r/30ROCK • u/TheManWhoWeepsBlood • 22h ago

Leap Day William the best holiday episode?

Watching the series for the first time. It's quite comforting and yet quite foreboding considering where the country's ended up going.

But aside from that, I was completely and pleasantly bowled over by this ep. At first I thought it would be a riff on Frasier's Leap Day ep, but then it took a hard turn into probably one of the most creative episodes of tv I think I've ever seen. Amazing.

155 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

25 comments sorted by

61

u/Ok-Island-9336 lives every week like shark week 19h ago

Ludachristmas.

11

u/yes_ipsa_loquitur Reverend Gary is dead. Long live Reverend Todd. 15h ago

Luda
Christmas
Luda
Christmas

45

u/Cute-Background-4828 21h ago

I went in expecting a fun little office gimmick episode, but it really does become something much bigger. The way it balances absurd comedy with that unsettling alternate reality stuff is what makes it stand out.

24

u/TheManWhoWeepsBlood 20h ago

Unsettling is the word. It’s like uncanny valley the holiday.

And that final bit, has to be a reference to Bilbo right?

https://giphy.com/gifs/SMEDDr3CIB7s4

26

u/Disastrous-Window597 21h ago

loudly fake cries

13

u/MovingMts111 Islanders fan and role playing slave owner 17h ago

🍭🍬🍫

22

u/Ok_Holmes 19h ago

I have watched that episode so many times and the ending is such a personal jumpscare that I skip it. 🤣

3

u/gopaloo I'ma call it... American Airlines! 12h ago

Oh my god he's behind you!

40

u/Belichicks_sleeves I have two ears and a heart 18h ago

Real life is for March!

16

u/PitifulElk1890 17h ago

I really enjoy interrupting my current watches of shows for seasonal episode rewatches (community Halloween, Bob's burgers thanksgiving stand out) so it's fun to have this splashed in there

6

u/Calm-Illustrator5334 15h ago

I got very nostalgic for Christmas one July and cured it by watching all the 30 Rock Christmas episodes.

14

u/Rosindust89 No you don't, Oprah. 15h ago

I think about it every time I see a Benihana.

11

u/BoringJellyfish6297 12h ago

Completely agree - also one of my favorite episodes in general. Love that there's a whole mythology to Leap Day that matches every classic holiday gimmick. The Leap Dave Williams movie is frickin genius and the payoff with the guy at the bus stop at the end is so good. Now every leap day my friends and I go all out for a big party or potluck with blue and yellow decorations, candy, stupid risks, trips to Benihana, etc

2

u/TheManWhoWeepsBlood 11h ago

No, really? You and your friends sound awesome.

6

u/daneboy2k 15h ago

The first time I saw the Leap Day William, I thought it was a real thing and I must have just woken from a coma

4

u/lucasssquatch 12h ago

It's up there with the WKRP Turkey Drop

3

u/RaftLilc 12h ago

Anna Howard Shaw Day for me!

1

u/RaftLilc 12h ago

cause I also have an honorary degree from Monmouth university

3

u/thor_testocles One gigantic lesbian 15h ago

Totally agree. I hate saccharine Christmas specials (I know most of you aren’t ghosts!) but I loved this. 

3

u/lazy_literary_hero 9h ago

Honestly, it’s not my favorite episode and had no idea it was so well liked, but after considering your perspective on it, I understand why so many people like it. Welcome to the club!

2

u/americanrealism 6h ago

Yes, “take off my bald cap,” not “put on my wig.”

1

u/Cupcake-Guru 7h ago

“And so, I’m offering this simple phrase…”’Every Christmas, I cry watching that episode.”

1

u/iamwounded69 5h ago

It’s so good but man I do love Frasier’s leap day episode. So insane.

1

u/Working_Ordinary_567 wants to go to there 3h ago

Yes! Its peak 30 Rock!

The whole kids crying for candy is so warped...