November 14, 2008 at 10:20am
Season 3 of "30 Rock" really should be subtitled "The Coming of the Guest Stars." Since the show's return three weeks ago we've had Megan Mullally (granted, not a huge name, but an NBC favorite from her stint as Karen on "Will & Grace"), Oprah Winfrey (OPRAH!), and now Jennifer Aniston. Next week it's Steve Martin, and Salma Hayek is reportedly coming in for a guest arc in the near future.
I have no objection to guest stars, and "30 Rock" in particular has used them well - until now. Jennifer Aniston's spot last night was terrible, and the entire show felt off. It was like the actors - Tina Fey in particular - just weren't into it. (Her energy was so low, I have to wonder if this was filmed while she was doing double-duty as Sarah Palin on "Saturday Night Live.") Even the always-reliable Alec Baldwin seemed to be going through the motions. It was joyless, and the whole thing seemed like a LOT of work. I was exhausted just watching the thing.
Aniston played Liz and Jenna's former Chicago roommate, a deranged sexpot that Liz correctly described as "full-on ‘Fatal Attraction.'" It sounds like a meaty, gonzo role, and I think Aniston probably did the best she could with it, but...Jennifer Aniston just isn't a very good actress. I mean, I loved Rachel on "Friends." She was my favorite character. And I think Aniston is largely pretty good in romantic comedies. But this role called for some over-the-top stuff, and Aniston played it so safe that, to me, it felt very forced. I never believed for a second that she was crazy. Annoying, yes. Possibly a little slow. But crazy? Not really.
I should confess that my personal feelings on Aniston probably colored my opinion somewhat. I just don't get America's continued fascination with the woman and her romantic life, or lack thereof. Consider that Aniston hasn't had a hit movie in more than two years ("The Break-Up," which was surprisingly successful) and instead has a string of duds to her name. She's got a dog movie coming out for Christmas. A DOG MOVIE. And yet almost every week her face is splashed across 80 percent of the tabloids at the supermarket with a headline along the lines of "Jen's pain" or something. She got dumped three years ago. And she's STILL milking it in the newest Vogue. I can appreciate a bad-news buffet as much as the next schadenfruedic jackass, but enough is enough, lady.
Thankfully, the B-plot for the episode elevated things a bit. A story that started with Kenneth upset about the new NBC page uniforms somehow turned into a mini-"Night Court" reunion with Harry Anderson (Harry), Markie Post (Christine), and Charles Robinson (Bud). John Larroquette was namechecked but not seen, I'm pretty sure Bull is dead, but where was Marsha Warfield? Don't tell me she had something better to do. The bit was cute up until Jenna came in and started throwing around her short-lived role as werewolf attorney Sparky. And then at that point it became comedy gold.
But still, not enough to eclipse Aniston's lackluster performance, making for the worst episode of "30 Rock" since probably the first half of Season 1. Oh well, something to fast-forward through when the DVD comes out...
Go Tool Academy woooooooo. I am so hyped about this show!
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Comments for ""30 Rock": Jennifer Aniston ruins everything" (18)
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Kimberly said on Nov. 14, 2008 at 12:28pm
I laughed throughout the episode, espeicially the scenes with Alec Baldwin. I suspect that your dislike of Jen Aniston colored your opinion from the opening scenes.
sam said on Nov. 14, 2008 at 2:25pm
i agree with you erin,it was a weird episode.
DN said on Nov. 14, 2008 at 2:28pm
Whoever wrote this is one of those creepy Aniston haters. Way to avoid any sense of objectivity. The entire thing is about your pre-judgment of her.
I suggest you delete this entire post.
Eric said on Nov. 14, 2008 at 2:35pm
Dear DN: Thanks for your comment. No, I don't think we'll delete the post. It's opinion after all, and I don't think opinion can be dismissed by being colored by...opinion. But one other thing: I never said I "hated" Jennifer Aniston. I wouldn't classify myself as an Aniston "hater." I just think she's overrated, and I don't get the continued fascination with her. I think that's totally valid. (And regardless, the episode really did stink compared to just about every other episode of "30 Rock.")
jeanette said on Nov. 14, 2008 at 2:59pm
I completely disagree. I thought the show was at its best and I thought Jennifer was hilarious. I thought the whole night court stuff was stupid.
kat said on Nov. 14, 2008 at 4:34pm
I'm not a hater, but Aniston's performance made me cringe. Very uncomfortable to watch and it was obvious it affected the performance of other actors. I guess she won't be coming back. DN, on the other hand your love of Aniston as her fan is clouding your judgement. She is not a good actress and she is not funny beyond her comfort zone (Friends).
ThatChick said on Nov. 14, 2008 at 5:11pm
I really wish that John would have made the effort to appear so we could have been spared the "werewolf lawyer" bit (There was no werewolf lawyer on Night Court!). I really wish that Markie and Harry would have pulled a zinger at Boston Legal in the process of talking about John, because Boston Legal deserves to be dissed from the best. Boston Legal is nothing more than a half-baked Night Court-meets-Shatner's Ego ripoff, going as far as stealing John Larroquette for a bad character role (Carl Sack sucks!). It's too bad John couldn't make it because I would have liked to put an end to those Dan/Christine romance rumors (OH PLEASE! Dan didn't know the meaning of "monogamy"!).
Victor said on Nov. 14, 2008 at 8:01pm
Dear Eric,
Just like DN i think this whole post is a mess and should be deleted. Well, here's the thing.. I'm not a Jennifer Aniston fan, but I'm kinda reaaaally tired of people trying to slam the girl for EVERY SINGLE REASON. I mean, if there is one thing that i might agree with you is that for some unexplainable reason America loves her, and won't quit. I think she was wonderful on the days of Friends, and seemed to be doing really well, AND THAT IS PRE-BRAD PITT 'cause i remember the day she made the cover of 'Rolling Stone' and it said: 'Jennifer Aniston: America's Sweetheart'. I mean, by that time she was already successful so i think it's really unfair that people will call her famous because of Brad Pitt. Since then she has been crazy success on TV and made - in my opinion - a great career in movies. You know why I call it great?? Because I am not comparing her career with any one else's. I mean, every time she's compared with Angelina Jolie - who has a much better movie career by far - but Jennifer Aniston is going beyond her limits, she really tries, and for some reason she's getting there. I'm just trying to say that people should give her some credit and stop calling her untalented CAUSE IT IS NOT TRUE. Here's my judgment, and it is way more thoughtful and kind than yours Eric. You really don't know what you are saying.
Bob said on Nov. 14, 2008 at 10:56pm
My goodness, people are really getting heated up over....nothing! Eric is entitled to his opinions (and they are correct.) People need to calm down a little.
Louis said on Nov. 14, 2008 at 11:19pm
OKAYY FREAKKK What are you like a psycho!!
-A GREAT ACTRESS-
1st off all Aniston's got talent shes HYSTERICALLY GORGEOUS WITH CHARM
OHH by the way shes been in a hand full of good movies. You know what you can't always believe what's in papers its not even true, just a bunch of fabricated, blown - up versions of speculated truth. Aniston's constantly on magazines for a reason BECAUZZZ SHE SELLS!! prices go up because shes well liked. I have to say it seemed like Jenn was the only character that actually moved in that episode the writting for the show is very dull. Usually if the ratings of a show decrease and they need guest starts to appear its the show that needs viewers...
Bob said on Nov. 14, 2008 at 11:35pm
Yes so many great movies....Leprechaun, Picture Perfect, Rock Star, Rumor Has it.... masterpieces to be sure.
Eric said on Nov. 14, 2008 at 11:36pm
Louis: You make a point about declining ratings typically leading to guest stars. That's not really the case with "30 Rock" (they were trying to get a ratings boost, sure, but the ratings aren't necessarily declining). The irony is, Aniston's episode was the least-watched of the season. And that's a fact, not an opinion.
And let's refrain from calling people names, OK? It's not necessary, and it won't be tolerated on this website.
YouGotThatRight! said on Nov. 14, 2008 at 11:56pm
Thanks for saying what's needed to be said for ages now - Aniston is a HORRIBLE actress. I even hesitate to call her an "actress". Honestly - WTH was Tina Fey thinking? I'm surprised Alec Baldwin didn't revolt on the spot when he saw firsthand how untalented Aniston really is. Normally I can count on Alec to pull the show through, but this week? Blah! I honestly don't know why Baldwin didn't stop the taping of the show and ask Aniston to do a few more rehearsals - IF she did any at all. Please, somebody tell me these weren't the best takes of her scenes? Because if they were, then it's no wonder her movie career is D.O.A. Aniston DOES ruin everything with her hair-flipping and hand fluttering. The woman needs to go back to acting school and get rid of her mannerisms. Someone needs to explain to her how to create DIFFERENT characters and not play herself all the time. I've seen interveiws with the woman and she flips her hair around more than a teen-aged drama queen! Please, Tina, do us all a favor - KEEP ANISTON OFF '30 ROCK'!
Scott said on Nov. 16, 2008 at 10:38am
Lover of 30 Rock that I am, I'm agreeing with Eric about the actors not really being "into" the Aniston stuff. It's as though they played the scenes according to her schedule. "Okay, we've got her for three hours, what can we do?!" The star cameos work best when played as the b-plot (like Night Court, like Oprah, like Tim Conway last season). I felt the same way about the Seinfeld guest spot. Too much Jerry, too little of the regulars.
And just a note of correction, Charles Robinson's character on Night Court was "Mac," not "Bud."
Kathryn said on Nov. 17, 2008 at 1:34pm
Basically Aniston is a 1 trick pony...
Jennifer said on Nov. 18, 2008 at 2:56am
Jennifer Aniston is a terrible actress. Good looks don't have anything to do with acting ability. I was embarrassed for 30 Rock when I found out they were having her on as a guest. Eric, you are right on so ignore the Rachel wanna-be's.
Kate said on Nov. 19, 2008 at 9:05pm
Aniston has always been grade C actress.
Everyone I know finds her so not interesting
Fact is that the night she was on "30 rock", it lost most of its loyal viewership.
akemi said on Dec. 15, 2008 at 4:39pm
Aniston is great! This person writing this article is biased. She's the best at romantic comedies, true. But I disagree she is milking her break up with her ex husband. Please, the tabloids are relentless about it... and when they interview her for her movies or publicity, she gets asked and asked about her past love life. She's been very diplomatic and gracious despite the fact that her husband obviously cheated on her with Angelina Jolie and the world loved that fact and unfairly stomped all over Jennifer for it. Jennifer and Brad said many times that their fall out was NOT because she didn't want babies. Jennifer said she wants babies.. ALWAYS did. If a girl can't get pregnant fast enough it's HER fault and we need to bash her? Sometimes even trying it doesn't happen until a few years later.. even if they are healthy and fertile. People are cruel. I think Jennifer has been very kind to Brad and Angelina for the sins they have committed and have not paid for yet.. AND Jennifer has been kind to the public that think their billions of wagging tongues doesn't hurt anyone. She definitely hasn't milked it for anything.. she has tried to stop it nicely by trying to show she is not a victim and she resents that. but she can't fight the media. Anyone who expects her to is crazy. Just like this person who wrote this article.
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