Trying Not to Break: Quick Thoughts on 30 Rock Live Experiment

I'll admit that I had very low expectations going into this week's live episode of 30 Rock ("Live Show") as I wasn't really sure how the multi-camera format and live audience would work with 30 Rock's narrative structure, given the series' use of quick-cutaway reaction shots, smash cuts, and imaginative structure.

However, I have to say that I was extremely pleasantly surprised. While the first few minutes of live laughter shocked me, I quickly settled in for what ended up being an entertaining experience, filled with more than a few laughs along the way.

Kudos to Julia Louis Dreyfus for being game enough to tackle Liz Lemon alongside Tina Fey herself; the smash cuts to "Liz" were not only surprising but managed to capture the fast-paced magic of the series and its often non-linear structure of flashbacks and flash-sideways, something impossible to do when filming live and without the slight-of-hand normally afforded to the editors.

High marks as well to fellow guest stars Jon Hamm, Matt Damon, Bill Hader, and Chris Parnell, who added some nice depth and surprise to the proceedings, especially with Hamm and Parnell's fake commercials for hand transplants and "Doctor" Leo Spaceman's "Love Storm" CD. Nicely played, guys. (It's always nice to see the goofier side of Hamm, especially.)

(Also a plus: the return of Rachel Dratch to 30 Rock, which is something I thought I'd never see.)

I also loved the way that Liz and Alec Baldwin's Jack referenced the difference in the look and feel of the live episode, with that final shot reverting back to the pre-shot film that 30 Rock typically uses. While I wouldn't want to see a live/multi-camera episode of the show each week, I thought that "Live Show" was an admirable experiment that worked more than it failed. While Tracy Morgan flubbed a few lines along the way, I thought that Fey, Baldwin, and Jane Krakowski knocked it out of the park, retaining a sense of screwball even while staying on script.

I'm curious to know what you thought of the live episode. Did it win you over in the end? Were you thrown by the laughter and the video-ness of it all? Would you want to see a live episode from another show? Head to the comments to discuss.

Meanwhile, you can check out both the East Coast and West Coast performances of 30 Rock's "Live Show" below.

30 Rock Live: East Coast Version:



30 Rock Live: West Coast Version:



Next week on 30 Rock ("Reaganing"), Jack basks in a perfect day brimming with successes and good fortune, so he tries to use his winning streak to save Liz and Carol's relationship; Jenna and Kenneth ask Kelsey Grammer for help with an ice cream scam; Tracy shoots a commercial for the Boys and Girls Club.