Philippine Senator Threatens To Beat Alec Baldwin Over Joke

MANILA, Philippines — Alec Baldwin's joke about getting a Filipino mail-order bride provoked a sharp response in the Philippines, with one senator saying Monday that the "30 Rock" star faces violence if he ever visits.

Baldwin, 51, who is divorced with a teenage daughter, said in a May 12 interview on "The Late Show" with David Letterman that he would love to have more children.

The Emmy-winning actor quipped that he was "thinking about getting a Filipino mail-order bride at this point ... or a Russian one."

Baldwin has been involved in a bitter dispute with his ex-wife, Oscar-winning actress Kim Basinger, over custody of their 13-year-old daughter, Ireland.

Philippine Sen. Ramon Revilla said Monday that Baldwin's comment was "insensitive and uncalled for" and an insult to millions of Filipinos.

He called the actor "arrogant" and said he is apparently unaware that the Philippines has a law against mail-order brides.

"Let him try to come here in the Philippines and he'll see mayhem," Revilla said, using a local idiom that implies the speaker will personally administer a beating.

The senator is a former action-movie star who occasionally still appears on Philippine TV.

Comments

[provgrays]

I can't wait until Tina Fey works in a clever reference to this on 30 Rock.

[breakingpoint]

Think Alexc is related to Joe Biden?

[CJ1]

I was actually watching Letterman when he made the comment, and I knew there'd be fallout! I think Baldwin did, too, which is why I think he added the part about "or a Russian one.." but it was too late, oy! The man has foot-in-mouth disease.

[masha2008]

liam neeson had a similar faux pas years ago. he apologized.

[misanthropexlife]

Okay, I've said it before and I'll say it again... people need to learn how to take a joke. He wasn't intentionally insulting them. And I'm sure most people are ignorant to the laws regarding mail-order brides in the Philippines. It's not that big of a travesty. Wow, get over yourselves.

[TotallyAmazed]

Much to do about nothing. What a ridiculous comment to go bonkers over. I agree with you 100% - Baldwin wasn't insulting anyone; just being Alec and using his usual dark humor.

[masha2008]

understood, it's a joke. you also have to understand where they're coming from. they do not want to propagate the concept of filipino mail order bride. it's like you dont want other countries refering to american women as "stateside s.k.a.n.k.­s.", right?

[jenrose]

The phillipinos do not sell child brides atleast like some countries. He could get a housekeeper, cook,. Dole out money for clothes and necessities and control everything­.. It would be a bargian...­She would be of legal age too. Look at Woody Allen's bride who was his adopted daughter.


Alex is no washed up actor either so I have to disagree with that comment. He has a long distinguished career with many great movies, television and SNL appearances are some of the best.. Im a big fan he's a hunk!!!

[jakkib]

This isn't even worthy of our attention, sure Baldwin is arrogant and a little full of himself, but people serriously have to lighten up.

[marcain]

The Philippines is full of hypocrisy and corruption like all third world governments. The Spanish brought the catholic church there so it became the Mexico of asia. Any asian cam girl site is 100% filipino yet being a cam girl is illegal in the Philippines. If an official discovers a cam girl studio there they may ignore or the boss of the operation has to pay a bribe. Finding a mail order bride is as easy as googling a site. I would say that most the people are generally good, family oriented and just in a state of desperation.

[BurtonOerney]

Which are the good, family oriented people? The women being sold or the people selling her?

[sockman]

"All third world governments"? Isn't that a bit too general and too broad a brush? Since you are so fond of "googling", I am sure if you bothered to check you would find that some governments in the "first world" are as equally corrupt and "political contribution" is just another fancy term for bribery.

[umannyt]

Get a life? Lighten up? How about a joke about gays or lesbians?

[southwindow]

huh?
have you seen snl? they have entire sketches centered about how ridiculous it is for men to kiss

[twocansam]

In the 80's we seemed to be a country full of "victims"; now we seem to be a country full of the "easily offended" (especially if it brings them their "15 minutes"..­. or money from a lawsuit). It's sad really.

[BurtonOerney]

It is sad that a regular, every day american senator from the phillipines would be so easily offended. What is this country coming to? Now that's nothing to LOL about.

[umannyt]

Get a life? Lighten up? How about a joke about gays on Letterman?

[HudsonGal]

Get a life it was A J-O-K-E on Letterman.

[victorsays]

White privilege.

[jbeach]

Um, Russians are white too, last I checked.

[Lucky123]

Ever have a Black Russian? Tasty...

[bongstradamus]

Id be buying a Russian bride. Filipina brides are so 1980's.

[BoomKing]

yeah, because this guy makes Filipinos looks great. I'm sure it'll boost their tourism after people find out how little it takes for the local heads of state to threaten visitors with a beating.

[ranchobob]

maybe like me, Mr. Baldwin sees the endless ads on line to meet filipina girls - including on MySpace.
which I have complained to MySpace about to no avail.
This senator should be upset over people mass marketing the women of his country.

[BurtonOerney]

Hmm. Maybe you're right about that. In fact, maybe a popular American actor casually joking about using one of these agencies to purchase a bride from the Phillipines might even help those - uh - marketers. I think I'm starting to see why this senator guy isn't lightening up. It's still funny though. I'm LOLling out loud right now.