The East and West Coast versions of the live 30 Rock episode last night didn't teem with differences -- unless you consider punchline tweaks, a different opening song, and the pamphlets in Dr. Spaceman's office major changes -- but it was still easy to conclude which version was better. Join Movieline for nine reasons why EST 30 Rock managed to trump PST 30 Rock. Sorry, Pacific Ocean!
1. Julia-Louis Dreyfus (as Liz Lemon) called Jonathan "Chai Boy" in the East Coast version, which is more original and sensible than "Aladdin," the zinger she used for the West Coast.
2. Tracy (Tracy Morgan) garbled a key line about breaking character in the West Coast version that was supposed to set up his obnoxious flubs throughout the episode. The audience seemed to wonder if that was an intentional gaffe, one that coincided with the conceit at hand. According to his cleaner run on the East Coast, it wasn't.
3. Jenna (Jane Krakowski) didn't fumble a single line in the East Coast version, but she lost her train of though during the West Coast version while trying to announce the name of her non-hit single, "It's Your Birthday, Slut."
4. Drew Baird (Jon Hamm) flailed more erratically in the East Coast broadcast of his hand transplant ad, lodging his hook in the wall with one terrifying throe. His downfall that time needed more emotional Peggy Olson counsel, and that's what counts.
5. When Barack Obama (Tracy Jordan) is interviewed on Fox News during a TGS with Tracy Jordan sketch in the East Coast version, his title card reads, "Exclusive Interview with Kenyan Liar." The West Coast version says, "Impartial Interview with Barack Obammunist." "Kenyan Liar" is shorter and sweeter. And funnier. Way funnier.
6. Yodwiga (Rachel Dratch) was extra squirrely in the East Coast version when she climbed on Pete (Scott Adsit) and dunked her thumbs into his eyes.
7. Cheyenne Jackson sang the West Coast version of the live 30 Rock theme with great panache, but he plays a peripheral character. Jane Krakowski sang the East Coast version, and she trilled with more inviting (and familiar) hamminess.
8. During the closing credits, Tina Fey and Julia-Louis Dreyfus announced together that The Office was on next. Unity! In the West Coast version, Lemon used a quicker goodbye all by herself. Kafkaesque, her isolation!
9. The show is set in New York City. The East Coast just means more. K?