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The Best Episodes of 30 Rock Season 1

Every episode of 30 Rock Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of 30 Rock Season 1!

Binge this in 7h 42m•Peaking at 8.5/10

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
    30 Rock Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    7.2/10(2087 votes)

    #1 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    Liz Lemon is the head writer on a demanding, live TV program in New York City. However, things begin to get complicated when her new boss insists that a wild and unpredictable movie star joins the cast.

    Director:Adam Bernstein
    Writer:Tina Fey

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  2. 30 Rock Season 1 Episode 2 - The Aftermath
    7.5/10(1766 votes)

    #2 - The Aftermath

    S1:E2

    Now that major changes have occurred on the The Girlie Show, Liz struggles to bring everyone and everything together. However, despite his erratic behavior, Tracy manages to bring everything to order.

    Director:Adam Bernstein
    Writer:Tina Fey

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  3. 30 Rock Season 1 Episode 3 - Blind Date
    7.8/10(1731 votes)

    #3 - Blind Date

    S1:E3

    Jack sets Liz up on a blind date with his friend, Thomas. While Liz is busy preparing for the date, Jack infiltrates the writers' weekly poker game.

    Director:Adam Bernstein
    Writers:John Riggi, Tina Fey

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  4. 30 Rock Season 1 Episode 4 - Jack the Writer
    7.4/10(1584 votes)

    #4 - Jack the Writer

    S1:E4

    Liz struggles to keep Jack out of the writers' room and Kenneth soon learns that working for Tracy may be more than he expected.

    Directors:Gail Mancuso, Adam Bernstein
    Writers:John Riggi, Robert Carlock

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  5. 30 Rock Season 1 Episode 5 - Jack-Tor
    8.0/10(1609 votes)

    #5 - Jack-Tor

    S1:E5

    After being pressured by Jack to plug GE products into her show, Liz integrates Jack into a sketch. While Jack hones his questionable acting chops, Frank and Toofer trick Jenna into fearing for her job and Liz wonders if Tracy is faking illiteracy to skip out on rehearsals.

    Directors:Gail Mancuso, Don Scardino
    Writer:Robert Carlock

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  6. 30 Rock Season 1 Episode 6 - Jack Meets Dennis
    7.6/10(1487 votes)

    #6 - Jack Meets Dennis

    S1:E6

    After Liz takes her ex-boyfriend, Dennis, back simply because he asks, Jack takes it upon himself to mentor her as he thinks that she is leading a life of mediocrity. Meanwhile, Tracy gets a tattoo in the face, Jenna gets botox and collagen injections, and Josh is given two black eyes by an angry Liz Taylor.

    Directors:Juan José Campanella, Don Scardino
    Writers:Jack Burditt, Robert Carlock

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  7. 30 Rock Season 1 Episode 7 - Tracy Does Conan
    8.2/10(1667 votes)

    #7 - 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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  8. 30 Rock Season 1 Episode 8 - The Break-Up
    7.7/10(1429 votes)

    #8 - The Break-Up

    S1:E8

    When Liz finally dumps her boyfriend Dennis, she prowls the singles scene under Jenna's tutelage. Love also stinks for Jack, as he discovers dating a Bush administration official has its downside. And Tracy and Toofer clash, which lands both in sensitivity training.

    Directors:Adam Bernstein, Scott Ellis
    Writers:Brett Baer, Tina Fey, Dave Finkel

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  9. 30 Rock Season 1 Episode 9 - The Baby Show
    7.8/10(1407 votes)

    #9 - The Baby Show

    S1:E9

    When ditzy receptionist Cerie spreads news of her engagement to a filthy rich Greek heir, Liz confronts her own marital and maternal status. Meanwhile, emotionally hardened Jack softens due to "mommy issues."

    Directors:Scott Ellis, Michael Engler
    Writers:Brett Baer, Jack Burditt, Dave Finkel

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  10. 30 Rock Season 1 Episode 10 - The Rural Juror
    7.9/10(1455 votes)

    #10 - The Rural Juror

    S1:E10

    Jenna anticipates the opening of her independent movie “The Rural Juror”, but the title proves to be a mighty tongue twister for the gang. Meanwhile, cash-challenged Tracy endorses his own celebrity product in an effort to get out of debt.

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, Michael Engler
    Writers:Jack Burditt, Matt Hubbard

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  11. 30 Rock Season 1 Episode 11 - The Head and the Hair
    8.1/10(1439 votes)

    #11 - The Head and the Hair

    S1:E11

    Liz and Jenna work on their dating game when they're beguiled by two very different MSNBC staffers: a brainy geek and a brawny hunk, but cerebral Liz finds it strange that she's more interested in the attractive one. Meanwhile, Kenneth and Jack switch roles.

    Director:Gail Mancuso
    Writers:John Riggi, Tina Fey, Matt Hubbard

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  12. 30 Rock Season 1 Episode 12 - Black Tie
    8.5/10(1748 votes)

    #12 - 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:John Riggi, Kay Cannon, Tina Fey

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  13. 30 Rock Season 1 Episode 13 - Up All Night
    7.9/10(1374 votes)

    #13 - Up All Night

    S1:E13

    It's Valentine's Day, and the TGS crew is celebrating by pulling an all nighter to put together a new episode. While Pete completely forgets the holiday, Kenneth and Cerie may be starting an office romance. Meanwhile, Liz wonders if Dennis is back in her life after she receives flowers from a secret admirer and newly divorced Jack wants to party with Tracy, who for once wants to spend a night alone with his wife instead.

    Directors:Don Scardino, Michael Engler
    Writer:Tina Fey

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  14. 30 Rock Season 1 Episode 14 - The C Word
    7.7/10(1334 votes)

    #14 - The C Word

    S1:E14

    As shocked as she is to be called the c-word by Lutz, Liz is more horrified to realize he may be right. Meanwhile, Jack brings Tracy to a charity golf event to get closer to the chairman, however his plan backfires when Tracy acts too much like his uncensored self.

    Director:Adam Bernstein
    Writer:Tina Fey

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  15. 30 Rock Season 1 Episode 15 - Hard Ball
    8.3/10(1396 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 1 Episode 16 - The Source Awards
    7.7/10(1376 votes)

    #16 - The Source Awards

    S1:E16

    Jack forces Tracy to attend the Source Awards and Kenneth has words with a rap artist. Meanwhile, Liz goes to great lengths to prove to her African-American date that she's not racist.

    Director:Don Scardino
    Writers:Daisy Gardner, Robert Carlock, Matt Hubbard

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  17. 30 Rock Season 1 Episode 17 - The Fighting Irish
    7.8/10(1365 votes)

    #17 - The Fighting Irish

    S1:E17

    Jack helps his brother Eddie land a job at 'TGS', Liz is forced to make desperate staff cutbacks, and Tracy seeks spiritual fulfillment with help from Kenneth.

    Directors:Dennie Gordon, Don Scardino
    Writers:Jack Burditt, Daisy Gardner, Robert Carlock

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  18. 30 Rock Season 1 Episode 18 - Fireworks
    8.1/10(1321 votes)

    #18 - Fireworks

    S1:E18

    Jack and Kenneth work together when Jack discovers that another NBC executive is after his job. Meanwhile, Pete and Liz adjust to life as roommates and Tracy receives paternity papers.

    Directors:Dennie Gordon, Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writers:Brett Baer, Jack Burditt, Dave Finkel

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  19. 30 Rock Season 1 Episode 19 - Corporate Crush
    7.7/10(1258 votes)

    #19 - Corporate Crush

    S1:E19

    The tables have turned inside 30 Rock: Liz is actually happy in her new relationship with Floyd while Jack finds his job may be in jeopardy after his televised fireworks fiasco prompts top GE man Don Geiss to warn he's got his eye on Jack's performance. Tracy vies for Geiss' attention, hoping to turn his feature film idea for Jefferson into a reality.

    Director:Don Scardino
    Writer:John Riggi

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  20. 30 Rock Season 1 Episode 20 - Cleveland
    8.0/10(1315 votes)

    #20 - Cleveland

    S1:E20

    Sick of New York and frustrated with his career, Floyd contemplates a move to the Midwest and asks Liz if she's consider leaving TGS behind. Jack rushes to Paris (and soon, the altar) with Christie's auctioneer Phoebe while Tracy works furiously on financing his latest career move, dubbed the "Tracy Jordan Comeback."

    Director:Paul Feig
    Writers:Jack Burditt, Robert Carlock

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  21. 30 Rock Season 1 Episode 21 - Hiatus
    8.1/10(1294 votes)

    #21 - Hiatus

    S1:E21

    As TGS' summer hiatus approaches, Liz deals with the difficulties of her long-distance relationship with Floyd while she enlists Kenneth's help in locating on-the-lam Tracy. Meanwhile, Jack's impending marriage to Phoebe brings his mother, Colleen Donaghy to town.

    Director:Don Scardino
    Writer:Tina Fey

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Pilot" is the best rated episode of "30 Rock" season 1. It scored 7.2/10 based on 2087 votes. Directed by Adam Bernstein and written by Tina Fey, it aired on 10/11/2006. This episode is rated 0.3 points higher than the second-best, "The Aftermath".