WILLIAM BALDWIN

On ABC's Dirty Sexy Money, William Baldwin plays a politician in love with a transsexual. No big deal, says the 44-year-old actor. ''I'm hearing stuff like 'That's so daring,' and I don't get it,'' says Baldwin, best known for 1991's Backdraft. ''It's the most normal relationship on the show.'' After a 20-year career in mostly mediocre movies (see 1995's Fair Game — or, better yet, don't), Baldwin stopped being offered major roles and turned to indies (2005's The Squid and the Whale) and TV. Now Alec isn't the only Baldwin with Emmy buzz. ''When budgets are going higher and higher, it's Tom Cruise, George Clooney, Brad Pitt — the list ain't long,'' says Baldwin. ''And I never broke through.'' Billy, your time has come. —Tim Stack