Here's The Thing with Alec Baldwin

Actor and comedian Jack McBrayer is known for his cheerful demeanor, captivating Southern charm and impeccable comedic timing. The Georgia native honed his improv skills at the famed Second City in Chicago before gaining national exposure for his portrayal of various characters on “Late Night with Conan O'Brien.” He then landed the role of a lifetime: the earnest and eccentric NBC page Kenneth Parcell on the hit television series "30 Rock." His iconic performance earned him an Emmy nomination and a Screen Actors Guild Award. McBrayer has also voiced countless animated characters and created, produced and starred in the Apple TV+ series, “Hello Jack! The Kindness Show.” His latest venture is HGTV’s “Zillow Gone Wild,” which explores some of the most unusual, extravagant, and quirky homes listed on the real estate website – and which premiered this past May. Jack McBrayer shares with host Alec Baldwin why he enjoys working with ensembles, what it was like filming their last scene together and how he was once mistaken for a real NBC page by none other than Elaine Stritch on the “30 Rock” set. And before signing off, Jack and Alec are joined by a surprise special guest!

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Internationally renowned composer and conductor Leonard Slatkin believes that the arts have the power to transform us – and his life and body of work exemplify this belief. Slatkin has served as the Music Director of the St. Louis, Detroit, New Orleans, National and Lyon Symphony Orchestras, Chief Conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra in London, and Principal Guest Conductor of countless others. Raised in a musical household, he is the son of violinist, conductor and film composer Felix Slatkin and Eleanor Aller, first chair cellist at Warner Brothers Studios. Both were members of the Hollywood String Quartet and contributed to some of the great film scores of old Hollywood. As a result, Stalkin was surrounded by music from an early age - learning several instruments while young and attending The Juilliard School. He went on to build an impressive career, including six Grammy wins and the National Medal of the Arts. Slatkin is the author of several books on music and conducting, most recently “Eight Symphonic Masterworks of the Twentieth Century - A Study Guide for Conductors.” He also served as host of the weekly radio programs “The Slatkin Project” and “The Slatkin Shuffle.” Leonard Slatkin shares with host Alec Baldwin what it was like growing up surrounded by icons like Marilyn Monroe and Frank Sinatra in his home, discusses how he contributes to an orchestra as its Music Director and reflects on what it means to be part of a musical dynasty.

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While it may have taken a few detours for Jonathan Tetelman to become the opera star he is today, the journey has been well worth it. Tetelman initially found success with his voice quite young, singing in the American Boychoir School and recording with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Yet following years of vocal study, Tetelman stepped away from the arias to become a nightclub DJ in New York City. It was only upon realizing that opera was indeed his passion that Tetelman returned to the genre and found incredible success in the great music halls and houses across the globe. Tetelman now captivates audiences with performances in Madama Butterfly, Carmen, and La Bohéme – and with his albums “Arias” and “The Great Puccini.” Jonathan Tetelman speaks with host Alec Baldwin about the challenging transition from baritone to tenor, the work he puts in behind-the-scenes to understand his characters and how he navigates the physical demands of his career.

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It takes a strong voice to cut through the noise of today’s bitter bipartisan debate – and lawyer and activist George Conway does just that. The outspoken Trump critic co-founded The Lincoln Project, a super PAC whose core mission is to defeat the 45th President, while married to Trump Campaign Manager and White House Senior Counselor Kellyanne Conway. Today, the conservative commentator is a contributing writer to “The Atlantic,” host of the podcast “George Conway Explains It All (to Sarah Longwell)” and Board President of the Society of the Rule of Law. George Conway talks to host Alec Baldwin about how he formed his Republican values, his thoughts on the latest Supreme Court disclosures and how he predicts Democrats can defeat Trump at the ballot box this November. 

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While many people have their theories surrounding the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1663, few can claim to have proof that the government has not been fully transparent about the events in Dallas, Texas. Douglas Horne, a former U.S. Naval officer, worked on the staff of the JFK Assassination Records Review Board (ARRB) in Washington, D.C. from 1995 to 1998. While working for ARRB, Horne was a key participant in taking the depositions of 10 witnesses and participants of the JFK autopsy in 1963. Horne claims to have seen proof that the official JFK autopsy – and the infamous Zapruder film, which captured the assassination live – were both doctored. Horne speaks with host Alec Baldwin about the formation of the review board, the testimony he witnessed and why he feels the truth continues to be concealed today.

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Coming from a challenging, working class upbringing in the United Kingdom, Steve Jones discovered his outlet in music - as founding guitarist of the groundbreaking punk rock band the Sex Pistols. Despite the release of only one album,”Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols,” the band changed the course of music and history - vocalizing issues of class in songs like “Anarchy in the U.K.” – and influencing fashion, art and society. Since then, Jones has continued to play music (both solo and with bands The Professionals and Neurotic Outsiders) and was the host of the popular, long-running radio show, “Jonesy’s Jukebox.” In 2022, his insightful memoir, “Lonely Boy,” was adapted into the FX television series, the Danny Boyle-directed “Pistol.” Steve Jones talks to host Alec Baldwin about the roots of punk rock, coming up alongside Vivienne Westwood and Chrissie Hynde, and the road to getting clean – and beginning life anew.

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Alec Baldwin joins Paul and Skip on the Our Way podcast to discuss his storied acting career, spanning 'The Hunt for Red October' to his record-breaking stint on 'SNL,' '30 Rock' and beyond. Alec offers the guys an impromptu lesson on method acting, explains why he was reluctant to do his iconic monologue in ‘Glengarry Glen Ross’ and how his instant-classic Trump impression impacted his view on the ex-President. Baldwin also reflects on the time he called Paul McCartney an “A-hole” in a yoga class, how he wound up as the first guest on ‘Inside the Actors Studio,’ and his 39 years of hard-won sobriety. Listen to Our Way with Paul Anka & Skip Bronson on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts. https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-our-way-with-paul-anka-an-145803075/

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Born a gifted athlete, life almost took James Naughton down another path…until he found his home in the theater. The actor earned his first Tony for the musical City of Angels – and his second as the originator of the role of Billy Flynn in the hit Broadway revival of the musical Chicago, now the second-longest running show in Broadway history. As a director, he helmed the Tony-nominated Arthur Miller’s “The Price” and Thorton Wilder’s “Our Town,” the latter of which was featured on PBS’ Masterpiece Theater. Naughton also regularly brings his talent to the small screen, like in his roles on “Who’s the Boss?,""Ally McBeal,” and “Gossip Girl,” and in films “The Devil Wears Prada” and “The First Wives Club.” James Naughton shares with host Alec Baldwin his experience directing - and being directed by - his good friend Paul Newman, acting at the famous Williamstown Theater with an all-star ensemble, and how he’s working to enact change through legislation today. 

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There is bouncing back after adversity, and then there is: Vanessa Williams. The talented multi-hyphenate was only 21 years old when she became the first Black woman to be crowned Miss America. Yet a controversy surrounding the release of unauthorized nude photos led to her ultimately relinquishing her title 10 months into her reign. When doors were closed to her following the scandal, she fought her way back to an impressive and decorated career: Williams built decades of success as an actor and recording artist, selling 25 million records worldwide, starring in over 100 roles in television, film, and on Broadway - and being nominated for a Tony and multiple Emmy and Grammy Awards.  Vanessa Williams speaks with host Alec Baldwin about the death threats she received after she won Miss America, how the work of Stephen Sondheim inspires the type of art she wishes to make, and what it’s like working with Elton John on her next big project. 

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Many of us are aware that a steady diet of candy, cookies and soda isn’t the best thing for our health, but few know just how dangerous these products can be. Physician and public health expert Dr. Dean Schillinger has witnessed the “absolute explosion” of Type 2 Diabetes in America. Dr. Schillinger is founder of the University of California San Francisco Center for Vulnerable Populations, Professor of Medicine in Residence at UCSF and was featured in the PBS documentary on diabetes, “Blood Sugar Rising.” He believes that sweeping legislative and societal changes are necessary to reverse the ravaging effects of this disease. Dr. Schillinger shares with host Alec Baldwin how corporations knowingly fuel our addiction to sugar, why the disease disproportionately affects vulnerable populations and the most important change you can make to help fight diabetes.

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