We've been lucky enough this year to get most of the 30 Rock episodes in advance and it's like comedy Christmas every time the FedEx guy comes to the door. We love Weeds. We love Entourage. We even like My Name is Earl. But 30 Rock has remained the funniest comedy on television as it works its way into its second season and grows even more confident. An Emmy for best comedy series will do that for a group of writers. Our only concern, five episodes into the sophomore frame, is that the show is starting to become a bit too dependent on guest stars. Remember the last few years of Will & Grace? It was like The Love Boat over there with a different guest star every week to play with Will, Grace, Jack, and Karen. On the same night and near the same time slot on the same network, we're starting to get nervous about 30 Rock. In just five episodes this season, we've been treated to guest work by Jerry Seinfeld, Will Arnett, Rip Torn, and now Meredeith Vieira, David Schwimmer, and, believe it or not, Al Gore. All of the aforementioned guest turns have been great, but let's not lose the hilarious focus of the show - award-worthy work by Fey, Baldwin, and Morgan and some of the best writing on the dial.

It's November Sweeps, so it's easier to forgive the parade of guest stars and 30 Rock does the high-profile guest appearance better than most. This week, David Schwimmer returns to Thursday nights on NBC, guest starring as Greenzo, an environmental spokesman that Jack (Alec Baldwin) hires to be a mascot for NBC. The problems start when Greenzo turns out to be a total jerk, taking environmental safety a little too far. When his preachiness gets obnoxiously out of hand, Liz (Tina Fey) stops writing for him and Greenzo goes gonzo, culminating in a hilarious appearance on The Today Show (with real host Meredith Vieira playing herself) and a spectacular encounter with Al Gore. Meanwhile, in an even funnier plotline, Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) is planning the party of the year. In past years, it's just been him and Liz hanging out, as everyone else has ditched the expected-to-be lame party. Tracy decides to help Kenneth turn his jam into a party this year and starts a rumor mill going about all the stars that are going to be there. Office gossip gets out of control and Kenneth's party becomes a drunken, crazy event. The party highlights near the end of this week's episode and the aftermath the morning after make up five of the funniest minutes in the history of the show.

Schwimmer's typically good and seeing Vieira and Gore play themselves is fun, but the "internal" plotline, the one without any guests, is even better. It should prove to the writers and fans of 30 Rock that the series doesn't need "big names" to sell it. It's understandable that the series is trying to reach another level after its Emmy win, but it's the writing and the core cast that are going to make this the hit it deserves to be. Word of mouth continues to grow and 30 Rock continues to build fans who are catching up with the show on DVD. If you're one of those folks who have seen a bit of the show on DVD or last year, it hasn't dipped at all in quality. Watch the first season and jump on board for season two. If the ratings continue to drag, the show will probably be pressured into becoming even more of a revolving door of guest stars and that's the only reason to worry about what's still the best comedy in TV. Do your part to keep it that way.