3 Surefire Ways 30 Rock Can Regain Its Emmy Dominance

Now that we're headlong into 30 Rock's generally excellent fifth season, it's time for some reconnaissance: Is our beloved Thursday night jam -- which weaves in and out of being the best TV show evarrrr -- ever going to reclaim its rightful place at the Emmy dais? Before it's too late, let's figure out where the fifth season still has room to appeal to voters who might feel obligated to throw more hardware at Modern Family and/or Glee.

· Devastate Jack Donaghy and Force His Mother to Visit More Often

Alec Baldwin is the Emmy-baiting linchpin of 30 Rock; the indisputable heir to Lou Grant, who pops with just as much fire and facetiousness as ever. The three-time Emmy champ is at his best when he's rendered emotionally needy in front of his unforgiving mother, Colleen (the wonderful Elaine Stritch). Perhaps if Jack was fired for a few episodes, Colleen could sweep in, make fun of his sketchy five o'clock shadow, and take him out on the town with his real father (Alan Alda). The amount of award-wooing magic would be undeniable. (How hasn't this happened yet?)

· Longer, More Dramatic Episode Arcs

30 Rock is character-driven, but its flashiest stars need more to do than encounter problems that are all solvable in 22 minutes. Tracy's recent Boys and Girls Club commercial? Forgettable, at best. But 30 Rock's multi-episode problems are often just as uninteresting: If we're supposed to spend five episodes watching Kenneth win back his page employment, we should be spending just much as time following Jenna as she tries to win a sitcom deal (based off an unbearably sexist Twitter account, please!), or an affair between Pete and Jenna, or a tumultuous writers' room revolt. Which reminds me: Who misses the writers' room? And their Chamillionaire dance-offs? I'm craving that.

· Make Liz Impersonate More Past TV Stars

I long for the days when Liz would act out a Designing Women scene or a Jerry Seinfeld rant in desperation. Recently, we saw her stellar and pathetic Julia Roberts impersonation, but I think in order to regain Emmy ground, she should have to perform a 50-75 character marathon. I want stakes attached to this -- perhaps she'll get to become a cast member on TGS if she can fumble through 50 impressions ranging from Edith Bunker to Claire Cosby to Gregory House. A pleasant, unassuming sitcom like Modern Family cannot win against 30 Rock's compulsive showmanship twice in a row if Liz Lemon's droll mockery starts occurring at breakneck speed.