There’s something incredibly satisfying about watching an episode that encapsulates everything you love about a show.  Last night’s 30 Rock live episode was a comedy nerd’s dream. It combined amazing guest stars, inside jokes, and a lovingly twisted homage to America’s history of live television.  I interpreted the episode as a thank you to 30 Rock’s fans, rewarding us for six years of support.

Like last season’s live show, there were separate episodes for the east coast and west coast. Both versions of “Live from Studio 6H” were similar in plot and execution, with some slightly altered punch lines and surprise appearances. The meta plot was all about how Kabletown could save boatloads of money if they filmed canned episodes of the show instead of filming live. Liz is initially put off until Jack tells her that she’ll only have to work for two weeks out of the year, much like Wheel of Fortune and FOX News. “I want to go to there,” replies Liz, in the first of many catchphrase callbacks. We also got Jenna saying “cam-er-a” and a Rosemary Howard reference. In a traditional episode (I’m using “traditional” loosely here) the lines would have felt pandering, but who cares? This is live TV, baby!

Kenneth, on his way to showing Paul McCartney or Kim Kardashian the restroom, depending on which coast you’re from, finds out about the change. Ever the champion of television, Kenneth takes it upon himself to keep live TV on the air. (Sidebar: I heard that Sir Paul and presumably Ms. Kardashian were both on-air surprises to the casts. And I think there’s a lot said in the mere fact that those two celebrities were chosen to fill what was essentially the same role. America!) So Kenneth Twelve Angry Men’s the writers and certain cast members in Tracy’s office to give everyone a history lesson on live television. We get flashbacks to The Lovebirds, Alfie and Abner, The Gruber Brothers and Nipsey, Joey Montiero, and NBC News Special Report.

In addition to the complete regular cast, the live show effectively employed numerous guest stars. (Welcome back, Cheyenne Jackson! Stick around for a while?) Amy Poehler showed up as Young Liz Lemon, eating a cheese steak and skipping prom/celebrating her Sweet Sixteen. Tina’s joy at her best friend showing up on her show at the very end was maybe one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen. Now we just need to get Tina over on Parks and Rec as a concerned citizen. Petition for that, internet! Jon Hamm played Alfie in Alfie and Abner. I’m sure that the only reason they got away with the partial black face was by casting the most affable actor in the world. Hamm also filled in as the co-news anchor in the east coast episode. (Kenneth: “They thought having two black people on the same show would make the audience nervous, a rule NBC still uses today!”) Brian Williams was a welcome addition to the west coast NBC News Special Report—can we please give that man a sitcom after he’s done with his news gig?

Fred Armisen showed up at the telethon so he could photobomb Jimmy Fallon’s dead-on shot as Young Jack Donaghy. Finally, Donald Glover showed up as Young Tracy Jordan, dancing for St. Ray Ray’s Blatholic Church. (Did you catch his perfect ghetto mating call impression?) Tracy’s realization that he got laughs for his ridiculousness led to Young Liz Lemon prank calling Young Jack Donaghy, asking for General Electric. Liz knew this was when she had a future in television and Jack Donaghy received a promotion in microwaves. “We owe everything to live television,” they rejoice, and therefore, so do the viewers.

Hazel Wassername (Kristen Schaal) got her moment in live television by ripping up a picture of Sinead O’Connor (zing!) and Paul and Jenna decided to get married for love and not for publicity. Paul gets his “Zou Bisou Bisou” moment and they’ll save her engagement ring made of Liza Minelli’s baby tooth surround by diamonds that passed through a terrified Michael Kors for another day. I hope this isn’t the last we’ve seen of “Prince William & Prince: Time Traveling Fart Detectives.”

Having seen both episodes, I can say that the west coast version is more polished, but the east coast version is funnier and more frantic. There’s a reason why live episodes can only happen once a season, but who cares? If, for whatever bizarre reason, 30 Rock does get canceled at the end of this season, this will have been enough.

Tags: 30 rock, alec baldwin, amy poehler, Brian Willams, Donald Glover, fred armisen, Jane Krakowski, jimmy fallon, jon hamm, kim kardashian, paul mccartney, tina fey