Black Tie (30 Rock)
"Black Tie" | |
---|---|
30 Rock episode | |
Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 12 |
Directed by | Don Scardino |
Written by | Kay Cannon Tina Fey |
Production code | 113[1] |
Original air date | February 1, 2007 |
"Black Tie" is the twelfth episode of the first season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock. It was directed by Don Scardino, and written by Kay Cannon and series creator Tina Fey. The episode originally aired on NBC in the United States on February 1, 2007. Guest stars in this episode include Kevin Brown, Grizz Chapman, Will Forte, April Lee Hernández, Paul Reubens, and Isabella Rossellini.
In the episode,
Plot
Liz is invited by Jack to accompany him to a birthday party for his friend, Prince Gerhardt Habsburg (Loosely based on the Habsburg monarch Carlos II), which she accepts. Liz fears the invitation is a date, but Jack denies this when asked. Later, Liz runs into her friend Jenna Maroney (Jane Krakowski) at the party. While the two talk, Prince Gerhardt (Paul Reubens) makes his entrance, introduced as His Royal Highness the Duke of Thuringia, the Earl of the Duchy of Westphalia, Prince Gerhardt Messerschmitt Ramstein van Hoppe. He has a physical disability with many disfigurements and illnesses due to "centuries of inbreeding." Meanwhile, Jack is shocked to see his ex-wife Bianca (Isabella Rossellini) enter the room. When she comes over to say hello, Jack introduces Liz as his live-in girlfriend. She likes Liz and tells Jack not to let her get away.
At the same time, Prince Gerhardt spots Jenna and sends his messenger, Tomas (Will Forte), over to invite her to dine with him. Eager to become a modern-day Grace Kelly, she talks herself into doing it, despite his problems. Later, Bianca tells Liz that she dislikes the idea that Liz can make Jack truly happy. Liz tells Jack that Bianca is still not over him and to prove it, she goes to her and tells her the two are engaged. At hearing this, Bianca reacts violently and attacks Liz. Later, Prince Gerhardt decides he can now die happy, after he and Jenna discussed their relationship, and drinks some champagne, which he cannot digest. He dies because "he cannot metabolize the grapes." As a result, the party comes to a conclusion. Jack walks Liz up to her apartment. Before he leaves, he leans in to take off the necklace he lent her, which she mistakes for an attempted kiss. Jack acts semi-repulsed by the idea, and tells Liz to give it up.
Finally, at the 30 Rock studios, after overhearing Pete impersonating Elmo from Sesame Street while Pete was encouraging his son to do better with his potty training, Tracy compares Pete's relationship with his wife to that of Samson and Delilah. While working late at night in his office, Tracy enters with Grizz (Grizz Chapman) and Dot Com (Kevin Brown) and a couple of other people, which turns into a party. Pete is still working, while Tracy's entourage enjoy themselves. Tracy encourages Pete to loosen up, and asks one of the women, Vicki (April Lee Hernández), to look after him. Pete finally loosens up and begins to give in to Vicki's temptations, but Kenneth sets him straight, telling him to recall the day that he got married.
Production
"Black Tie" was directed by Don Scardino, and written by Kay Cannon and series creator Tina Fey.[2] This was Cannon and Fey's first script collaboration, later co-writing the episodes "Somebody to Love",[3] "Christmas Special",[4] and "Lee Marvin vs. Derek Jeter",[5] for season two, season three, and season four, respectively. "Black Tie" originally aired on NBC in the United States on February 1, 2007, as the twelfth episode of the show's first season and overall of the series.
This episode featured guest appearances by actors Paul Reubens and Isabella Rossellini. Fey wrote the role of Prince Gerhardt Hapsburg specifically for Reubens, and he did not have to audition.[6] Fey, in regard to Reubens, said: "We were thrilled beyond belief to get him to do [the role]."[7] Kevin Lasit, the show's prop master, built Gerhardt's wheelchair and puppet legs. Fey said that Lasit "really outdid himself", and noted that Reubens was kneeling in the wheelchair in the seat built over the top of him. In addition, Reubens wore prosthetic teeth and a wig to accommodate his character's look.[7] According to Fey, in the DVD commentary for this episode, the show shot an alternate ending—at Reubens's request—in which Gerhardt does not die, "but ultimately it felt better stakes for the story if he'd die", in which Will Forte's character says, "The Habsburg line has ended. You can pick up your gift bags at the coat check."[7] In "Black Tie", Rosellini played Bianca, the ex-wife of Alec Baldwin's character, Jack Donaghy.[8] Rosellini would make a second appearance in the February 8, 2007, episode "Up All Night".[9] Comedian actor Will Forte, who played Tomas, the messenger of Prince Gerhardt, has appeared in the main cast of Saturday Night Live (SNL),[10] a weekly sketch comedy series which airs on NBC in the United States. Fey was the head writer on SNL from 1999 until 2006.[11] Forte would later return to 30 Rock as Paul, a love interest of Jenna Maroney's.
In the beginning of the episode, Liz and
Reception
"'Black Tie' was a great example of what makes 30 Rock so darn enjoyable. It combined completely absurd, off-the-wall nonsense with real and believable human stories and had you constantly laughing as a result. Add to that two hilarious guest appearances and you're left with yet another fantastic episode".
According to the
References
- ^ "(#113) "Black Tie"". The Futon Critic. Retrieved July 19, 2021.
- ^ "30 Rock: Episodes". London: Screenrush (AlloCiné). Retrieved 2010-04-20.
- ^ "30 Rock: Episodes". London: Screenrush (AlloCiné). Retrieved 2010-04-20.
- ^ "30 Rock: Episodes". London: Screenrush (AlloCiné). Retrieved 2010-04-20.
- ^ "30 Rock — Lee Marvin vs. Derek Jeter". Yahoo! TV. Retrieved 2010-04-29.
- ^ Cohen, Sandy (2007-06-19). "Paul Reubens and Pee-Wee Herman Are Back". The Washington Post. Associated Press. Retrieved 2010-04-20.
- ^ Universal Studios Home Entertainment.
- ^ Goldblatt, Henry (2007-08-31). "30 Rock: Season 1 DVD Review". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2010-04-20.
- ^ Amatangelo, Amy (2007-02-04). "Television watch this". Boston Herald.
- ^ a b Mitovich, Matt (2007-02-01). "February 1, 2007: "It Feels Good to Laugh"". TV Guide. Archived from the original on August 21, 2009. Retrieved 2010-04-20.
- ^ Goodwin, Christopher (2008-05-11). "And funny with it". The Guardian. Retrieved 2010-03-27.
- ^ a b Canning, Robert (2007-02-02). "30 Rock: "Black Tie" Review". IGN. Retrieved 2010-04-20.
- ^ "NBC Ratings Results For The Week Of Jan. 29 - Feb.4". The Futon Critic. 2007-02-06. Retrieved 2010-04-20.
- ^ "The Top-Rated 'Golden Globes' Telcast In Three Years Pace NBC's Week Of Jan. 15-21". The Futon Critic. 2007-01-23. Retrieved 2010-04-20.
- TV Squad. Retrieved 2010-04-20.
- ^ McFarland, Melanie (2007-02-01). "The Real Joke Is On Comics' Critic". Seattle Post-Intelligencer: C1.
External links
- "Black Tie" at IMDb