MSNBC Fires Alec Baldwin Over Anti-Gay Slurs
Alec Baldwin has been fired by MSNBC.
MSNBC and Alec Baldwin have ended their short and tumultuous relationship, with the acclaimed actor being fired after just five episodes of his program, “Up Late With Alec Baldwin.”
"We are jointly confirming that UP LATE will not continue on MSNBC,” read a joint statement from MSNBC and Matthew Hiltzik, a representative for Baldwin.
The New York Post, which was first to report the news, quotes a source at MSNBC who told the paper, “The decision has been made. He’s gone. The [parent company] Comcast guys have decided. Word is spreading through the building.”
Baldwin came under fire in early November after a paparazzo posted video of the actor allegedly using homophobic slurs against the photographer.
On Nov. 16, MSNBC officially suspended Baldwin for two weeks. At the time, Baldwin said it was unclear if he would return to the network.
It was the most recent outburst in a series of offensive, seemingly anti-gay remarks from Baldwin. The Academy Award-nominated actor has a history of anti-gay slurs going as far back as 1992 and as recently as this past June.
However, some critics of MSNBC have noted that while the network was quick to punish Baldwin, fellow news host Martin Bashir has not been disciplined at all after offensive remarks he made about former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
Baldwin’s homophobic outbursts have become so prevalent that he was the target of a recent episode of “South Park.” Interestingly, that episode aired just weeks before Baldwin’s latest incident.
The New York Post claims Baldwin was difficult to work with on set at MSNBC. It quotes an unnamed source saying he recently demanded a private makeup room, even though the room was being used by a cancer patient with a sensitivity to regular makeup.
“I don’t give a [expletive] if she has cancer or not. I want that [expletive] makeup room,” Baldwin allegedly said.
Ratings have also reportedly been a struggle for the now-canceled show, with his most recent episode drawing 395,000 total viewers, the Post reported. Also, Baldwin’s show was never designed to be a ratings juggernaut. With its weekly schedule, late-night time slot and laid-back format, Baldwin had said that he hoped to offer a more thoughtful look at figures in the news.
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