30 Rock: The One With The Cast Of Night Court (Recap)

By Tom Rose
Fancast.com

Last night on 30 Rock we saw the elevation of one classic NBC show to new levels of mythology (Harry Anderson and Markie Post finally get hitched on Night Court) and the degradation of another NBC character (an un”Friend”ly Jennifer Aniston) to new levels of psycho stalker. In other words, it’s business as usual on Rockefeller Plaza.

In the episode Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) is surprised and full of dread at the visit of an old friend from her party days. Claire (Jennifer Aniston) has never moved on from her wild ways and is stopping by to catch up for a few days. She pops out of the elevator just as Jack (Alec Baldwin) strolls by and despite Liz’s best efforts (”Jack. She’s not just crazy. She’s grab-a-cop’s-gun crazy!”) he falls hard for Hurricane Claire.

Meanwhile, Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) is lamenting the switch in wardrobe mandated by NBC for all Pages (something that actually happened recently) because the new silver jacket is not as “timeless, practical and sexy” as the old navy blazer. Kenneth is off his game but he has a surprising ally in Tracy (Tracy Morgan) who gets the ball rolling on a solution to the problem.

In typical Tracy Jordan style, it’s not exactly the direct route.

Within 10 minutes of meeting Jack, Claire is getting directions to the “F” train in his back office. Liz knows this can only lead to disaster since she’s witnessed some of Claire’s wackier stunts (”mannequin comes to life” and “sexy birthday party”) but Jack is irresistibly drawn to the fire.

Tracy takes up the blazer fight by asking Kenneth what his true dream is. Kenneth responds with his most cherished wish: the final episode of Night Court is played out, despite the sudden axing of the series by NBC. Never one to know when to quit himself, Tracy makes it happen. To Kenneth’s wonder he gathers Harry, Christine and Mac (Charles Robinson) to the set to rehearse the long buried script - “The One Where Harry And Christine Get Married.”

While that happy scene is playing out Liz is doing her best to keep Jack from Rachel’s clutches with zero effect. Jack is a towering pillar of strength most of the time, but when it comes to Claire, he turns to jelly. She’s like a drug and he’s hooked. But when she shows up at a swanky dinner party, singing “Happy Birthday” in Marilyn mode (you were warned Jack!) he gets the idea that it may be time for rehab.

Not all goes smoothly for the Night Court reunion. The prominently missing Assistant D.A. (John Larroquette) is late as usual. Actually, he is tied up elsewhere, or so he told Judge Stone. When Markie realizes that Harry is still in touch with him, all the old wounds open up again and the cast is set to petty bickering. Tracy saves the day with a plot twist that not only gets the lovebirds married at last, it forces NBC’s hand in The Blazer Wars. Kenneth is ecstatic. A sweet turn this time around for Tracy. Everybody gets at least one!

When the romance between Claire and Jack is allowed to flower in the open (meaning Liz fails miserably yet again) Jen’s ardor wilts. There’s no fun in waiting in line at the latest trendy night spot holding hands like an old couple at the fish store. To put some spice back into the relationship, Claire grabs a cop’s gun and plants it on Jack. (told ya) The spectacular turn by Aniston ends with a maniacal, baying at the moon laugh from Claire and Jack on his way to jail. Mission accomplished.

As Claire flies off to her next pileup, Liz bails Jack out of the real Night Court, with the familiar theme song playing and outro to freeze frame included. Jack has learned his lesson but lost his wallet.

At least he still has his job.

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