Is NBC obsessed with numbers? The network behind “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” now debuts “30 Rock” and “Twenty Good Years.”

Is “30 Rock” (7 p.m., NBC) half as good as “Studio 60”? Or is it merely half as long? Or twice as funny?

Sadly, the answer to the last question is no. I’ve watched the pilot to “30 Rock” twice. I haven’t laughed once.

Actor and writer Tina Fey (“SNL”) plays Liz Lemon, the sardonic comedy writer for a variety series starring her perky, if self-centered, best friend, Jenna (Jane Krakowski).

Liz seems happy with her job and resigned to office shenanigans until the network brings in Jack (Alec Baldwin), a brash corporate type who insists on shaking things up, even if nothing needs changing.

While “Studio 60” takes on politics, religion and culture, “30 Rock” tackles a topic that seems a little closer to Fey’s heart: the absurdity of a large industrial conglomerate meddling in entertainment.

Jack’s corporate title says it all. He’s the vice president in charge of television and microwave ovens. In perfect corporate speak, Jack lambastes Liz because her show has no male audience. The fact that it’s called “The Girlie Show” seems beside the point.

Jack decides that hiring Tracy (Tracy Morgan), a popular if unstable black movie star, will boost the ratings. Liz spends the rest of the pilot trying to hold a business lunch with Tracy. He behaves like an out-of-control hip-hop stereotype, drinking too much, taking her to a strip club and even urinating in public. She plays the role of an uptight feminist who is too timid and politically correct to tell Tracy what she thinks of him. In the end, this is all more belabored than amusing.

¢ Inspired by aspects of “The Odd Couple” and “The Golden Girls,” the new sitcom “Twenty Good Years” (7:30 p.m., NBC) remains unabashedly old-fashioned. In the opening moments, John (John Lithgow) browbeats his pal Jeffrey (Jeffrey Tambor) on the racquetball court. Even though this scene is shot documentary style, we can still hear the laughter of a studio audience. The effect is jarring and a reminder that “Twenty” may be part of a bygone era.

Like any good sitcom, “Twenty” sets up its premise with ruthless efficiency. Arrogant surgeon John is shocked when his hospital forces him into semi-retirement. The arrival of a granddaughter brings another milestone. He makes a pact with Jeffrey, a milquetoast judge and widower of 20 years. They vow to seize the day and every day for the rest of their lives. With Lithgow’s loud delivery and studied obliviousness, John’s declaration to become a wild-and-crazy guy seems more like a threat than a promise.

Tonight’s other highlights

¢ A stricken stranger wanders into town on “Jericho” (7 p.m., CBS).

¢ Detroit plays Oakland in the American League Championship Series (7 p.m., Fox), while St. Louis takes on New York in the National League Championship Series (7 p.m., FX).

¢ Henry tempts Jack while Sawyer and Kate toil on “Lost” (8 p.m., ABC).

¢ Nick finds his job in jeopardy on “The Nine” (9 p.m., ABC).

¢ The final four compete on part one of the two-part finale of “Project Runway” (9 p.m., Bravo).