This episode is essentially an extension of the pilot, which ended with Tracy getting hired. Now, Liz struggles to integrate Tracy into the cast while keeping Jenna happy. This is not helped by Jack reworking the show to revolve around Tracy, even renaming it TGS with Tracy Jordan.
Tropes present in this episode:
- Accidental Misnaming: Addressing Jenna Maroney in a promo, Tracy's name for her degrades from "Jenna Malvangany" to "My Baloney" and finally to "Janet." Later on, "My Baloney" becomes his nickname for her.
- Attention Whore: We get a flash of Jenna's later-seasons characterization when she's thrilled that the tabloids have reported on her being passed out drunk because she looks thin in the photograph they're using.
- All the Good Men Are Gay:Liz: Listen, I understand that this is tough for you, but what did I tell you?
Jenna: Not to freak out?
Liz: Right. And what else?
Jenna: Stop falling in love with gay guys?
Liz: About this. - Boomerang Bigot: Played for LaughsLiz: Toofer's just afraid of black people.
Tracy: Which one is Toofer?
Liz: The black guy. - Is This Thing Still On?: Happens twice to Liz. First, she assures Jenna that Tracy is a talentless nut who nobody wants to be involved with the show but Jack. Jenna is still wearing her microphone, however, and everybody (including Tracy) hears. Later on, she attempts to apologize to him by explaining that she was just trying to calm the "paranoid and neurotic" Jenna, and also insults the other writers. This time she's actually in front of a camera and everybody both sees and hears her.
- Noodle Incident: Tracy bit then-twelve-year-old Dakota Fanning on the face. According to Liz, "When you hear his version, she was kinda asking for it."
- Tempting Fate: Liz assures Jenna that, "The show is called The Girlie Show, and you are the girl. Nothing is gonna change that." Cue The Girlie Show posters getting replaced by TGS with Tracy Jordan posters.
