Ep 1. Robert De Niro, Taraji P. Henson

The Alec Baldwin Show season 1 episode 1 features two incredible actors - Robert De Niro and Taraji P. Henson. The show format is an intimate conversation between Alec Baldwin and his guests, and this episode is no different.

They open by discussing De Niro's upbringing, how he grew up in a mostly Italian neighborhood in New York City, and how he used to play stickball and baseball on the streets. Baldwin notes that De Niro attended the High School of Music and Art, and asks how that experience impacted him as an actor.

De Niro explains that there were two main reasons he chose that school - first, he wanted to be a painter, and second, he thought it was a good way to meet girls. But he also notes that the school was very important for him as an actor, because it taught him to appreciate all forms of art, not just acting.

The conversation then turns to De Niro's illustrious career. Baldwin asks him about some of his most iconic roles, from his early days in Mean Streets and Taxi Driver to his Oscar-winning turn in Raging Bull. De Niro explains that he tries to approach every character he plays with the same level of detail and preparation, whether it's a big or small role.

They also discuss De Niro's work as a producer and director, including his company Tribeca Productions and the Tribeca Film Festival. Baldwin notes that De Niro has produced over 40 films and been involved in countless others, and asks how he manages to balance that with his acting career.

De Niro explains that producing and directing is a way for him to have more control over his career, and that it allows him to work on projects that he's passionate about, even if there isn't a big studio behind them. He also notes that he enjoys mentoring young filmmakers and actors, and that he gets a lot of satisfaction from helping others succeed.

The conversation then shifts to Taraji P. Henson. Baldwin notes that Henson is one of the most talented actresses working today, and asks her about her early days in the industry. Henson explains that she got her start in theater in Washington D.C., where she was part of a group called Theater of the First Amendment.

She then moved to Los Angeles, where she experienced a lot of rejection at first. But she persisted, and eventually landed a role on the TV series Smart Guy. From there, her career took off, with roles in films like Hustle & Flow and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

Baldwin also asks Henson about her work on the hit TV series Empire. Henson explains that she loves playing Cookie Lyon, because she's such a strong, complex character. She also notes that working on the show has been a great experience because of the diverse cast and crew.

Throughout the episode, Baldwin does an excellent job of keeping the conversation flowing and getting some great insights from his guests. De Niro and Henson are both incredibly articulate and thoughtful, and it's clear that they take their craft very seriously.

Overall, The Alec Baldwin Show season 1 episode 1 is an excellent start to what promises to be a great talk show. Alec Baldwin is a skilled interviewer, and his guests - Robert De Niro and Taraji P. Henson - are both fascinating to listen to. If you're a fan of either of these actors, or if you're just interested in the art of acting in general, this is definitely an episode you won't want to miss.