30 Rock (TV Series) The Fighting Irish (2007) User Reviews

Very Jack-Centered Episode!

[g-bodyl · 9/10 · 16 February 2014]

The seventeenth episode in the first season of 30 Rock is more sitcom-like than previous episode, but because the plot mostly revolves around Jack, all can be forgiven. If you thought one Jack Donaghy was funny, wait until you meet the rest of the family. This episode brings together the Donaghy family for the first time and ends up with ensuing hilarity.

This episode, "The Fighting Irish," has Jack seeing his brother for the first time in seventeen years and he finds out he was taking care of his father before he died and is now broke. Meanwhile, Liz has been told she has to fire ten percent of her staff and Tracy is trying to find a church.

Overall, this is a funny episode and has some really good moments. I still can't believe how Alec Baldwin gets away with half the stuff he does on network television. But I ain't complaining. His moments with his family, including guest appearances by Molly Shannon, are the best part of this series. I rate this episode 9/10.

The Fighting Irish ends a hilarious first cycle of 30 Rock

[tavm · 9/10 · 12 March 2007]

This will be the last 30 Rock to air until late April as the next several weeks will have "Andy Barker, P.I." show in its stead. Another funny episode has Jack telling Liz she has to fire some of her staff. Liz doesn't know who to let go and everyone around is extra nice to her as a result. Then she meets the Flower Guy who she has a crush on and his girlfriend, the other Liz that was supposed to get the flowers Lemon got instead on Valentines Day. Turns out the other Liz works under Lemon as an accountant. Tracy wants to find a religion. Jack's brother comes back to mention their father is dead. That's all I'll mention of the plot. Kudos to guest stars Nathan Lane as Jack's brother, Anna Chlumsky as the other Liz (remember her in the title role in My Girl?), current SNLer Jason Sudeikis as Flower Guy, and former SNLers Molly Shannon and Siobhan Fallon (no relation to Jimmy) as the Donaghy sisters. Loved Pete mentioning Liz's eyes after firing the other Liz looking like "that astronaut woman on diapers who attempted to kill the other woman" (not a direct quote but you know what I mean) and Jack insisting his last name is pronounced DON-A-GY (hard g instead of an h). Keep up the good work, Ms. Fey. Hope ratings improve when you come back.

The Fighting Irish (#1.17)

[ComedyFan2010 · 9/10 · 18 November 2013]

A great episode that introduces us more to Jack's family. His brother Eddie (Nathan Lane was a great choice for this part) comes to say that their father died and we see a great selection of other Donaghys come together. Great ending for this storyline, nice spin.

Liz has to fire someone and she goes for Liz the girlfriend of the flower guy. This all escalates so Jack has to rehire her but he makes sure she is relocated. Was very sweet of him to do, a nice moment in their friendship.

And Tracy looks for a new religion.

Another great episode with fun story lines and great acting. Alec Baldwin is especially great in this episode.

We truly are a forgiving people...:)

[brooksrob1 · 10/10 · 1 January 2020]

Binge watching this amazing show after binge watching it for the first time a few years ago. The brilliance of the character dialog, the comedic timing, the lead away's are exquisite.

I am shocked at how many episodes are in just the first season!. This episode is only #17 and there's still more! If you're old school Irish and from the east coast; this will give you some good laughs...

The Donaghys

[MaxBorg89 · 10/10 · 14 October 2008]

The Fighting Irish is one of those adorable Jack-centric episodes of 30 Rock, which let Alec Baldwin do whatever the hell he wants with his character and get away with it superbly. And if you thought one Donaghy was funny, just wait and see.

Things heat up in the workplace when Jack tells Liz she has to fire 10% of her staff, although she does kind of enjoy that sort of power when it turns out Liz Lemler, whose boyfriend she has a crush on, is eligible for sacking. Pete is in trouble with his wife because he lied to her about getting a vasectomy, and now the plan appears to have backfired (awesome). Tracy has been advised to find a religion before his next lawsuit, and considers becoming Irish Catholic after a "heartfelt" discussion with Eddie Donaghy (Nathan Lane), Jack's brother, who has shown up to report the news of their father's recent death. Turns out Eddie is broke and might be exploiting the grief to get some cash out of Jack.

All plot strands are hilarious, as always, but for sheer vitality and cruel irony the crown goes to Baldwin and Lane's double act (later joined by former SNL star Molly Shannon and other as the rest of the Donaghys), which gives a lot of new meanings to the concept of "brotherly love". And if there has to be a contest between the two, then the absolute winner is Baldwin. Why? Just check out the episode's conclusion - Jack's the man.