Movies

The Baldwins’ Desperate Attempt to Prove They’re Just Like Us

BBG News

Alec Baldwin has experienced numerous public personas throughout his career, each more unexpected than the last. His journey to stardom started on soap operas and progressed to prime-time television and films during the 1980s. He quickly became a top-tier heartthrob, with a TIME article in 1990 referring to him as “The Hunk From Red October.” In Clueless, the term for an attractive man was “Baldwin,” a nod to Alec and his three brother’s similar appearances. As he moved past his leading-man phase in the mid-2000s, Baldwin humorously portrayed his dominant persona on 30 Rock as Jack Donaghy, the demanding network executive. In the 2010s, Baldwin navigated between controversy and avoidance, hosting a talk show, using a derogatory term towards a photographer, defending his wife’s Spanish accent, impersonating Donald Trump on SNL, temporarily stepping away from public life in an article that received widespread criticism, and eventually returning.

In the year 2021, on the set of his indie film titled “Rust,” where he was also an executive producer, actor Alec Baldwin accidentally discharged a prop gun during rehearsal, leading to the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The firearm was believed to be loaded with inert rounds, but it unfortunately contained live ammunition instead. This unfortunate incident served as a stark reminder about gun safety within the entertainment industry and dragged Baldwin into a lengthy, contentious involuntary manslaughter case that was politically charged. Even though the trial was dismissed halfway through, the aftermath has left Baldwin’s reputation in a precarious state. In an attempt to improve his public image, a three-time Emmy award winner is attempting a fresh start as a reality TV personality now.

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I eagerly anticipate the premiere of “The Baldwins” on February 23rd. This isn’t your typical reality show; it’s a TLC reality show, which is renowned for its unscripted series like “90 Day Fiancé”, “My 600-lb. Life”, and “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo”. Unlike the self-aware, high-society documentaries on Bravo, TLC has a knack for delving into the lives of large families, and with Alec Baldwin and his fluidly cultural wife, Hilaria Baldwin, sharing seven children under 12 years old, they certainly fit the bill. It’s important to note that Alec’s eldest child, Ireland Baldwin, who he famously criticized in a voicemail when she was 11 as a “rude, thoughtless little pig”, is from his previous marriage with Kim Basinger. So, let’s call it “Alec & Hilaria Plus 7”. However, the show’s relentless pursuit to portray the Baldwins as ordinary individuals overshadows its attempts to be even a bit intriguing.

In the debut episode of the series, which was made available for early viewing, the setting is filled with kids everywhere. The usual scene depicts Alec and Hilaria attempting to converse in their expansive, five-bedroom Manhattan apartment, which despite its size, feels cramped due to their large family. Their children are constantly playing, shouting, and demanding attention at their feet. They’re adorable! A family trip to the barbershop is showcased alongside an interview, giving a planned feel similar to the real estate agents in Selling Sunset. During this interview, Alec affectionately refers to his four sons as a “gang.” After their summer haircuts, the busy parents pack their children, assorted pets, and two nannies who seem to have minimal screen time into separate cars for their move to their Hamptons home. Alec, who spent his childhood on Long Island, has owned this property for four decades, according to Hilaria, making it sound like being a Baldwin in East Hampton is as iconic as being Bruce Springsteen in Asbury Park.

The Baldwins make it clear that they don’t want people to think there is anything unusual or privileged about them. Hilaria addresses the controversy over her accent, explaining that she grew up speaking two languages. She also acknowledges why some might have labeled her a gold digger early in her relationship with Alec, who is 25 years older than her. However, Alec points out that it was he who led her into the spotlight of tabloids. Hilaria even jokes about not understanding prenuptial agreements. Regardless of whether you believe her or not, their assertive denial of these labels is significant.

The show portrays Alec in a way that seems contradictory, making him appear as a good-natured individual despite his occasional grumpiness, which is difficult to overlook. As Hilaria states, “He can indeed be a curmudgeon, but the world misunderstands Alec.” In a 41-minute episode alone, she describes him using words such as funny, kind, attractive, intelligent, generous, and tender-hearted. When his imperfections or minor disagreements are addressed, they serve to highlight the relatability of the Baldwin family. Scenes discussing Alec’s OCD often feature him organizing the family’s messy pile of shoes. At one point, he expresses frustration over Hilaria no longer being collaborative in parenting, a sentiment that many husbands might recognize.

The portrayal of Rust in this reality show seems as if it was meticulously crafted by a crisis PR team, emphasizing the recognition that Hutchins and her family were the actual victims of the incident. However, the strain that the case has imposed on the Baldwins is evident, lending an authentic tone to what appears to be a monotonous infomercial of reality TV. The first episode ends merely 10 days before the trial, with Alec expressing his feelings, “I’m happier when I’m asleep than when I’m awake.” He then ponders a question that might cross the viewers’ minds, given the challenging parenting task he is undertaking at his age: “Why did I have seven kids?” This introspective moment between Alec and Hilaria is both sensitive and psychologically intricate, making one yearn for a show that truly delves into the humanity of the Baldwins, rather than constantly emphasizing their normalcy, much like a child tugging at a parent’s pant leg for attention.

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2025-02-20 20:06

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