Liz' parents and brother Mitch (Andy Richter) are coming over for Christmas as well as Jack's mother (Elaine Stritch). Due to too much drinking, Tracy now has an ankle on him. While Liz seems to get along well with her family, even Mitch whose skiing accident at 17 causes him to relive the previous day over and over, Jack can't stand his mom and tries to ditch her at every turn. Tracy tries to join the rest of the gang for "Ludichristmas" but is stopped by Kenneth with a reverend in order to show the true meaning of the holiday. At the end, Jack's mom's attempt to show how dysfunctional even Liz' family could be succeeds when a mention of The Goonies sends the entire reunion into a tailspin...Seeing veteran SNL host Buck Henry as Liz' dad was a treat as was seeing Richter and the return of Ms. Stritch. Ms. Stritch, especially, was hilarious here. Was also amusing seeing Tracy Morgan use his real-life arrest for drunken driving come into play here. Of course, I do hope he's more careful next time. In the prologue, Jack shows Liz his new invention: a Photo Scanner/Paper Shredder. Since both have initials PS/PS, it's useless and everyone who gets it as a present throws it away even the children in an undeveloped country! One more episode is left before the strike closed down production. Hope it gets settled by January. Glad to hear of Golden Globe noms this morning for the show, Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin. Good luck all!
6 Reviews
Ludachristmas (or Episode 209) is another funny episode of "30 Rock"
tavm14 December 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Entertaining but preachy
oconnorkyle-4669719 December 2021
I typically like the character Kenneth, but force-feeding his religion, via office intervention complete with a pastor, to people who don't share the same enthusiasm for Christmas's supposed religious foundation was annoying to me as a viewer.
The episode's writing, jokes, and the continued character development through Liz's family coming to visit we're all really well constructed.
A very good episode with just the one obnoxious and unappreciated helping of religious junk that detracted from the B story.
The episode's writing, jokes, and the continued character development through Liz's family coming to visit we're all really well constructed.
A very good episode with just the one obnoxious and unappreciated helping of religious junk that detracted from the B story.
Guest starring Andy Richter, Elaine Stritch and Buck Henry
safenoe26 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I remember Buck Henry's memorable role in The Blues Brothers, and sadly he passed away in early 2020. Buck Henry appears as Liz's father in this Christmas episode. I must admit I had to check the Urban Dictionary on the meaning of Ludachristmas so thank you Google. At the end of the episode Liz made a rather prescient comment on how gay marriage will impact on our country.
Hello, Elaine!
MaxBorg8928 October 2008
Ah, Christmas: the time of year where everyone is supposed to be kind and loving with everyone. Unless you're a) in a Tim Burton movie; b) Billy Bob Thornton in Bad Santa; or c) Colleen Donaghy. If it's the last one, then it also means twenty minutes of solid gags and another Emmy nomination for the terrific Elaine Stritch (too bad she didn't win this time, but what the hell, Kathryn Joosten in Desperate Housewives is the only actress who can compete with her in the comedy guest category).
Christmas at TGS tends to mean one thing only: a raunchy party (as witnessed by the writing on Frank's hat: "Ho Ho Horny!"). Unfortunately, Kenneth has other plans, since he believes the holidays shouldn't be mocked in some profane way. For Liz, however, Christmas means something else entirely: a visit from her parents and little brother Mitch (played by Conan O' Brien's sidekick Andy Richter), who had an accident years before and believes it's still 1985. Jack is intrigued by that (he thinks Reagan was the best President ever) and quickly develops an attachment to the Lemons, who give all the love and support he never received from his mother. This is confirmed when she shows up and insists on spending the day with them.
Christmas episodes are, by nature, effortlessly charming, probably because of the joyous context (maybe that's why they're called Christmas Specials in the UK). That this one features an acting duel between Alec Baldwin and Elaine Stritch is just the icing on the cake. In any sane universe, she will have to appear at least once in every season. I mean, even The Sopranos, which stayed perfect for the entirety of its run, was still never quite the same after Nancy Marchand's death. It's a scientific fact: cranky mothers are funny (and get nominated for an Emmy).
Christmas at TGS tends to mean one thing only: a raunchy party (as witnessed by the writing on Frank's hat: "Ho Ho Horny!"). Unfortunately, Kenneth has other plans, since he believes the holidays shouldn't be mocked in some profane way. For Liz, however, Christmas means something else entirely: a visit from her parents and little brother Mitch (played by Conan O' Brien's sidekick Andy Richter), who had an accident years before and believes it's still 1985. Jack is intrigued by that (he thinks Reagan was the best President ever) and quickly develops an attachment to the Lemons, who give all the love and support he never received from his mother. This is confirmed when she shows up and insists on spending the day with them.
Christmas episodes are, by nature, effortlessly charming, probably because of the joyous context (maybe that's why they're called Christmas Specials in the UK). That this one features an acting duel between Alec Baldwin and Elaine Stritch is just the icing on the cake. In any sane universe, she will have to appear at least once in every season. I mean, even The Sopranos, which stayed perfect for the entirety of its run, was still never quite the same after Nancy Marchand's death. It's a scientific fact: cranky mothers are funny (and get nominated for an Emmy).
I Love This Episode!
g-bodyl23 July 2014
This is the ninth episode of the second season of 30 Rock and this ends up being one of my favorite episode in this series. Timely comedy, excellent writing, great acting, and more great guest stars, this time in the lovely presence of Elaine Stritch. I normally love Christmas episodes, but I particularly liked this one due to it's Scrooge-esque nature.
In this episode, "Ludachristmas," Jack falls in love with Liz's parents because of the love they give their children, the total opposite of Jack's mother. Meanwhile, the staffers get ready for their annual party, but Kenneth changes their plans as he tries to deliver the true spirit of Christmas.
Overall, this is an excellent episode and one of my favorites. It's funny and I loved the interplay between Jack's mom and himself. I also loved how Liz's brother reminds me of Lucy from 2004's 50 First Dates. Great, great episode. I rate this episode 10/10.
In this episode, "Ludachristmas," Jack falls in love with Liz's parents because of the love they give their children, the total opposite of Jack's mother. Meanwhile, the staffers get ready for their annual party, but Kenneth changes their plans as he tries to deliver the true spirit of Christmas.
Overall, this is an excellent episode and one of my favorites. It's funny and I loved the interplay between Jack's mom and himself. I also loved how Liz's brother reminds me of Lucy from 2004's 50 First Dates. Great, great episode. I rate this episode 10/10.
Ludachristmas (#2.9)
ComedyFan201024 November 2013
Warning: Spoilers
And it is Christmas time! The Lemon family comes to visit Liz. Her brother Mitch who after his skiing accident still lives like it is 1985 and her very supportive parents. But Jack's mom doesn't want it to go this way, she wants the Lemons to show who they are. Really funny idea and it was great to see Elaine Stritch again. The fight at the end between the Lemons was a great accomplishment of hers, this is what Christmas is about!
And Kenneth has a different idea, he wants to teach his coworkers the true meaning of Christmas. This was also good writing and some wonderful acting when they ran down to chop down the tree
And Kenneth has a different idea, he wants to teach his coworkers the true meaning of Christmas. This was also good writing and some wonderful acting when they ran down to chop down the tree
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