After winning its 3rd Emmy for best comedy, 30 Rock is back for a 4th season and ready to make us laugh.  Jack Donaghy is looking to make some funding cutbacks and reach out to the middle class to bring in more money during these tough economic times.  He expects Liz, Tracey, and Jenna to do their parts.

During their lunch meeting, Jack (Alec Baldwin) reaches out to Liz, Jenna and Tracey.  Jenna decides to “go country” to help reach the mid-west.  Jack tells Tracey he’s no longer in touch with the common man, so Tracey (Tracey Morgan) sets out to get back to his roots.  After the actors leave, Jack tells Liz that she has to hire a new cast mate, much to her dismay.

Liz (Tina Fey) takes this information back to Pete and they lament together.  They decide not to tell anyone for fear of it getting back to the actors, but quickly discover they’re horrible at lying.  The lie keeps escalating, finally reaching heights at them stating they’re having an affair.  Pete’s wife walks in during the news and they come clean about the new cast member.  Josh quits in a huff and tries to overturn the writer’s table, but needs help from everyone to do so.

Because of the cutbacks, the pages are only limited in pay to 16 hours a day.  Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) feels dishonest signing his name to his time card, but Jack states that there’s no extra money for overtime.  When Kenneth sees Jack’s paycheck by mistake (“So many zeroes!”), he organizes a page strike which can only be ended by Jack signing a paper saying “I’m a Big Ol’ Liar.”  The local street  santas, bucket drummers, and blanket cleaners join their plight.  Tracey goes out on the streets to connect to the common man and ends up joining the protest when the bucket drummers join. Then Jenna finds out about the new cast member and also joins the strike.  Soon, there’s barely anyone in the building and Jack signs the paper Kenneth wants him to sign.

Not bad for their first week back!  30 Rock‘s cast is strong, funny, and perfect for the show.  I’m curious to see if this “new cast member” search pans out and we add new blood to the show.  Even if they don’t add more people, I know I’ll be coming back for more.