Operation Righteous Cowboy Lightning (27 Jan. 2011)

Jack tries to put together a benefit for a disaster that hasn't happened yet, Liz and Tracy come to blows as reality show cameras follow Tracy around, and a mock disaster scenario gives Lutz a rare position of control with the writers.

Director:

Beth McCarthy-Miller

Writers:

Tina Fey (creator), Robert Carlock

Stars:

Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, Jane Krakowski

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Tina Fey	...	Liz Lemon
Tracy Morgan	...	Tracy Jordan
Jane Krakowski	...	Jenna Maroney
Jack McBrayer	...	Kenneth Parcell
Scott Adsit	...	Pete Hornberger
Judah Friedlander	...	Frank Rossitano
Alec Baldwin	...	Jack Donaghy
Katrina Bowden	...	Cerie
Kevin Brown	...	Dot Com
Grizz Chapman	...	Grizz
John Lutz	...	J.D. Lutz
Maulik Pancholy	...	Jonathan
Keith Powell	...	Toofer
Robert De Niro	...	Robert De Niro
Dean Winters	...	Dennis Duffy

Storyline

Tracy has a reality TV crew following him around which Liz tries to use to her advantage, while Jack attempts to make a profit by pre-recording natural disaster telethons. Lutz lies to the writers to make him more valuable in the event of an apocalypse.

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Plot Keywords:

comedy writer | celebrity | workplace | boss | sketch

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 January 2011 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Silvercup Studios East, Long Island City, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Broadway Video, Little Stranger, Universal Media Studios (UMS)

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Jack Donaghy: Shh. Shh, Lemon, it's okay. As I begin phase two of my Jack Attack on Kabletown, I've been doing some research. Do you know what the most successful reality events of the past five years are? Celebrity benefits for natural disasters. The viewership is huge.

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Connections

References The Bachelor (2002)

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Soundtracks

"Help the People, the Thing That Happened Happened To"
Performed by Jane Krakowski

User Reviews

The Epitome of Reality Television

Tina Fey just created another masterpiece, essentially parodying, satirizing, and capturing the essence of reality television in just 21 minutes. Just like the soap opera episode, this episode is styled after a reality show, in its setup, yet like the traditional 30 rock theme, it is mainly the backstage story. There are actually two reality shows in this episode. The first just involves characters in a reality-showesque way, including facing a disaster and Lutz picking who to save causing the others to grovel before him for favor, meltdowns in different locations than the actual scene, and tense music. This was played entirely for laughs. The one between Lemon and Jordan is much more complex and deeper, which occurs because his wife is starring in her own reality show, so cameras are following people around in the office. Different characters even dress differently in order to appear on TV, which is a commentary on the desire for 15 minute fame. What makes a reality show sell is the absurd, over-dramatic fights, which the cameraman implores Lemon and Jordan to do, but Jordan is trying to act like a serious, actor with a strong work ethic to help his Oscar win. In every argument that occurs between the two, Tracy sabotages the ability to use footage due to singing copyrighted songs or wearing trademark logos. There is a beautiful relationship shown between actor and boss, and how dependent the two are of each other and the hidden love that exists: typical reality show bait. A video is created using footage obtained without their permission, deceiving editing, "mood music," and actors to play them to say dramatic, reconciliatory lines. And even when Lemon and Jordan watch it and know it's fake and that it's trash, they are still moved. Everyone knows reality shows are truly fake and overdone yet we can't resist watching. Tina beautifully captures the phenomenon and appeal of reality shows both for the public and the studio, and in doing so beautifully explores and reminisces about Lemon and Jordan's tumultuous relationship.