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April 27, 2007
The Cock at the Peacock
I’ve been a little remiss in reading other blogs and news sites this week, so I apologize if I’m stating the obvious, but I haven’t seen it stated anywhere else. Regarding this nonsense about NBC not letting Alec Baldwin out of his contract and forcing him to continue to work on 30 Rock, is it just me, or is that ABSOLUTELY prohibited by basic contract law? Last time I checked, specific performance (i.e. MAKING someone work) as part of a service contract is a NO-NO (much like swimming in a pool when you have diarrhea). True, NBC could sue Baldwin for monetary damages if he left the show, but there’s no way any judge would make Baldwin continue to act on the Peacock Network (something about this country not believing in involuntary servitude. Damn 13th Amendment!).
Comments
I have apparently been following the news even less than you, because I have no idea what you're even talking about.
You're right, though -- no judge would order specific performance if NBC sued Baldwin. But that doesn't mean NBC should "let him out of his contract." By not doing so, NBC would force him to breach, which would then entitle it to damages. If they let him out (i.e., agreed not to enforce the contract) then they wouldn't be entitled to anything. (Or so it sounds to me, from my uninformed perspective.)
Posted by: Nye at April 27, 2007 09:09 AM
I didnt understand why mr baldwin was calling his daughter piggy, she is hot in an olsen twin kind of way.
Posted by: piggy at April 27, 2007 05:06 PM
Why did I not even think of this basic contract law premise when I've been losing sleep over poor Alec Baldwin and his career and family woes? Have I gotten dumber since the bar exam? Quite possible. Since I was a 1L? Definitely. Fool, I thank you.
Posted by: Harmless Error at April 27, 2007 09:43 PM
Baldwin doesn't really want out. He just wants to look committed to parenting. Of course, in Hollywood all that takes is hiring an extra nanny or two. In my mind not too many actors would actually make the "good parent" list, Baldwin just got caught at being bad, and now he's doing a PR job. He loves 30 Rock, and he doesn't want to leave. That's my theory.
Posted by: Philosofer at April 27, 2007 10:22 PM
Nye, GREAT Call! You're right. NBC shouldn't let Baldwin out of his contract; it should make him breach. (This is why I didn't get an A in Contracts.)
Piggy, How do I even begin to respond?
Harmless Error, I'm here for you. ;)
Philosopher, I wonder who would make the good parenting list. I have a feeling Kirk Russell and Goldie Hawn are good parents (they moved to Vancouver for a more quiet life). I also get the sense that Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson are good parents (once saw them in Central Park playing with their son). Obvioulsy John Voight has been an excellent father given his wonderful relationship with Angelina Jolie. Ha. An interesting list nonetheless. Maybe US News and World Report could rank Hollywood parents the week after it ranks universities.
Posted by: Fool at April 30, 2007 12:37 AM
