While it's a lot less strange now, it's still a bit odd that Frank and his former teacher Lynn Onkman (played by Susan Sarandon) were ever romantically involved, but they were and they are again in the latest installment of "30 Rock" (Thu., 8:00 p.m. EST on NBC). Apparently, the years haven't lessened the awkwardness for Frank's mother (Patti LuPone), which is why he lied and said the signed "L." on a note he'd received from Lynn was actually from Liz.
So when she showed up, she immediately embraced Liz as a much more age appropriate, though still somewhat older, woman for her son. But with the lying stressing him out, Frank decided the only solution was to break it off with Lynn for real this time. He played it off like he was okay with this, but Liz figured out he was sad about it -- she tasted tears in his meatballs.
So she orchestrated a meeting between all three of them, so that Frank's mother could realize that Lynn makes Frank happy, and Lynn could learn that Frank never wanted to break it off with them. What they ultimately discovered was that Lynn was a lot like Frank's mother. Finding out that Frank was only looking for someone like her actually made the whole thing okay for Frank's mother, and in fact was a satisfactory outcome for everyone involved.
Stanley Tucci was a much more subdued guest star as Jack's former rival Henry. Jack used Henry as an example of how cutthroat business can and has to be for Kenneth, but later learned that Henry actually thought some of the activities they did -- before Jack crushed and destroyed him professionally -- were from genuine friendship. It was in that moment that Jack realized that his way wasn't the only way.
But when he tried to stop Kenneth from sabotaging the career of a coworker, it may have been too late. Kenneth grew suspicious of Jack's motivations in trying to stop him. Has he created a monster? If so, that would certainly make for an interesting story arc for Kenneth. How far can his character go before he loses what makes him special? And can he truly never go back to what he was? Somehow, it's hard to imagine that there isn't a fresh new page uniform in his future, no matter what turns his career makes in the meantime.
Watch "30 Rock" every Thursday at 8 p.m. EST on NBC.
TV Replay scours the vast television landscape to find the most interesting, amusing, and, on a good day, amazing moments, and delivers them right to your browser.
Related on HuffPost:
Launch Slideshow
HIDE THUMBNAILS
SHARE
BACK TO ARTICLE
1 of 20
PLAY ALL
VOTE ON THIS SLIDE
ADVERTISEMENT
[{"entry_id":"3331103","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2013\/05\/24\/jennifer-hudson-american-idol-judge_n_3331103.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/276489\/slide_276489_2018376_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/276489\/slide_276489_2018376_small.jpg","title":"American Idol Judges Through The Years","slideshow_id":"276489","vertical":"tv"},{"entry_id":"3332159","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2013\/05\/24\/arrested-development-preview-four-new-clips_n_3332159.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/243709\/slide_243709_2495095_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/243709\/slide_243709_2495095_small.jpg","title":"Arrested Development Photos","slideshow_id":"243709","vertical":"tv"},{"entry_id":"3336955","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2013\/05\/25\/luann-de-lesseps-real-housewives_n_3336955.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/218992\/slide_218992_845762_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/218992\/slide_218992_845762_small.jpg","title":"Real Housewives of New York City Season 5","slideshow_id":"218992","vertical":"tv"},{"entry_id":"3336417","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2013\/05\/25\/st-elsewhere-finale_n_3336417.html","content_type":"video","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/297146\/slide_297146_2446599_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/297146\/slide_297146_2446599_small.jpg","title":"TV's Most Controversial Series Finales","slideshow_id":"297146","vertical":"tv"},{"entry_id":"3331903","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2013\/05\/24\/under-the-dome-stephen-king-revenge-mad-men_n_3331903.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/276487\/slide_276487_2493148_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/276487\/slide_276487_2493148_small.jpg","title":"\"Mad Men\" Season 6","slideshow_id":"276487","vertical":"tv"},{"entry_id":"3329953","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2013\/05\/24\/does-someone-have-to-go-premiere-video_n_3329953.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/293035\/slide_293035_2376161_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/293035\/slide_293035_2376161_small.jpg","title":"Summer TV Guide","slideshow_id":"293035","vertical":"tv"},{"entry_id":"3333065","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2013\/05\/24\/true-blood-trailer_n_3333065.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/296914\/slide_296914_2437218_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/296914\/slide_296914_2437218_small.jpg","title":"\"True Blood\"","slideshow_id":"296914","vertical":"tv"},{"entry_id":"3333809","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2013\/05\/24\/summer-television-episodes-seinfeld-friends_n_3333809.html","content_type":"video","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/228342\/slide_228342_1013735_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/228342\/slide_228342_1013735_small.jpg","title":"TV Shows Celebrating Summer","slideshow_id":"228342","vertical":"tv"},{"entry_id":"3330393","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2013\/05\/24\/hannibal-will-figures-out-abigail-video_n_3330393.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/280226\/slide_280226_2094342_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/280226\/slide_280226_2094342_small.jpg","title":"2013 Renewal Index: Canceled, Renewed & On The Bubble Shows","slideshow_id":"280226","vertical":"tv"},{"entry_id":"3330023","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2013\/05\/24\/elisabeth-moss-mad-men-future-video_n_3330023.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/280719\/slide_280719_2103903_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/280719\/slide_280719_2103903_small.jpg","title":"Late Night Talk Shows","slideshow_id":"280719","vertical":"tv"},{"entry_id":"3332976","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2013\/05\/24\/behind-the-candelabra-liberace-casting_n_3332976.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/299233\/slide_299233_2490990_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/299233\/slide_299233_2490990_small.jpg","title":"\"Behind the Candelabra\": Who Else Could Play Liberace?","slideshow_id":"299233","vertical":"tv"},{"entry_id":"3333901","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2013\/05\/24\/behind-the-candelabra-rob-lowe_n_3333901.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/299415\/slide_299415_2494759_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/299415\/slide_299415_2494759_small.jpg","title":"Rob Lowe's TV Evolution","slideshow_id":"299415","vertical":"tv"}]
While it's a lot less strange now, it's still a bit odd that Frank and his former teacher Lynn Onkman (played by Susan Sarandon) were ever romantically involved, but they were and they are again in th...
While it's a lot less strange now, it's still a bit odd that Frank and his former teacher Lynn Onkman (played by Susan Sarandon) were ever romantically involved, but they were and they are again in th...
While it's a lot less strange now, it's still a bit odd that Frank and his former teacher Lynn Onkman (played by Susan Sarandon) were ever romantically involved, but they were and they are again in th...
While it's a lot less strange now, it's still a bit odd that Frank and his former teacher Lynn Onkman (played by Susan Sarandon) were ever romantically involved, but they were and they are again in th...
It's still unclear just when "Piranha 3DD" (those DDs mean what you think they mean) will actually hit theaters -- director John Gulager told ShockTilYouDrop.com...
I want to take the opportunity to state that although my days on network TV may be numbered, I hope 30 Rock goes on forever. Or at least as long as everyone involved desires.
In the midst of our "30 Rock" grind, a producer says, "We need something special for this Kristin Wiig sketch -- something upbeat!" Before I can respond, I feel the smartphone vibrating in my pocket. I've been informed that my man Lil' Mark is no more.
I love the Emmys with a trusting and unconditional love that basically serves as beer goggles for the heart. If you love bloated, vapid entertainment then you've come to the right place, friend.
Tina Fey recently received an award for social commentary, and it is inarguable that 30 Rock deliberately wrestles with race, class, and gender issues. On race, she is firmly pinned under the weight of her own monster.
First Posted: 03/ 2/2012 5:39 am Updated: 03/ 2/2012 5:59 am