I remember the first few seasons of 30 Rock and how hard we used to laugh when watching it; it is a very high bar that the later seasons have not really gotten near to, never mind actually maintained. Season 6 is the latest example and there were only a few episodes where the laughs were consistent and strong – for me the live show was the only one that really kept delivering on that level. The rest of the season struggles from the constant attempt to be fresh and funny and, although it still makes for an enjoyable season, it is not hard to see how hard it is working to do so and how many ideas make it into the show that would have been rejected several seasons ago.
The thing that sort of carries the show through this is that its core strengths are still present. So when Liz does a Liz thing (like an awkward forward roll to escape a situation) it is still funny; when Tracey says a random Tracey thing it is still funny; when Jack says a Jack thing, it again is still funny. Indeed although I laughed frequently during many episodes, I mostly found it to be these random moments from characters that were getting the laughs rather than the structure or plot of the episode; at its best the show would have been doing both. Unfortunately too many plots feel silly rather than wonderfully absurd and there is also a sense of ideas and plots being recycled – the self-references to these things add a little charm, but not enough to totally overcome them. It is fitting that the show is set around a sketch show, because this season does feel that way – rather than being a smooth sitcom with flowing plots and ideas, it does have the stuttering effect of individual sketches/moments being good while others are not.
As with the character moments mostly continuing to be very funny, the cast continue to be very good. Baldwin is awesome throughout the season and it is only some of the plot threads that limit him; however he has great timing and delivery of the material. Likewise Fey continues to be great and her best moments are those that just come from her character. Morgan is great value as simple as his delivery is although I felt less enthusiastic about Krakowski and McBayer, even if this is maybe more to do with their material rather than anything else. The supporting cast continue to be solid but some of the more familiar faces or cameo appearances don't really work and smack of neediness for attention that the show really doesn't need to have.
The sixth season is still very funny and it has enough good laughs per episode to justify watching, the problem is that it is hard not to view it against previous seasons. The individual character moments are mostly as funny as ever but the plots are weaker and the show feels very much like a sketch show of fragmented bits – some hitting, some missing. The next season will supposedly be its last and I hope this can provide a real focus and drive to end on a high, because it mostly has been a great series and it deserves to end as such and not be dragged out when it is so obviously weakening in key areas.