locations than the actual scene, and tense music. This was played entirely for laughs. The one between Lemon and Jordan is much more complex and deeper, which occurs because his wife is starring in her own reality show, so cameras are following people around in the office. Different characters even dress differently in order to appear on TV, which is a commentary on the desire for 15 minute fame. What makes a reality show sell is the absurd, over-dramatic fights, which the cameraman implores Lemon and Jordan to do, but Jordan is trying to act like a serious, actor with a strong work ethic to help his Oscar win. In every argument that occurs between the two, Tracy sabotages the ability to use footage due to singing copyrighted songs or wearing trademark logos. There is a beautiful relationship shown between actor and boss, and how dependent the two are of each other and the hidden love that exists: typical reality show bait. A video is created using footage obtained without their permission, deceiving editing, "mood music," and actors to play them to say dramatic, reconciliatory lines. And even when Lemon and Jordan watch it and know it's fake and that it's trash, they are still moved. Everyone knows reality shows are truly fake and overdone yet we can't resist watching. Tina beautifully captures the phenomenon and appeal of reality shows both for the public and the studio, and in doing so beautifully explores and reminisces about Lemon and Jordan's tumultuous relationship.