Such was Victorian pulp merchant Wilkie Collins' purpose with his literature and, y'know, Lost in Showbiz humbly likes to think it is taking up Collins' mantle in the 21st century. So first, to the make 'em laugh bit - well, not so much "laugh" as "warm their cockles" with this inspiring tale.
Not very long ago Alec Baldwin, the totem of that cradle of talent, the Baldwin family, was criticised for leaving a voice message on his 11 year old daughter's mobile that some lily livered goddamn liberals thought was a bit too harsh. But for Christ's sake, the little brat dared not to have her phone on when he called! Kids, eh? They just don't have proper values these days.
Thank God for fathers like Alec who are there to tell them - and let us recap, if only so we can all pick up some parenting tips - "You don't have the brains or the decency as a human being. I don't give a damn that you're 12 years old, or 11 years old, or that you're a child." I don't know, maybe it's the way he realizes as the second sentence progresses that he actually hasn't a clue how old his daughter is that really gets us. Right there.
Anyway, Alec announced this week that he is planning to write a book "about the suffering of divorced fathers." And quite right. All that concern over an 11 year old kid whose father promised to "straighten your ass out"- but what about Alec's pain? Those words came from a place that hurts, you know.
And if that wasn't enough Alec also has some words of wisdom about the tabloid press who reported the original story. As he wisely points out that "everybody who works in tabloid media are people who are filled with self-hatred and shame and the way they manage those feelings is they destroy the lives of others." Whereas calling your daughter a "thoughtless little pig" for not answering her phone is just friendly paternal guidance, mind.
