Any show that uses the title card “Baldwin Residence: East Hampton” is rather begging to be hate-watched. And on that basis, The Baldwins on TLC, which peers into the life of Alec, his second wife, Hilaria Baldwin, and their seven children, is undeniably addictive and sometimes perversely successful — but, for a whole host of reasons, hateful all the same.

This is not to say one cannot comprehend the reasons why Alec might have agreed to participate in this show. The first several episodes unfold in the run-up to his then-pending involuntary manslaughter trial, proceedings that stemmed from a horrifying (but obviously accidental) incident on the New Mexico set of the movie Rust. In October 2021, during the making of a scene, Alec’s prop gun discharged an actual bullet that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. In July 2024, all charges were dismissed by the trial judge upon the disclosure of evidence said not to have been properly given to Alec’s counsel. But, to Alec’s reputation and work prospects, the damage was done. In the absence of movie or TV roles on par with his past triumphs, in The Hunt for Red October or on 30 Rock, a reality series on cable must have come as a welcome career opportunity.