Created by: Tina Fey
Premiere date: September 23, 2010
Episodes: 23
Genre: Comedy
Running time: 22min
Jack Donaghy (Emmy and Golden Globe winner Alec Baldwin) is the kind of man every guy wants to be and every girl wants to be with. On the other hand, Liz Lemon (Emmy and Golden Globe winner Tina Fey) is the kind of woman everyone wants to invite over for comic relief. The three-time Emmy-winning series returns for season five and it looks like Liz finally finds her elusive soulmate. The rest of the cast, well, they know nothing about boundaries or political correctness as they deal with each other and their new parent company, Kabletown. That’s Kabletown with a “K.”
Production Photos
Episode Guide
Written by Tina Fey
Directed by Beth McCarthy-Miller
Determined to help Liz keep a man for once, Jack meddles in her burgeoning relationship with Carol. At home, he also struggles to compromise with Avery as she redecorates his apartment. Meanwhile, Tracy Jordan has trouble coming to grips with Kenneth's termination as a page and Jenna becomes TGS' newest producer.
Written by Robert Carlock
Directed by Don Scardino
When Liz Lemonis surprised that more men have been noticing her, Jenna explains that she is coming off as more confident because of her new relationship. In turn, she uses her confidence to solve Pete's problem with a persnickety editor. Meanwhile, Jack decides he must cheat mortality in order to teach his and Avery's unborn son how to live. Elsewhere, Tracy is determined to be there when his wife gives birth, and a mystery man is making sure Kenneth's work at "TGS" is still getting done.
Written by Jack Burditt
Directed by John Riggi
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.
Written by Robert Carlock & Tina Fey
Directed by Beth McCarthy-Miller
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 Jordan becomes convinced that nothing is funnier than a performer laughing and breaking character, which he elects to do all night, much to Jenna Maroney's chagrin. Meanwhile, Jack Donaghy struggles with the consequences of his promise to give up drinking while Avery is pregnant.
Written by Matt Hubbard
Directed by Todd Holland
Jack is having a perfect day and succeeding at every task. He tries to channel his winning streak into helping Liz figure out her relationship with Carol. Meanwhile, Jenna (Jane Krakowski) and Kenneth enlist the help of Kelsey Grammer to pull off an ice cream scam. Elsewhere, Tracy is trying to shoot a commercial for the Boys and Girls Club.
Written by John Riggi
Directed by Don Scardino
When Avery points out the peculiarity of Jack and Liz's bond, he vows to set some boundaries. With Jack keeping his distance, Liz is left to deal with her father's attempt to recapture his youth during a visit. Meanwhile, Tracy enlists Kenneth's help to reinvent himself after viewing his own pre-produced video obituary. Much to Jenna's dismay, she finds out that no one has shot her video, so she decides to make it herself.
Written by Ron Weiner
Directed by Michael Engler
Jack tries to influence a Congressional election in favor of a particular candidate for the benefit of the network. Meanwhile, Liz has newfound confidence when Jenna helps her find the perfect pair of jeans. Later, Jenna helps Tracy plan a Golden Globe event.
Written by Josh Siegal & Dylan Morgan
Directed by Don Scardino
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.
Written by Kay Cannon
Directed by Ken Whittingham
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.
Written by Tracey Wigfield
Directed by John Riggi
Liz and Avery convince Jack to come clean about things that he's been keeping from his mother when she visits him for Christmas. Later, Liz attempts to mend Jenna's relationship with Paul. Meanwhile, Tracy buys the rights to a film he shot so that it will never be released and compromise his new, more serious persona.
Written by Jack Burditt
Directed by Tricia Brock
Company budget cuts affect the TGS staff, and Liz tries to use Jack’s wedding mistake in her favor. Meanwhile, Jenna and Danny share his dressing room and Tracy receives disturbing medical news that makes Angie consider a different career path.
Written by Robert Carlock
Directed by Beth McCarthy-Miller
Tracy has a reality TV crew following him around which Liz tries to use to her advantage, while Jack attempts to make a profit by pre-recording natural disaster telethons. Lutz lies to the writers to make him more valuable in the event of an apocalypse.
Written by Matt Hubbard
Directed by John Riggi
Jack tries to impress the owner of Kabletown, while Liz helps Avery hide her pregnancy from her competitive co-worker, Carmen Chao. Jenna and Tracy have trouble sharing a gift sent from their new bosses.
Written by Kay Cannon & Tom Ceraulo
Directed by Don Scardino
Jack and Avery go to Canada for a final romantic getaway before they become parents, but when Avery goes into labor, they do everything in their power to not give birth to a Canadian. Meanwhile, Liz's romantic getaway with Carol is ruined when their plane is stuck on the tarmac. Tracy is besieged with the unwanted responsibility of being an EGOT winner.
Written by Vali Chandrasekaran
Directed by John Riggi
Jenna takes Liz out to distract her from her breakup and prove love still exists, while Jack, a newly sleep-deprived father, loses his negotiating edge when discussing his nanny’s salary. Pete and Frank start a rock band.
Written by Ron Weiner
Directed by Beth McCarthy-Miller
When a blog accuses TGS of being misogynistic, Liz hires an upcoming female comedian, Abby Flynn. Liz’s plan backfires when Abby seems to be falling into female stereotypes, and Liz and Jenna decide to put Abby in her place. Meanwhile, Jack Donaghy intends to become the successor to KableTown but can only achieve this by eliminating the competition, the granddaughter to the CEO, Kaylie Hooper.
Written by Tracey Wigfield
Directed by Ken Whittingham
Jack puts Liz in charge of an event for Angie in the hopes that she can emotionally manipulate Angie into making an appeal to Tracy. The "Queen of Jordan" cameras bring Jack some embarrassment while leaving Jenna starved for attention. A lost love returns to Frank's life, causing him to question his maturity.
Written by Josh Siegal & Dylan Morgan
Directed by Jeff Richmond
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.
Written by Vali Chandrasekaran & Jon Haller
Directed by Stephen Lee Davis
With "TGS" on the brink of cancellation, Liz and Kenneth go into detective mode to track Tracy down. Meanwhile, Jack helps Jenna make sure her new project is financially successful. And Pete, feeling emasculated, challenges the writers and crew to a contest of strength.
Written by Jack Burditt, Robert Carlock & Tina Fey
Directed by Don Scardino
When Hank Hooper threatens to cancel "TGS", Jack convinces him to allow Liz and company the chance to do their 100th episode. To produce the best show possible, however, Liz must deal with less-than-ideal working conditions. Amidst the chaos of show preparation, Jack starts doubting a key decision in his life and Jenna contemplates motherhood.
Written by Jack Burditt, Robert Carlock & Tina Fey
Directed by Don Scardino
When Hank Hooper threatens to cancel "TGS", Jack convinces him to allow Liz and company the chance to do their 100th episode. To produce the best show possible, however, Liz must deal with less-than-ideal working conditions. Amidst the chaos of show preparation, Jack starts doubting a key decision in his life and Jenna contemplates motherhood.
Written by Kay Cannon & Matt Hubbard
Directed by John Riggi
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 held hostage. Elsewhere, Tracy finds out that Kenneth, Dotcom and Grizz have bonded in his absence.
Written by Hannibal Buress & Ron Weiner
Directed by Don Scardino
With the fifth season of "TGS" over, everyone is getting ready for summer. Liz's relaxing vacation in the Hamptons is ruined when Tracy moves in next door. With his wife gone, Jack is feeling lonely and decides to use Kenneth as her replacement. Meanwhile, Jenna faces a choice between love and career when her role as spokeswoman for the Wool Council affects her relationship with Paul.