I'm enjoying her perspective. And I think she is growing a little in the role. The emerging angle seems to be "youth is exposed to the classics". And that is, after all, how classics stay classics.

While I don't find The Goodbye Girl to merit classic status, I understand how it had an impact on a very young Drew Barrymore.

I was in my early 20's when it came out, and enjoyed it far more then. In a way, my appreciation for classic film can be traced with that film as an example. It is one of the first romantic comedies I can remember. From there, films like You've Got Mail provided a little more sophistication and modernity to the genre for me as I aged. Now, I find The Shop Around the Corner to be one of my absolute top 3 romantic comedies of all time, and I came to that film because of my interest in the roots of the Meg Ryan - Tom Hanks film.

Ms. Barrymore's place perhaps lies in her service as an outreach to a new generation of film fanatics. Who can knock that?

David in Seattle

Alec co-hosted The Essentials for three seasons which is longer than any of the previous co-hosts.

Last year at the TCM Film Festival, Drew Barrymore appeared at the end of the screening of Night Flight which co-starred John and Lionel Barrymore. She told Robert O and the crowd how much she loves TCM, that she always watches the channel and that she would love to co-host the Essentials.

Robert O and the staff of TCM followed up with her after the Festival and it worked out that Drew was available for the stint.

There seems to be no ill will between Alec B and TCM.

I pretty much agree with mzloretta and was happy that Robert Osborne was secure enough to accept differing opinions from someone (Alec) with obviously strong opinions and intelligence. It put spice into the commentary and brought greater depth to the films.

It would be nice, now that the co-host is Drew Barrymore, to hear some stories about her fabled family (Lionel's, Ethel's & John's generation).

Anyone have any information on why Alec actually left?

Quite enjoying Drew Barrymore as the current Essentials host. I had no idea what to expect but she is utterly charming, clearly extremely intelligent, and, of course, adorable. Sorry to have missed her hosting Razor's Edge but will definitely DVR the remaining films. I think that they all bring something different to the table. Alec Baldwin has a lot of passion and knowledge, yet I found him a bit off putting.

Drew is a lovely lass, and I've enjoyed many of her roles. However, as a co host for Essentials, she's a bit uncomfortable to watch. Can she grow into this role? Do I want to wait around? I'm not sure. I miss Alec Baldwin. He knows the artform and is passionate about it.

Mr6,

I know many posters here are concentrating on her film roles and how based on those, she's not a good choice.

But having seen her and Robert O at the TCM Film Festival a few months ago introducing Night Flight, they have terrific chemistry together and she says she is a big classic film fan and loves TCM.

She was also quite knowledgeable about her famous relatives in the film and if that passion for classic films and TCM comes through the camera (and I have no reason to doubt it won't), I think a number of posters may be surprised at how well she does as co-host.