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The Best Episodes of 30 Rock

Every episode of 30 Rock ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of 30 Rock!

Binge this in 2d 0h•Peaking at 8.9/10

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.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    30 Rock Season 7 Episode 12 - Hogcock!
    8.9/10(1251 votes)

    #1 - Hogcock!

    S7:E12

    Liz has trouble adjusting to being a stay-at-home mother. Jack takes stock of his life, and Tracy struggles to get on without Kenneth.

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writers:Jack Burditt, Robert Carlock

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  2. 30 Rock Season 7 Episode 13 - Last Lunch
    8.8/10(224 votes)

    #2 - Last Lunch

    S7:E13

    Jenna prepares an emotional farewell song as the cast and crew reunite for one final "TGS".

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writer:Tina Fey

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  3. 30 Rock Season 3 Episode 5 - Reunion
    8.6/10(1395 votes)

    #3 - Reunion

    S3:E5

    Jack manages to convince a reluctant Liz to attend her high school reunion. Meanwhile, Don Geiss awakens from his coma and shocks Jack with a declaration of who he wants to be the CEO of GE. A shaken Jack decides he needs to get away and blow off some steam, but tags along with Liz to her reunion instead due to bad weather.

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writer:Matt Hubbard

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  4. 30 Rock Season 3 Episode 22 - Kidney Now!
    8.6/10(1359 votes)

    #4 - Kidney Now!

    S3:E22

    Jack's biological father's health hangs in the balance as the pair start to build a relationship. Liz draws some attention as a relationship expert, despite her own many failed relationships, after an appearance on a talk show. Tracy is invited to speak at his old high school and Kenneth helps him overcome some embarrassing memories from those years.

    Director:Don Scardino
    Writers:Jack Burditt, Robert Carlock

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  5. 30 Rock Season 5 Episode 4 - Live Show
    8.6/10(1427 votes)

    #5 - Live Show

    S5:E4

    On show night, Liz Lemon grows increasingly infuriated when no one seems to remember that it's her 40th birthday. Just before the taping, Tracy Jordan becomes convinced that nothing is funnier than a performer laughing and breaking character, which he elects to do all night, much to Jenna Maroney's chagrin. Meanwhile, Jack Donaghy struggles with the consequences of his promise to give up drinking while Avery is pregnant. The episode was filmed twice. The East Coast version aired for the Eastern, Central and Mountain time zones. The West Coast version was aired in the western, Alaskan and Hawaiian time zones.

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writers:Robert Carlock, Tina Fey

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  6. 30 Rock Season 6 Episode 19 - Live from Studio 6H
    8.6/10(1049 votes)

    #6 - Live from Studio 6H

    S6:E19

    Kabletown chooses to stop funding live shows for TGS. While Liz and Jack embrace the change, Kenneth argues that live format should be kept intact, and he tries to convince the TGS staff to fight for their right to be live by taking them and our audience through a magical look back at the illustrious history of Studio 6H. The episode was filmed twice. The East Coast version aired for the Eastern, Central and Mountain time zones. The West Coast version was aired in the western, Alaskan and Hawaiian time zones.

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writers:Jack Burditt, Tina Fey

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    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of 30 Rock

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  7. 30 Rock Season 3 Episode 10 - Generalissimo
    8.5/10(1344 votes)

    #7 - Generalissimo

    S3:E10

    Liz tries to begin a relationship with a new tenant after accidentally receiving his mail. Meanwhile, Jack's appearance causes Elisa's grandmother to disapprove of the relationship, and Tracy has trouble maintaining the lifestyles of Wall Street frat boys.

    Director:Todd Holland
    Writer:Robert Carlock

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  8. 30 Rock Season 4 Episode 13 - Anna Howard Shaw Day
    8.5/10(1119 votes)

    #8 - Anna Howard Shaw Day

    S4:E13

    Liz schedules a root canal to avoid feeling lonely on Valentine's Day; Jack woos an attractive and successful TV host; Jenna's stalker loses interest.

    Director:Ken Whittingham
    Writer:Matt Hubbard

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  9. 30 Rock Season 4 Episode 22 - I Do Do
    8.5/10(1060 votes)

    #9 - I Do Do

    S4:E22

    Liz questions fate when she meets the man of her dreams, while Jack's love triangle between high school love, Nancy Donovan, and CNBC anchor, Avery Jessup, comes to a head. Meanwhile, Jenna's boyfriend is confronted with a similar dilemma when his desire for another woman threatens to ruin their relationship, and Kenneth, with the help of Tracy, tries to avoid a promotion that would land him in LA.

    Director:Don Scardino
    Writer:Tina Fey

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  10. 30 Rock Season 1 Episode 12 - Black Tie
    8.4/10(1870 votes)

    #10 - Black Tie

    S1:E12

    Liz wonders if she's actually on a date with Jack as she accompanies him to a birthday celebration for a foreign prince. While at the ball, Liz sees a different side to Jack as he unexpectedly runs in to his ex-wife. Back at 30 Rock, Tracy tempts Pete with a booze- and babe-filled party in the office, while Kenneth tries to keep Pete on the straight and narrow.

    Directors:Gail Mancuso, Don Scardino
    Writers:Kay Cannon, John Riggi, Tina Fey

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  11. 30 Rock Season 3 Episode 2 - Believe in the Stars
    8.4/10(1269 votes)

    #11 - Believe in the Stars

    S3:E2

    Liz heads to Chicago to get out of jury duty and on her flight back to New York she is assigned a seat next to Oprah. Liz seizes the opportunity to ask Oprah for advice with some of the problems she's been having. Back in New York, the feud continues between Tracy and Jenna, and Jack's morals are tested by Kenneth after an Olympics snafu.

    Director:Don Scardino
    Writer:Robert Carlock

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  12. 30 Rock Season 3 Episode 16 - Apollo, Apollo
    8.4/10(1177 votes)

    #12 - Apollo, Apollo

    S3:E16

    While Jack puts together the perfect 50th birthday party for himself, home videos inspire him to try to recreate his happiest moment. Dennis decides to tell Liz about his addiction. Meanwhile, Kenneth and Pete work to make Tracy's childhood dream come true.

    Director:Millicent Shelton
    Writer:Robert Carlock

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  13. 30 Rock Season 5 Episode 21 - 100 (2)
    8.4/10(812 votes)

    #13 - 100 (2)

    S5:E21

    With their show targeted for cancellation, the "TGS" crew desperately scramble to mount a top-notch production for their 100th episode. Meanwhile, Jack reconsiders a vital decision in his life, and Jenna mulls over motherhood.

    Director:Don Scardino
    Writers:Jack Burditt, Robert Carlock, Tina Fey

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  14. 30 Rock Season 6 Episode 8 - The Tuxedo Begins
    8.4/10(1051 votes)

    #14 - The Tuxedo Begins

    S6:E8

    Fed up with New York City after being mugged, Jack sets out to protect the safety of the city's elite by announcing his run for mayor. Meanwhile, Liz revels in sacrificing the good of the city to look out for her own interests, and Jenna and Paul are thrilled by the perversion of acting like a normal couple.

    Director:John Riggi
    Writers:Dylan Morgan, Josh Siegal

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  15. 30 Rock Season 1 Episode 15 - Hard Ball
    8.3/10(1489 votes)

    #15 - Hard Ball

    S1:E15

    Jack sees an opportunity for budget cuts when Josh's contract is up, forcing Liz to go out of her way to motivate Josh into staying with TGS and not moving on to a rival show. Meanwhile, Kenneth earns a coveted spot in Tracy's entourage and Jenna gets in trouble over a misquote in Maxim.

    Director:Don Scardino
    Writer:Matt Hubbard

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  16. 30 Rock Season 2 Episode 11 - MILF Island
    8.3/10(1418 votes)

    #16 - MILF Island

    S2:E11

    When someone on the 'TGS with Tracy Jordan' staff insults Jack in a newspaper article about the season finale of 'MILF Island', he frantically sends Jonathan to interrogate everyone on 'TGS' until the culprit is found.

    Director:Kevin Rodney Sullivan
    Writers:Tina Fey, Matt Hubbard

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  17. 30 Rock Season 2 Episode 13 - Succession
    8.3/10(1301 votes)

    #17 - Succession

    S2:E13

    When Don decides to promote Jack and make him his successor over Devon, Jack decides to give his old job to Liz because she always has his back. However, a turn of events concerning Don's health compromises Jack's promotion. Meanwhile, Tracy thinks that his son is embarrassed of his career because he did not invite him to fathers day at school.

    Director:Gail Mancuso
    Writers:John Riggi, Andrew Guest

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  18. 30 Rock Season 2 Episode 15 - Cooter
    8.3/10(1299 votes)

    #18 - Cooter

    S2:E15

    In the second season finale, Jack moves on to a new job involving politics in Washington, but the position is not quite what he anticipated. Meanwhile, Liz suffers a pregnancy scare, Kenneth confronts rival page Donny when applying for a summer job, and Tracy works on his latest invention.

    Director:Don Scardino
    Writer:Tina Fey

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  19. 30 Rock Season 4 Episode 9 - Klaus and Greta
    8.3/10(1066 votes)

    #19 - Klaus and Greta

    S4:E9

    Following a wild New Year's Eve, Jack has to try to repair the damage he did after leaving a drunken message on an ex's voicemail. Meanwhile, Jenna tries to get into a relationship with James Franco in order to cover up his secret; and Liz, after accidentally "outing" her cousin to his family, welcomes him to New York City; and Tracy finds new respect for women.

    Director:Gail Mancuso
    Writer:Robert Carlock

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  20. 30 Rock Season 5 Episode 12 - Operation Righteous Cowboy Lightning
    8.3/10(1025 votes)

    #20 - Operation Righteous Cowboy Lightning

    S5:E12

    A reality TV series trails Tracy, which Liz tries to exploit for her own gain. Jack does his own exploiting: He attempts to make a fast buck off natural-disaster telethons. And Lutz sets out to increase his worth in the event of an apocalypse.

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writer:Robert Carlock

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  21. 30 Rock Season 5 Episode 14 - Double-Edged Sword
    8.3/10(1015 votes)

    #21 - Double-Edged Sword

    S5:E14

    Jack and a very pregnant Avery take a romantic break in Canada. When Avery goes into labor, the power couple desperately scramble to not give birth to a Canadian. Meanwhile, Liz's getaway with Carol gets grounded, literally, when their plane collects dust on the tarmac. And Tracy is an EGOT winner, but with that comes overwhelming demands.

    Director:Don Scardino
    Writer:Kay Cannon

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  22. 30 Rock Season 6 Episode 14 - Kidnapped by Danger
    8.3/10(925 votes)

    #22 - Kidnapped by Danger

    S6:E14

    Liz's scripted version of Jack and Avery's love story leaves Jack confused and frustrated by his feelings for Diana. Meanwhile, Jenna and Tracy attempt to beat Weird Al Yankovic at his own game, and Kenneth gets an unexpected new job at NBC.

    Director:Claire Cowperthwaite
    Writer:Tina Fey

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  23. 30 Rock Season 7 Episode 9 - Game Over
    8.3/10(844 votes)

    #23 - Game Over

    S7:E9

    Jack asks Devin Banks to help him discredit Kaylie Hooper, Jack's teenage nemesis and KableTown's future CEO. Liz considers her options as she tries to become a mother. Tracy directs Octavia Spencer in his movie.

    Director:Ken Whittingham
    Writers:Sam Means, Robert Carlock

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  24. 30 Rock Season 7 Episode 11 - A Goon's Deed in a Weary World
    8.3/10(822 votes)

    #24 - A Goon's Deed in a Weary World

    S7:E11

    As her new kids arrive, Liz scrambles to save TGS from cancellation. Jack finds a new NBC president.

    Director:Jeff Richmond
    Writers:Lang Fisher, Nina Pedrad

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  25. 30 Rock Season 1 Episode 7 - Tracy Does Conan
    8.2/10(1777 votes)

    #25 - Tracy Does Conan

    S1:E7

    Jack bumps Jenna's scheduled appearance on 'Late Night with Conan O'Brien' by booking new star Tracy. Jenna, still irate over watching the show change to "TGS with Tracy Jordan," lashes out at Liz. To make matters worse, Tracy's gone off his medication and he's about to go on national television.

    Directors:Juan José Campanella, Adam Bernstein
    Writers:Jack Burditt, Tina Fey

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Best Episodes Summary

"Hogcock!" is the best rated episode of "30 Rock". It scored 8.9/10 based on 1251 votes. Directed by Beth McCarthy-Miller and written by Jack Burditt, Robert Carlock, it aired on 1/31/2013. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Last Lunch".