User Reviews

The thirteenth episode in the first season of 30 Rock is perhaps a little setback from the previous episode, by that does not mean this is bad or unfunny. On the contrary, it features many insane jokes and we even get to see more banter between Alec and Isabella. There is also a nice cameo surprise mixed in this episode that should be relatively pleasing and surprising.

In this episode, "Up All Night," Liz has her writer staff working all night on Valentine's Day. Meanwhile, Jack and his ex-wife finalize their divorce. Pete forgets that it's his wife's birthday. Finally, everyone convinces Kenneth to go after Cerie.

Overall, this is one amusing episode that has plenty of jokes and clever ones at that. My favorite jokes include the interaction between Kenneth and Cerie and the aftermath. A great episode in general. I rate this episode 9/10.

Tina fey received a well-deserved Emmy nomination for her performance in this episode, only for her to lose out to Ugly Betty's America Ferrera. Ironically enough, she references that show in the teaser, when Liz tries to get out of Jack'office without being seen by Bianca (she's there to finalize the divorce), fails and quips: "This would have worked on Ugly Betty." The remaining 18 minutes, as always, live up to the first two effortlessly.

The context of the episode is Valentine's Day, usually a time of happiness. For the writing staff of TGS, it's anything but, since they are forced to remain in the office all night in order to meet a deadline. This causes problems for almost everyone, especially Pete, who forgot that it's also his wife's birthday, and Tracy, who traditionally spends that particular night engaging in some role-play with the missus. As the evening goes on, Liz receives flowers from an unknown suitor, and the guys decide to have some fun by telling Kenneth he should try to hit it off with Cerie.

This episode is notable for several things. Among others, it introduces Mrs. Jordan, who will have an important role early in the second season, and features a priceless Rachel Dratch playing a hooker. And of course, there are golden lines galore. The entire divorce scene is a lesson in comedy writing, narrowly beaten by Jack's previous conversation with Liz: "One minute you're making sweet love on a Concorde, the next you've got lawyers fighting over the box your dog defecates in." "You taught your dog to poop in a box?" "Bianca did. But damn it, I want that box!".

Oh, and Up All Night has what could be Frank's best line ever: when he says he's got special plans for Valentine's, Liz asks who with. Answer? "No one!".

I like 30 Rock and it's easy to forget that this debuted alongside NBC's Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. The latter was considered the one that would survive, and indeed it got higher ratings. But it was 30 Rock that survived due to lower production costs. The rest is history.

Anyway, this is a Valentine's Day episode, and wonderful to see the characters developing even though they were looking over their shoulders in this first season episode at the golden boy Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.