30 Rock

10 Best Episodes of 30 Rock - Season 1

Liz Lemon, the head writer for a late-night TV variety show in New York, tries to juggle all the egos around her while chasing her own dream.

Written by Sophie and last updated on feb 04, 2023.

PS: The following content contains spoilers!

PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!

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30 Rock - S1E20

#15 - Cleveland (Season 1 - Episode 20)

There are certainly no sparks when Jack asks Liz to take his fiancee, Phoebe, out for a ladies' lunch. But Liz finds a lot more to like when her boyfriend takes her to the great city of Cleveland. Meanwhile, Tracy thinks the "Black Crusaders" are out to get him.

The episode was rated 7.69 from 463 votes.

30 Rock - S1E19

#14 - Corporate Crush (Season 1 - Episode 19)

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Love is in the air, but Liz is concerned when Jack takes an overwhelming interest in her new boyfriend Floyd. Meanwhile, Don Geiss takes the microwave department away from Jack after a disastrous "fireworks" display, but Jack becomes distracted when he meets Phoebe, a British woman who works at an art gallery.

The episode was rated 7.69 from 458 votes.

30 Rock - S1E14

#13 - The C Word (Season 1 - Episode 14)

Being the boss isn't all it's cracked up to be when Liz overhears the writers discussing her management style, as they call her an offensive word. Meanwhile, Jack tries to impress CEO Don Geiss at a charity golf tournament by bringing Tracy along.

The episode was rated 7.70 from 489 votes.

30 Rock - S1E16

#12 - The Source Awards (Season 1 - Episode 16)

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It's lights, camera, aggravation when Liz finds herself locked in a relationship with Tracy's determined new manager and Jack forces Tracy to host The Source Awards while he promotes a new line of wine.

The episode was rated 7.72 from 461 votes.

30 Rock - S1E8

#11 - The Break-Up (Season 1 - Episode 8)

At the urging of everyone, Liz finally breaks up with Dennis, but the path back to "single and loving it" proves to be filled with unforeseen obstacles. Meanwhile, Jack is having relationship problems, and Tracy and Toofer clash over negative African American stereotypes.

The episode was rated 7.74 from 544 votes.

30 Rock - S1E13

#10 - Up All Night (Season 1 - Episode 13)

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Valentine's Day is much more than candy and flowers when Jack celebrates the finalization of his divorce and the writers are forced to pull an all-nighter. Liz receives flowers from a secret admirer.

The episode was rated 7.75 from 483 votes.

30 Rock - S1E9

#9 - The Baby Show (Season 1 - Episode 9)

There are mommy issues on the set when Jenna tells everyone that Liz wants to get pregnant, and Jack gives her some very personal parental advice. Meanwhile, Tracy wants Josh to be fired, because he doesn't like Josh's impression of him.

The episode was rated 7.76 from 506 votes.

30 Rock - S1E10

#8 - The Rural Juror (Season 1 - Episode 10)

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Jenna can't wait for her new movie to open, but Liz won't tell her what she really thinks of her performance. Meanwhile, Jack helps Tracy create and market a new cooking machine.

The episode was rated 7.76 from 526 votes.

30 Rock - S1E18

#7 - Fireworks (Season 1 - Episode 18)

Sparks are flying when Jack uses Kenneth the page to thwart an aggressive west coast NBC exec and Liz follows her crush to an AA meeting. Dr. Spaceman tells Tracy that he is a descendant of Thomas Jefferson which leads to chaos.

The episode was rated 7.84 from 478 votes.

30 Rock - S1E5

#6 - Jack-Tor (Season 1 - Episode 5)

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Jack is determined to act in a sketch on the show. Liz suspects Tracy may be illiterate and Frank and Toofer are busy tricking Jenna into thinking she is on the verge of being fired.

The episode was rated 7.85 from 608 votes.

30 Rock - S1E11

#5 - The Head and the Hair (Season 1 - Episode 11)

There are some new power players around when Jack and Kenneth the page switch roles for the day and Liz finds herself clicking with a gorgeous hunk.

The episode was rated 7.87 from 504 votes.

30 Rock - S1E7

#4 - Tracy Does Conan (Season 1 - Episode 7)

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It's a star showdown when a dazed and confused Tracy bumps Jenna from her scheduled appearance on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" which sends both actors into a tailspin. Meanwhile, Liz realizes she needs to break up with Dennis.

The episode was rated 7.89 from 580 votes.

30 Rock - S1E21

#3 - Hiatus (Season 1 - Episode 21)

Tracy, on the run from the Black Crusaders, goes into hiding with Kenneth's cousin Jessie. Meanwhile, the pressure is on Liz to make the show work after Jack's mother arrives and Jack ends up in the hospital.

The episode was rated 7.94 from 447 votes.

30 Rock - S1E15

#2 - Hard Ball (Season 1 - Episode 15)

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It's negotiation time, and Jack plans to teach Liz a thing or two about how to handle Josh's new contract. Jenna makes several big publicity mistakes and Kenneth becomes a member of Tracy's entourage.

The episode was rated 7.94 from 472 votes.

30 Rock - S1E12

#1 - Black Tie (Season 1 - Episode 12)

Liz, Jack, and Jenna rub elbows with the upper crust at a foreign prince's birthday party where they meet Jack's soon-to-be ex-wife.

The episode was rated 7.98 from 519 votes.

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