Really only "Arrested Development" challenges it for funniest show of the (last) decade. Even the "bad" seasons were loaded with brilliant jokes.
One brilliant thing about the show's design was that the less central the character, the more absurd they were. So Liz and Jack were (usually) only slightly exaggerated people, the rest of the cast was tipping over the line into absurdity, and the recurring characters (Dr. Spaceman, especially) were absolutely bonkers.
Hard to believe that the same stiff, awkward woman from SNL's Weekend Update a decade (or more?) ago produced this show. I love it, but I think it's run its course. While I'd love more antics of Liz Lemon, it's probably for the best that the show is coming to an end. Better than having it run overlong and get stale.
I'm gonna miss this show immensely. It had its ups and downs, but what show doesn't? I'm amazed NBC kept it around as long as they did, and with it ending at the same time as Community and P&R*, I'll have no reason whatsoever to have cable pretty soon. Huzzah!
* & @4 - Has P&R been confirmed as ending after this season? Last I heard, it got picked up for a full season and hadn't yet been officially cancelled, pending this season's ratings.
@8, Parks & Recreation hasn't been killed. Last May was the timing for NBC's announcements. P&R got 22 new episodes, so we'll see in a couple months if the network gives it another year and if so, whether it will be 22 episodes or 13. Fingers crossed....
"There are only two things I love in this world: television and everybody."
-Kenneth Parcell
One brilliant thing about the show's design was that the less central the character, the more absurd they were. So Liz and Jack were (usually) only slightly exaggerated people, the rest of the cast was tipping over the line into absurdity, and the recurring characters (Dr. Spaceman, especially) were absolutely bonkers.
Bye 30 Rock. You will be missed.
* & @4 - Has P&R been confirmed as ending after this season? Last I heard, it got picked up for a full season and hadn't yet been officially cancelled, pending this season's ratings.