Alec Baldwin may take over Carson Daly’s late-night NBC show: would you watch?

Alec Baldwin

NBC persists in its late-night shakeup after last week’s official announcement that Jay Leno was retiring (again) and handing the reins of the “Tonight Show” to Jimmy Fallon. This bit of news has been followed up with the rumor that Seth Meyers might replace Fallon, and of course, nobody knows who would replace Seth on “SNL.” Not that it matters — I don’t know a single cast current “SNL” cast member’s name except Meyers.

Another development in this sudden burst of reprogramming is a bit of a surprise. Alec Baldwin is supposedly in the running to replace Carson Daly in the “Last Call” time slot. Yes, that’s the same Alec Baldwin who can barely control his rage at any slight provocation, and he would be interviewing other celebrities. Could this actually work? It sounds almost genius:

Carson Daly

A well-known name is the latest to surface in the populated field of late night television hosts: Alec Baldwin. The Emmy-winning actor is in the mix for a spot in NBC’s late-night lineup, one executive involved in the network’s program planning said. The executive asked not to be identified because the talks were still in initial stages.

The most likely landing place for a show hosted by Mr. Baldwin would be in the latest of NBC’s entries, the show now called “Last Call.” That half-hour interview program currently stars Carson Daly. Mr. Daly is also the host of NBC’s biggest show, “The Voice.”

NBC is in the midst of what looks like a complete overhaul of its late-night lineup. Last week, the network confirmed that Jimmy Fallon, now host of NBC’s “Late Night,” would be taking over the “Tonight” from Jay Leno when he steps down next February. The show will move from Los Angeles to New York with Mr. Fallon as star.

After that move was announced, speculation immediately began about who might succeed Mr. Fallon at the “Late Night” show. Now the mutual interest between Mr. Baldwin and NBC about opening a late-night spot for the actor could result in three new late-night hosts for NBC.

Mr. Baldwin ended his much-praised run as a star on this NBC comedy “30 Rock” this season. He twice won the Emmy Award for Best Actor in a Comedy for his work as Jack Donaghy.

Mr. Baldwin has also been long regarded one of the best guests on late-night television shows. And he has won critical praise for a podcast series he created with WNYC radio in New York, called “Here’s The Thing.” In the series, Mr. Baldwin has interviewed a wide range of guests, including David Letterman, Billy Joel, Kristen Wiig, Chris Rock, Lena Dunham, and the Indianapolis Colts quarterback, Andrew Luck.

The advantage of hosting a similar show for television would be that Mr. Baldwin could record several interviews in a single day and leave his schedule open to perform as an actor, either in movies or potentially another television comedy.

[From New ork Times’ Media Decoder blog]

Deadline notes that Alec was signed to a two-year overall deal with NBC after he left “30 Rock,” so the network is bound to do something with him to fulfill this contract. Might as well be this project? The thing is … I don’t know if Alec would be down with a show that airs at 1:35 am.

Still, the network could definitely do worse than Alec. People may be incredibly wary of his rage monster ways, but he’s never been anything but a consummate professional in the workplace. I’d really like to see him bring out Shia “Email Leaker” LaBeouf as his first guest, and they could talk about what it really means “to be a man.” That would be rich.

Alec Baldwin

Alec Baldwin

Photos courtesy of WENN

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29 Responses to “Alec Baldwin may take over Carson Daly’s late-night NBC show: would you watch?”

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  1. PinkyTuscadero says:

    Only if he yells at all his guests and regularly appears in his dog walking outfit, without without his weird wig/dye job.

  2. Cody says:

    The only person who loves listening to Alec Baldwin talk ,is Alec Baldwin. No I wouldn’t watch, I rather use the time to catch up on my sleep.

  3. Anmelt says:

    Yes. But I would be surprised he would do it especially with a baby on the way? He has plenty of money and therefore he does not need to do it.

    • Me Three says:

      He SHOULD have a lot of money, but I’d bet he’s not much of a saver, especially with that new daughter (er wife) of his. She seems more than happy to spend his dollars. I used to like him a lot. Then, his personality got in the way and I didn’t like him as much. When he married the hungry for fame girl he now calls his wife, I decided he was just pathetic.

  4. lori says:

    Only if Tina Fey wrote everything for him.

  5. Joanna says:

    not only no, but h*ll no!

  6. jaye says:

    And watch him rage-interview people? Yes. Yes I would.

  7. decorative item says:

    No! Not even once out of curiosity.

  8. Dizzybenny says:

    I would watch it because I saw him in this…
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1u7A3sEnPY

    I think if he’s like that on the show, it could be a hit!

    • rlh says:

      Thank you for that Dizzybenny! Loved it!

      I will watch anything he is in. He is a gifted artist. In fact this Friday I am seeing him on Broadway!

      For all those who say they would not watch, catch a podcast of Here’s The Thing; people in the industry love him and love working with him. He is intelligent, honest and gracious with his guests, who are from all different types of backgrounds. The man is thoughtful and intelligent. The only rage stuff is with the paps and in his personal relationships, which is none of anyone’s business.

  9. Chicagogurl says:

    I would watch in the same way I plan to tune into lochte. I love a hot mess in small doses. Snl is really struggling this year it seems, but I love Seth and addy Bryant.

  10. Stuart Horsely says:

    Absolutely. Love him!

  11. judyjudy says:

    Yes, yes, yes! I love Alec Baldwin.

  12. LadyBird83 says:

    Nope.

  13. gg says:

    Everybody thought Charles Grodin’s show might be a bit funny too, but it only served to show off his scary side.

  14. lucy2 says:

    I didn’t even know that show was still on.

    Despite his rage monster tendencies…I still kind of like Alec, only because he is a talented and funny guy. He had such a career boost with 30 Rock, I can’t see him taking basically a D list position.

  15. janie says:

    No, on too late.

  16. Grace says:

    Nope. I’m tired of him. NBC is dying a horrible death.

  17. Itsa Reallyme says:

    I’m surprised Last Call is still on. I used to watch it while I was up all night breast feeding (only because I was too tired to change the channel). Carson wasn’t very good at that job. He does better on the Voice. Alec would not be an improvement in my opinion.

  18. EscapedConvent says:

    I would be surprised to see him commit to a regular late-night gig. But I would certainly watch. I love Alec B., always have, will probably continue. He is wonderfully quick, witty & funny as hell. He bitchslaps people with such eloquence.

    Also, his new wife gives me the chills.

  19. DoMaJoReMc says:

    NO…EFFING…WAY!

  20. Isabell says:

    No way. What would be nice to finally have a female take over one of the late night shows. Funny & entertaining women do exist, come on NBC dare to go there.

  21. thebutlerdidit says:

    How is it women are still saying they like Alec Baldwin, in 2013??? I get 1983, but now? He’s a nasty, nasty piece of work who treats women like sh*t. I wouldn’t watch that jerk whose fav word for women starts w/ a c and ends with an u-n-t, if someone held a loaded gun to my head.

  22. Claudia says:

    I’ve decided I really, really like Alec. I like the way he handled the crazy Shia affair, and I really appreciate the fact that he doesn’t give a shit about his image/PR/how he might look to people… if he wants to say something, he’ll say it. If he feels the need to defend himself or state his case, he wont filter it through a dozen agents and publicists or second-hand “sources” in People (I’m looking at you, Taylor Swift). I like how biting and witty he can be, especially per the recent NYT article (loved Lainey’s breakdown of it today).

    With all that said, would I watch a late night talk show hosted by Alec Baldwin? No! I much prefer he be the guest 🙂 Just not a fan of talk shows in general, and I feel like that would take away some of his gloss.