This wasn't intended but caught my eye and what was planned for a short skimming and read-through developed into an actual, stop--sit down and read.I feel like a constant underdog. I always had the right intentions. I never wanted to hurt anyone and while I was passionate and extremely aggressive in my media life, it was always with regards to trying to be the talent that I knew I had in me always being aware of my own personal and professional shortcomings.
A friend forwarded me this rather riveting piece written by Alec Baldwin. It's worth reading, whether you think Mr. Baldwin is a dick or God's gift to the world.
It's compelling enough and very indicative of the current times; the place of caste system we live in today although on a much broader and massive scale because it involves bigger, larger media pastures. Nonetheless it reveals a constant in life that no matter how much you try to convey the truth, at least your interpretation of the truth, there are forces that will go to any cost to bring you down. It's just life. Part of the game. Some play it well, others not so well.
More importantly, it is a good read because it goes to the heart and dagger of public life and discourse that shouldn't be as toxic as it is but with the rise and power of the Internet and digital age, simply impossible.
I'm not defending Alec Baldwin, (as if he needs me), nor am I condoning his behavior --public/private, to some degree, only I found the following article to be a well-thought-out piece worthy of your time. All of you.
*Follow me on Twitter
It's everybody's fault but his, other than a couple of "I guess I shouldn't have done that" weak mea culpas...
ReplyDeleteHere's an idea, Alec...just fade away and do what you want to do, you don't have to explain it, go live a life that makes you happy, and don't send out a press release in the form of a multiple-page letter to a magazine
Funny how so many other people manage to get along in the spotlight just fine and not be an Alec Baldwin (or a Charlie Sheen, or a Mel Gibson). I never thought the bozo really had any talent either, just ego.
ReplyDeleteLack of humility.
DeleteHard to say how many of us critics would behave any better if we walked in their shoes...
I'm glad Alex got a little comeuppance, but he is correct about how overly aggressive the photographers are. Some of the photo man behavior he described is down right cruel and needlessly provocative. Alex is also correct in that whatever is thought to be PC is defended no matter the illogic or avoidable disaster. Those demanding ;tolerance' have become anything but.
ReplyDeleteHe means well. If somebody drives through a puddle and sprays you with muddy waters...then you get racist words coming out. Just venting,not believing. One day,he may get older and yet more wiser. I'm not making excuses,just explaining that he isn't saint liberal. Unlike those who spew those words never apologizing and meaning all the hate they mean.
ReplyDeleteYa geddet?
Stan back to racism, YET AGAIN, "...then you get racist words coming out." Talk about a one track mind. (make that a very narrow one track mind, HO scale model train likely)
DeleteAnd you..back to your only method,name calling. Racism to you doesn't exist.
DeleteNarrow mind..LOL. whew..look in the mirror!. In all you and your kind posts never have anything to say. I at least back it up.
Hey,why doesn't somebody use their name as a hard core Republican here?..because they know that they have no real defense. Like a Brian Sussman,they need to hide in a room. Gee,Brian sure dropped that caring for black kids like a rock when it didn't pay anymore.
That was an extra.
"He means well"
DeleteOh, so you guys hang out?
You're giving him a free pass because you're like minded...closed minded.
He's exactly what he appears to be until he proves otherwise.
411 He apologized,so what does that say about your size?
DeleteWhen did you ever care about Gays? You don't ..you just need to bash Baldwin with any stick you can find..uhuh. I know.
Stan, Your Sussman comment reminds me...
DeleteI remember an on-air conversation between Mel Morgan and the S-Man...long ago.
BS was speaking of authoring a book on 'Climate Change the horrible liberal Fraud'.
Melanie said, "Wow, Suss, you should do that, as a member of the American Meteorological Society, you could become very famous"!
Suss said, "I thought that would happen with my 'Brian's Kids' Adoption effort".
BS hasn't written a book on the subject recently, because people worldwide now know the drastic change in our climate is already progressing.
The cynicism and negativity and eagerness to think the worst of people here is discouraging, but I suppose it has become a common feature of the reader comments on most blogs, so I shouldn't be surprised.
DeleteI am not much of a fan of Brian Sussman, but just to be fair:
1. Just because he hasn't written any further books about global warming doesn't mean he no longer believes in what he wrote. He said what he had to say, and to merely repeat what he has written in the past WOULD be doing what you accuse him of, i.e. only interested in making money. Anyone who listens to him even occasionally can be in no doubt that his opinions have not changed. And incidentally, most of the climate scientists who previously were on board with global warming are now sceptical--and yes, I can provide the article about that if necessary.
2. Before you start hurling accusations of racism or only being interested in helping black kids if there's profit in it for him, I'm pretty sure I've heard Sussman say that one of his sons, whom he adopted, is black. Seems to me that is putting your money, and a lot more besides, where your mouth is.
354, lol...Adopting a black child isn't a guarantee of no racist attitudes. Its no guarantee of anything. Woody adopted a Asian girl..
DeleteWhat Sussman says on air is what he is. If not? Then his fault still.
Baldwin is incredibly talented IMHO, but I didn't read this article the same as Rich. I mean how many people did Alex throw under the bus, trying to blame them for his professional failures? Baldwin accuses Shia LeBeouf of entitlement? He denies calling people names, while calling his detractors names.
ReplyDeleteHow ironic he uses an article in New York Magazine accessed on the interwebs to complain about the New Media and the digital age we ALL live in.
I used to root for this guy, but we all work with divas and bullies. He's no different except he's got his 14+ mil. I truly hope he does take his toys and go away.
I wonder if the aggressive paparazzo on the bicycle was this guy, who rammed into Nicole Kidman a while back. Articles said he usually rides a bike to get at celebs in NY and has a reputation for being extremely aggressive.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBF0ffBHTr8
This is "all about ME!" Like the world owes Alec Baldwin a living. This reminds me so much of a certain talk show host here. Take a guess who. What crap and to think the New York Times wasted space on this moronic, way over the hill homophobe. "30 Rock" is over, Alec. Get a life. Now, he wants to come back to El Lay. Good gawd.
ReplyDeleteFirst, this is from "Vulture", which is a blog from New York Magazine, *not* the New York Times. Second, if you actually take the time to read it, it rings true. Yes, there's some rationalization in there on Alec's part, but even famous people have their limits when it comes to being on the receiving end of dickish behavior. Maybe if you yourself weren't such a dick, you'd get it.
DeleteDickweed @ 4:38 - The "story" was written after the essay was printed and it showed up in the "New York Daily News" today, asshole.
Deletehttp://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/new-york-daily-news/
Do some fucking homework. Sorry for the misprint about the Times, douchebag.
You're a prick, like Alec Baldwin. Get a life.
What nationality is Stan?
ReplyDeleteSwedish.
DeleteAll this yakety about anger boy and not a peep about Harold Ramis. Must be Monday.
ReplyDeleteI'll miss Harold Ramis, a true comic genius.
ReplyDeleteI love these celebs. They want privacy but then they expect us to listen and pay attention to what they have to say about things of which know no more than any of the rest of us. I do not feel at all sorry for Alec Baldwin. He's a very talented actor, but he's also had a lot of breaks, and life has been pretty good. So shut the f... up please!
ReplyDeleteAlec Baldwin is a gifted comedic actor and reliably expressive citizen whose talents came packaged in narcissistic, arrogant wrapping. He prides himself on his progressive politics but is simply too intellectually shallow to understand that the rise of progressive political power is, by necessity, always accompanied by severe limits on personal expression. In a culture in which the power to rule is indistinguishable from the power to condemn, condemnation becomes currency. Mr. Baldwin is targeted by media whores and victim groups for the same reason that fertile soil is sought by farmers: the desire for a bountiful harvest.
ReplyDeleteI don't support gay rights, women's issues, or race-related causes because I'm not foolish enough to believe that money, political support, or good intentions directed towards self-identified victims does anything besides transform volitional support into outright obligation. Maintaining one's progressive credentials requires not only unconditional support but unquestioning obedience to a code of language and behavior that is both arbitrary and contradictory. These "victims" have claimed the right to define morality, control the cultural lingua franca, and, at their whim, target and condemn American citizens for their investment portfolios, personal and professional friendships, and even their religious affiliations. It is a modern day Reign of Terror and Mr. Baldwin, a man whose villains have always been conservatives, has been declared an enemy of a very liberal revolution.
Your post is the proof I've been looking for. I KNEW somebody had been snooping in my diary and until now, I couldn't prove it.
DeleteSorry to change the subject but did anyone else catch Heather Holmes' runny nose live on tv? Holy Fuk! Her hotness factor went down a couple of notches for me. She was doing a live shot from the Miley Cyrcus concert and snot flew out and then she caught it with her lower lips. Oops.
ReplyDeleteCut her some slack, she grew up in Texas.
Delete> She was doing a live shot from the Miley Cyrcus concert and snot flew
Delete> out and then she caught it with her lower lips.
Appropriate for the assignment and the "artist" she was covering in this non-news story that wouldn't have happened in the Fred Zehnder days.