Created by: Tina Fey
Premiere date: October 30, 2008
Episodes: 22
Genre: Comedy
Running time: 22min
In Season 3 of the Emmy-winning series, Liz (Emmy-winner Tina Fey) struggles to become a grown up as she realizes that getting that perfect man, the perfect apartment and the perfect life may mean climbing the corporate ladder and losing a part of her carefree life as a comedy writer. Tension and hilarity will definitely ensue as Jack Donaghy (Emmy-winner Alec Baldwin) becomes both an angel and a devil on her shoulder and Liz’s fellow writers and cast become more employees than colleagues. Lemon constantly has her hands full, juggling corporate interference from Donaghy and off-the-handle star antics from Jordan (Tracy Morgan), all while attempting to salvage her own personal life.
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Episode Guide
Written by Tina Fey
Directed by Don Scardino
Believing that Liz's (Tina Fey) work schedule may be too hectic for her to adopt a child, adoption agent Bev (Megan Mullally) decides to make a visit to the set. Liz begs her co-workers to try to act "normal" for a change, but chaos ensues amid an escalating feud between Jenna (Jane Krakowski) and Tracy (Tracy Morgan). Meanwhile, Jack (Alec Baldwin) is back at 30 Rock to reclaim his position from Devin Banks (Will Arnett), but quickly learns the task won't be easy when he is given a sizeable demotion. Jack vows to do whatever it takes, even if it means sacrificing his self-respect, to make it back to the top.
Written by Robert Carlock
Directed by Don Scardino
Liz (Fey) flies to Chicago to get out of jury duty and on her return flight ends up with an assigned seat next to Oprah. Liz jumps at the opportunity to share a few problems with the talk show host for advice. While Liz is away, Tracy (Morgan) and Jenna's (Krakowski) feud continues leading to a wacky "social experiment" to prove whose argument is right. Meanwhile, Jack's (Alec Baldwin) morality is tested by Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) after an Olympics snafu.
Written by Jack Burditt
Directed by Gail Mancuso
Free-spirited, "Fatal Attraction"-like stalker Claire Harper (guest star Jennifer Aniston) randomly shows up in New York to visit Liz (Tina Fey) and Jenna (Jane Krakowski). Claire zeroes in on Jack (Alec Baldwin) upon first sight and claims him for her own. Kenneth (Jack McBrayer), distressed and let down over the new page uniforms, turns to Tracy (Tracy Morgan) for some cheering up. To make Kenneth smile again, Tracy has a surprise involving the cast of "Night Court."
Written by John Riggi
Directed by Gail Mancuso
When Jack (Alec Baldwin) and Liz (Tina Fey) are invited to a dinner party at Gavin Volure's (guest star Steve Martin) mansion, Jack is let in on a secret business opportunity and the eccentric host becomes enamored with Liz. Jack encourages their burgeoning relationship until it is revealed that there is more to Gavin than meets the eye. Meanwhile, Tracy (Tracy Morgan) fears his kids are being too nice toward him and may have sinister plans, and Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) entrusts Jack to invest his savings in Gavin's business venture.
Written by Matt Hubbard
Directed by Beth McCarthy
Liz (Tina Fey) is opposed to going to her high school reunion, but Jack (Alec Baldwin) manages to convince her otherwise. Meanwhile, Don Geiss (guest star Rip Torn) wakes up from his coma only to shock Jack with his declaration about who will be GE's CEO. Shaken, Jack decides to get away to blow off steam, but bad weather forces him to tag along with Liz to her reunion instead.
Written by Kay Cannon & Tina Fey
Directed by Don Scardino
Only days before Christmas, Liz's (Tina Fey) parents ditch her to celebrate the holidays at a couples-only retreat, leaving her all alone for the holiday. To fill the void, she participates in a charity program, "Letters to Santa," to help underprivileged kids have a nice Christmas. Meanwhile, Jack (Alec Baldwin) takes his frustration out on the TGS staff when his plans for a dream holiday vacation away from his overbearing mother, Colleen (guest star Elaine Stritch), are crushed. The TGS crew are forced to give up their plans to produce a last minute Christmas special.
Written by Ron Weiner
Directed by Beth McCarthy
Jenna (Jane Krakowski) is concerned that Liz's (Tina Fey) attraction to a new guy (guest star Peter Dinklage) has to do with her longing to have a child. Jack (Alec Baldwin) is keeping busy as he helps Tracy and wife Angie (guest star Sherri Shepherd) arrange a "post-nup," and tries to get Jenna an audition for the title role in a Janis Joplin biopic. Plus, he finds time to hit it off with his mother's nurse, Elisa (guest star Salma Hayek).
Written by Jon Pollack
Directed by Don Scardino
Liz (Tina Fey) tries desperately not to catch the flu, but it's spreading amongst the TGS cast and crew quickly and Jack (Alec Baldwin) is being selective about who receives vaccinations from Dr. Spaceman (guest star Chris Parnell). One is offered to Liz, but she refuses to take it, championing for the rights of the crew. Meanwhile, Elisa (guest star Salma Hayek) is working seven days a week, so Jack must be creative about finding ways to spend time with her.
Written by Tami Sagher
Directed by Steve Buscemi
Jack (Alec Baldwin) is nervous about the corporate retreat, so he recruits Liz (Tina Fey) to accompany him for support. Meanwhile, Jenna (Jane Krakowski) ends up at the mercy of Frank (Judah Friedlander) when she decides she needs to implore method acting to prepare for her Janis Joplin role, and Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) must convince Tracy (Tracy Morgan) that diabetes is affected by his diet.
Written by Robert Carlock
Directed by Todd Holland
Liz (Tina Fey) discovers she has a handsome and newly single neighbor, Dr. Drew Baird (Jon Hamm), she'd like to meet after receiving his mail by mistake. However, in true Liz fashion, their chance at getting to know one another doesn't begin so well. Due to Jack's (Alec Baldwin) striking resemblance to a Spanish soap villain, Elisa's (Salma Hayek) grandmother disapproves of their relationship. Jack is determined to do whatever it takes to win her adoration. Back at 30 Rock, the new "TGS" interns invite Tracy (Tracy Morgan) out for a night of partying; but Tracy, unwilling to admit it, cannot seem to keep up with the former Wall Street frat boys.
Written by Jack Burditt & Tina Fey
Directed by Don Scardino
Not realizing it's going to be the ultimate lovers holiday, Liz (Tina Fey) insists her and Drew (Jon Hamm) have their first official date on Valentine's Day; while Jack (Alec Baldwin) prepares himself for an unconventional Valentine's Day spent at church with girlfriend Elisa (Salma Hayek). Tracy (Tracy Morgan) tries to help Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) win the affections of a new staffer.
Written by Matt Hubbard
Directed by Constantine Makris
Jack (Alec Baldwin) considers taking the next step with Elisa (Salma Hayek), but will he be able to choose between his commitment to her and his demanding career? Meanwhile, Tracy's (Tracy Morgan) interview on "Larry King Live" sends New York City into a panic. Out in the chaotic city, Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) recruits Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) to venture out to Queens to retrieve her lost cell phone from a surly cabbie.
Written by Ron Weiner
Directed by John Riggi
Liz (Tina Fey) befriends a pregnant teenaged donut shop employee, in an attempt to adopt her baby. Back on set, Jenna (Jane Krakowski) vies for more attention from the TGS staff as her birthday approaches, but Kenneth's (Jack McBrayer) plan to combine her party with one for Tracy (Tracy Morgan) derails her efforts. Meanwhile, Jack (Alec Baldwin) agrees to go on a guys' night out to keep his mind off of his absent girlfriend, and bonds with Frank (Judah Friedlander) over their daddy issues.
Written by Donald Glover & Tom Ceraulo
Directed by Ken Whittingham
When Liz (Tina Fey) can't scheme her way out of jury duty, the "TGS" cast and crew are left unmanaged. With no one in charge, Tracy (Tracy Morgan) and Jenna (Jane Krakowski) begin to act irresponsibly, while Jack (Alec Baldwin) becomes absorbed in launching a lucrative new product.
Written by Tina Fey
Directed by Tricia Brock
As Liz (Tina Fey) spends more time with her boyfriend Drew (Jon Hamm), she finds that his handsomeness has allowed him to bypass many of the usual frustrations of daily life. While Liz deals with her new relationship, Jack (Alec Baldwin) must find a way to convince Tracy (Tracy Morgan) to stay on at "TGS" after his contract expires. Jenna (Jane Krakowski) considers a new hairstyle to attract public attention.
Written by Robert Carlock
Directed by Millicent Shelton
While Jack (Alec Baldwin) plans the perfect 50th birthday party for himself he watches old home videos that inspire him to recreate one of the happiest moments he had as a young boy. Liz's (Tina Fey) ex-boyfriend Dennis "The Beeper King" (Dean Winters) decides to come clean to Liz about an addiction, stirring up drama between Liz and Jenna (Jane Krakowski). Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) and Pete (Scott Adsit) team up to make Tracy's (Tracy Morgan) childhood dream come true.
Written by Matt Hubbard
Directed by Gail Mancuso
Excitement about the 50th "TGS" show is short-lived as the employees begin to worry about upcoming budget cuts. Jack (Alec Baldwin) is forced to hand out pink slips, while Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) has to step up and take on some extra responsibilities. Liz (Tina Fey) decides she has to do a little personal bartering to save her staff and crew. Jenna (Jane Krakowski) and Tracy (Tracy Morgan) become suspicious of Kenneth and are determined to prove he is hiding a dark secret.
Written by Kay Cannon & Tracey Wigfield
Directed by Don Scardino
During a short-term suspension from work, Liz (Tina Fey) is lost without "TGS" and misses all the stress that comes with the job. In turn, she must find a way to occupy her free time. Meanwhile, when the film studio has second thoughts on releasing Jenna's (Jane Krakowski) Janis Joplin biopic, Jack (Alec Baldwin) needs Jenna to create some promotional buzz using her celebrity status.
Written by Jack Burditt
Directed by Beth McCarthy
Jack (Alec Baldwin) decides his commitment to Elisa (guest star Salma Hayek) is serious enough to go shopping for an engagement ring with Liz (Tina Fey). Tracy (Tracy Morgan), ironically, is the one Jack turns to for advice on how to deal with the pressures of married life. Meanwhile, Elisa divulges to Liz she is keeping a secret. When a prank results in an injury back at "TGS," Jenna (Jane Krakowski) loses her cool over an attractive EMT.
Written by John Riggi & Tina Fey
Directed by Scott Ellis
After Liz (Tina Fey) reprimands Tracy (Tracy Morgan) in front of the "TGS" staff, he decides to straighten up his act and start acting like a professional. Once Tracy agrees to no longer receive any preferential treatment, he feels that Liz should give up certain privileges as well. Jack's (Alec Baldwin) mother Colleen (guest star Elaine Stritch) comes to visit revealing unpleasant memories about Jack's father leaving the family. Jenna (Jane Krakowski) adopts a pet gibbon and learns the perils of motherhood.
Written by Ron Weiner
Directed by Don Scardino
With encouragement from Liz (Tina Fey) and Tracy (Tracy Morgan), Jack (Alec Baldwin) begins a search for his real father. When Tracy introduces his newly discovered illegitimate son to his friends at "TGS," Liz and Pete (Scott Adsit) question the son's intentions. Meanwhile, Jenna (Jane Krakowski) and Liz fight for the spotlight when Jenna gets recognition for one of Liz's ideas.
Written by Jack Burditt & Robert Carlock
Directed by Don Scardino
As Jack (Alec Baldwin) begins to build a relationship with his biological father, Milton's (Alan Alda) health hangs in the balance. Despite Liz's (Tina Fey) relationship track record, she draws public attention as a relationship expert after a talk show appearance. Meanwhile, Tracy's (Tracy Morgan) high school invites him to speak at graduation and Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) must help him overcome embarrassing memories from his high school experience.