Rather surprising news coming from our friends over at TMZ.com: Alec Baldwin has told his bosses at NBC that he wants to be let out of his 30 Rock contract.
The news actually came during an appearance on ABC's The View (which seems to be the epicenter of all TV-related and celeb news these days). Baldwin pre-taped the interview today, which focused a lot on his recent problems with a phone call, and it will air this Friday morning.
No word on whether or not the recent controversy involving Baldwin is the reason why he wants to be let go from the show or whether he just wants to "pursue other opportunities," as they say, but the next few weeks should be interesting. Baldwin is one of the big draws on 30 Rock.
Update: NBC says no to Baldwin's request (though I guess that doesn't mean he can't leave when his contract is up).
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
4-25-2007 @ 4:50PM
Karen said...
Frankly, after the news of that phone call broke I was wondering if NBC would want to boot him, despite his being the primary draw for that show. Interesting that now the shoe appears to be on the other foot.
I can't imagine the show without him, personally. Unless they bring Will Arnett back to succeed him, and even then--maybe not. Baldwin MAKES that show.
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4-25-2007 @ 4:52PM
admiralawesome1 said...
Well, that's one less show on my Tivo Wishlist...
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4-25-2007 @ 4:57PM
Bill said...
Will Arnett would fill in admirably, but that would really suck for 30 Rock if he left. But you can't blame the guy if he wants to get out of the spotlight and work on personal issues.
http://popculturejunk.blogspot.com/
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4-25-2007 @ 5:26PM
Jeff N. said...
Without Alex Bladwin you might as well cancel 30 Rock.
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4-25-2007 @ 5:29PM
Clint said...
This really sucks. The show was finally hitting it's stride. Let's see, NBC needs to replace a big star on a comedy show.
I SMELL A RETURN OF JON LOVITZ!!!!
http://www.tvdeuce.com
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4-25-2007 @ 5:32PM
Borat said...
Oh shit please no! Baldwin is not the only funny aspect of 30 Rock, but he's definitely the funniest!
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4-25-2007 @ 5:35PM
bgdc said...
No Baldwin = No 30 Rock. He's the reason to watch. Could be a negotiating ploy. Maybe he'll force the NBC execs to sit on the floor...
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4-25-2007 @ 5:36PM
Bebop said...
If they were to replace him, which I hope the don't, I have a suggestion besides Arnett...Christopher Walken.
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4-25-2007 @ 5:37PM
Scruffy said...
I always thought it was dangerous to have a star like Baldwin on the show, he such a big star you could just see him screaming to be let out eventually, albeit much earlier than I thought.
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4-25-2007 @ 5:39PM
ugtv.org said...
Borat, I agree with you, Baldwin is not the only funny aspect of 30 Rock, but he is a key one. And as it was shown in "News Radio," you can't take a key element out of a sitcom and expect it to be as good as it was. Phil Hartman dying signaled the death of "News Radio," as Alex Baldwin leaving will signify the death of 30 Rock.
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4-25-2007 @ 5:40PM
Jake said...
I'd love to see Rip Torn and Will Arnett become full time. That would be a Hilarius exec team. If anyone can make Alec Baldwin an after thought, it's Tina Fey!
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4-25-2007 @ 5:53PM
MacGuffin said...
I agree, Alec Baldwin makes this show. He is absolutely brilliant in this role.
Otherwise, 30 Rock is just another SNL skit that should have stayed at 11:30 PM Saturday.
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4-25-2007 @ 6:33PM
dkny said...
this is the price we pay for putting these people's personal lives under a microscope - that was a private conversaton with no context - this is bullshit
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4-25-2007 @ 6:55PM
Amy said...
NOOOOOO!!!!! Oh that SUCKS! That totally SUCKS!
MAN!
I do have faith in Tina Fey. The Baldwinisms are priceless, but there are other funny things about the show, too (I'm trying REAL hard not to think about Jane K right now, ok?!), and I do think that Will Arnett could fill Alec's shoes.
I wonder if Baldwin chose to quit the show since it's filmed in NY and his kid lives in LA. I can understand him wanting to be closer to her. The whole situation is so sad.
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4-25-2007 @ 6:55PM
Vito said...
They'll keep his contract alive, I'm guessing. At least until they can come up with a decent replacement. Alec Baldwin is great, but it would be possible to find someone else good if given time. Tina Fey has made brilliant casting choices, no reason to think she wouldn't continue to do so.
But he'll probably reconsider. All this will be out of the public's mind soon enough. Not like there's a long history of this, it was just one outburst out of frustration that we will never come close to understanding.
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4-25-2007 @ 6:57PM
Vito said...
UPDATE: NBC has issued a statement to TMZ that says "Alec Baldwin remains an important part of '30 Rock.' We look forward to having him continue his role in the show."
In other words, "No."
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4-25-2007 @ 7:14PM
radwimp said...
I really would miss him, but I thought last weeks episode was great, and Alec was hardly in it. So I think I would still watch... and if they got Arnett or Rip Torn as a replacement the show would be even better.
Hopefully it's just an overreaction though, and he can be talked down.
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4-25-2007 @ 7:23PM
Elf said...
Vito, I think a closer translation of the statement from NBC would be "You must be f---ing kidding!"
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4-25-2007 @ 7:28PM
kel said...
NBC is advertising the upcoming finale of 30 Rock as a "finale." Not "series finale" or "season finale," just "finale." Why are they leaving it open? Hmmmm...
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4-25-2007 @ 9:21PM
James said...
I love to see Will Arnett in Alec's role but I think his movie career's taking off and so that probably won't happen.
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