When AMC broke into original programming, they didn’t mess around, following up the acclaimed first season of “Mad Men” with a series about a high school chemistry teacher who starts cooking and selling crystal meth with one of his former students. Sounds like wholesome family programming, right? “Breaking Bad” became must-see TV from the pilot episode’s riveting opening scene, and creator Vince Gilligan never let up. With a sensational cast, led by two-time Emmy winner Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, “Breaking Bad” emerged as one of the best shows on TV.
As you’ll see below, we’ve been on the bandwagon from the get-go. Check out our interviews with Cranston, Paul, Gilligan and other castmembers, read through our reviews of the seriesDVDs, and don’t miss the recap of our set visits in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as well as our Breaking Bad Blog and more!
“Breaking Bad” Set Visits
“Breaking Bad” was one of our favorite shows to cover for many reasons. As mentioned above, it’s one of the best shows in television history. But we also had many opportunities to interview the wonderful cast, and also spent time with them on two set visits!
Bullz-Eye meets Bryan Cranston on the “Breaking Bad” set
This blog post title is a bit measleading, as Bullz-Eye writers Will Harris and Jamey Codding met Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul on this set visit.
Bullz-Eye Goes Back to “Breaking Bad”
This was our second set visit, where some huge surpises were revealed. Will had to keep these under wraps for a while, which must have been damn hard! Anyways, he got a glimps of some of the big plot developments that would be revealed in the upcoming season.
Interviews and Features
Jonathan Banks (August 30, 2012)
We interviewed Jonathan Banks about his role as Mike Ehrmantraut: “That was an emotional parting. When we were running lines, it was all of a sudden for the first time when I realized, ‘As far as the show, this is it. This is the last time we’re ever gonna see each other.’ So that was tough. That was tough.”
The Cast of Breaking Bad (July 14, 2011)
We interview Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn and Betsy Brandt, and Bryan Cranston discuses the richness of the series: “It’s fascinating how we can evolve a crime story, a man’s devolvement into this new world, and yet it’s a family drama as well. It’s like a hybrid of different concepts.”
“Breaking Bad” is back, baby! (July 15, 2011)
It’s been a long, cold wait for Walter White to start making meth again, but “Breaking Bad” is finally back on AMC. Will Harris previews the fourth season with a look at what’s in store.
Bryan Cranston (January 24, 2011)
Will Harris caught up with Bryan Cranston again in connection with a new web comedy, and of course they touched on “Breaking Bad” as well. “‘Breaking Bad” is the best role of my career, and yet I do miss doing comedy. So that’s why I’m involved in this, and I enjoy it.”
Bryan Cranston (Nov. 13, 2009)
Bryan explains how Walter White is the role of a lifetime: “In the history of television, it’s never been done before: to introduce a character with one set of circumstances and conditions, get to know that guy and who he is and how he thinks and how he walks and talks, and completely change him.”
Aaron Paul (March 19, 2010)
Will interviews Aaron for a second time as Season 3 is about to start: “Jesse goes through a huge change throughout season three. He kind of accepts who he is and maybe he accepts he’s not really that good of a person. It’s very sad. This season is really intense. It’s much darker, if that’s possible.”
Anna Gunn (June 15, 2010)
Skyler has a big year on the show: “On ‘Breaking Bad’s’ everchanging scripts : You maybe start going down one road, and you say, “You know what? Let’s veer off on this path over here’. It’s quite like life: you don’t ever really know what’s coming around the corner.”
Giancarlo Esposito (July 08, 2010)
Gus Fring becomes a pivotal character in Season 3, and Giancarl shares his impression of the show: “(‘Breaking Bad’) has provided an outlet for thinking man’s television. It has truly encapsulated the form perfectly this year, and I hope to be involved in the fourth season and have more excitement go on that’s equally as sublime and powerful.”
Dean Norris (May 03, 2010)
he’s axcellent as Hank Schrader, and he discusses the big events of Season 3: “People love Hank as a common guy…and I love playing Hank as a common guy, too! Hank was so much more fun in Season 1 as a bit of comic relief to the dark stuff that was going on. Now he’s become part of the dark stuff that’s going on.”
Vince Gilligan (March 19, 2010)
Series creator Vince Gilliagn discusses the challenges of keeping a great show going, “My hat’s off to anyone who sustains a series for more than a season or two, because it’s tough. To me, the way you hook people is to parcel it out slowly. Don’t fill the waters with every bit of chum you have. Just put a little bit of bait.”
Breaking Bread with “Breaking Bad” – Bryan Cranston & Aaron Paul dinner chat (March 19, 2010)
On our set visit to Albuquerque, NM, Will Harris had dinner with Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul. Aaron: “When I read (‘Breaking Bad’), I was, like, ‘This is quite possibly the best thing I’ve ever read.’ But I’m, like, ‘AMC is never going to pick this up,’ you know? ‘How are they going to make this a series?'”
Bob Odenkirk (March 19, 2010)
Bob discusses playing Saul Goodman: “I think Saul gets taken out, but I don’t know when or by whom…or if it’ll happen, really. The other thing is, I’ve said that to a couple of people, and I’ve also had people say, ‘Oh, no, no, no, no. Saul’s the only guy who walks away!'” Then of course Will suggests a spinoff for Saul, which we get many years later with “Better Call Saul.”
The “Breaking Bad” boys (06/20/2010)
Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul and Vince Gilligan sat down for a roundtable chat in the days leading up to the Season 3 finale.
“Breaking Bad” roundtable (03/19/2010)
Will Harris sat in on a group discussion with Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn and Bob Odenkirk during the Winter 2010 TCA Press Tour.
Aaron Paul (03/09/2009)
We first spoke to Aaron Paul after Season 1 had aired and the debut of Season 2 was on the horizon.
More “Breaking Bad” Interviews
Laura Fraser (Sept. 13, 2013)
On playing Lydia Rodarte-Quayle: “I think Lydia’s got a little bit of an issue with women. She was, like, supernaturally scared of Skyler. She high-tailed it out of there way faster than she would have if it had been a guy.”
Steven Bauer (09/13/2011)
In 2011, Bauer appeared in several episodes playing Mexican drug lord Don Eladio. His character was involved in some of the most dramatic scenes in the series, and Steven was thrilled when Will Harris brought this up in his interview which covered a variety of topics. Check out the interview to read his reaction to the role!
Krysten Ritter (10/24/2009)
Krysten discusses her role as Jane: “I prefer doing roles like “Breaking Bad.” To me, that’s…like, that’s the best experience I’ve had on any job, movie or TV. The writing was fantastic, my scene partner – Aaron Paul – was fantastic, working with Bryan Cranston is, like, a learning experience in and of itself. That’s what I would be doing all the time if I could: weird, crazy, dark roles.”
“Breaking Bad” Blog
Check out our epside breakdowns published in real time over the years with our “Breaking Bad” blog. Earlier epsides can be found on our Premium Hollywood “Breaking Bad” blog.
