Yesterday Pop Eater reported that MSNBC was eyeing actor Alec Baldwin for a hosting gig, now that Keith Olbermann has left the network:
“He’s already part of the NBC family, has a huge fan base and is very respected for his long term passions for politics,” a network source tells me, adding that Alec is very high, perhaps even No. 1, on the wish lists of MSNBC bigwigs.
The idea sounded pretty ridiculous on its face, and indeed, an MSNBC spokesperson shot down the rumor to The Cutline’s Joe Pompeo, calling it “Entertaining, but untrue.”
The original Pop Eater story had some major flaws in its own right, including burying the fact that in order to host a daily talk show, Baldwin would effectively have to give up his far more lucrative acting career.
Furthermore, a passion for politics does not a good talk show host make, and while Baldwin is a part of the NBC family, he has already signaled that he wants to move on from “30 Rock.”
A spokesperson for Baldwin says that he is not pursuing a job at MSNBC, and that “Alec is committed to 30 Rock through 2012.”
Would Baldwin appear on MSNBC? As a guest, sure, why not. As a host? Not gonna happen.