‘The Baldwins’ Addresses ‘Rust’ Shooting… Between Many, Many Jokes About Their Seven Kids

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At about three minutes into the debut of “The Baldwins“, a Pomeranian casually strides into a plastic enclosure in their Manhattan apartment and decides to relieve itself on a pee pad, which was situated about five feet from their kitchen table. This unexpected incident, though disgusting, amusing, and somewhat predictable, effectively encapsulates the essence of the new TLC series – or “celebreality” as a genre, for that matter.

It’s possible that this sub-genre has returned to its roots, given the similarity (either intentional or not) to “The Osbournes”. Just like Ozzy, another figurehead who often found himself in trouble due to his pets, Alec Baldwin started his docuseries without any mess on his shoes. However, he seems to be following a path similar to his predecessor, taking a backseat and observing the chaos within his family, albeit on a grander scale.

Baldwin remarks, ‘I assumed that was the boundary, but we pushed further.’ He’s referring to kids aged three and four, whom he’s counting off for viewers at home.

During the latest episode on Sunday night, it was frequently mentioned that Alec Baldwin and his wife Hilaria have a total of seven children between them. This fact alone seems quite puzzling in terms of its repetition and the contrasting tones portrayed throughout the show. On one hand, we see Alec stumbling through the role of late-in-life fatherhood, reminiscent of Mr. Magoo. Conversely, we witness him becoming emotional and doting over his family.

At times, he muses aloud, ‘What made me have seven children?’ he asks his spouse and the crew. But then he understands, ‘It’s so they can support us both and see us through this challenging time.’

The incident under discussion is the 2021 film set shooting of “Rust.” This unfortunate event, which resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza, occurred due to a live bullet being fired from a prop gun that actor Alec handled. The case against Baldwin was dismissed in July 2024; however, armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is still serving an 18-month sentence for her involuntary manslaughter conviction.

The mentions of Hutchins serve as a stark reminder. Amidst the bustling daily routine of the family and Hilaria’s spontaneous defenses about marrying an older man and her frequent use of Spanglish, there are tributes to the mother who died at 42. Both Alec and Hilaria admit that this tragedy has significantly impacted their lives. The footage of Alec discovering Hutchins had passed away from a gunshot, a heart-wrenching scene I hadn’t seen before, is undeniably the most genuine moment in the entire hour. This moment might have been more poignant if it wasn’t followed by scenes from the family’s entertainment spectacle.

Since the show is known for swiftly moving topics, let’s revisit Hilaria’s accent. Before the Rust shooting incident, the primary controversy surrounding the Baldwins revolved around the ongoing public uncertainty about Hilaria’s ethnicity. In late 2020, as many were spending the holidays battling a new COVID variant, a courageous Twitter user compiled a series of evidence suggesting that Hilaria’s Spanish accent and claimed identity were fabricated. Ever since then, comparisons to Rachel Dolezal, who deceived her way into a leadership position at the NAACP despite being white, have followed her persistently.

Originally named Hillary Lynn Hayward-Thomas in Boston, Massachusetts, she hails from a multiethnic family with roots in England, French-Canada, Germany, Ireland, and Slovakia. Rather than addressing the intricacies of her case, she often appears perplexed about her bilingual identity, and it’s hard to dispute the advantages that come with such versatility.

In the show’s episode, she expresses her intention, “I’m nurturing my children to be proficient in two languages.” Growing up, I was fortunate to learn and speak two languages because my family resides primarily in Spain. I aspire to instill a sense of pride and appreciation for multilingualism in my kids. To me, growing up with the ability to communicate in more than one language is nothing short of extraordinary. I hold both English and Spanish dear to my heart. When I combine these languages, it doesn’t diminish my authenticity; instead, it reflects my normality.

Living up to an entire television crew invading your home isn’t something typical folks often do. A moment in the show that vividly portrays their advantaged lifestyle (and might seem a touch condescending) is when Alec and Hilaria mention they decamp the city each summer for a roomier hideaway called “East Hampton.” This coastal town, situated at the farthest tip of Long Island, may be unfamiliar to you, but it’s known to become quite bustling during the warmer seasons.

Most likely, this is the primary setting for the majority of the series and where the family will collectively exhale in relief at the verdict of Alec’s brief trial during the filming of Rust last July. It’s also a far more suitable location than a Greenwich Village apartment to capture on screen the wild behavior that seven children are entitled to exhibit.

In essence, the Baldwin children appear lively and cheerful, while Alec and Hilaria show signs of being caring and involved parents. Let’s hope that in a genre often marked by exploitation and neglect of mental health, these positive traits endure as they navigate through the reality TV industry.

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2025-02-24 07:24