That’s a question NBC apparently had to ponder. According to the AP, which got a sneak peak at the transcript of Alec Baldwin’s pre-taped visit to The View (airing tomorrow), the actor asked NBC to let him out of this contract so he could focus on the issues of divorce litigation (he has a book in the works on the topic) and spare the 30 Rock cast and crew any "hurt by the situation." NBC issued the statement: "Alec Baldwin remains an important part of 30 Rock. We look forward to having him continue his role in the show." And though no one’s said how long Baldwin’s current contract runs, the series — which airs its first season finale tonight — has already been renewed for the fall.
The View chat, conducted by Barbara Walters and soon-to-be-departing Rosie O’Donnell, will no doubt raise some interesting questions. But I’ve got one of my own: Has Baldwin’s "situation" actually affected fans’ appreciation for him, the show, or anyone associated with it? I’m guessing not, but the ratings will tell.
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Oh my god Mandi – I love Alec even more after the whole ranting and raving he did on that phone. I’m waiting for 30 Rock to come out on video so that I can catch up on the show. DON’T LET ALEC GO!
He is such a (rough) “daddy”!
Not at all. Hey, people say stuff they regret, even to those they love. Especially to those they love.
Yay, 30 Rock DVDs, thanks for reminding me that I can look forward to those, Ed!
Any parent who says that they have never lost their temper with a child is a liar. What is disgusts me more is the person who leaked this to the press for their own personal gain or satisfaction (looking your way Kim Basinger). Maybe if parents were more strict with their children we wouldn’t have teenagers and young adults walking around campuses with guns. I would hate to see him leave ‘30 Rock’ In my opinion, funniest host of SNL ever.
I agree. I got 5 kids that I love more than life, but I’ve said stupid things like Baldwin did. I’m human and somewhat of an idiot at times. I always regret my irrationality.
Whoever leaked this had evil intentions and needs councelling just as much as he does.
I love 30 Rock. I would watch it without him but I dont think it would survive however. He is the unofficial star of that show.
Also he is just a frustrated dad talking to his immature daughter. I have seen plenty of parents say things similar to what Baldwin said. Kids will be kids.
NONONONONONONONO…Dont leave Alec. I admit at first i was leary at the thought of him being the show, but he is HILARIOUS!…i agree he is the unoffical star. hopefully the summer break will allow him to tackle his personal issues..but please dont go….:(
Alec Baldwin is a comic genius. In every role he has, no matter big or small, he absolutely steals the show. It would be horrible if he left 30 Rock, even though his divorce situation is horrendous. Yes, perhaps he reacted overly harshly with his daughter, but many exasperated parents have done the same (I know my parents had similar outbursts, but I am grown and love them all the same). All I know is 30 Rock will definitely fail without his character (charming though the rest of the cast is).
No. He makes the show.
They would have to get Richard Gere or Rob Lowe (to reprise the smarmy role from ‘Thank You for Not Smoking.’ I think Gere could go smarmy.
Great show – but would not be the same without Baldwin. I’m more a fan of his today than whoever leaked that voice message. Divorce is hell but custody battles are in an evil soul-killing league of their own. I agree with the poster who said “people say stuff they regret, even to those they love.”
I’ve been trying to ignore the whole Alec Baldwin phone rant thing because I’ve always liked his work and if you haven’t been called rude, thoughtless or a pig by the time you graduate high school you’re not fulfilling your proper role as a teenager to drive your parents crazy. I’m pretty sure I was called all three for teenage misbehavior and I generally think I have excellent parents.
Everybody blows their gasket and Alec and his daughter had their privacy severely violated by whoever released that tape. Alec was having a great year professionally and someone wanted to destroy that.
As to 30 Rock, Alec just needs to take a deep breath and stop the crazy talk about leaving. This has probably been the worst week of his life but he just needs to not do anything hasty and know that he still has fans out there. Jack Donaghy is one of the most brilliant comic characters on tv and I would be extremely sad if Baldwin’s personal issues forced him off my television.
Alec CANNOT leave 30 Rock. Jack and “Lemon” MAKE this show!!! I also lurved him in “The Departed” Best lines of the Season. Cannot wait for the DVD
i would continue to watch: it’s the best comedy on television (sorry Office and How I Met Your Mother). but i’d be surprised if it didn’t drop from A-to-B quality…
As a Baldwin fan and 30 Rock fan I would hate to see Alec leave the series. It may kill 30 Rock should he leave, however family always come first. Should he decide to leave, I wish him well and I will continue to watch the best new show on television.
Alec’s behavior has not at all affected my love for the show. But I would still DEFINITELY watch it without him. I don’t think he “makes” the show, every member of the cast brings something essential. Just replace him with Will Arnett and we’re all good.
I think the show would suffer greatly without him, but I’ll continue to watch. I really, really, really, really, really hope he stays.
What Alec said is really no big deal. Shoot, my parents have said worse to me. It’s really just the media’s fault for having a slow news day and replaying the tape over and over like it was some sort of world altering event. If Alec left 30 Rock that would be just as bad as the show getting cancelled, though, really, we all know its headed to TV heaven anyways.
He has said in the past that he wants to quit acting and he never does. In fact, he keeps getting better. He’s not going anywhere for now.
Feh, I’ve heard celebs say worse. 30 Rock loses it’s appeal without Alec Baldwin. His deadpan expression and sense of comedic timing leave me rolling on the floor every time. I hope the show comes back next season with its whole cast still present.
30 Rock would not be the same show without Al…I don’t think I’d watch it any more. I feel bad for his daughter, but I also feel bad for him, because I’ve heard parents say and do much much worse to their children during an afternoon at Wal-Mart. Sometimes parents just lose their cool!
To be honest I would have said similar to my kids if they were misbehaving but not stuff like when I get back I am going to teach you a lesson,etc. If she was misbehaving I would have scolded the kid and sent her to her room. Still I am not sure who linked what to the press but I think that it was a personal matter between Ireland’s parents and the publicty person(s)responsible should have minded their own business. Alec’s character is hilarious. I can’t see the show working without it.
I would not watch 30 Rock without Baldwin, heck, I don’t even watch it with him.
I don’t think any worse of Alec–I wish he would stay though. The lines between Lemon & Jack are great and he would be hard to replace. I lurve the show–just keep it on! Mwaa to Kevin the Page.
I don’t think any worse of Alec–I wish he would stay though. The lines between Lemon & Jack are great and he would be hard to replace. I lurve the show–just keep it on! Mwaa to Kenny the Page.
I consider my parents to be the best on earth but if some of the stuff we have said to each other in anger got released to the public we’d be mortified beyond belief. This is a private, personal, family matter and should remain that way. Please stay on the show, Alec! We love you!
I have never watched this show BECAUSE Alec Baldwin is on it. Him writing a book on divorce litigation is like the guy who’s been divorced four times writing a book on how to have a successful marriage.
hell no. i love the show and the cast. love tina fey but alec makes the show. the show is having a hard enought time getting ratings, with alec leaving ..it’s def a death wish
Watch “30 Rock” without Alec Baldwin?! “What am I, a farmer?” (to quote Alec Baldwin)
To be honest, the phone call didn’t bother me too much. I know plenty of divorced parents who use their kids as pawns, play mind games, turn the children against the estranged parent, etc. Now, Alec used poor judgment in yelling at his daughter for missing his visit (the 12-year-old can’t drive herself there, can she?) and calling her a name was very, very, low, but I understand why he took it there. He may not win the father of the year award, but he definitely forgivable!
And Miss Vicki Vale is not all innocent here. Doesn’t anyone aside from me remember her HBO special on her panic/anxiety disorder? Why are people acting like Alec is the only bad guy here when Basinger has admitted having psychological issues?
Divorce is hard. It’s frustrating, difficult, sad, and most of all private. The fact that a private phone call from father to daughter would cause a man to lose his job is just ridiculous.
30 Rock without Alec. What’s the point of that? He makes the show.
While I think we’ve all said things to our kids we later regret, I do think Alec went way over the line in his tirade. That said, I really love him as an actor and he’s the #1 reason I watch 30 Rock. Don’t know if I’d watch it without him…and I frankly doubt the show would last much longer if he left.