30 Rock: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

30 Rock: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman July 7, 2020

They say truth is stranger than fiction, but with 30 Rock it could be said that fiction is funnier than truth. The NBC sitcom, which debuted on October 11, 2006 and ran for seven seasons before retiring on January 31, 2013 (a reunion special is set to air soon after this review's publication), takes audiences inside the inner-workings of the television production world, sort of a fictional camera-turned-backwards comedy-mockumentary. The show stars Tina Fey as Liz Lemon who is the chief writer for a popular comedy program on NBC. Considering her extensive work on and knowledge of the inner workings within both Saturday Night Live and the larger entertainment landscape, 30 Rock is rightly labeled an example of art imitating art from a behind the scenes perspective.

Official Synopsis: Tina Fey, with more job titles and awards than you can shake a stick at, stars as TV writer Liz Lemon, and Alec Baldwin stars in his just-as-decorated role as corporate executive Jack Donaghy, who together manage the everyday mayhem at a NBC late-night variety show. Pretending to help them are mercurial guest stars Tracy Jordan and Jenna Maroney (Tracy Morgan and Jane Krakowski) as well as wide-eyed NBC page Kenneth Parcell (Jack McBrayer). From first meetings to last lunches, cheer Liz and the hapless gang at 30 Rock along in all 138 episodes of network tanking, election meddling, upward spiraling, Canadian birthing and all the other zany happenings in between.

30 Rock's critical legacy will forever be linked to its extensive Primetime Emmy Award nominations and victories, but its enduring heart will live on in its laughs, its unforgettable characters, its biting yet loving satire of the world in which it was made. The show certainly does the self-parody thing quite nicely, managing to walk that fine line between riffing on its own reality while creating a tangible, identifiable world, culture, and cast of characters of its own making. It teeters on and often crosses over to the absurd, a necessary tactic, really, to lighten the stricter realities of television production, blending the necessary minutia with extreme comedy to allow the show to serve as both critical insight and frivolous escape. It's well done, allowing access to both the television connoisseur and the casual sitcom fan, engaging both with a hybrid of self critique and comfortable slip into essential genre and style and components that work in harmony to make arguably the best sitcom of its generation.

Fey works both sides of the camera with care, falling into character with effortless wit and charm while handling some writing and production duties one the other side with equal excellence. Her stamp is all over the show, but it's certainly a collaborative effort that extends from the lengthy list of producers and directors down through an insanely talented cast. The ensemble is magic. There's an effortlessness to the performances and a feel for not just fundamental characteristics but highly detailed performance craftsmanship. Each primary, and the series' recurring guests and guest stars, feel like family right out of the gate. It's amazing how mature the show feels in season one and it only grows, delivering a hearty, healthy, finely honed experience that is amongst the best to come out of the first two decades of the 21st century.

30 Rock: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

30 Rock: The Complete Series rarely appears to be in distress across the full series run. The picture is quite handsome, looking a bit more aggressively grainy in the early seasons and appearing a little less so in later seasons. Detail is always strong throughout, with close-ups revealing very satisfying textural nuance in faces, clothes, and the many densely packed locations, interior and exterior alike, particularly in various office spaces and studios where much of the show takes place. It's quite impressive in total for source faithfulness and a generally agreeable façade. Colors are well rendered in the aggregate. They're plenty punchy and well saturated but at times do look a little flat and listless in some episodes, lacking extreme vitality and brilliance in favor of a more subdued output. Skin tones are largely reflective of the general color saturation around, and black levels appear nicely deep and accurate. A few episodes -- "Queen of Jordan," "Live from Studio 6H," for example -- look drastically different because they take on a different narrative or structural approach, but these scattered one-offs hold up fine within their own unique parameters.

As with most any Mill Creek TV show release, there are some compromises to the video quality that boil down to encode efficiency. Disc space is not a particularly problematic point given the relatively condensed episode runtime and that no one disc is overflowing with content. The picture looks rather good in sum, leaving room for improvement but offering enough foundational function to satisfy most casual viewers and not give more demanding videophiles too many reasons to take to the keyboard in anger, assuming the larger set and experience are taken in the proper Mill Creek perspective of value versus quality. There are certainly some compression artifacts if one is actively looking for them, and such are often in plain evidence the closer one gets to the screen, but at normal viewing distances the image holds together quite nicely. The picture is otherwise free of excessive blemish, whether stemming from the source or form the encode. It looks quite strong in the aggregate.

30 Rock: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

30 Rock: The Complete Series features a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. It's pleasantly lively and vigorous, demonstrating a core excellence right out of the gate in the opening seconds of episode one, revealing command of the surround channels with lively music spilling through the whole stage. The opening titles further reinforce the wider musical engagement, and the springy presentation standards remain a hallmark throughout. Musical clarity is excellent, too. It's not just space but fidelity that help shape the musical landscape, and it's a consistent pleasure to hear throughout the run. Surrounds pick up quite a bit of activity throughout. City din and office space clatter are heard in frequency depending on where an episode may be taking place. The track often has something of sonic interest and activity going on and rarely does the listener not feel pleasantly immersed into the New York locales, interior and exterior alike. But dialogue certainly drives the show forward. It's naturally detailed, firmly grounded in the front-center speaker, and is always well prioritized even when some of the more boisterous surroundings might otherwise challenge it for supremacy. This is a very good track; Mill Creek has not cut any corners with this one.

30 Rock: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

30 Rock: The Complete Series contains bonuses across every disc, including commentaries, deleted scenes, and various featurettes. The commentaries tend to range from irreverent and sardonic to occasionally more traditionally insightful, but most are rather fun and flow freely. There's also a nice cross-section of talent, even a few with people who don't actually have anything to do with an episode. The series ships in two extra large Amaray cases, ten discs held in each, both situated in a basic slip box. The hubs in the Amaray case are not quite big enough and the discs tend to either not hold on securely or fall off and rattle around inside.

Season One, Disc One:

• Audio Commentary: For Tracy Does Conan: Tracy Morgan.
• Deleted Scenes (480i, 1.78:1): Scenes from Pilot (0:59), Blind Date (0:22), and Tracy Does Conan (0:18).

Season One, Disc Two:

• Audio Commentary: For Black Tie: Tina Fey.
• Deleted Scenes (480i, 1.78:1): Scenes from The Break-Up (0:28), The Head and the Hair (0:40), Up All Night (1:48), and The C Word (4:52).

Season One, Disc Three:

• Audio Commentaries: For Hard Ball: Tina Fey introduces Lorne Michaels and Henry Michaels. For Fireworks: Jack McBrayer. For Hiatus: Alec Baldwin.
• Deleted Scenes (480i, 1.78:1): Scenes from The Fighting Irish (0:29) and Hiatus (0:15).
• The Wrap Party (480i, 1.78:1, 13:09): By the title one might assume this supplement to take viewers inside the wrap party at season's or series' end. Instead, it's a gag reel by another name.
• An Evening with Kenneth (480i, 1.78:1, 9:58): Kenneth Parcell plays the part of a late-night comedy show host and interviews a few guests.
• Behind-the-Scenes (480i, 1.78:1, 15:22): A true behind-the-scenes piece that is informal and less than truly insightful. It moves quickly and randomly and includes various interviews but fans should find it to be a good deal of fun. The piece is hosted by Frank Rossitano and, later, Kenneth Parcell.
• Makin' It Happen (480i, 1.78:1, 0:31): Additional episodes of the "show within a show."

Season Two Disc One:

• Audio Commentaries: For Jack Gets in the Game: Will Arnett. For The Collection: Jane Krakowski and Jack McBrayer.
• Deleted Scenes (480i, 1.78:1): Scenes from SeinfeldVision (0:27, 0:10) and Rosemary's Baby (0:52).

Season Two Disc Two:

• Audio Commentaries: For Somebody to Love: Fred Armisen. For Cougars: Judah Friedlander. For Episode 210: Tina Fey and Jeff Richmond.
• Deleted Scene (480i, 1.78:1): Scene from Cougars (0:35).

Season Two Disc Three:

• Audio Commentaries: For MILF Island: Scott Adsit. For Subway Hero: Tim Conway and Jack McBrayer. For Succession: Robert Carlock and John Riggi. For Sandwich Day: Tina Fey. For Cooter: Jane Krakowski and Jack McBrayer.
• Deleted Scenes (480i, 1.78:1): Scenes from MILF Island (0:41) and Sandwich Day (1:14).
• 'Cooter' Table Read (480i, 31:29): A dynamic view of the cast reading the script on the top half of the screen while the typed script itself scrolls along the bottom.
• 30 Rock Live at the UBC Theater (480i, 46:48): A live performance of episode 208 in support of those production assistants impacted by the writers' strike. From December 2007 at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre.
• Tina Hosts SNL (480i, 8:05): Not Fey actually hosting but rather a look at the behind-the-scenes process leading up to her gig on the show.
• Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Presents: An Evening with 30 Rock (480i, 1.78:1, 23:09): Brian Williams moderates a collection of cast and crew to discuss the show.

Season Three Disc One:

• Deleted Scenes (480i, 1.78:1): Scenes from Do-Over (0:19, 0:12, 0:14, 0:16), The One with the Cast of 'Night Court' (0:32, 0:54), and Gavin Volure (0:18, 0:11).

Season Three Disc Two: (Note that the disc advertises commentaries for Flu Shot and Goodbye, My Friend but don't actually appear to be included).

• Deleted Scenes (480i, 1.78:1): Scenes from St. Valentine's Day (1:03, 0:14).

Season Three Disc Three:

• Audio Commentaries: For The Bubble: Jack McBrayer and Jon Hamm. For Apollo, Apollo: Robert Carlock and Jack Burditt. For The Ones: Jack McBrayer and Jane Krakowski. For Mamma Mia: Alan Alda. For Kidney Now!: Tina Fey and Jeff Richmond.
• Deleted Scenes (480i, 1.78:1): Scenes from Cutbacks (0:37), Mamma Mia (0:21), and Kidney Now! (1:02).
• Behind-the-Scenes with The Muppets (480i, 3:10): Tina Fey introduces some fun footage depicting the Muppets performing for 30 Rock.
• 1-900-OKFACE (480i, 1:09): A phone sex TV ad.
• 'Kidney Now!' Table Read (480i, 31:27): A dynamic view of the cast reading the script on the top half of the screen while the typed script itself scrolls along the bottom.
• The Making of "Kidney Now!" (480i, 12:23): This piece primarily explores the episode's musical components.
• Behind-the-Scenes Photo Gallery (480i, 2:06): Still photos from the set, auto advancing, no musical accompaniment.
• Alec Baldwin's SNL Montage (480i, 4:50): The 30 Rock star works the stage on SNL.
• Tracy Jordan's Rand (480i, 2:07): Jordan's expletive-laden meltdown towards the cameraman.
• Award Acceptance Speeches (480i): Included are Emmy's - Outstanding Lead Actress - Comedy Series (1:19), Emmy's - Outstanding Lead Actor - Comedy Series (1:04), and Golden Globes - Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy (1:17).

Season Four Disc One:

• Audio Commentaries: For Stone Mountain: Donald Glover and Gillian Jacobs. For Audition Day: Alec Baldwin and Lorne Michaels. For The Problem Solvers: Jack McBrayer and Jane Krakowski. For DealBreakers Talk Show #0001: Scott Adsit and Don Scardino.
• Deleted Scenes (480i, 1.78:1): Scenes from Season 4 (0:29, 0:33) and Sun Tea (0:17).

Season Four Disc Two:

• Audio Commentaries: For Black Light Attack!: John Lutz and Sue Galloway. For Vernna: Tina Fey. For Anna Howard Shaw Day: Jack McBrayer and Jane Krakowski.
• Deleted Scenes (480i, 1;78:1): Scenes from Secret Santa (0:35) and Verna (0:46).

Season Four Disc Three:

• Audio Commentaries: For Don Geiss, America and Hope: Tracey Wigfield and Tom Ceraulo. For Argus: Tina Fey and Jeff Richmond. For Emmanuelle Goes to Dinosaur Land: Jack McBrayer and Jon Hamm.
• Deleted Scenes (480i, 1.78:1): Scenes from Floyd (0:59, 0:06) and Emmanuelle Goes to Dinosaur Land (0:06, 2:02).
• Behind-the-Scenes of 'The Moms' (480i, 7:02): Exploring the making of one of the series' "theme" episodes.
• Behind-the-Scenes of 'I Do Do' (480i, 5:21): Looking into the process of making a weddings-in-triplicate episode.
• Tennis Night in America (480i, 1:01): A riff on Hank Williams, Jr.'s opening theme for Monday Night Football, here with a tennis twist and performed by Jenna Maroney.
• Food Network's Ace of Cakes: 30 Rock (And Roll) (480i, 20:30): A tasty in-depth look at making cakes for the show.
• Photo Gallery (480i, 2:07): Still photos from the set, auto advancing, no musical accompaniment.

Season Five Disc One:

• Live Show (West Coast Version) (1080p, 23:04): The second live performance of episode 504.
• Behind the Scenes of "Live Show" (480i, 12:34): Explore the process of airing a live performance of a 30 Rock episode.
• Audio Commentaries: For Live Show (West Coast Version): Tina Fey and Beth McCarthy-Miller. For Brooklyn Without Limits: Tracy Morgan and Jerry Kupfer.
• Deleted Scenes (480i, 1.78:1): Scenes from The Fabian Strategy (0:36), When It Rains, It Pours (0:34, 0:12), Let's Stay Together (0:38), Reaganing (0:10, 0:24), Gentlemen's Intermission (0:33, 0:15), and College (0:11, 1:04).

Season Five Disc Two:

• Audio Commentaries: For Chain Reaction of Mental Anguish: Jack McBrayer, Jack's mother Betty McBrayer, and Jack's father Jim McBrayer. For Christmas Attack Zone: Will Forte and Val Kilmer. For Operation Righteous Cowboy Lightning: John Lutz and Sue Galloway. For It's Never Too Late for Now: Judah Friedlander.
• Deleted Scenes (480i, 1.78:1): Scenes from Chain Reaction of Mental Anguish (0:12, 0:58, 0:05), Christmas Attack Zone (0:07, 0:06), Operation Righteous Cowboy Lightning (0:22), Double-Edged Sword (0:35), and TGS Hates Women (0:33).

Season Five Disc Three:

• Audio Commentaries: For Queen of Jordan: Tom Ceraulo and Tracey Wigfield. For Plan B: Tina Fey and Jeff Richmond. For 100: Don Scardino and Aaron Sorkin. For Respawn: Jack McBrayer and Jon Hamm.
• Deleted Scenes (480i, 1.78:1): Scenes from Queen of Jordan (0:31), Plan B (0:09), Everything Sunny All the Time Always (0:47, 0:55), and Respawn (1:24).
• Jack Donaghy Executive Superhero (480i, 1.78:1): Quick animated shorts depicting Donaghy in a different role in the office. Included are Soft Served (2:38), Iced (1:25), and Rokered (1:48).
• Jenna's Obituary Song (480i, 1.78:1, 1:06): Jenna Maroney performs a song in her own honor.

Season Six Disc One:

• Audio Commentary: For Dance Like Nobody's Watching: Tracey Wigfield and Tom Ceraulo.
• Deleted Scenes (480i, 1.78:1): Scenes from Dance Like Nobody's Watching (0:06, 0:19, 0:17), Idiots Are People Three! (0:11, 0:19), and The Ballad of Kenneth Parcell (0:18).

Season Six Disc Two:

• Audio Commentaries: For Alexis Goodlooking and the Case of the Missing Whisky: Judah Friedlander. For Standards and Practices: Jack McBrayer and nephew Billy Gonzalez.
• Deleted Scenes (480i, 1.78:1): Scenes from The Tuxedo Begins (0:08), Leap Day (0:20, 0:12), Alexis Goodlooking and the Case of the Missing Whisky (0:15, 0:11, 0:14), Standards and Practices (0:30, 0:12), and St. Patrick's Day (1:25).

Season Six Disc Three:

• Audio Commentaries: For Live from Studio 6H: Jane Krakowski and Jeff Richmond.
• Deleted Scenes (480i, 1.78:1): Scenes from Meet the Woggles! (0:10), Queen of Jordan 2: The Mystery of the Phantom Pooper (0:15), The Return of Avery Jessup (0:16, 0:44), and What Will Happen to the Gang Next Year? (0:17).
• Live from Studio 6H (West Coast Version) (23:32): The second live performance of episode 619.
• Behind the Scenes of "Live from Studio 6H" (580i, 1.78:1, 7:24): Explore the process of airing a live performance of a 30 Rock episode.
• Cheyene Jacksons and Jane Krakowski: "Live from Studio 6H" Warm Up (480i, 8:42): Psyching up the live audience for the show with music and cast and crew intros.

Season Seven Disc One:

• Audio Commentary: For Mazel Tov, Dummies!: Tom Ceraulo and Tracey Wigfield.
• Deleted Scenes (480i, 1.78:1): Scenes from Governor Dunston (1:00, 0:40), Stride of Pride (0:14, 0:57, 0:21), Unwindulax (0:24), and Aunt Phatso vs. Jack Donaghy (0:30).

Season Seven Disc Two:

• Audio Commentaries: For My Whole Life Is Thunder: Damian Holbrook and Colleen McGuiness. For A Goon's Deed in a Weary World: Jeff Richmond and Jane Krakowski. For Hogcock!/Last Lunch: Tina Fey and Robert Carlock.
• Deleted Scenes (480i, 1.78:1): Scenes from Game Over (0:38), Florida (0:18), and Hogcock!/Last Lunch (0:36).
• The Donaghy Files (480i, 4:40): The animated short "For a Song."
• Tina Fey Studio Tour (480i, 26:20): A fitting finale to a gargantuan supplemental collection, Fey guides the audience around the world of 30 Rock before show's end.

30 Rock: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

30 Rock made an indelible mark on television during its run and, now even but a few years removed from its finale, it is remembered as a classic. There's little reason to expend a significant amount of digital ink on it; suffice it to say the show still plays fresh, relevant, and cutting-edge, not to mention funny and endearing, so for the content alone the Blu-ray set is a no-brainer. Factor in rather good video and audio presentations and the gargantuan, maybe even described as glutinous, amount of extra content as more reasons to buy. Mill Creek has once again found, and here excelled beyond, the sweet spot price point for content versus quality, and its 30 Rock: The Complete Series Blu-ray release comes highly recommended.