MANILA, Philippines?Three seasons and several awards later, ?30 Rock? is still a smart and diverting sitcom that pinpoints and revels in the absurdities of show business. Created by former ?Saturday Night Live? writer and cast member Tina Fey, the series amusingly pries into the behind-the-scenes goings-on at an ?SNL?-esque variety show, staged at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York.
It follows the workplace misadventures of Liz Lemon (Fey), the head writer occasionally dealing with the actors? quirks, tantrums, and personal problems. Liz is far from perfect herself, but her boss Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) respects her problem-solving capabilities. Liz is one of Jack?s few true friends, a confidant whenever upheavals in the company and his love life take place.
Hilarious
Every half-hour episode manages to incorporate name-dropping into effective punch lines. The fictional performers played by Tracy Morgan and Jane Krakowski also reflect many celebrities? magnified self-worth; the characters? need for validation translates into many hilarious situations. Just as funny are Fey?s self-deprecating story lines, her nontraditional mind-set contrasting cleverly with Jack?s methodical behavior.
The talented cast is regularly joined by a who?s who of guests. Carrie Fisher, Oprah Winfrey, David Schwimmer, Nathan Lane, Jennifer Aniston, and Salma Hayek separately appeared in memorable episodes. Music artists Sheryl Crow, Norah Jones, Clay Aiken and Cyndi Lauper, among others, appeared together for a ?We are the World?-ish song about kidney donation in one episode. Fey?s former SNL co-stars, like Jason Sudeikis and Chris Parnell also appear from time to time. Much missed is Rachel Dratch, who was in several episodes of season 1 as different characters (including a cat wrangler and Barbara Walters).
While the short-lived but brilliant drama ?Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip? audaciously tackled religious and political issues surrounding a sketch comedy show, ?30 Rock? lightly but confidently pokes fun at some characters? political and religious allegiances (the ?Church of Practicology,? for instance).
Also spoofing the eccentricities and inanities of celebrities and creative types consistently well, ?30 Rock? delights in the side-splitting pratfalls and peculiarities that seem to accompany creativity in that industry.
?30 Rock? season 4 airs on Jack TV every Friday at 8:30 p.m.
Presidential forum
GMA Network?s AM radio station dzBB presents ?Ikaw Na Ba? ? The Presidential Forum,? which goes on air Mondays to Fridays from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
The program features a one-on-one interview with the presidential aspirants to be conducted by broadcast journalist Mike Enriquez.
The series kicked off with Liberal Party?s presidential bet Sen. Noynoy Aquino III last Friday.
Former President Joseph Estrada takes the hot seat tomorrow; administration bet Gilbert Teodoro, Feb. 23; evangelist Eddie Villanueva, Feb. 25; Sen. Jamby Madrigal, March 1; Sen. Manny Villar, March 4.
Top chefs
?Top Chef: Masters,? the new spin-off of the cooking reality program ?Top Chef,? airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on 2nd Avenue.
Twenty-four chefs from acclaimed restaurants around America will cook it out to be the first Top Chef Master.
The winner will receive $100,000 for his charity of choice.
Interactive show
Playhouse Disney presents ?Jungle Junction,? an interactive show that features a distant jungle of colorful animals that have wheels instead of feet.
The show, which familiarizes kids with pre-literacy skills through the use of road signs and maps, airs Feb. 27 and every Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. thereafter.
