Another Thursday, another solid night of NBC goodness. Let’s get right to it, shall we?

30 Rock – Subway Hero

Subway Hero was another amazing episode of 30 Rock to feature Liz Lemon’s on-again, off-again beau Dennis. This time he finds his way back into Liz’s life by saving a stranger on the subway, thus becoming a media darling, thus Jack insisting Liz get him on TGS. Though Dennis isn’t exactly a likable guy, you have to love to hate him, from the way he calls everyone “dummy” (even during a marriage proposal) to the way he accuses the firefighter exam to being biased against the Irish. The show’s opening was also strong, with Jack casually referring to Chuck Norris as C-Nor, and Liz saying that she doesn’t follow the news because the Food Network doesn’t have a news show. Jack’s quest to make Tracy the Republican Party’s newest celebrity spokesperson was great, as was Jenna’s explanation that true love means wearing make-up to bed and pooping in a Burger King. I was not a huge fan of Tim Conway’s old time TV star, though I got a chuckle of him saying that in his day they didn’t have the T-shirts with the words on them, and that he though Conan O’Brien was a lesbian. In the end, Liz comes to her senses and leaves Dennis after he pondered throwing her under a subway, and she vows to never have anything to do with him. Hopefully though, the show is not really through with New York’s Number One Beeper Salesman.

Best joke of the episode: Dot-Com sulking about still being single.

The Office – Chair Model

The Office is not just back from the strike’s hiatus, the show is BACK back. Last night’s follow up to the Dinner Party episode was just as good, if not better than the strong episode that preceded it. Before I get to Michael, Dwight, Pam, and Jim, I have to mention that it was great to see Kevin getting in on the act as much as he did. The show could have just made a quick gag about the overweight guy not wanting to walk far from his new parking space, but they actually made his victory over getting the old spaces back, well, sweet. This show understands that even in hysterical comedies, a little heart can go a long way, and Kevin’s sub-plot of calling together a rare meeting of “The Five Families” illustrated that perfectly.

Jim and Pam’s relationship was also handled masterfully last night, as we found out that Jim bought Pam an engagement ring a week after they started dating, and has a proposal on the brain. Pam doesn’t seem as eager to be engaged (again), and this could lead to some interesting changes in their relationship.

Michael’s quest for a new lady after his apparent breakup with Jan was played for tons of laughs. His soliciting the mandatory help from his subordinates was pure Michael Scott, and the way he got it out of Phyllis that her friend was fat was hysterical. Michael’s coffee date with Pam’s landlady was full of the show’s trademark awkward moments, from Michael denying his identity only to have his cover blown immediately, to his comparing his date to a sweet old lady on a bus. By episode’s end, Michael had come to terms with the fact that he had to say goodbye to his one true love, the chair model. His rendition of American Pie with Dwight was great, and will be a long remembered moment.

Best joke of the episode: Jim’s psych-out proposal to Pam.

Scrubs – My Manhood

This season of Scrubs has had a recurring theme of J.D. wrestling with growing from a man-child into a man-man now that he is a father, and this episode expanded the theme by exploring the machismo of the other men at Sacred Heart. Turk is over-compensating since he had Lamont the testicle removed, Kelso can’t directly ask for help in keeping his job, and a male patient diagnosed with breast cancer refuses to admit his condition to his brothers for fear of ridicule. But as Scrubs is so adept at doing, this serious topic is built around great jokes, and this was a very funny episode. The tri-daily Janitorial, published by the Janitor (naturally), The Todd, Doug, and the ever-invisible Ted led to a ton of laughs, and these great background characters continue to give the world of Scrubs a lot of depth. This episode also had plenty of random jokes as well, like the Plant Turk and the Rocky III freeze-frame ending. The way the show balances comedy and serious topics continues to make it a unique sit-com.

Best joke of the episode: Ted asking the REAL Dr. Cox to come out.