St. Valentine's Day (30 Rock)
Encyclopedia
"St. Valentine's Day" is the eleventh episode of the third season
, and forty-seventh episode overall, of the American television comedy series 30 Rock
. It was written by co-executive producer Jack Burditt
and series' creator, executive producer and lead actress Tina Fey
. The director of this episode was series producer Don Scardino
. The episode originally aired on the National Broadcasting Company
(NBC) in the United States on February 12, 2009. Guest stars in "St. Valentine's Day" include Marylouise Burke, Jon Hamm, Salma Hayek
, Zak Orth
, Laila Robins
, Maria Thayer
, and Allie Trimm
.
In the episode, Liz Lemon
(Fey) insists that she and Dr. Drew Baird (Hamm) have their first official date on Valentine's Day
, while Jack Donaghy
(Alec Baldwin
) prepares himself for an unconventional Valentine's Day spent at church with his girlfriend Elisa (Hayek). Finally, Tracy Jordan
(Tracy Morgan
) tries to help Kenneth Parcell
(Jack McBrayer
) win the affections of a new staffer (Thayer). This episode also continued a story arc involving Drew as a love interest for Liz, which began in the previous episode
.
"St. Valentine's Day" has received generally positive reviews from television critics. According to the Nielsen Media Research
, the episode was watched by 7.6 million households during its original broadcast, and received a 3.8 rating among viewers in the 18–49 demographic.
(Tina Fey
) invites her neighbor, Dr. Drew Baird (Jon Hamm), on their first date, accidentally scheduling it for Valentine's Day
. At the suggestion of her boss, Jack
(Alec Baldwin
), Liz decides to have the date at her home. Many things go wrong during the date, including Liz exposing her breast and Drew seeing Liz on the toilet. The date gets worse when Drew's ex-wife drops off their daughter (Allie Trimm
) at Liz's apartment. Later, Drew gets news that his mother (Marylouise Burke) is critically ill. The two visit her at the hospital and after Drew steps out, Liz is left alone with her. She tells Liz she is in fact not Drew's mother, but instead his grandmother, and that his sister (Laila Robins
) is really his birth mother. Following the passing of his grandmother, Liz and Drew still decide to move forward in their relationship, and Liz telling Drew everything his grandmother told her.
Meanwhile, Jack's Valentine's dinner plans with his girlfriend Elisa (Salma Hayek
) are postponed when they have to attend church. Jack calls his office assistant, Jonathan (Maulik Pancholy
), telling him to hold his dinner reservations. Before they can leave church, Elisa tells Jack that they need to go to confession
. After horrifying the priest (Zak Orth
) with his admissions, Elisa becomes furious with Jack and breaks up with him. Later, however, she laments her fight with Jack. After finding a McFlurry coupon in the collection plate
, she believes it is a sign from God because both she and Jack love the McDonald's
dessert. The two reconcile their relationship as a result, and spend Valentine's Day together at a McDonald's.
Finally, Kenneth
(Jack McBrayer
) falls for a new staffer, a blind woman named Jennifer (Maria Thayer
). Kenneth cannot bring himself to ask Jennifer out, so Tracy
(Tracy Morgan
) decides to help him. On their date, at the 30 Rock studios, Kenneth and Jennifer are joined by Tracy—who does all the talking. Jennifer believes Kenneth is black, but Kenneth reveals he is white and expresses his feeling for her, and admits to her that Tracy was doing all the talking. Jennifer tells him she does not mind of what has happened. However, after feeling Kenneth's face and comparing it to her own, she leaves, horrified at his appearance.
and series' creator, executive producer and lead actress Tina Fey
. The director of this episode was series producer Don Scardino
. It originally aired on NBC
in the United States on February 12, 2009.
In October 2008, when actor Jon Hamm hosted the sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live
(SNL), negotiations took place with the show's producers for him to guest star on 30 Rock. In December 2008, it was confirmed Hamm would appear as a love interest for Fey's character, Liz Lemon
. It was also announced by NBC that Hamm would star in a three episode arc. He made his debut in the episode "Generalissimo
" as Dr. Drew Baird, a neighbor and date of Liz Lemon. His last appearance was in "The Bubble
" where Liz and Drew break-up. Hamm later appeared in the season four
episodes "Anna Howard Shaw Day
" and "Emanuelle Goes to Dinosaur Land
".
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly
, Fey said when the writing staff is developing a script, "We'll have an actor in mind and we'll keep referring to them. Like for this we said, 'Then Hamm comes in, blah blah blah.'" She believed that there was no possibility of getting Hamm, but "we were lucky with the timing because Mad Men
was on hiatus and he was hosting SNL. So I called over there and asked them [whispering], 'Hey, is that guy funny? Tell me the truth.' And they were like, 'Yes, he's really funny.' By Saturday I knew they were right."
This episode was actress Salma Hayek
's fourth appearance on 30 Rock. She first appeared in the episode "Señor Macho Solo
" as a nurse for Jack Donaghy
's mother and love interest for Jack. She made appearances in the episodes "Flu Shot
" and "Generalissimo". Actress Maria Thayer
starred in the 2008 comedy film Forgetting Sarah Marshall
as the wife of a character played by Jack McBrayer
, who plays Kenneth Parcell
on 30 Rock.
In order to shoot a scene in a McDonald's
chain restaurant, the show approached executives from the restaurant, in advance, for permission. The executives looked over the "St. Valentine's Day" script and gave them permission. The scene was filmed at a McDonald's franchise in New York City.
Two filmed scenes from "St. Valentine's Day" were cut out from the airing. Instead, the scenes were featured on 30 Rock' s season 3 DVD as part of the deleted scenes in the Bonus feature. In the first scene, Kenneth tells Tracy that he cannot go through his date with Jennifer as he does not want to deceive Jennifer, as the plan is that Tracy will do all the talking for Kenneth during the date. Tracy, however, tells Kenneth that no deceiving will occur and that he will be honest during the date. Kenneth is still not convinced about the whole idea, but Tracy manages to change his mind. In the second scene, Jack and Elisa are in church. Jack intrigued with what has happened during church is ready to leave, though, Elisa tells him that the sermon is almost over, but that the service is about to begin.
, "St. Valentine's Day" was watched by 7.6 million households in its original American broadcast. It earned a 3.8 rating/9 share in the 18–49 demographic. This means that it was seen by 3.8% of all 18–49 years olds, and 9% of all 18–49 year olds watching television at the time of the broadcast. "St. Valentine's Day" finished in 37th place in the weekly ratings for the week of February 9–15, 2009.
Robert Canning of IGN
reported that the Valentine's Day theme in the episode "was exactly what you would expect from a series that thrives on uncomfortable romantic situations." He added that there was a lot to enjoy from "St. Valentine's Day," opining that it was a "very funny episode" and that it had "plenty of get moments and memorable lines to make the weak endings a minor factor." Canning rated the episode an 8.4 out of 10. Alan Sepinwall of The Star-Ledger
said that the episode was "structurally and tonally", but disliked the way the show featured Jon Hamm, as he believed the show was not giving him enough to do besides being "handsome." Nonetheless, Sepinwall enjoyed the story between Liz and Drew in "St. Valentine's Day" writing that it was a "better effort" than shown in the previous episode, "Generalissimo
". As with Sepinwall, Maureen Ryan for the Chicago Tribune
hoped the show would use Hamm "better" than demonstrated in his first two appearances. Entertainment Weekly
contributor Annie Barrett wrote that she liked the way the episode handled the Valentine's Day theme, however, was not complimentary towards the way Tina Fey
and Hamm were featured in "St. Valentine's Day" with her observing, "the future for TV's most promisingly delicious couple ... might not be so sweet." Before the airing of the episode, Barrett very much liked the pairing of the two characters. Kevin D. Thompson for The Palm Beach Post
was complimentary about the episode's theme, and praised 30 Rock for displaying "one of the best" episodes he has ever seen. Jeremy Median of Paste
praised the episodes "Generalissimo" and "St. Valentine's Day", concluding, "There's no possible way to mention every funny joke or one-liner in the past two episodes. The show is just too lightning-quick for that."
TV Squad's Bob Sassone
hoped that the storyline involving Jack and Elisa would be over, "because we all know the relationship isn't going anywhere." He, however, noted that it was not a "bad subplot" with the pairing of Kenneth and Tracy, but that his "favorite part" of "St. Valentine's Day" was Jenna Maroney
's (Jane Krakowski
) impersonation of singer Michael McDonald
. James Poniewozik
for Time
was not a fan of Salma Hayek
's character, as she was not "adding much to the show." Poniewozik wrote that her character in this episode was the first time she seemed to be a "fully contributing part of the ensemble." Jack's scene in the church, along with him once claiming he was God in a deposition—a reference to Alec Baldwin
's role in the film Malice
(1993)—was well received, with Canning concluding that these traits make for "an instant classic Jack Donaghy moment."
Many did not enjoy the addition of the McFlurry dessert in "St. Valentine's Day" as many believed it was product placement
. Though, Advertising Age
reported that McDonald's
did not pay to have their dessert in the episode, stating that it was all part of the script. Fey also denied the product placement allegations. She said that the show did not receive money and worried that the McDonald's Corporation might sue them. A McDonald's commercial that appeared within the half-hour was "part of our traditional media buy" and that no advertising "was moved around specifically to be near" the "St. Valentine's Day" airing, explained Jennifer Lane Landolt, director-entertainment alliances for McDonald's.
30 Rock (season 3)
The third season of 30 Rock, an American television comedy series, consists of 22 episodes and began airing on October 30, 2008 on the NBC network in the United States...
, and forty-seventh episode overall, of the American television comedy series 30 Rock
30 Rock
30 Rock is an American television comedy series created by Tina Fey that airs on NBC. The series is loosely based on Fey's experiences as head writer for Saturday Night Live...
. It was written by co-executive producer Jack Burditt
Jack Burditt
Jack Burditt is an American producer and screenwriter who has worked on many television shows.He has worked as a writer on the NBC comedy series 30 Rock...
and series' creator, executive producer and lead actress Tina Fey
Tina Fey
Elizabeth Stamatina "Tina" Fey is an American actress, comedian, writer and producer, known for her work on the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live , the NBC comedy series 30 Rock, and films such as Mean Girls and Baby Mama .Fey first broke into comedy as a featured player in the...
. The director of this episode was series producer Don Scardino
Don Scardino
Don Scardino is an American television director and producer and a former actor.-Acting:Born in New York City, Scardino began his career as an actor. His first Broadway credit was as an understudy in The Playroom in 1965. Additional Broadway acting credits include Johnny No-Trump, Godspell, and...
. The episode originally aired on the National Broadcasting Company
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
(NBC) in the United States on February 12, 2009. Guest stars in "St. Valentine's Day" include Marylouise Burke, Jon Hamm, Salma Hayek
Salma Hayek
Salma Valgarma Hayek Jiménez de Pinault is a Mexican film actress, director and producer. She received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress for her role as Frida Kahlo in the film Frida.-Early life:...
, Zak Orth
Zak Orth
Zak Orth is an American comedic actor known for his roles in Wet Hot American Summer, The Baxter, Melinda and Melinda, In and Out, and Music and Lyrics...
, Laila Robins
Laila Robins
-Personal life:Robins was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, the daughter of Latvian American parents Brigita and Janis Robins, who was a research chemist. She attended the Yale School of Drama, and received her undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, . Robins has been in a...
, Maria Thayer
Maria Thayer
Maria Thayer is an American actress from Boring, Oregon, known for her roles as Wyoma in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Rory in Accepted and Tammi Littlenut in Strangers with Candy. In Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Thayer plays a Mormon newlywed on her honeymoon with her new husband, played by Jack...
, and Allie Trimm
Allie Trimm
Alexandria "Allie" Trimm is an American singer and actress, active on Broadway, in regional theater and on television. She began performing in professional theatre in her native San Diego, California at age nine....
.
In the episode, Liz Lemon
Liz Lemon
Elizabeth Miervaldis "Liz" Lemon is the main character of the American television series 30 Rock. She is portrayed by Tina Fey, who is also the creator of the series and its showrunner.-Personal history:...
(Fey) insists that she and Dr. Drew Baird (Hamm) have their first official date on Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day
Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine, and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496...
, while Jack Donaghy
Jack Donaghy
John Francis "Jack" Donaghy is a fictional character on the NBC sitcom 30 Rock. He is the Vice President of East Coast Television and Microwave Oven Programming for General Electric and later Kabletown....
(Alec Baldwin
Alec Baldwin
Alexander Rae "Alec" Baldwin III is an American actor who has appeared on film, stage, and television.Baldwin first gained recognition through television for his work in the soap opera Knots Landing in the role of Joshua Rush. He was a cast member for two seasons before his character was killed off...
) prepares himself for an unconventional Valentine's Day spent at church with his girlfriend Elisa (Hayek). Finally, Tracy Jordan
Tracy Jordan
Ogbert Jordan, better known by his stage name, Tracy, is a fictional character on the American television series 30 Rock, based on and played by Tracy Morgan.-Brief overview:...
(Tracy Morgan
Tracy Morgan
Tracy Morgan is an American comedian who is best known for his eight seasons as a cast member on Saturday Night Live and currently known for playing the role of Tracy Jordan on the NBC series 30 Rock.-Early life:...
) tries to help Kenneth Parcell
Kenneth Parcell
Kenneth Ellen Parcell is a fictional character in the comedy television series 30 Rock. He is portrayed by actor Jack McBrayer and first appeared on television in the 30 Rock episode "Pilot" on October 10, 2006...
(Jack McBrayer
Jack McBrayer
Jack McBrayer is an American actor and comedian. He gained national exposure for his characters on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien"...
) win the affections of a new staffer (Thayer). This episode also continued a story arc involving Drew as a love interest for Liz, which began in the previous episode
Generalissimo (30 Rock)
"Generalissimo" is the tenth episode of the third season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock. It was written by executive producer Robert Carlock and directed by Todd Holland. The episode originally aired on the National Broadcasting Company in the United States on February 5, 2009...
.
"St. Valentine's Day" has received generally positive reviews from television critics. According to the Nielsen Media Research
Nielsen Media Research
Nielsen Media Research is an American firm that measures media audiences, including television, radio, theatre films and newspapers...
, the episode was watched by 7.6 million households during its original broadcast, and received a 3.8 rating among viewers in the 18–49 demographic.
Plot
LizLiz Lemon
Elizabeth Miervaldis "Liz" Lemon is the main character of the American television series 30 Rock. She is portrayed by Tina Fey, who is also the creator of the series and its showrunner.-Personal history:...
(Tina Fey
Tina Fey
Elizabeth Stamatina "Tina" Fey is an American actress, comedian, writer and producer, known for her work on the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live , the NBC comedy series 30 Rock, and films such as Mean Girls and Baby Mama .Fey first broke into comedy as a featured player in the...
) invites her neighbor, Dr. Drew Baird (Jon Hamm), on their first date, accidentally scheduling it for Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day
Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine, and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496...
. At the suggestion of her boss, Jack
Jack Donaghy
John Francis "Jack" Donaghy is a fictional character on the NBC sitcom 30 Rock. He is the Vice President of East Coast Television and Microwave Oven Programming for General Electric and later Kabletown....
(Alec Baldwin
Alec Baldwin
Alexander Rae "Alec" Baldwin III is an American actor who has appeared on film, stage, and television.Baldwin first gained recognition through television for his work in the soap opera Knots Landing in the role of Joshua Rush. He was a cast member for two seasons before his character was killed off...
), Liz decides to have the date at her home. Many things go wrong during the date, including Liz exposing her breast and Drew seeing Liz on the toilet. The date gets worse when Drew's ex-wife drops off their daughter (Allie Trimm
Allie Trimm
Alexandria "Allie" Trimm is an American singer and actress, active on Broadway, in regional theater and on television. She began performing in professional theatre in her native San Diego, California at age nine....
) at Liz's apartment. Later, Drew gets news that his mother (Marylouise Burke) is critically ill. The two visit her at the hospital and after Drew steps out, Liz is left alone with her. She tells Liz she is in fact not Drew's mother, but instead his grandmother, and that his sister (Laila Robins
Laila Robins
-Personal life:Robins was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, the daughter of Latvian American parents Brigita and Janis Robins, who was a research chemist. She attended the Yale School of Drama, and received her undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, . Robins has been in a...
) is really his birth mother. Following the passing of his grandmother, Liz and Drew still decide to move forward in their relationship, and Liz telling Drew everything his grandmother told her.
Meanwhile, Jack's Valentine's dinner plans with his girlfriend Elisa (Salma Hayek
Salma Hayek
Salma Valgarma Hayek Jiménez de Pinault is a Mexican film actress, director and producer. She received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress for her role as Frida Kahlo in the film Frida.-Early life:...
) are postponed when they have to attend church. Jack calls his office assistant, Jonathan (Maulik Pancholy
Maulik Pancholy
Maulik Pancholy is an American actor. He is best known for his recurring role as Sanjay on Weeds from 2005 to present, and his role as Jonathan on 30 Rock, which he has played since the show began in 2006....
), telling him to hold his dinner reservations. Before they can leave church, Elisa tells Jack that they need to go to confession
Confession
This article is for the religious practice of confessing one's sins.Confession is the acknowledgment of sin or wrongs...
. After horrifying the priest (Zak Orth
Zak Orth
Zak Orth is an American comedic actor known for his roles in Wet Hot American Summer, The Baxter, Melinda and Melinda, In and Out, and Music and Lyrics...
) with his admissions, Elisa becomes furious with Jack and breaks up with him. Later, however, she laments her fight with Jack. After finding a McFlurry coupon in the collection plate
Offertory
The Offertory is the portion of a Eucharistic service when bread and wine are brought to the altar. The offertory exists in many liturgical Christian denominations, though the Eucharistic theology varies among celebrations conducted by these denominations....
, she believes it is a sign from God because both she and Jack love the McDonald's
McDonald's
McDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
dessert. The two reconcile their relationship as a result, and spend Valentine's Day together at a McDonald's.
Finally, Kenneth
Kenneth Parcell
Kenneth Ellen Parcell is a fictional character in the comedy television series 30 Rock. He is portrayed by actor Jack McBrayer and first appeared on television in the 30 Rock episode "Pilot" on October 10, 2006...
(Jack McBrayer
Jack McBrayer
Jack McBrayer is an American actor and comedian. He gained national exposure for his characters on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien"...
) falls for a new staffer, a blind woman named Jennifer (Maria Thayer
Maria Thayer
Maria Thayer is an American actress from Boring, Oregon, known for her roles as Wyoma in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Rory in Accepted and Tammi Littlenut in Strangers with Candy. In Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Thayer plays a Mormon newlywed on her honeymoon with her new husband, played by Jack...
). Kenneth cannot bring himself to ask Jennifer out, so Tracy
Tracy Jordan
Ogbert Jordan, better known by his stage name, Tracy, is a fictional character on the American television series 30 Rock, based on and played by Tracy Morgan.-Brief overview:...
(Tracy Morgan
Tracy Morgan
Tracy Morgan is an American comedian who is best known for his eight seasons as a cast member on Saturday Night Live and currently known for playing the role of Tracy Jordan on the NBC series 30 Rock.-Early life:...
) decides to help him. On their date, at the 30 Rock studios, Kenneth and Jennifer are joined by Tracy—who does all the talking. Jennifer believes Kenneth is black, but Kenneth reveals he is white and expresses his feeling for her, and admits to her that Tracy was doing all the talking. Jennifer tells him she does not mind of what has happened. However, after feeling Kenneth's face and comparing it to her own, she leaves, horrified at his appearance.
Production
"St. Valentine's Day" was written by co-executive producer Jack BurdittJack Burditt
Jack Burditt is an American producer and screenwriter who has worked on many television shows.He has worked as a writer on the NBC comedy series 30 Rock...
and series' creator, executive producer and lead actress Tina Fey
Tina Fey
Elizabeth Stamatina "Tina" Fey is an American actress, comedian, writer and producer, known for her work on the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live , the NBC comedy series 30 Rock, and films such as Mean Girls and Baby Mama .Fey first broke into comedy as a featured player in the...
. The director of this episode was series producer Don Scardino
Don Scardino
Don Scardino is an American television director and producer and a former actor.-Acting:Born in New York City, Scardino began his career as an actor. His first Broadway credit was as an understudy in The Playroom in 1965. Additional Broadway acting credits include Johnny No-Trump, Godspell, and...
. It originally aired on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
in the United States on February 12, 2009.
In October 2008, when actor Jon Hamm hosted the sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
(SNL), negotiations took place with the show's producers for him to guest star on 30 Rock. In December 2008, it was confirmed Hamm would appear as a love interest for Fey's character, Liz Lemon
Liz Lemon
Elizabeth Miervaldis "Liz" Lemon is the main character of the American television series 30 Rock. She is portrayed by Tina Fey, who is also the creator of the series and its showrunner.-Personal history:...
. It was also announced by NBC that Hamm would star in a three episode arc. He made his debut in the episode "Generalissimo
Generalissimo (30 Rock)
"Generalissimo" is the tenth episode of the third season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock. It was written by executive producer Robert Carlock and directed by Todd Holland. The episode originally aired on the National Broadcasting Company in the United States on February 5, 2009...
" as Dr. Drew Baird, a neighbor and date of Liz Lemon. His last appearance was in "The Bubble
The Bubble (30 Rock)
"The Bubble" is the fifteenth episode of the third season of the American television series 30 Rock. It was written by series' creator Tina Fey and directed by Tricia Brock. The episode originally aired on the National Broadcasting Company in the United States on March 19, 2009. Jon Hamm and...
" where Liz and Drew break-up. Hamm later appeared in the season four
30 Rock (season 4)
The fourth season of 30 Rock, an American television comedy series, consists of 23 episodes and began airing on October 15, 2009, on the National Broadcasting Company network in the United States...
episodes "Anna Howard Shaw Day
Anna Howard Shaw Day
"Anna Howard Shaw Day" is the thirteenth episode of the fourth season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock, and the 71st episode of the series overall. It was written by supervising producer Matt Hubbard and directed by Ken Whittingham. The episode originally aired on the National...
" and "Emanuelle Goes to Dinosaur Land
Emanuelle Goes to Dinosaur Land
"Emanuelle Goes to Dinosaur Land" is the twenty-first episode of the fourth season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock, and the 79th overall episode of the series. It was written by supervising producer Matt Hubbard and directed by Beth McCarthy-Miller. The episode originally aired on...
".
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
, Fey said when the writing staff is developing a script, "We'll have an actor in mind and we'll keep referring to them. Like for this we said, 'Then Hamm comes in, blah blah blah.'" She believed that there was no possibility of getting Hamm, but "we were lucky with the timing because Mad Men
Mad Men
Mad Men is an American dramatic television series created and produced by Matthew Weiner. The series premiered on Sunday evenings on the American cable network AMC and are produced by Lionsgate Television. It premiered on July 19, 2007, and completed its fourth season on October 17, 2010. Each...
was on hiatus and he was hosting SNL. So I called over there and asked them [whispering], 'Hey, is that guy funny? Tell me the truth.' And they were like, 'Yes, he's really funny.' By Saturday I knew they were right."
This episode was actress Salma Hayek
Salma Hayek
Salma Valgarma Hayek Jiménez de Pinault is a Mexican film actress, director and producer. She received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress for her role as Frida Kahlo in the film Frida.-Early life:...
's fourth appearance on 30 Rock. She first appeared in the episode "Señor Macho Solo
Señor Macho Solo
"Señor Macho Solo" is the seventh episode of the third season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock, and the 43rd overall episode of the series. It was written by co-executive producer Ron Weiner and directed by Beth McCarthy. The episode originally aired on the National Broadcasting...
" as a nurse for Jack Donaghy
Jack Donaghy
John Francis "Jack" Donaghy is a fictional character on the NBC sitcom 30 Rock. He is the Vice President of East Coast Television and Microwave Oven Programming for General Electric and later Kabletown....
's mother and love interest for Jack. She made appearances in the episodes "Flu Shot
Flu Shot (30 Rock)
"Flu Shot" is the eighth episode of the third season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock. It was written by Jon Pollack, and directed by series producer Don Scardino. The episode originally aired on the National Broadcasting Company in the United States on January 15, 2009...
" and "Generalissimo". Actress Maria Thayer
Maria Thayer
Maria Thayer is an American actress from Boring, Oregon, known for her roles as Wyoma in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Rory in Accepted and Tammi Littlenut in Strangers with Candy. In Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Thayer plays a Mormon newlywed on her honeymoon with her new husband, played by Jack...
starred in the 2008 comedy film Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Forgetting Sarah Marshall is a 2008 American romantic comedy film directed by Nicholas Stoller and starring Jason Segel, Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis and Russell Brand...
as the wife of a character played by Jack McBrayer
Jack McBrayer
Jack McBrayer is an American actor and comedian. He gained national exposure for his characters on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien"...
, who plays Kenneth Parcell
Kenneth Parcell
Kenneth Ellen Parcell is a fictional character in the comedy television series 30 Rock. He is portrayed by actor Jack McBrayer and first appeared on television in the 30 Rock episode "Pilot" on October 10, 2006...
on 30 Rock.
In order to shoot a scene in a McDonald's
McDonald's
McDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
chain restaurant, the show approached executives from the restaurant, in advance, for permission. The executives looked over the "St. Valentine's Day" script and gave them permission. The scene was filmed at a McDonald's franchise in New York City.
Two filmed scenes from "St. Valentine's Day" were cut out from the airing. Instead, the scenes were featured on 30 Rock
Reception
According to the Nielsen Media ResearchNielsen Media Research
Nielsen Media Research is an American firm that measures media audiences, including television, radio, theatre films and newspapers...
, "St. Valentine's Day" was watched by 7.6 million households in its original American broadcast. It earned a 3.8 rating/9 share in the 18–49 demographic. This means that it was seen by 3.8% of all 18–49 years olds, and 9% of all 18–49 year olds watching television at the time of the broadcast. "St. Valentine's Day" finished in 37th place in the weekly ratings for the week of February 9–15, 2009.
Robert Canning of IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
reported that the Valentine's Day theme in the episode "was exactly what you would expect from a series that thrives on uncomfortable romantic situations." He added that there was a lot to enjoy from "St. Valentine's Day," opining that it was a "very funny episode" and that it had "plenty of get moments and memorable lines to make the weak endings a minor factor." Canning rated the episode an 8.4 out of 10. Alan Sepinwall of The Star-Ledger
The Star-Ledger
The Star-Ledger is the largest circulated newspaper in the U.S. state of New Jersey and is based in Newark. It is a sister paper to The Jersey Journal of Jersey City, The Times of Trenton and the Staten Island Advance, all of which are owned by Advance Publications.The Newark Star-Ledgers daily...
said that the episode was "structurally and tonally", but disliked the way the show featured Jon Hamm, as he believed the show was not giving him enough to do besides being "handsome." Nonetheless, Sepinwall enjoyed the story between Liz and Drew in "St. Valentine's Day" writing that it was a "better effort" than shown in the previous episode, "Generalissimo
Generalissimo (30 Rock)
"Generalissimo" is the tenth episode of the third season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock. It was written by executive producer Robert Carlock and directed by Todd Holland. The episode originally aired on the National Broadcasting Company in the United States on February 5, 2009...
". As with Sepinwall, Maureen Ryan for the Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
hoped the show would use Hamm "better" than demonstrated in his first two appearances. Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
contributor Annie Barrett wrote that she liked the way the episode handled the Valentine's Day theme, however, was not complimentary towards the way Tina Fey
Tina Fey
Elizabeth Stamatina "Tina" Fey is an American actress, comedian, writer and producer, known for her work on the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live , the NBC comedy series 30 Rock, and films such as Mean Girls and Baby Mama .Fey first broke into comedy as a featured player in the...
and Hamm were featured in "St. Valentine's Day" with her observing, "the future for TV's most promisingly delicious couple ... might not be so sweet." Before the airing of the episode, Barrett very much liked the pairing of the two characters. Kevin D. Thompson for The Palm Beach Post
The Palm Beach Post
The Palm Beach Post is a major daily newspaper in Florida, serving Palm Beach County in South Florida, and the Treasure Coast area. It is the 72nd largest daily newspaper in the United States and the sixth largest in Florida.-History:...
was complimentary about the episode's theme, and praised 30 Rock for displaying "one of the best" episodes he has ever seen. Jeremy Median of Paste
Paste (magazine)
Paste is a monthly music and entertainment digital magazine published in the United States by Wolfgang's Vault. Its tagline is "Signs of Life in Music, Film and Culture."-History:...
praised the episodes "Generalissimo" and "St. Valentine's Day", concluding, "There's no possible way to mention every funny joke or one-liner in the past two episodes. The show is just too lightning-quick for that."
TV Squad's Bob Sassone
Bob Sassone
Bob Sassone is an American writer. He was born in Gloucester, Massachusetts, to Italian and Portuguese parents. He is the youngest of seven children....
hoped that the storyline involving Jack and Elisa would be over, "because we all know the relationship isn't going anywhere." He, however, noted that it was not a "bad subplot" with the pairing of Kenneth and Tracy, but that his "favorite part" of "St. Valentine's Day" was Jenna Maroney
Jenna Maroney
Jenna Maroney is a fictional character on the American television series 30 Rock, played by Jane Krakowski.-Fictional biography:Jenna was born Ystrepa Grokovitz on February 24, 1969 and grew up in Bakersfield...
's (Jane Krakowski
Jane Krakowski
Jane Krakowski is an American actress and singer. She is most well known for her performance of Elaine Vassal on Ally McBeal, for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award, and for her current role as Jenna Maroney on the NBC sitcom 30 Rock, for which she has been nominated for three Emmy...
) impersonation of singer Michael McDonald
Michael McDonald (singer)
Michael McDonald is a five-time Grammy Award winning American singer and songwriter. McDonald is known for a soulful baritone singing style and a multi-octave range. He began his career singing back-up vocals with Steely Dan...
. James Poniewozik
James Poniewozik
James Poniewozik is an American journalist and television critic. He writes Times Tuned In column and has a blog with the same name.Originally from Monroe, MI, Poniewozik attended the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, graduating with a BA in English. He subsequently attended the graduate program...
for Time
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
was not a fan of Salma Hayek
Salma Hayek
Salma Valgarma Hayek Jiménez de Pinault is a Mexican film actress, director and producer. She received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress for her role as Frida Kahlo in the film Frida.-Early life:...
's character, as she was not "adding much to the show." Poniewozik wrote that her character in this episode was the first time she seemed to be a "fully contributing part of the ensemble." Jack's scene in the church, along with him once claiming he was God in a deposition—a reference to Alec Baldwin
Alec Baldwin
Alexander Rae "Alec" Baldwin III is an American actor who has appeared on film, stage, and television.Baldwin first gained recognition through television for his work in the soap opera Knots Landing in the role of Joshua Rush. He was a cast member for two seasons before his character was killed off...
's role in the film Malice
Malice (film)
Malice is a 1993 American thriller film directed by Harold Becker. The screenplay by Aaron Sorkin and Scott Frank is based on a story by Jonas McCord.-Plot:...
(1993)—was well received, with Canning concluding that these traits make for "an instant classic Jack Donaghy moment."
Many did not enjoy the addition of the McFlurry dessert in "St. Valentine's Day" as many believed it was product placement
Product placement
Product placement, or embedded marketing, is a form of advertisement, where branded goods or services are placed in a context usually devoid of ads, such as movies, music videos, the story line of television shows, or news programs. The product placement is often not disclosed at the time that the...
. Though, Advertising Age
Advertising Age
Advertising Age is a magazine, delivering news, analysis and data on marketing and media. The magazine was started as a broadsheet newspaper in Chicago in 1930...
reported that McDonald's
McDonald's
McDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
did not pay to have their dessert in the episode, stating that it was all part of the script. Fey also denied the product placement allegations. She said that the show did not receive money and worried that the McDonald's Corporation might sue them. A McDonald's commercial that appeared within the half-hour was "part of our traditional media buy" and that no advertising "was moved around specifically to be near" the "St. Valentine's Day" airing, explained Jennifer Lane Landolt, director-entertainment alliances for McDonald's.
External links
- "St. Valentine's Day," at TV.comTV.comTV.com is a website owned by CBS Interactive. The site covers television and focuses on English-language shows made or broadcast in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and Japan...