Alec Baldwin is in discussions with ABC about
developing a talk show for the network. Whether Baldwin gets a daytime show or
nighttime show has yet to be determined. Alec Baldwin may not be the right personality
type to host a talk show.
Baldwin has a personal history fraught with
beefs. The list of Baldwin adversaries includes quite a spectrum; from
PETA-style confrontations with Central Park horse-drawn carriage drivers to a
very nasty marital breakup with Kim Basinger.
In the space of just the last few months we
have 3 Alec Baldwin incidents to report:
1)
Alec called a guy in a black SUV a “meatball” and for apparently
driving his car down a New York City street in a manner Alec found displeasing.
2)
Alec got arrested for riding his bike the wrong way on Fifth
Avenue. He got angry with the arresting officer. An Irish-American like Baldwin
should know better than to denigrate New York City cops.
3)
Alec took on the #MeToo movement and got in an inflammatory email
exchange with Asia Argento, Rose McGowan, and Anthony Bourdain. Any male taking
on the Me Too movement in a less than supportive way reveals his masochistic
tendencies. Or maybe, Alec is just argumentative….?
The “hot” side of Alec Baldwin may not work
for the role of talk show host. By “hot” I don’t mean good-looking. Baldwin
looks great on TV. The “hot-headed side of Baldwin hints he is not a good fit
for the interviewer’s spot in the world of TV talk. The hot attributes I see in Alec Baldwin mean that his presentation
style may be too intense for the talk show format.
Here is what Marshall McLuhan said on the
topic of the talk:
· The talk show host offers a “low-pressure style of presentation.”
(Understanding
Media 310)
· The talk show welcomes the viewer through the use of “spontaneous
casualness.” The viewer, deeply involved in a cool medium, closes the TV image.
(Understanding
Media 317)
Think
about the Late Night talk show hosts through history and you get a list of low
pressure presenters:
Steve
Allen
Johnny
Carson
Merv
Griffin
David
Letterman
Jay Leno
Jimmy
Kimmel
Jimmy
Fallon
Seth
Meyers
Stephen Colbert
is not a classic low-key presenter. On The
Daily Show, Colbert developed a high-intensity persona, a faux right
wing, Bill O’Reilly knock-off. Colbert got his own show. The show moved at a NASCAR pace. Doing his rapid fire interviews on the Colbert Report Colbert steam rolled guests, always going for the comedy jugular.
Alec
Baldwin’s suitability as a talk show host remains to be seen. He has moved into
the spotlight. Doing Donald Trump on SNL Baldwin
has achieved cult status across America. Alec’s confidence is flying high, but
he must come down to earth to become a skilled talk show host.
Baldwin’s
personality traits will determine the outcome. Success does not hinge solely on
good looks; nor even on intelligence and
a great sense of humor. Baldwin is strong in all these regards.
More
important than comic brilliance, is the tone of the show emanating from the
host. Baldwin goes awry if gets too opinionated and self-centered. A
self-centered, grandiose host does not win the love of the audience.
The overly
opinionated host brands himself as just too
hot for the medium. The Rush Limbaughs of the world do not work on TV. David
Letterman mastered the art of interviewing guests without pre-judging. Dave’s
opinions came across subtly, especially as he matured as a performer.
Alec
Baldwin, must come across as a low key presenter. The nurturant male host
supports and listens to his guests. There must be genuine interest in the other
person.
Baldwin’s
approach to his guests will determine his show’s ratings and success. He cannot
be that guy that argues with guys in the street and gets in disputes with cops.
Time will
tell. Stay tuned…
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