The sinking ship otherwise known as the S.S. Alec Baldwin is desperately grabbing onto whatever life raft he can find to get him out of his latest PR disaster.
Yesterday, Baldwin was caught on tape allegedly calling a photographer a “cocksucking fag.” It is the second time in less than a year that Baldwin has used antigay slurs in public.
Now, in yet another attempt to prove to the world he’s not homophobic, the actor/ratings-tanking MSNBC host has enlisted the help of his openly gay hairdresser, Nick.
The very unnecessary and very awkward impromptu press conference happened earlier today in Manhattan. In a video published by TMZ, Baldwin asks his hairdresser, “Do you think I’m a homophobe?”
His hairdresser responds: “Yes! Big time,” though he’s clearing joking.
He and Baldwin then share a hearty laugh (because there’s nothing funnier than alleged homophobia, right?) before the hairdresser dips back into the salon and Baldwin takes off down the street.
Afterwards, TMZ spoke with the hairdresser, who said: “I don’t think he’s homophobic. I don’t at all. Whenever he is in here we are always talking and cutting hair.”
Then he added: “He booked an appointment for today… He is a good tipper.”
The hairdresser also said he was not aware of yesterday’s video of Baldwin using antigay slurs, but “If he did say it there was probably a good reason behind why.”
So there you have it, folks. Alec Baldwin isn’t homophobic because he has a gay hairdresser… who he tips very well… and who sometimes gets to be on TMZ.
UPDATE (11/15/13 5:15PM PST):
MSNBC has announced the network is suspending Baldwin’s show Up Late for the next two weeks in wake of the actor’s recent behavior.
In a statement released today, Baldwin wrote:
I would like to address the comments I made this past week.
I did not intend to hurt or offend anyone with my choice of words, but clearly I have – and for that I am deeply sorry. Words are important. I understand that, and will choose mine with great care going forward. What I said and did this week, as I was trying to protect my family, was offensive and unacceptable. Behavior like this undermines hard-fought rights that I vigorously support. I understand Up Late will be taken off the schedule for tonight and next week.
I want to apologize to my loyal fans and to my colleagues at MSNBC – both for my actions and for distracting from their good work. Again, please accept my apology.
MikeE
“a good reason”??? is this hairdresser a moron?
there is NEVER a “good reason” to use pejorative terms against a minority, particularly one that we supposedly “support”.
Kieran
Looks like the hairdresser took his revenge.
mz.sam
“He’s a good tipper”…yeah, dude, that says it all!
Atomicrob
Hairdresser as court jester to the “star”. . . Wasn’t born yesterday, huckster….
Pistolo
I heard Alec Baldwin on Howard Stern once and I think at one point Howard insinuated there was a “man” and a “woman” role in every gay relationship (probably jokingly since Howard is pretty cool about homosexuality) and Alec immediately said “That’s not true, do you know any gay people?” and I was very impressed with him.
I think Alec Baldwin has issues with rage but I don’t think he’s homophobic, I really don’t.
It’s too bad though because when you represent yourself as poorly as he does, it doesn’t matter what you *intended*. I hope people will forgive him. And FUCK, GLAAD, get to work on Eminem. Quit focusing on Alec.
AnitaMann
If you watch the video clip, it seems the man has a problem with his temper. He really ought to attend anger management classes before being alone with a baby.
DanielStevens
It seems to me that the case here isn´t homophobia but failed anger management and an unfortunate choice of words.
I quite like him a lot and I think he doesn´t deserve that kind of beat-down. He simply has a temper problem and hasn´t quite figured out which words to yell and which ones to keep out of his little temper-tantrums ;0)
I often say “You stupid little Fu**er”. And I mean no disrespect to all the “little Fu**ers” out there ;0)
DanielStevens
P.s.: Clearly we got bigger fish to fry. And going after him (the easy target) so hard is only a waste of ressources and imho a dick-move/a cowardly move.
“Yeah we know there are far worse people out there who actually hate us but he´s easy to take down and we can make an example out of him…”
DarkZephyr
I agree, I don’t believe that Alec Baldwin is homophobic, and he HAS done things in the past to further equality for LGBT people. Honestly the Republicans must LOVE our current Alec Baldwin hate.
AuntieChrist
If that hair cut is an example of his work. Bitch needs to go back to beauty school and put in 1600 more hours. Also when people get emotional their true nature comes out. It’s all well and good when you are prepared calm cool and collected. Is he homophobic? Given that he was really hot once he might have issues. But homophobia is characterized as antipathy, contempt, prejudice, aversion, hatred, or an irrational fear. As I said before the REAL issue is that calling someone a fag is considered the worst insult that one breeder can call another breeder.
Rockery
How much did he “tip” you to say that?
@AuntieChrist:
Agreed Alec looks all around terrible especially the haircut
hephaestion
Remember when Tracy Morgan said he would stab his son if he was gay? Then “30 Rock” welcomed him back onto the show while simultaneously firing gay actor Cheyenne Jackson. I wonder if Alec Baldwin was part of that fucked-up decision?
Sansacro
@Pistolo: Totally. I met Baldwin several times, once with my boyfriend. (An actor friend, also gay, was in a play with him.) He has always been friendly and very open. The man has anger management issues but is not a homophobe. He should, however, be accountable for the words he uses. For me, self-awareness and an apology are enough.
jimbryant
Don’t you just love all these “useful idiot” gay guys who love working for people who utter homophobic slurs? The tips must be so good.
Reminds me a bit of Thomas Roberts, a man who received due remuneration to work for Donald Trump in Russia. Do these useful idiots think that we’re stupid?
Message to Nick: you’re a real dick, Nick.
queertyreader
Why does this idiot still have a job on TV? IN every other job a person who acted that way (several times!) would have been fired immediately. So it’s up to TV and film makers not to offer him any more jobs!