MSNBC Reportedly ‘Cold’ to Alec Baldwin Ever Returning

According to Page Six, MSNBC execs are “cold” to the idea of ever having Alec Baldwin return to his hosting gig on the network. His Up Late show had been temporarily suspended last week after footage emerged of the actor shouting a profanity-laced tirade at a paparazzo.

Speaking with New York Post sources at the network, Page Six claims that “MSNBC chiefs are not exactly falling over themselves to get boisterous Baldwin back in the building.”

The paper quotes one insider as saying “[Baldwin] would only show up at work an hour a week to prep for the show, and when he did turn up, he was in an angry mood, red-faced, and shouting at all the staff. And he said the air at 30 Rock was too dry, it was bad for his voice, he needed a humidifier.”

According to the source, “MSNBC only signed Alec to keep him out of reach of CNN, but considering his recent boasting about beating Anderson Cooper in the ratings it is highly unlikely CNN would sign him.”

The source adds: “Alec had promised Griffin he’d bring in top political and cultural guests.” However, “he delivered Bill de Blasio, who was great for the first show, and Debra Winger, who is a wonderful actress but certainly wasn’t right for a whole hour.” Our own media critic Joe Concha made a similar point about Baldwin’s booking choices.

On the other hand, Baldwin’s Friday show routinely beat CNN in the demo and total viewership. And as we know from past experience, a strong personality with high demands like “humidifiers” isn’t always disqualification from having a cable news show.

Seeing as MSNBC has yet to officially comment on the Baldwin suspension, we will just have to wait until Friday, Nov. 29, (or the following Friday) for whether Baldwin returns to the network.

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