I just started watching Juror #2. The Clint Eastwood-directed drama is now streaming on MAX and follows a juror in a trial who begins to second-guess a recent night of his.
The film stars Nicholas Hoult, Toni Collette, J.K. Simmons, Chris Messina, Zoey Deutch, Cedric Yarbrough, and Kiefer Sutherland. It’s really cool to see Cedric Yarbrough in such a serious role—definitely a change of pace for him.
The movie jumps into the story pretty quickly and is incredibly tense.
But here’s the thing: 30 Rock has absolutely ruined this movie for me, and I’ll tell you why.
The Curse of The Rural Juror
Within the 30 Rock world—which, technically, exists inside someone’s head—there are tons of fictional TV shows and movies. America’s Kidz Got Singing, Bitch Hunter, Homonym!, Honkey Grandpa Be Trippin’, Martin Luther King Day, MILF Island, Queen of Jordan, and Sport Shouting are just a few examples. And honestly, MILF Island basically became a real show (Temptation Island, anyone?).
One of the most infamous entries in the 30 Rock universe is The Rural Juror, a big movie starring Jenna Maroney. It’s one of the many projects that constantly pulls her away from her responsibilities on the sketch show. The running joke is just how awful the title is—nobody can pronounce it. Even Liz Lemon, Jenna’s oldest friend and biggest cheerleader, struggles to root for the film, calling it “The Ruror Juror.”
Little did I know that 30 Rock’s ridiculous joke would ruin any future TV shows or movies for me with the word “Juror” in the title.
Watching Juror #2
That said, I was still able to binge and obsess over Jury Duty (thankfully). But now, here I am watching Juror #2, and I can’t stop hearing “Ruror Juror” every time the title is mentioned.
I’m about halfway through, and I’m really enjoying it. The cast is stacked, and the tension is palpable. If you can get past 30 Rock living rent-free in your head, I’d definitely recommend checking it out.
Clips from 30 Rock:
When Liz Lemon finally learns the name of the movie.
And the song from The Rural Juror:
Rachel Dratch playing Barbara Walters introducing The Rural Juror.