Can you believe it? An honest-to-God sitcom that's actually funny? That's sooo rare nowadays. It seems Tina Fey, the funniest female to come out of "Saturday Night Live" in years has stepped up by writing, producing AND starring in one of the better comedies to come around in years. Without a doubt "30 Rock" deserves to be added to the very short list of great comedies that include "The Office" and "My Name is Earl." Calling upon her years of service as part of the Not-Ready-For-Prime-Time-Players, Tina Fey created show that satirizes the world of live TV sketch comedies. Fey stars as Liz Lemon, head writer for a fictional series called "The Girlie Show." When we're first introduced to the 'show-within-a-show', all seems relatively well. But enter new studio head Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) and the cast and crew's world is turned upside down.

I really didn’t know what to expect from "30 Rock" especially since it aired around the same time as "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip", which appeared to have the same basic premise. I didn’t gravitate to either, being that I am so particular about sitcoms. I thought it best to wait for the eventual DVD release. the Last year’s release of the first season of "30 Rock" told me it was definitely the better of the two shows. I laughed hard and loud at the insanity of what goes on behind the scenes of an "SNL" like show. Watching it, I had to wonder how much Fey based on actual experiences during her time there.

"30 Rock" is sharply written, but I have to hand it to the cast for pulling off the material so well. Fey is a joy to watch as she goes through her daily grind of pulling the show together. And I've never been much of a fan of comedian Tracy Morgan, but he is exceptional in his role of the B-movie actor turned host of "The Girlie Show." But the biggest surprise of the series has to be Alec Baldwin. Most people are used to seeing him in serious film roles; however those of us who have caught his multiple hosting gigs on "SNL" know that he has the heart of a comedian. Willing to go to any lengths to get a laugh, Baldwin literally steals "30 Rock" out from under its talented cast, earning him a well-deserved Emmy nomination. (The series itself won Best Comedy Series.)

Oddly enough, when the first season was released, there were two ways you could buy it. You could have picked up the entire season in one set… or you could buy it in two volumes. Admittedly, I've never been a fan of the 'multiple volumes for one season' route, and I could not figure out why Universal opted to offer it both ways. You didn't really save any money either way, and I can't imagine fans wanting only one half of the season. Ah well, ours is no to reason why… For the second season set however, full season is all you get. Of course it is a rather short season due to the writer’s strike, with a scant 15 episodes compared to the previous run of 21. Still, these 15 episodes delivered every bit of the comedy that the first season had. There’s no sign of backsliding and I still find it easy to recommend the show.

I was pleased to see that the second season set still had quite the handful of extra features. The first of them comes in the form of 10 commentaries, which this time is not done in as oddball a fashion as the first seasons set. Back then Universal opted to put all commentaries on the last disc, but not all the episodes. It was a very weird setup. All of the commentaries are as funny as they are interesting, as most are done by members of the cast. You'll also find a few deleted scenes, a table read for the episode “Cooter”, a live reading of the episode “Secrets and Lies” at the New York's Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, and a cast and crew Q&A. Additionally there is some camcorder footage of Tina Fey’s recent hosting gig on “SNL.”

I would be remiss if I did not mention Fey’s recent on target skewering of that airhead Sarah Palin on “SNL” I know it doesn’t have anything to do with “30 Rock”, but it does serve to show what an incredible talent Fey is and how that translates to what has become and awesomely funny series. "30 Rock" was a huge surprise and continues to be. I didn’t expect it to be half as funny as it was. I'm actually looking forward to a third season!

Episodes:
Seinfeldvision
Jack Gets in the Game
The Collection
Rosemary’s Baby
Greenzo
Somebody to Love
Cougars
Secrets and Lies
Ludachristmas
Episode 210
MILF Island
Subway Hero
Succession
Sandwich Day
Cooter

Starring: Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, Jane Krakowski
Extras: Audio Commentaries, Deleted Scenes, “Cooter” Table Read, 30 Rock Live at the UCB Theater, Tina Hosts SNL, The Academy of Arts and Sciences Presents: An Evening with 30 Rock
Specifications: Widescreen (1.78:1)
Studio: Universal
Release Date: 10/7/2008
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give 30 Rock: Season 2 an A.