Last week's episode of 30 Rock has got to be a classic, if only because Tina Fey did what few people are willing to do so brazenly on a sitcom: Tackle racism in a way that makes you laugh.
NBC's Emmy-winning 30 Rock, starring Tina Fey and Scott Adsit, may be too zany and witty for the average viewer, but it still packs a punch with critics each week. Photo © Broadway Video/NBC Universal Television.
Though the fear of terrorism has decreased somewhat on a national level, it's easy to see why so many native New Yorkers will never be the same. The psychological effects of 9/11 and the Anthrax scares that followed will no doubt leave New York residents cautious and careful for years to come.
Unfortunately, even though New York City is incredibly diverse, the events of 9/11 still leave people wary of the potential terrorist around the corner. And, of course, the Patriot Act makes it a lot easier for the government to track down alleged would-be terrorists.
With such a serious topic on hand, one would think it'd be difficult to make it laugh-worthy. No so with Tina Fey's 30 Rock, as her neurotic character, Liz Lemon, is suddenly bombarded with fears of a terrorist attack -- most specifically by her suspicious-looking Middle Eastern neighbor, Ahmad, down the hall. He doesn't make eye contact easily, he seems rather shady, and he won't shake her hand. Her roommate and best friend Pete (Scott Adsit) questions Liz's fears as racist and even hangs out with Ahmad, but she can't seem to shake them.
At work, Liz's uber-neo-con boss, Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) tells her to "be an American - call it in," and promptly gives her the phone number of one of his contacts. Check out the clip here!
Alec Baldwin (left), pictured with comedy guru Jerry Seinfeld in the second season premiere, has received both a Golden Globe and an Emmy nomination for his portrayal of oddball NBC/GE executive, Jack Donaghy. Photo © Broadway Video/NBC Universal Television.
It was interesting to see how Fey wrote Liz as initially concerned about discussing the situation in front of Jack's assistant, Jonathan (Maulik Pancholy), who happens to be of Middle Eastern descent. His assistant is, as Liz expected, both shocked and appalled that she would stereotype, and Jack puts on a good show of being equally upset -- until Jonathan leaves that is.
It's a great illustration of how, no matter how much some people try to be politically correct, their honest feelings will eventually come out when they feel like they're in safe company.
Still, Liz fights her fears and resists calling the authorities, until she catches Ahmad doing what appears to be some serious basic training in the park with his brother. Between the mysterious package that was accidentally sent to her door, the shifty eyes, and the the new exercises, Liz is finally convinced to call.
They work fast, and before Liz knows it, Ahmad is gone. His door is taped up after what could only be described as a possible raid. Not long after, she receives a package. Cautiously, she opens it up, sticks the enclosed tape in her VCR... and finds Ahmah's audition tape for The Amazing Race. He and his brother love America, and were innocent all along. Liz is understandably floored by the mistake she made, but it's the darkly hilarious reveal that makes it worthwhile.
Finally, Ahmad is returned, limped. He explains to Liz in the hall, after a chance and awkward encounter, that he was tortured. His last words are, "I just have so much anger inside now, that I want to do something... spectacular with it."
Again, this is a serious topic that's established in an oddly funny way. I believe the bulk of the message has to do with Americans and our fear of people who are different - specifically those who are of Middle Eastern descent. Racial profiling is an issue that affects many innocent American citizens every day, and by tackling the issue in an outlandish way, I believe Fey was making a statement, not only about her own fears of terrorism and of her prejudices, but also about the fears and prejudices of Americans. The execution worked perfectly, because it married comedy and truth, without preaching or lecturing the audience.
Here's TV Guide's Matt Roush's take on last week's episode, as he discusses the B-story of the episode, featuring Alec Baldwin and guest-starring The Soprano's star, Edie Falco.
This was intelligent entertainment at its finest, as it addressed a real-life issue with more than a dozen laughs along the way. It's unfortunate that 30 Rock hasn't gotten the huge audience it deserves, though I imagine it's the rapid-fire quips and the deliberate, over-the-top themes with cynical undertones that turns viewers off. People want easy laughs after all, and 30 Rock makes you think, concentrate and actually follow the story from beginning to end. Go figure.
