The BEST episodes of 30 Rock season 5

Every episode of 30 Rock season 5, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of 30 Rock season 5!

Liz Lemon, the head writer of a live variety program's life is turned upside down when brash new network executive Jack Donaghy interferes with her show, bringing the wildly unpredictable Tracy Jordan into the cast. Now its up to Liz to manage the mayhem and still try to have a life.

Last Updated: 8/31/2024Network: NBCStatus: Ended
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Reaganing
star
7.82
2226 votes

#1 - Reaganing

Season 5 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/21/2010

Jack's determined to save Liz's relationship with Carol, but Tracy's commercial shoot threatens everything. Meanwhile, Jenna, Kenneth and Kelsey Grammer pull a con together.

Directors: Todd Holland
Writer: Matt Hubbard
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Mrs. Donaghy
star
7.76
2097 votes

#2 - Mrs. Donaghy

Season 5 - Episode 11 - Aired 1/20/2011

The "TGS" staff is affected by budget cuts at NBC. Liz's New Year's resolution could mean more trouble for Jack's wedding. Jenna shares a dressing room with Danny. Tracy has a health scare.

Directors: Tricia Brock
Writer: Jack Burditt
Watch Now:Amazon
Gentleman's Intermission
star
7.74
2448 votes

#3 - Gentleman's Intermission

Season 5 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/4/2010

Avery makes Jack set up some boundaries when it comes to his friendship with Liz and Liz's father visits NYC with his eyes on cruising singles bars. Meanwhile, Jenna is mad because NBC has an obituary for Tracy but not for her.

Directors: Don Scardino
Writer: John Riggi
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
100 (2)
star
7.74
691 votes

#4 - 100 (2)

Season 5 - Episode 21 - Aired 4/21/2011

Directors: Don Scardino
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
College
star
7.73
2025 votes

#5 - College

Season 5 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/18/2010

Jack worries that GE's microwave sales have improved too much without his help and tries to find glitches in their newest design. Meanwhile, Liz partakes in a crew lottery despite Jenna and Tracy's warning her not to do so. Elsewhere, the TGS writers discover that Jack is the voice of an online dictionary's pronunciation guide.

Directors: Don Scardino
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Operation Righteous Cowboy Lightning
star
7.68
2045 votes

#6 - Operation Righteous Cowboy Lightning

Season 5 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/27/2011

Liz tries to exploit the situation when a reality show follows Tracy's wife. Meanwhile, Jack pre-tapes disaster telethons and Lutz tells a lie.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
When It Rains, It Pours
star
7.67
2493 votes

#7 - When It Rains, It Pours

Season 5 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/30/2010

Liz uses her newfound confidence to solve Pete's problem with a difficult editor; Jack tries to cheat mortality; Tracy vows to be present when his wife gives birth; and Kenneth tries to prove he has a purpose.

Directors: Don Scardino
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Double-Edged Sword
star
7.67
2003 votes

#8 - Double-Edged Sword

Season 5 - Episode 14 - Aired 2/10/2011

A last-minute trip to Canada presents a problem for Jack and Avery. Meanwhile, Liz's trip with Carol can't get off the airport tarmac and Tracy realizes achieving "EGOT" status comes with a lot of responsibility.

Directors: Don Scardino
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Respawn
star
7.65
1968 votes

#9 - Respawn

Season 5 - Episode 23 - Aired 5/5/2011

Tracy interrupts Liz's summer vacation. Meanwhile Jack feels lonely and turns to Kenneth, while Jenna must choose between being the Wool Council spokeswoman and her relationship with Paul.

Directors: Don Scardino
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Fabian Strategy
star
7.64
2549 votes

#10 - The Fabian Strategy

Season 5 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/23/2010

TGS' fifth season launches and Jack begins to meddle in Liz's new relationship with Carol. Meanwhile, Tracy struggles with life at 30 Rock without Kenneth.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
¡Qué Sorpresa!
star
7.64
1924 votes

#11 - ¡Qué Sorpresa!

Season 5 - Episode 13 - Aired 2/3/2011

Jack ingratiates himself to Kabletown's executives. Meanwhile, Liz fakes pregnancy to help out Avery and a gift from their new boss puts Jenna and Tracy at odds with each other.

Directors: John Riggi
Writer: Matt Hubbard
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Everything Sunny All the Time Always
star
7.61
2026 votes

#12 - Everything Sunny All the Time Always

Season 5 - Episode 22 - Aired 4/28/2011

Liz realizes that she needs to take control of her personal life by fixing up her dream apartment, but she encounters an obstacle along the way. Meanwhile, Jack has his own problems to deal with when Avery is taken as a hostage. Elsewhere, Tracy finds out that Kenneth, Dotcom, and Grizz have bonded in his absence.

Directors: John Riggi
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
TGS Hates Women
star
7.58
2007 votes

#13 - TGS Hates Women

Season 5 - Episode 16 - Aired 2/24/2011

Liz hires a new female writer who is, unfortunately, very stereotypically female. Meanwhile, Jack discovers that he has his hands full trying to get rid of the heir to the Kabletown empire.

Writer: Ron Weiner
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Live Show
star
7.57
2311 votes

#14 - Live Show

Season 5 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/14/2010

On show night, Liz Lemon grows increasingly infuriated when no one seems to remember that it's her 40th birthday. Just before the taping, Tracy becomes convinced that nothing is funnier than a performer laughing and breaking character, which he elects to do all night, much to Jenna's chagrin. Meanwhile, Jack Donaghy struggles with the consequences of his promise to give up drinking while Avery is pregnant.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
It's Never Too Late for Now
star
7.57
1987 votes

#15 - It's Never Too Late for Now

Season 5 - Episode 15 - Aired 2/17/2011

With the "TGS" staff afraid Liz will become a spinster, Jenna tries to find love for her. Jack's lack of sleep puts him at a disadvantage when negotiating. Meanwhile, Pete and Frank form a band.

Directors: John Riggi
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Brooklyn Without Limits
star
7.54
2015 votes

#16 - Brooklyn Without Limits

Season 5 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/11/2010

Jack tries to sway the congressional election for the benefit of the network, while Liz finds the perfect pair of jeans. Meanwhile, Jenna helps Tracy secure a Golden Globe nomination.

Directors: Michael Engler
Writer: Ron Weiner
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Christmas Attack Zone
star
7.54
1994 votes

#17 - Christmas Attack Zone

Season 5 - Episode 10 - Aired 12/9/2010

At the urging of Liz and Avery, Jack reveals some secrets to his mother over her Christmas visit. Liz tries to get Jenna and Paul back together. Tracy tries to protect his new serious image by buying a film of his so it will never be seen.

Directors: John Riggi
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Chain Reaction of Mental Anguish
star
7.54
2074 votes

#18 - Chain Reaction of Mental Anguish

Season 5 - Episode 9 - Aired 12/2/2010

Jack recommends that Liz start seeing a therapist when she worries that Carol is getting bored with their relationship. In an attempt to take Jack's advice, Liz begins talking to Kenneth about her problems. Jack also finds himself caught up in one of Tracy's schemes when Tracy tries to convince him to invest in his son's theme restaurant in Times Square. Meanwhile, Jenna and Paul celebrate their six month anniversary.

Directors: Ken Whittingham
Writer: Kay Cannon
Watch Now:Apple TV
100 (1)
star
7.47
1984 votes

#19 - 100 (1)

Season 5 - Episode 20 - Aired 4/21/2011

With "TGS" facing imminent cancelation, Jack asks Hank Hooper to allow them to do their 100th episode as a final chance to prove they deserve a place on the air. Amidst the chaos of show preparation, Jack starts doubting a key decision in his life, and Jenna contemplates motherhood.

Directors: Don Scardino
Watch Now:Apple TV
Plan B
star
7.42
1771 votes

#20 - Plan B

Season 5 - Episode 18 - Aired 3/24/2011

Liz tries to reassure her staff that the show's forced hiatus is temporary, but everyone starts to focus on their fallback plans. Meanwhile, Jack attempts to salvage a cable network by enlisting his nemesis, Devin Banks.

Directors: Jeff Richmond
Watch Now:Apple TV
Let's Stay Together
star
7.37
2389 votes

#21 - Let's Stay Together

Season 5 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/7/2010

Jack must appear before Congress to discuss NBC's merger with KableTown. He hopes that he will charm celebrity members, but one Congresswoman, Regina Bookman, demands more diversity in its programming lineup. Jack quickly enlists Tracy to come up with some new development ideas. Meanwhile, Liz is fed up with the flack her writing staff gives her, and Jenna helps Kenneth reapply to the extremely competitive Page Program.

Directors: John Riggi
Writer: Jack Burditt
Watch Now:Apple TV
I Heart Connecticut
star
7.28
1727 votes

#22 - I Heart Connecticut

Season 5 - Episode 19 - Aired 4/14/2011

Liz and Kenneth try to locate Tracy in the city before "TGS" is canceled. Meanwhile Pete, feeling emasculated, challenges the writers and crew to a contest of strength and Jenna shoots a horror film in Connecticut.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Queen of Jordan
star
7.12
1942 votes

#23 - Queen of Jordan

Season 5 - Episode 17 - Aired 3/17/2011

Angie's reality show visits "TGS," resulting in a red-faced situation for Jack, Jenna pining for attention, and Liz leading a scheme to lure Tracy back from Africa. Meanwhile, Frank reconnects with a lost love.

Directors: Ken Whittingham
Watch Now:Apple TV