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{{Infobox Television episode
{{Infobox television episode
⚫
|series = [[30 Rock]]
|Title = Christmas Special
|caption =
⚫
|Series = [[30 Rock]]
⚫
|season = 3
|Image = [[File:3.06 christmas special.png|250px]]
|episode = 6
|Caption = Jack and Colleen sing together
⚫
|airdate = {{Start date|2008|12|11}}
⚫
|Season = 3
|Episode = 6
|production = 306
⚫
|writer = [[Kay Cannon]]<br />[[Tina Fey]]
⚫
|Airdate = {{Start date|2008|12|11}}
⚫
|director = [[Don Scardino]]
|Production = 306
|guests =
⚫
|Writer = [[Kay Cannon]]<br />[[Tina Fey]]
⚫
|Director = [[Don Scardino]]
|Guests =
*[[Elaine Stritch]] as Colleen
*[[Elaine Stritch]] as Colleen
|Episode list = [[List of 30 Rock episodes|List of ''30 Rock'' episodes]]
|episode_list = List of 30 Rock episodes
|Prev = [[Gavin Volure (30 Rock)|Gavin Volure]]
|prev = [[Reunion (30 Rock)|Reunion]]
|Next = [[Señor Macho Solo]]
|next = [[Señor Macho Solo]]
}}
}}
'''"Christmas Special"''' is the sixth episode of the [[30 Rock (season 3)|third season]] of the American television comedy series ''[[30 Rock]]''. It was written by executive story editor [[Kay Cannon]], and series' creator, executive producer and lead actress [[Tina Fey]]. The director of this episode was series producer [[Don Scardino]]. The episode originally aired on December 11, 2008 on the [[NBC|National Broadcasting Company]] (NBC).
"'''Christmas Special'''" is the sixth episode of the [[30 Rock season 3|third season]] of the American television comedy series ''[[30 Rock]]''. It was written by executive story editor [[Kay Cannon]], and series' creator, executive producer and lead actress [[Tina Fey]]. The director of this episode was series producer [[Don Scardino]]. The episode originally aired on December 11, 2008 on [[NBC]].


In the episode, [[Liz Lemon]] ([[Tina Fey]]) decides to help a charity for underprivileged children after her parents ditch their holiday plans. [[Jack Donaghy]]'s ([[Alec Baldwin]]) mother, Colleen ([[Elaine Stritch]]), stops Jack from going on a Christmas vacation so he ends up taking his frustration out on the ''TGS'' staff. The ''TGS'' crew have to ditch their own plans for a holiday-themed episode of the show.
In the episode, [[Liz Lemon]] ([[Tina Fey]]) decides to help a charity for underprivileged children after her parents ditch their holiday plans. [[Jack Donaghy]]'s ([[Alec Baldwin]]) mother, Colleen ([[Elaine Stritch]]), stops Jack from going on a Christmas vacation so he ends up taking his frustration out on the ''TGS'' staff. The ''TGS'' crew have to ditch their own plans for a holiday-themed episode of the show.


"Christmas Special" received mixed reviews from television critics. According to the [[Nielsen ratings]] system, it was watched by 8.9 million households during its original broadcast, becoming the series' highest rated episode. For her performance in this episode, Elaine Stritch received a [[Primetime Emmy Award]] nomination in the category for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress – Comedy Series|Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series]].
"Christmas Special" received mixed reviews from television critics. According to the [[Nielsen ratings]] system, it was watched by 8.9 million households during its original broadcast, becoming the series' highest-rated episode. For her performance in this episode, Elaine Stritch received a [[Primetime Emmy Award]] nomination in the category for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress – Comedy Series|Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series]].


==Plot==
==Plot==
[[Liz Lemon]] (Tina Fey) announces to the staff of ''The Girlie Show with Tracy Jordan'' (''TGS'') that she is participating in a charity which provides gifts to underprivileged children who write [[letters to Santa]]. She buys far more than what is requested in the letter, wanting to see the children's happiness. When Liz delivers the presents to the apartment in the letter, however, the door is answered by two adults who take the gifts, and she believes she has been tricked. Receiving no help from the [[US Postal Service]], who run the charity, she attempts to have it shut down. This upsets [[Kenneth Parcell]] ([[Jack McBrayer]]) who refuses to believe anyone would scam a [[Christmas]] charity. She takes Kenneth back to the apartment to prove she was right, but two children answer the door and Liz accidentally reveals to them that [[Santa Claus]] is not real.
Liz announces to the staff of ''The Girlie Show with Tracy Jordan'' (''TGS'') that she is participating in a charity which provides gifts to underprivileged children who write [[letters to Santa]]. She buys far more than what is requested in the letter, wanting to see the children's happiness. When Liz delivers the presents to the apartment in the letter, however, the door is answered by two adults who take the gifts, and she believes she has been tricked. Receiving no help from the [[US Postal Service]], who run the charity, she attempts to have it shut down. This upsets Kenneth who refuses to believe anyone would scam a [[Christmas]] charity. She takes Kenneth back to the apartment to prove she was right, but two children answer the door and Liz accidentally reveals to them that [[Santa Claus]] is not real.


Meanwhile [[Jack Donaghy]] ([[Alec Baldwin]]) accidentally backs into his mother, [[List of 30 Rock characters#Colleen Donaghy|Collen Donaghy]] ([[Elaine Stritch]]), with his car in Florida. Bedridden, she decides to stay with Jack, and her presence greatly annoys him. Jack reveals to Liz that after he hit his mother he waited eight minutes before calling [[9-1-1]], and is worried she will find out. Jack tries to stay away from his mother by having the cast and crew of ''TGS'' produce a last-minute [[List of Christmas television specials|Christmas special]]. However, Colleen discovers the secret, and confronts him with it. Jack responds by expressing his anger with her for her behavior at Christmas while he was a child. Ultimately, after talking with Liz, Jack realizes that Colleen was actually a caring mother, and reconciles with her.
Meanwhile, Jack accidentally backs into his mother, [[Colleen Donaghy]] ([[Elaine Stritch]]), with his car in Florida. Bedridden, she decides to stay with Jack, and her presence greatly annoys him. Jack reveals to Liz that after he hit his mother he waited eight minutes before calling [[9-1-1]], and is worried she will find out. Jack tries to stay away from his mother by having the cast and crew of ''TGS'' produce a last-minute [[List of Christmas television specials|Christmas special]]. However, Colleen discovers the secret, and confronts him with it. Jack responds by expressing his anger with her for her behavior at Christmas while he was a child. Ultimately, after talking with Liz, Jack realizes that Colleen was actually a caring mother, and reconciles with her.


==Production==
==Production==
"Christmas Special" was written by executive story editor [[Kay Cannon]], and series creator, executive producer and lead actress [[Tina Fey]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.screenrush.co.uk/series/episodes_gen_csaison=6769&cserie=813.html|title=30 Rock: Episodes|publisher=Screenrush ([[AlloCiné]])|accessdate=2010-04-28|location=London}}</ref> This episode was directed by series producer [[Don Scardino]]. This was Cannon and Fey's third script collaboration, having co-written the episodes "[[Black Tie (30 Rock)|Black Tie]]" and "[[Somebody to Love (30 Rock)|Somebody to Love]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.screenrush.co.uk/series/episodes_gen_csaison=2600&cserie=813.html|title=30 Rock: Episodes|publisher=Screenrush ([[AlloCiné]])|accessdate=2010-04-28|location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.screenrush.co.uk/series/episodes_gen_csaison=5594&cserie=813.html|title=30 Rock: Episodes|publisher=Screenrush ([[AlloCiné]])|accessdate=2010-04-28|location=London}}</ref> "Christmas Special" originally aired on NBC in the United States on December 11, 2008.
"Christmas Special" was written by executive story editor [[Kay Cannon]], and series creator, executive producer and lead actress [[Tina Fey]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.screenrush.co.uk/series/episodes_gen_csaison=6769&cserie=813.html|title=30 Rock: Episodes|publisher=Screenrush ([[AlloCiné]])|access-date=2010-04-28|location=London}}</ref> This episode was directed by series producer [[Don Scardino]]. This was Cannon and Fey's third script collaboration, having co-written the episodes "[[Black Tie (30 Rock)|Black Tie]]" and "[[Somebody to Love (30 Rock)|Somebody to Love]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.screenrush.co.uk/series/episodes_gen_csaison=2600&cserie=813.html|title=30 Rock: Episodes|publisher=Screenrush ([[AlloCiné]])|access-date=2010-04-28|location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.screenrush.co.uk/series/episodes_gen_csaison=5594&cserie=813.html|title=30 Rock: Episodes|publisher=Screenrush ([[AlloCiné]])|access-date=2010-04-28|location=London}}</ref> "Christmas Special" originally aired on NBC in the United States on December 11, 2008.


The story with the [[Jack Donaghy]] character accidentally hitting his mother with his car was based on an experience by one of the ''30 Rock'' writers. According to executive producer [[Robert Carlock]]: "This actually happened. The niece of one of our writers hit her grandmother—the writer's mother—with her car. We kind of spent a day saying, 'Can we do this? Is everything going to be okay?' And she was fine, so we figured that would be a fun, fraught thing to happen between Jack and his mom, especially right before Christmas."<ref>{{cite news|first=Marnie|last=Hanel|url=http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2008/11/qa-30-rocks-robert-carlock.html|title=Q&A: ''30 Rock''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Robert Carlock|accessdate=2010-03-27|date=2008-11-06|work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5pKSWOkwT|archivedate=2010-04-28}}</ref>
The story with the [[Jack Donaghy]] character accidentally hitting his mother with his car was based on an experience by one of the ''30 Rock'' writers. According to executive producer [[Robert Carlock]]: "This actually happened. The niece of one of our writers hit her grandmother—the writer's mother—with her car. We kind of spent a day saying, 'Can we do this? Is everything going to be okay?' And she was fine, so we figured that would be a fun, fraught thing to happen between Jack and his mom, especially right before Christmas."<ref>{{cite news|first=Marnie |last=Hanel |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2008/11/qa-30-rocks-robert-carlock.html |title=Q&A: ''30 Rock'''s Robert Carlock |access-date=2010-03-27 |date=2008-11-06 |work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100228213022/http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2008/11/qa-30-rocks-robert-carlock.html |archive-date=2010-02-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


This was [[Elaine Stritch]]'s third appearance as [[List of 30 Rock characters#Colleen Donaghy|Collen Donaghy]], Jack's mother, on ''30 Rock''. She guest starred in the episodes "[[Hiatus (30 Rock)|Hiatus]]" and "[[Ludachristmas]]". At the end of "Christmas Special", Jack and Colleen sing a duet of "[[The Christmas Song]]". In regards to the duet, Stritch told ''[[TV Guide]]'': "It's [Jack's] fantasy. It was an interesting acting challenge. I didn't sing it like I sing it; I sang it like I imagined Colleen Donaghy would try to sing it."<ref>{{cite news|first=Mickey|last=O'Connor|url=http://www.tvguide.com/news/30-rock-christmas-1000745.aspx|title=Have Yourself a Merry Little ''30 Rock'' Christmas!|accessdate=2010-04-05|date=2008-12-11|work=[[TV Guide]]}}</ref> [[Jane Krakowski]]'s character, [[Jenna Maroney]], also performs the song in the episode.
This was [[Elaine Stritch]]'s third appearance as [[Colleen Donaghy|Collen Donaghy]], Jack's mother, on ''30 Rock''. She guest starred in the episodes "[[Hiatus (30 Rock)|Hiatus]]" and "[[Ludachristmas]]". At the end of "Christmas Special", Jack and Colleen sing a duet of "[[The Christmas Song]]". In regards to the duet, Stritch told ''[[TV Guide]]'': "It's [Jack's] fantasy. It was an interesting acting challenge. I didn't sing it like I sing it; I sang it like I imagined Colleen Donaghy would try to sing it."<ref>{{cite news|first=Mickey|last=O'Connor|url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/30-rock-christmas-1000745.aspx|title=Have Yourself a Merry Little ''30 Rock'' Christmas!|access-date=2010-04-05|date=2008-12-11|work=[[TV Guide]]}}</ref>


==Reception==
==Reception==
[[File:Elaine Stritch 2009.jpg|thumb|upright|Elaine Stritch received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her performance in this episode.]]
[[File:Elaine Stritch 2009.jpg|thumb|upright|Elaine Stritch received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her performance in this episode.]]
In its original American broadcast, "Christmas Special" was watched by 8.9&nbsp;million households, according to the [[Nielsen ratings]] system, and became the show's highest rated episode so far.<ref name=DN>{{cite news|title='30 Rock' ratings rise|work=[[Deseret News]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=2008-11-06|accessdate=2010-04-04|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20081106/ai_n30971943/}}</ref> It received a 3.8 rating/9 share among viewers in the 18–49 demographic, meaning that 3.8% of all people in that group, and 9% of all people from that group watching television at the time, watched the episode.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117997286.html?categoryid=14&cs=1|title=CBS scores big on Thursday|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|last=Kissell|first=Rick|date=2008-12-12|accessdate=2010-03-27}}</ref> The season premiere episode, "[[Do-Over]]", was up until that point the highest rated episode of the show, with 8.7&nbsp;million viewers.<ref name=DN/> Elaine Stritch received a [[Primetime Emmy Award]] nomination for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress – Comedy Series|Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series]] at the [[61st Primetime Emmy Awards]] for her work in this episode,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://goldderby.latimes.com/awards_goldderby/2009/08/saturday-night-live-tina-fey-30-rock-tv-news-story-article.html|title=Landslide Emmy vote for Tina Fey as Sarah Palin?|accessdate=2010-05-24|date=2009-08-22|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref> but lost it to Tina Fey for her satirical portrayal of [[Sarah Palin]] on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''.<ref>{{cite journal|first=Sandy|last=Cohen|title=Fey an Emmy winner for Palin mimicry? You betcha|date=2009-09-13|work=[[Newsday]]|publisher=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref>
In its original American broadcast, "Christmas Special" was watched by 8.9&nbsp;million households, according to the [[Nielsen ratings]] system, and became the show's highest-rated episode so far.<ref name=DN>{{cite journal|title='30 Rock' ratings rise|journal=[[Deseret News]]|via=[[Associated Press]]|date=2008-11-06}}</ref> It received a 3.8 rating/9 share among viewers in the 18–49 demographic, meaning that 3.8% of all people in that group, and 9% of all people from that group watching television at the time, watched the episode.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117997286.html?categoryid=14&cs=1|title=CBS scores big on Thursday|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|last=Kissell|first=Rick|date=2008-12-12|access-date=2016-03-18}}</ref> The season premiere episode, "[[Do-Over]]", was up until that point the highest-rated episode of the show, with 8.7&nbsp;million viewers.<ref name=DN/> Elaine Stritch received a [[Primetime Emmy Award]] nomination for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress – Comedy Series|Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series]] at the [[61st Primetime Emmy Awards]] for her work in this episode,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://goldderby.latimes.com/awards_goldderby/2009/08/saturday-night-live-tina-fey-30-rock-tv-news-story-article.html|title=Landslide Emmy vote for Tina Fey as Sarah Palin?|access-date=2010-05-24|date=2009-08-22|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref> but lost it to Tina Fey for her satirical portrayal of [[Sarah Palin]] on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''.<ref>{{cite journal|first=Sandy|last=Cohen|title=Fey an Emmy winner for Palin mimicry? You betcha|date=2009-09-13|journal=[[Newsday]]|publisher=Associated Press}}</ref>


Critical reception of the episode was not entirely favorable. Television columnist Alan Sepinwall for ''[[The Star-Ledger]]'' commented that he had not really liked any of Elaine Stritch's appearances as Jack's mother on the series, writing that "Jack's fear and loathing of his mother just feels claustrophobic and uncomfortable instead of funny, and I'm as eager to see the end of her visits as [Jack] usually is." Sepinwall said that "very little" of "Christmas Special" worked. "I want to be in the holiday spirit, but this is two Christmas duds in a row from ''30 Rock,'' and we can't even blame the looming writers strike this time around."<ref>{{cite news|first=Alan|last=Sepinwall|url=http://www.nj.com/entertainment/tv/index.ssf/2008/12/30_rock_christmas_special_back.html|title=30 Rock, "Christmas Special": Back-up plan|accessdate=2010-04-04|date=2008-12-11|work=[[The Star-Ledger]]}}</ref> [[IGN]] contributor Robert Canning believed the show could have delivered a Christmas episode, but noted that their attempt at it "was a little less than satisfying. The ideas were there, but the rhythm of the episode was off." Nonetheless, Canning said the episode was not terrible. He enjoyed all the plots except for Liz's, writing that it did not quite fit, and that "the overall result of Liz's plot just wasn't all that funny." In conclusion, Canning gave the episode a 7.8 out of 10 rating.<ref>{{cite news|first=Robert|last=Canning|url=http://tv.ign.com/articles/937/937938p1.html|title=30 Rock: "Christmas Special" Review|accessdate=2010-04-04|date=2008-12-12|publisher=IGN TV}}</ref> Jeremy Medina for ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]'' found that there was nothing "special" about this episode. In his opinion, Liz should be featured in "new and exciting plot line[s]" rather than helping Jack endure his troubles with his mother.<ref>{{cite news|first=Jeremy|last=Medina|url=http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2008/12/30-rock-review-christmas-special-episode-306.html|title=''30 Rock'' Review: "Christmas Special" (Episode 306)|accessdate=2010-04-05|date=2008-12-17|work=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]}}</ref>
Critical reception of the episode was not entirely favorable. Television columnist Alan Sepinwall for ''[[The Star-Ledger]]'' commented that he had not really liked any of Elaine Stritch's appearances as Jack's mother on the series, writing that "Jack's fear and loathing of his mother just feels claustrophobic and uncomfortable instead of funny, and I'm as eager to see the end of her visits as [Jack] usually is." Sepinwall said that "very little" of "Christmas Special" worked. "I want to be in the holiday spirit, but this is two Christmas duds in a row from ''30 Rock,'' and we can't even blame the looming writers strike this time around."<ref>{{cite news|first=Alan|last=Sepinwall|url=http://www.nj.com/entertainment/tv/index.ssf/2008/12/30_rock_christmas_special_back.html|title=30 Rock, "Christmas Special": Back-up plan|access-date=2010-04-04|date=2008-12-11|work=[[The Star-Ledger]]}}</ref> [[IGN]] contributor Robert Canning believed the show could have delivered a Christmas episode, but noted that their attempt at it "was a little less than satisfying. The ideas were there, but the rhythm of the episode was off." Nonetheless, Canning said the episode was not terrible. He enjoyed all the plots except for Liz's, writing that it did not quite fit, and that "the overall result of Liz's plot just wasn't all that funny." In conclusion, Canning gave the episode a 7.8 out of 10 rating.<ref>{{cite news|first=Robert|last=Canning|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/12/12/30-rock-christmas-special-review|title=30 Rock: "Christmas Special" Review|access-date=2010-04-04|date=2008-12-12|publisher=IGN TV}}</ref> Jeremy Medina for ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]'' found that there was nothing "special" about this episode. In his opinion, Liz should be featured in "new and exciting plot line[s]" rather than helping Jack endure his troubles with his mother.<ref>{{cite news|first=Jeremy|last=Medina|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2008/12/30-rock-review-christmas-special-episode-306.html|title=''30 Rock'' Review: "Christmas Special" (Episode 306)|access-date=2010-04-05|date=2008-12-17|work=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]}}</ref>


Not all reviews were negative; [[Bob Sassone]] of [[AOL]]'s [[TV Squad]] wrote: "I'm a sucker for Christmas episodes." He was complimentary towards Stritch's role as Jack's mother, citing that she has been "demanding and a little difficult, but she also makes you really feel for her."<ref>{{cite news|first=Bob|last=Sassone|url=http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/12/12/30-rock-christmas-special/|title=30 Rock: Christmas Special|accessdate=2010-04-04|date=2008-12-12|publisher=[[TV Squad]]}}</ref>
Not all reviews were negative; [[Bob Sassone]] of [[AOL]]'s [[TV Squad]] wrote: "I'm a sucker for Christmas episodes." He was complimentary towards Stritch's role as Jack's mother, citing that she has been "demanding and a little difficult, but she also makes you really feel for her."<ref>{{cite news|first=Bob|last=Sassone|url=http://www.aoltv.com/2008/12/12/30-rock-christmas-special/|title=30 Rock: Christmas Special|access-date=2010-04-04|date=2008-12-12|publisher=[[TV Squad]]}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 46: Line 44:


==External links==
==External links==
*{{imdb episode|1248348|Christmas Special}}
*{{IMDb episode|1248348|Christmas Special}}

*[http://www.tv.com/30-rock/christmas-special/episode/1242778/summary.html "Christmas Special]," at [[TV.com]]
{{30 Rock Season Three}}
{{30 Rock episodes}}

{{good article}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Christmas Special}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Christmas Special}}
[[Category:2008 television episodes]]
[[Category:2008 American television episodes]]
[[Category:30 Rock episodes]]
[[Category:30 Rock season 3 episodes]]
[[Category:Christmas television episodes]]
[[Category:American Christmas television episodes]]
[[Category:Television episodes written by Tina Fey]]

Revision as of 23:39, 23 July 2024

"Christmas Special"
30 Rock episode
Episode no.Season 3
Episode 6
Directed byDon Scardino
Written byKay Cannon
Tina Fey
Production code306
Original air dateDecember 11, 2008 (2008-12-11)
Guest appearance
Episode chronology
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List of episodes

"Christmas Special" is the sixth episode of the third season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock. It was written by executive story editor Kay Cannon, and series' creator, executive producer and lead actress Tina Fey. The director of this episode was series producer Don Scardino. The episode originally aired on December 11, 2008 on NBC.

In the episode, Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) decides to help a charity for underprivileged children after her parents ditch their holiday plans. Jack Donaghy's (Alec Baldwin) mother, Colleen (Elaine Stritch), stops Jack from going on a Christmas vacation so he ends up taking his frustration out on the TGS staff. The TGS crew have to ditch their own plans for a holiday-themed episode of the show.

"Christmas Special" received mixed reviews from television critics. According to the Nielsen ratings system, it was watched by 8.9 million households during its original broadcast, becoming the series' highest-rated episode. For her performance in this episode, Elaine Stritch received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination in the category for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series.

Plot

Liz announces to the staff of The Girlie Show with Tracy Jordan (TGS) that she is participating in a charity which provides gifts to underprivileged children who write letters to Santa. She buys far more than what is requested in the letter, wanting to see the children's happiness. When Liz delivers the presents to the apartment in the letter, however, the door is answered by two adults who take the gifts, and she believes she has been tricked. Receiving no help from the US Postal Service, who run the charity, she attempts to have it shut down. This upsets Kenneth who refuses to believe anyone would scam a Christmas charity. She takes Kenneth back to the apartment to prove she was right, but two children answer the door and Liz accidentally reveals to them that Santa Claus is not real.

Meanwhile, Jack accidentally backs into his mother, Colleen Donaghy (Elaine Stritch), with his car in Florida. Bedridden, she decides to stay with Jack, and her presence greatly annoys him. Jack reveals to Liz that after he hit his mother he waited eight minutes before calling 9-1-1, and is worried she will find out. Jack tries to stay away from his mother by having the cast and crew of TGS produce a last-minute Christmas special. However, Colleen discovers the secret, and confronts him with it. Jack responds by expressing his anger with her for her behavior at Christmas while he was a child. Ultimately, after talking with Liz, Jack realizes that Colleen was actually a caring mother, and reconciles with her.

Production

"Christmas Special" was written by executive story editor Kay Cannon, and series creator, executive producer and lead actress Tina Fey.[1] This episode was directed by series producer Don Scardino. This was Cannon and Fey's third script collaboration, having co-written the episodes "Black Tie" and "Somebody to Love".[2][3] "Christmas Special" originally aired on NBC in the United States on December 11, 2008.

The story with the Jack Donaghy character accidentally hitting his mother with his car was based on an experience by one of the 30 Rock writers. According to executive producer Robert Carlock: "This actually happened. The niece of one of our writers hit her grandmother—the writer's mother—with her car. We kind of spent a day saying, 'Can we do this? Is everything going to be okay?' And she was fine, so we figured that would be a fun, fraught thing to happen between Jack and his mom, especially right before Christmas."[4]

This was Elaine Stritch's third appearance as Collen Donaghy, Jack's mother, on 30 Rock. She guest starred in the episodes "Hiatus" and "Ludachristmas". At the end of "Christmas Special", Jack and Colleen sing a duet of "The Christmas Song". In regards to the duet, Stritch told TV Guide: "It's [Jack's] fantasy. It was an interesting acting challenge. I didn't sing it like I sing it; I sang it like I imagined Colleen Donaghy would try to sing it."[5]

Reception

Elaine Stritch received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her performance in this episode.

In its original American broadcast, "Christmas Special" was watched by 8.9 million households, according to the Nielsen ratings system, and became the show's highest-rated episode so far.[6] It received a 3.8 rating/9 share among viewers in the 18–49 demographic, meaning that 3.8% of all people in that group, and 9% of all people from that group watching television at the time, watched the episode.[7] The season premiere episode, "Do-Over", was up until that point the highest-rated episode of the show, with 8.7 million viewers.[6] Elaine Stritch received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series at the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards for her work in this episode,[8] but lost it to Tina Fey for her satirical portrayal of Sarah Palin on Saturday Night Live.[9]

Critical reception of the episode was not entirely favorable. Television columnist Alan Sepinwall for The Star-Ledger commented that he had not really liked any of Elaine Stritch's appearances as Jack's mother on the series, writing that "Jack's fear and loathing of his mother just feels claustrophobic and uncomfortable instead of funny, and I'm as eager to see the end of her visits as [Jack] usually is." Sepinwall said that "very little" of "Christmas Special" worked. "I want to be in the holiday spirit, but this is two Christmas duds in a row from 30 Rock, and we can't even blame the looming writers strike this time around."[10] IGN contributor Robert Canning believed the show could have delivered a Christmas episode, but noted that their attempt at it "was a little less than satisfying. The ideas were there, but the rhythm of the episode was off." Nonetheless, Canning said the episode was not terrible. He enjoyed all the plots except for Liz's, writing that it did not quite fit, and that "the overall result of Liz's plot just wasn't all that funny." In conclusion, Canning gave the episode a 7.8 out of 10 rating.[11] Jeremy Medina for Paste found that there was nothing "special" about this episode. In his opinion, Liz should be featured in "new and exciting plot line[s]" rather than helping Jack endure his troubles with his mother.[12]

Not all reviews were negative; Bob Sassone of AOL's TV Squad wrote: "I'm a sucker for Christmas episodes." He was complimentary towards Stritch's role as Jack's mother, citing that she has been "demanding and a little difficult, but she also makes you really feel for her."[13]

References

  1. ^ "30 Rock: Episodes". London: Screenrush (AlloCiné). Retrieved 2010-04-28.
  2. ^ "30 Rock: Episodes". London: Screenrush (AlloCiné). Retrieved 2010-04-28.
  3. ^ "30 Rock: Episodes". London: Screenrush (AlloCiné). Retrieved 2010-04-28.
  4. '^ Hanel, Marnie (2008-11-06). "Q&A: 30 Rocks Robert Carlock". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on 2010-02-28. Retrieved 2010-03-27.
  5. ^ O'Connor, Mickey (2008-12-11). "Have Yourself a Merry Little 30 Rock Christmas!". TV Guide. Retrieved 2010-04-05.
  6. ^ a b "'30 Rock' ratings rise". Deseret News. 2008-11-06 – via Associated Press.
  7. ^ Kissell, Rick (2008-12-12). "CBS scores big on Thursday". Variety. Retrieved 2016-03-18.
  8. ^ "Landslide Emmy vote for Tina Fey as Sarah Palin?". Los Angeles Times. 2009-08-22. Retrieved 2010-05-24.
  9. ^ Cohen, Sandy (2009-09-13). "Fey an Emmy winner for Palin mimicry? You betcha". Newsday. Associated Press.
  10. ^ Sepinwall, Alan (2008-12-11). "30 Rock, "Christmas Special": Back-up plan". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2010-04-04.
  11. ^ Canning, Robert (2008-12-12). "30 Rock: "Christmas Special" Review". IGN TV. Retrieved 2010-04-04.
  12. ^ Medina, Jeremy (2008-12-17). "30 Rock Review: "Christmas Special" (Episode 306)". Paste. Retrieved 2010-04-05.
  13. ^ Sassone, Bob (2008-12-12). "30 Rock: Christmas Special". TV Squad. Retrieved 2010-04-04.

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