Hollywood hits and misses in 2010

The October episode of Tina Fey's sitcom "was the apotheosis of '30 Rock's' self-reflexivity: a live version of a real show about life behind the scenes of a fictional sketch comedy show inspired by a real show that just so happens to broadcast from the same studio where this show was being staged. Got that?" explained Times blogger Meredith Blake. "Going into Thursday night's episode, I wondered whether the show would have to slow down its zippy timing or tame its self-referential streak to work in the live format. But on the contrary, it really seemed to work for '30 Rock,' and the dizzy energy of the performers was transmitted in a way that was more immediate than usual."

-- Whitney Friedlander