DVDs in Review

30 Rock Season 1 and 2

Title: 30 Rock Season 1 and 2

Release date: August 24 2009

Certificate: 12

Format: DVD

DVD RRP: £39.99

Rating: 4/5

'30 Rock' is the American smash hit comedy show that depends on a very American brand of quickfire humour to make it work. As the first two seasons hit the shelves, can it make a successful Atlantic crossing?

For the most part yes. Tina Fey (in a Golden Globe winning role) is a TV producer with a new boss (played brilliantly with dark-edge humour by Alec Baldwin) who insists on cost-cutting and commercialising her show. The two don't get on but the conflict and the ensuing live shows create against the clock conflicts that, for the most part, are blisteringly funny.

Throw in a failing actress wanting her top billing back, a secretary who couldn't care less and plenty more over the top characters and you've got a zany show that brims with energy.

One complaint may be that it tries too hard to squeeze so many jokes and characters into its half an hour running time. This was a problem that marred some episodes of 'Friends' - there is no suspense leading up to the joke, it's just there.

Regardless, '30 Rock' is incredibly economical and witty but the real draw is Alec Baldwin - it's the role he was destined to play - sleazy, slick, cutting, rude, dominant and irresistibly handsome at the same time.

Tina Fey is also a fantastic talent to keep an eye on - it was her Sarah Palin impersonation that managed to steal the thunder away from Barack Obama and John McCain in the most important election in decades.

'30 Rock' isn't quite that powerful yet, but it is incredibly easy to watch and very rewarding if you can stand the American laughter track and overboard scenarios.