Ep 6. Jack Meets Dennis

In 30 Rock season 1 episode 6 titled "Jack Meets Dennis," we see the dynamic between Jack Donaghy, the new Vice President of East Coast Television and Microwave Oven Programming for NBC, and Liz Lemon, the head writer of The Girlie Show who is often frazzled and overwhelmed by her job.

The episode kicks off with Jack requesting that Liz fire her longtime friend and terrible comedian, Dennis Duffy, who is known for being a slacker, womanizer, and all-around nuisance. Liz is hesitant to do this, but Jack insists that it is necessary for the success of the show.

Meanwhile, Tracy Jordan, the unpredictable and often inappropriate star of The Girlie Show, is causing chaos on set as he struggles to work with his new co-star, Josh Girard. Josh, a former lawyer turned performer, is the complete opposite of Tracy in every way and their conflicting personalities clash in a major way during a scene they are rehearsing.

While Liz deals with this issue on set, Jack decides to take matters into his own hands when it comes to Dennis. He meets with him and tries to encourage him to clean up his act, but Dennis is resistant and insists that he will never change.

Back on set, Liz is forced to intervene during a heated argument between Tracy and Josh. Her solution is to bring in a mediator, who turns out to be none other than Conan O'Brien, the former host of Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Conan manages to calm the two actors down and they are able to finish the scene with minimal drama.

As the episode comes to a close, Jack reveals to Liz that he had actually been testing her with the whole Dennis situation. He wanted to see if she was capable of making difficult decisions and standing up to difficult people, qualities that he believes are necessary for success in the entertainment industry.

Overall, "Jack Meets Dennis" showcases the various challenges and struggles that come with working in television, including tough decisions, challenging personalities, and unexpected obstacles. The episode is full of humor and wit, while also highlighting the importance of perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity.