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Alec Baldwin’s Reality Show: A Family Drama or TV Catastrophe?

BBG News

Picture a well-known father, weary from the world yet still soft and loving, and a stylish, youthful mother. Mix them together with the chaotic delight that only seven charming offspring can bring, and you have the recipe for their vibrant family life.

It seemed as if the ideal concept for an engaging reality TV show was born when actor Alec Baldwin and his agile ‘yoga-entrepreneur’ wife Hilaria met with TLC executives to discuss a behind-the-scenes series about their family life. However, this idea might have been slightly overshadowed by the tension surrounding Alec’s upcoming involuntary manslaughter trial, stemming from an unfortunate accident where he accidentally took a woman’s life.

The initial episode of the newly released series that aired recently in the U.S. has been one of the most critically panned TV shows in several years.

In simpler terms, one reviewer labeled “The Baldwins” (the show’s title) as reaching “a new depth,” while another called it “one of the darkest and strangest television programs to emerge in recent times.

A significant number of Baldwin’s strongest critics came from liberal magazines that had previously lauded him, particularly for his over-the-top portrayals of Donald Trump on the TV show Saturday Night Live. He was known to be a staunch Democrat.

Given their inflated sense of self, one might wonder what motivated the couple to believe they could pull off such self-promoting exaggeration – presenting the gruff and diminished actor as a heartwarming family man – amidst the aftermath of the 2021 shooting tragedy involving cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the western film, Rust.

Despite a judge dismissing the involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin last year due to procedural reasons, many feel that he should be held accountable and he continues to face multiple lawsuits. One of these suits is from Hutchins’ family, who argue they have not received ‘justice’.

This week, a group of PR experts specializing in crisis management shared with the Mail that it’s hard to conceive of any experienced consultant endorsing the idea of the Baldwins participating in a reality show, especially not under these specific conditions.

Conversely, the TLC network seems to undermine the family brand due to its association with shows perceived as crass and bland, like ‘1000-lb Sisters’ and ‘Pregnant Behind Bars’.

It’s being widely discussed in Hollywood circles that it was Hilaria, a persistent self-publicist and entrepreneur, who allegedly planned a hoax that could potentially destroy the already fragile career of her spouse.

Readers might recall that Hilaria found herself grappling with a challenging situation concerning her public persona following the revelation in 2020 that she had claimed to be Spanish, although this was later found to be untrue.

Actually, it was Boston where she spent both her birth and upbringing; however, her name wasn’t Hilaria, rather, she went by Hillary Hayward-Thomas. The only connection she had to Spain was a vacation home that her parents owned in Majorca.

It appears she may be attempting to appear more intriguing by frequently speaking with a Spanish accent, and during a cooking segment on morning television, she famously inquired, ‘What is the English term for this?’ while gesturing towards a cucumber.

In the premiere episode, titled ‘Along Came Hilaria’, she appears to be the primary catalyst of the series’ action. Frequently, she takes the spotlight while her larger, sometimes untidy husband stumbles around in a supporting role, occasionally hamming it up for the cameras with excessive displays of frustration.

In an unusual moment, 41-year-old Hilaria is depicted creating a seating arrangement chart, specifically for the two vehicles – a Range Rover and a Cadillac – that would transport them from their expensive apartment in Manhattan to their luxurious Hamptons residence during their three-month summer vacation.

‘That’s typical Hilaria,’ someone who knows the couple told me. ‘She likes to be in control.’

On Tuesday, more signs of her dominating tendencies and quick temper surfaced as a Donald Trump imitator provoked Alec outside their residence in Greenwich Village.

66-year-old Baldwin was captured on video arguing with comedian Jason Stoops, during which he stated, “Without this camera, I’d swiftly break your neck in two pieces, correct here and now.

As stated by Stoop, when the camera stopped recording, Hilaria suddenly appeared and pursued him along the street in her high heels, scolding him and attempting to grab his phone.

‘They’re very protective of each other, just as they are of their children,’ says one source.

Without a doubt, there’s a lot at stake with this questionable television venture of the Baldwins. Matt DelPiano, Hilaria and Alec Baldwin’s manager, declined to comment on speculations that Hilaria was the driving force behind the project, but he did tell The Mail that they didn’t make the decision to produce it solely as he too had a role in it.

He asserted that ‘criticism for the initial episode has been relatively scarce’, further mentioning that ‘it’s been warmly appreciated by TLC, and everyone associated with it is quite content with it.’

Others might beg to differ.

This week, Howard Lee, the Chief Creative Officer of Warner Bros Discovery’s U.S. TV networks (encompassing both TLC and Discovery+, the broadcaster airing the show in the UK), disclosed that they had to compete with other companies for the opportunity to produce the series.

He confided in Vulture.com that he was taken aback by the couple’s decision to join the series, yet he acknowledged it. He further stated, “I found it quite surprising, but I believe they required this show. I think they feel misrepresented. They truly sought a platform where they can express their thoughts openly.

In episode one, some aspects that are apparently preoccupying the characters are shockingly insensitive – even though they occasionally express sympathy for Halyna’s tragic demise, particularly considering her young son, they seem to focus more on lamenting their own misfortunes.

At times, I find myself asking, “What’s the reason for having seven children?” Only then do I understand – they are there to assist us both in navigating this challenging time, according to Baldwin’s words.

Afterward, he humbly shares: ‘My primary worry is ensuring that my eight kids, including Ireland, who I had with my first wife Kim Basinger, understand how much I care for them.’

In the initial installment, Baldwin talks candidly about his battles with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) following Hutchins’ demise.

Despite facing years of ridicule for her peculiar Spanish portrayal, Hilaria might reap similar benefits as her spouse by embracing reality TV’s shameless flattery. This approach presents her more as a comforting, nurturing mother than the assertive individual often criticized for narcissism. (The show is marketed as ‘unrestricted access into the peaks and troughs of one of the world’s most renowned and controversial families.’)

In 2011, a vegetarian restaurant in Manhattan was the venue where the yoga instructor and Alec Baldwin first locked eyes. She responded to his gaze with a wink. As she continued her meal, he persistently looked at her until she approached his table. Upon reaching him, he grasped her hand and said, “I feel compelled to know you. I feel compelled to know you,” as she later reminisced about their initial meeting, which involved a man who was 26 years older than herself.

Since they married in 2012, she’s worked tirelessly to exploit her celebrity link.

Through her connections, Baldwin secured a position as a ‘style reporter’ on a television program focused on show business. A year following her marriage, she was ranked second (behind Kate Middleton) in a Vanity Fair list celebrating the most stylish pregnant celebrities.

Or:

Baldwin landed a job as a ‘fashion and lifestyle correspondent’ on a popular TV show thanks to her connections. One year after tying the knot, she was runner-up to Kate Middleton in Vanity Fair’s list of best-dressed pregnant celebrities.

To boost sales of her fitness DVDs like Fit Mommy-to-Be Prenatal Yoga, she frequently shares numerous photos of herself on social media platforms, frequently demonstrating daring yoga poses while wearing high heels – even one instance where her leg was draped around a man’s neck at a dining table in a restaurant.

2016 saw her sharing a photograph on Twitter, just a day following her delivery, showcasing her admirable post-pregnancy physique in a bra and pants. Her intention was to ‘make natural bodies more commonplace and foster positive body image’, as she clarified.

In 2020, as she was compelled to refute claims that she had fraudulently claimed Spanish identity for years, a wave of laughter swept across the United States.

All of her online resumes stated that she was born in Spain. At her wedding to Baldwin, she donned a traditional Spanish ‘mantilla’ veil and accessorized with a flamenco fan, expressing later on: “I enjoyed incorporating a touch of my cultural heritage.

‘The woman once referred to as ‘Cucumber Woman’ continues to grapple with the aftermath of this nickname. One television critic expressed hope that during The Baldwins, Hilaria would take the opportunity to clarify her past.’

After losing her old Spanish accent, she tried: “I’ve grown quite fond of English, and I still adore Spanish. It isn’t inauthentic for me to blend the two languages; instead, it feels natural.

Regarding Alec, the loving father portrayed in The Baldwins, contrasts significantly with the incident back in 2007, where he left an offensive voicemail for his daughter, Ireland, at the time 11 years old, referring to her as a ‘rude, thoughtless little swine’.

Baldwin has consistently maintained his innocence regarding Hutchins’ demise, emphasizing that he had been informed the firearm was devoid of live bullets and that the use of live ammo is prohibited on film sets.

The actor too claimed he didn’t fire the gun, however, the prosecution argued that the findings from the forensic reports contradicted his version of events.

Besides George Clooney, other professionals within the movie business emphasize the importance of actors verifying that any guns they handle on set are not loaded with real ammunition before filming.

Additionally, Baldwin may encounter further potential humiliation with the upcoming release next month of a documentary titled “Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna,” produced by the deceased filmmaker’s friend, Rachel Mason.

In a television interview shortly following Hutchins’ demise, Baldwin expressed that his grief had left him indifferent towards his professional life, stating something along the lines of, “I no longer care about my career.

However, legal documents submitted by his representatives assert that the decision to prosecute him led to a decline in acting opportunities and financial losses.

In January, Baldwin filed a lawsuit against those attorneys, arguing that they were influenced by an overzealous desire to convict him based on faulty motives.

Instead of revealing specifics about his forthcoming movies to The Mail, his manager merely confirmed that the four projects currently labeled as ‘pre-production’ on IMDb.

Unlike the large-scale movies where Alec Baldwin, who’s known for his roles in The Hunt for Red October and Beetlejuice, once appeared, these are a different kind.

Despite being completed last year, the lingering apprehension about its tumultuous past has so far prevented Rust from securing a U.S. distributor.

According to certain reports, it’s been proposed that financial considerations could have influenced the Baldwins’ decision to participate in a reality show.

As a lifestyle expert, I can’t help but point out an intriguing observation from The Baldwins’ show. Rapidly, it becomes evident that this couple has substantial expenses – two expansive residences, seven energetic children, and two nannies (initially, they only make brief appearances in the first episode, which, let’s not forget, is all about the Baldwins’ tireless dedication to parenthood).

Additionally, he has a high-profile legal team headed by renowned lawyer Alex Spiro, known for representing figures like Elon Musk. His hourly rate is set at a steep $3,000.

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I must share an update regarding the esteemed Baldwin family and their luxurious Hamptons residence. Since the year 2022, they’ve been attempting to find a new owner for this stunning property. In a recent effort to make it more enticing, they’ve reduced the asking price by a significant $10 million, now listing it at $28.9 million. If you’re in the market for a top-tier Hamptons home, this could be your chance!

Preliminary data suggests that viewers are not hastily tuning in to The Baldwins, with only about 680,000 viewers in the U.S. on its premiere night. It appears that as a public relations endeavor, it has had an unfavorable outcome, according to professionals in the field, as reported by the Mail.

Mark Borkowski, a renowned PR expert from Britain, coined the term ‘Baldwin Redemption Tour’ for the TV show. However, instead of redemption, he suggested it’s more like a gradual, disastrous accident disguised as a comforting portrayal of family life.

‘This show, masquerading as reality TV, is actually a poor attempt at self-glorification. Its purpose isn’t entertainment, but rather to restore an image.’

He continued by saying, ‘It was supposed to be a thoughtful, gradual, gentle process of managing the situation. But instead, it turned out to be insensitive, self-centered ranting.’

If the intention was to present Hilaria as ‘genuine’, unfortunately, this attempt backfired significantly. Borkowski noted that PR catastrophes such as this one are rare, but when they occur, they are incredibly intriguing to observe.

Kari Morrissey, the special prosecutor in Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter case, shared with me: ‘I haven’t seen the show and don’t plan to see it, but I don’t find any reason to contradict the views of the critics. This aligns with my interactions with Mr. Baldwin throughout the criminal trial.’

Hollywood crisis manager Holly Baird shared that she’s met Alec Baldwin on multiple occasions, finding him to be a ‘genuine, kind-hearted individual’. However, she observed that their efforts to involve The Baldwins in the aftermath of the Halyna Hutchins tragedy seemed like an attempt to present Alec as more relatable and empathetic.

Speaking about Hutchins, it was suggested that the shadow of his passing might linger on his professional legacy for quite a while. However, it would have been wiser if he had focused more on noble acts and philanthropy instead.

Regarding Hilaria, Baird diplomatically commented: “If that’s her method of making a global introduction, I’m not convinced it’s the most effective approach.

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2025-03-01 03:35

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