Archive for the ‘Cultural Critique’ Category

30 Rock Season Four finale makes everyone happy | Bethany’s Cultural Critique

By Bethany Larson A season finale episode must be difficult to write. Not only do the writers have to tie up all of the loose ends, they also have to give the audience something to look forward to on the next season — and this something has to keep the audience interested through the summer and...

June 7th, 2010 | Banner, Cultural Critique, Opinion | Read More

30 Rock Tries to Make Sense of Love in Penultimate Episode | Bethany’s Cultural Critique

By Bethany Larson We’re at the end of this television season, meaning that all story lines are starting to wrap up (or cliff hanger). Although this is always a hard time to go through (what will I do without LOST? And what am I supposed to watch this summer? Oh that’s right…True Blood...

May 18th, 2010 | Banner, Cultural Critique, Opinion | Read More

30 Rock scores a winning episode in ‘The Moms’ | Bethany’s Cultural Critique

By Bethany Larson In its four-season history, we’ve met several of the 30 Rock characters’ mothers on the show. But never have we had all of the moms in one episode — that is until Thursday night when there was an overload of moms as they all guest starred on TGS’ Mother’s...

May 8th, 2010 | Banner, Cultural Critique, Opinion | Read More

30 Rock Redux: Love Triangles, Weddings, and Ghosts | Bethany’s Cultural Critique

By Bethany Larson Since returning to television on April 22 after a brief hiatus, the past three 30 Rock episodes have, sadly, been hit or miss. We have Jack juggling two women and inheriting a peacock. Liz going to singles’ events and throwing bridal showers, and an episode about the (very tired)...

May 4th, 2010 | Banner, Cultural Critique, Opinion | Read More

30 Rock Redux | Bethany’s Cultural Critique

By Bethany Larson Over the last three 30 Rock episodes, much has transpired on our favorite NBC series. (Take that Steve Carrell. And Aziz Ansari.) Liz listed someone as “future husband” in her phone, GE CEO Don Geiss died, aaaand Floyd returned. (!) Read on for a brief review of each episode...

April 5th, 2010 | Banner, Cultural Critique, Opinion | Read More

Film Face Off: Avatar vs. The Hurt Locker | Bethany’s Cultural Critique

By Bethany Larson Tonight’s Academy Awards will finally settle the score on the film question of the year: Will Avatar or The Hurt Locker win Best Picture? And furthermore, will James Cameron or Kathryn Bigelow take home the gleaming golden statue for Best Director? Obviously there are other...

March 7th, 2010 | Banner, Cultural Critique, Opinion | Read More

Jack Donaghy, Meet Sally Draper: When FanFic Gets Creepily Creative | Bethany’s Cultural Critique

By Bethany Larson FanFic creeps me out– I don’t want to read poorly written, sex-crazed stories about Harry & Ginny, Bella & Jacob, or any other fictional pop culture couple. But, when this particular piece of fan fiction from Live Journal blogger lz1982 hit my Google Reader, I...

February 20th, 2010 | Banner, Cultural Critique, Opinion | Read More

30 Rock Review: Liz opts for oral on Valentine’s Day .. oral surgery, that is | Bethany’s Cultural Critique

By Bethany Larson On Thursday’s “30 Rock,” Liz went under the (dental) knife to avoid Valentine’s Day, Jack went on a date with Elizabeth Banks, Toofer got set up with an “urban” lady, Jenna’s stalker dumped her, we learned who Amanda Howard Shaw was, and we...

February 15th, 2010 | Banner, Cultural Critique, Opinion | Read More

“30 Rock”: Relying on eccentricity is never good | Bethany’s Cultural Critique

By Bethany Larson There are three types of “30 Rock” episodes: the hilarious, the funny, and the eccentric. The most recent episode, “Verna,” happens to be eccentric — which is my nice way of saying that it wasn’t very funny. Although the introduction of Verna, Jenna’s...

February 8th, 2010 | Banner, Cultural Critique, Opinion | Read More

Sneak Peek: Jon Hamm on “30 Rock” | Bethany’s Cultural Critique

By Bethany Larson After a no “30 Rock” Thursday last week we’re looking forward not only to this Thursday, but to February 11th when Jon Hamm returns to the show. And, when we saw these stills we realized that there were others making a return to our favorite comedy as well. Why,...

February 2nd, 2010 | Cultural Critique, Opinion | Read More