Alec Baldwin takes on the world
Posted by Dan
September 9th, 2008 at 01:15pm
In General
Perhaps you’ve heard the news, but Alec Baldwin is a nutbag. We all love him as Jack on 30 Rock, but the fact remains that he’s clearly been a bit off-kilter since that whole daughter voicemail incident.
The most recent occurence of this is his quote in the New Yorker where he goes off on My Name is Earl and Scrubs, saying (among other things) that the shows are “cooked” and “done.” Of course, he caught hell from NBC and they forced him to apologize.
“My apologies to the cast and crews of My Name Is Earl and Scrubs. In my frustration with NBC’s reprehensible promotion of 30 Rock, I took an unfortunate swipe at both of those shows and that was not cool. But, for Earl’s creator, Greg Garcia, who referred to me as a “psychotic”, I have only one question. Why are you Scientologists always rendering these medical opinions you aren’t qualified to give?”
Then, in a beautiful turn of events, Greg Garcia issued this statement via Gawker. I’m no fan of Earl, but it’s pretty priceless.
“Alec, I can’t tell you how happy I am to once again point out that you are an idiot. I’m unable to answer your question about Scientologists because, although I respect anyone’s right to their own beliefs, I am not currently nor have I ever been a Scientologist. Maybe you should have done some research that extended past the comments section of Defamer before you crafted your insult.”
“If you choose to attack me again may I suggest something witty about me creating the show Yes Dear or just simply a joke about the fact that I’m bald. Both true.
“As far as you being psychotic, anyone who thinks NBC wouldn’t do everything they could to promote a great show like 30 Rock, which they own, over a show like My Name is Earl, which they don’t, is a tad nutty.
“Good luck with the Emmys and don’t forget to tune in for the one hour season premiere of My Name is Earl September 25th.”
“Done” and “Cooked” could mean anything. I thought the point he was making was that My Name is Earl and Scrubs don’t need the help from NBC that 30 Rock does. They’re long-established shows with no real need for a constant barrage of marketing from NBC, whereas 30 Rock is barely hanging on in the ratings. Anyway, as Billy says in the article (which is terrific and should be read in full) “There’s always something for him to fucking whine about.”