Wednesday, April 7, 2010

the essentials


I was a little more than leery when Turner Classic Movies announced last year that Alec Baldwin would co-host Saturday night's The Essentials with the astute Robert Osborne. I must admit, I don't particularly care for Baldwin. How could he, of all people, possibly have anything to say about classic film?

After the first few segments last year, I thought, "Dearest Bob, Bob, Bob, are you off your noodle?" There, in the ubiquitous matching red chairs, were the oh-so-classy Osborne, offering his wealth of film knowledge with his usual gracious elegance, and Baldwin slouched back, arrogantly hogging the conversation. It was the pairing of a tall flute of champagne with a can of beer. I cringed. How could it possibly come to this?

But, as the year progressed, Baldwin surprised me. He's actually quite articulate and knowledgeable about film. Who knew? I must say he looks pretty darn dapper these days, assuming his best "come hither" posture on the edge of his red leather chair. And do I detect the slightest adding of gray around his face? Perhaps he is being groomed to succeed the 78 year old Osborne? Ah, but I still rue the day, since Robert Osborne is quite the essential in my little book.

47 comments:

  1. I agree with you observation regarding Mr Baldwin. I don't watch TV so I am glad I am not seeing this changeover in the making. You say that Baldwin is showing signs of knowledge. Sorry, I just cannot picture that.

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  2. interesting. dont watch TV either, so, but can not imagine Baldwin in a role like this...

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  3. I don't share your evaluation of Baldwin. He strikes me as a lightweight,flippant showman. I hope the producers think this out.

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  4. I'll have to admit, I don't watch TV either, except for TCM. I'm a huge film buff and enjoy all the classic films offered uncut and without commercials.

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  5. Well that will teach you to be nasty to cans of beer. There's many a can of real ale I would prefer to a luke-warm bottle of Dom PĂ©rignon.

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  6. How ghastly is this!! Baldwin is fighting for his career while, I agree, no one can replace the classy Robert Osborne. We will have to discuss this further.
    :) The Bach

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  7. Ah, the Baldwins and the Sheens: True specimens of a dysfunctional and defective species! Pass me a beer!

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  8. Hee, Alan, I actually thought you might have something to say about that!

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  9. HORRORS! Robert doesn't need a co-host, never did in my book. TCM was one of the few channels I used to get ( alas, no longer ). But I can 'net surf it :)

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  10. Excellent point, Subby. Osborne is perfect unto himself. I could listen to him for hours.

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  11. We don't know of Osbourne in the Antipodes...at least I don't. But a Baldwin who is adding grey around the face and a paunch around the middle...much more acceptable now perhaps!

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  12. Osborne certainly doesn't need a co-host; but, since he's now got one, give me Alec Baldwin... any time. He may have lots of dysfunction going on, but he amuses me and knows his movie trivia.

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  13. uh oh...not into t.v. here either..except for the weather channel...and ..o.k. here i go..i am gonna say it.....QVC

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  14. I feel pretty sure Robert O is getting ready to back off and let Alec take over. I am amazed at Alec Baldwin, I don't see how he keeps on adding all the accolades he gets from 30 Rock, or whatever. I don't watch much TV either, but hear his name thrown around a lot. I have been getting Mad Men from Netflix and absolutely love it.
    QMM

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  15. Oh, no. I'm secretly in love with Alec Baldwin, despite his bad boy status. He's brilliantly funny -- I can't get enough of him, actually --

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  16. Alec Baldwin appears more rough-edged and rugged, more comedic with abit of roguish, Guinness-drinking Irishman "temper". However, Alec did seem to offer many intelligent insights into the film Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. He seems to know a lot about the technical side of film; probably from years of being in the biz. Maybe he took direction and researched the subject prior to The Essentials filming. Of course no one can ever replace the one and only Robert Osbourne; he's a rare class act!

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  17. What I love about Liberals that Conservatives don't possess is that Liberals have the willingness to change their opinions.

    The phrase the pairing of a tall flute of champagne with a can of beer is delightful! Thanks.

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  18. Thanks, Nick. I try to keep an open mind.

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  19. I don't watch much TV, but this looks like it would be a worthwhile show to watch.

    I think all of the Baldwin brothers have a terrific sexy voice (just don't tell Mr. Wellborn that...).

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  20. I have to say he surprised me, too.
    Hey - looking pretty spiffy (and spring-y) over here!

    Catherine

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  21. "I want my, I want my P-TV!" Where my money is for something and the chicks ain't free! With apologies to Dire Straits (I just love the opening guitar rif for that song). TCM is second only to PBS! I have just renewed my subscription to NOW PLAYING! How nerdy is that? I think Alec has done a prety good job, but Robert Osborne has a passion and the knowledge for the films that few others could match! Well said, Willow!

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  22. "a tall flute of champagne with a can of beer" --- HA!
    Alec can spiff himself up but will NEVER be the man that Mr. Osborne is!

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  23. I've seen the pair talking about films a couple of times and I found Baldwin surprisingly interesting. I liked hearing what he had to offer.

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  24. I agree with you. The only thing we watch on TV is movies...and we love Robert Osborne.

    I have grown to like Alec Baldwin despite the fact I had prejudged him and was prepared to dislike the format. Baldwin really loves film and he and Osborne are a good match. Who knew?

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  25. Come hither pose? That made me smile as much as the post I saw on another blog of a clothesline filled with a washing. LOL

    Enjoy this day. It was your future yesterday.

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  26. Hello Willow,

    Well, I'm ignorant of both these gentlemen but I imagine that the TV bosses thought Baldwin would be a good foil to Osborne and could attract a slightly different audience. Hopefully their talents complement each other.

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  27. I love TV shows that I select for their great plots and characters. I record them on Verizon's DVR and I never have to watch commercials. An hour show becomes 45 minutes.If I watch something live, I read during commercials or work on crafts.As a retired person, I have the luxury of time and it is only one thing I can choose to do. I would never say I don't read newspapers or magazines because there might be some commercials. I read newspapers online and commercials are rampant. I tune them out if I want. Commerce doesn't bother me.

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  28. I know what you mean about Alec Baldwin - in fact the other Baldwins as well. I can't remember the name of the one that was in the UK reality show - Big Brother - it was the Christian fundamentalist Baldwin. Gosh, he did go on.

    I love your new spring look.

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  29. For some reason Alec Baldwin always reminds me of his cameo in Glengarry Glen Ros.

    Greetings from Kuala Lumpur

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  30. Hello, Mr. Cuban! I'm honored you're dropping in from such a far off spot. Hope you're enjoying your holiday. xx

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  31. There is just something about Baldwin, since his role in South Pacific, my thoughts started to be altered ever so slightly, he is really kinda a funny in a beer commercial kinda way.

    I'm waiting for the Shakespeare role...shudder...who knows, I love a hearty, stout beer!

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  32. Yes, I admit it, weakling that I am, I do watch TV. And even enjoy it.

    There I said it.

    Now leave me to writhe in my hideous shame, bereft of friends and respect.

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  33. Well, Barry, you're in good company, because I obviously watch it!

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  34. Big Robert Osborne fan. I'll give anybody a chance. I agree with your observations here. He's growing on me with this. I just discovered your blog from your comment on Textilosophy Oz and it's delightful. I will be back, knew I'd be in when I saw the Emerson quote - I had it at my wedding!

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  35. I'm a big fan of Alec Baldwin so I've been delighted to see him giving his 2 cents worth on TCM. Osborne is classy, isn't he? Never thought about it that way.

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  36. I'm a fan of Alex Baldwin, too. Bad-boy charm and very funny. But I never woulda guessed he'd show up on Essentials! What fun. My problem is I don't watch TV enough - I'm always missing good things like this.

    Hey Willow, your blog is looking great!!

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  37. On The Booze front, lets compromise with a Pint of champagne!
    [A personal bit of trivia.]I find it impossible drink booze & while watching a DVD.Lord Knows Why That Might Be...........?

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  38. this show is new to me. of course, seldom watch TV esp once winter is over. But sounds like an interesting show.

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  39. In fact not sure I get TCM? I think maybe not.

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  40. M. Baldwin seems to really, really be attempting a major image change.
    More power to him!
    ________

    LOVE your new look!

    Jjj

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  41. Hooray!! for you Willow
    I just love Osborne and Baldwin is such a jerk. Smuge, know it all.
    I know more than he does.
    I hope he doesn't think Baldwin can take his job over. It would ruin the preview to the movie..

    yvonne

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  42. Hooray!! for you Willow
    I just love Osborne and Baldwin is such a jerk. Smuge, know it all.
    I know more than he does.
    I hope he doesn't think Baldwin can take his job over. It would ruin the preview to the movie..

    yvonne

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  43. Oh, I haven't seen Alec on this show but I don't share most of these folks' attitudes towards him. I'm not any big huge fan of Baldwin's, but he's no dummy. I actually think he's been positively hilarious a few times on SNL in the past.

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  44. When my husband was a highway cop, he pulled Alec Baldwin over for doing 110 in a 55mph zone.

    Mr. Baldwin started out with the "Do you know who I am?" routine, followed by jumping out of the car and screaming curses and insults, all the while running onto the road and off again. Finally my husband told him that he was going to arrest him the next time he stepped over the line into a lane of traffic. (To protect some poor driver from having that garbage smeared all over the front of their car.)

    So instead Baldwin pulled his cell phone out and started calling "his people" to try to get him out of the tickets he was getting. And oh, did he ever get tickets that day.

    Baldwin, no matter how well dressed, is a douchebag. The reason he can make you think he's not is that he is an ACTOR. It's his job to make you think whatever he wants you to think about him. That does not in any way change the facts.

    And I'm not even going into those well-publicized taped phone conversations with his daughter, in which the things he said are too loathsome to repeat.

    He should never be mentioned in the same sentence with, never mind occupy a set with, the classy and fantastic Robert Osborne.

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  45. Marcheline, verrrrry enlightening, but no surprise, to me, anyway. I hope he reads your comment.

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  46. Marla in ColumbusThu Apr 08, 02:36:00 PM

    Hmmm...from what I've seen and read (quite a lengthy piece on Mr. Baldwin in the NY Times earlier this year) I don't think he needs this show to save his career as another poster commented. Quite the opposite actually. I think it's worth noting that Mr. Baldwin seems to enjoy, from what I've read, other intellectual pursuits as well and is currently and I think for some time has been a narrator (I think that's the term) for the New York Philharmonic. In short, I don't think he's the lighweight many are accusing him of being. Besides, he's hysterically funny on 30 Rock. OK, gotta go chill my Bud Light! :)

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  47. I thought, at the start, that "30 Rock", was one of the best first seasons of the last fifteen years. And, in part, that was because of Baldwin, who knows how to attract me to a character who is basically a jerk.

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Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of existence.
― O. Henry (and me)