For some years now, Turner Classic Movies has had a Saturday-night showcase of all-time great movies called “The Essentials.” Originally, it was hosted by well-known film directors: Rob Reiner, then Sydney Pollack (who was terrific), then Peter Bogdanovich. Then, TCM decided to go to a two-host format, with Robert Osborne, who already hosts all of their other prime-time movies, plus a co-host. The first such co-host was film critic Molly Haskell, who was knowledgeable but who had all the on-air personality of a test pattern. After her came Carrie Fisher, a wonderful improvement who had terrific chemistry with Osborne. Then came Rose McGowan, who was so forgettable that I had her confused with a different actress until I looked it up just now. Then came Alec Baldwin, who was popular enough to be kept on for three seasons. He’s recently been replaced by Drew Barrymore. Tonight, watching “The Third Man,” is actually the first chance I’ve gotten to tune in since she started (I did catch part of the closing remarks for some movie a few weeks ago). Barrymore seems like a great choice – actress, director, producer and descendant of Hollywood royalty.

In her opening remarks about “The Third Man,” Osborne teased her about not being convinced as he about “The Third Man” being essential. She doesn’t like what she feels is the lack of chemistry between Joseph Cotten and Alida Valli. Osborne pointed out that there’s not supposed to be chemistry so much as unrequited love – Cotten adores Valli’s character but she is still grieving for another.  Anyway, the more Drew talked about other aspects of the movie, the more excited she sounded about it – as Osborne teasingly pointed out.

Meanwhile, Alec Baldwin recently interviewed Osborne for his excellent podcast. It’s a fun interview, in which Osborne talks about the role Lucille Ball played in his career – hiring him as a young actor, but later suggesting that he might have more of a career as a writer than an actor.