The 2026 TV schedule has already included a surprising amount of reboots, revivals, and spinoffs, and we’re only halfway through the year. One of those revivals included Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair. Streaming now with a Hulu subscription, the four-episode series brought back most of the Malcolm cast with even more chaos and surprises in tow. One surprise I just found out about was how the crew redid the original house, and it sounds like an insane amount of work.

Even though I am always on the fence about revivals and reboots, it’s always incredible seeing the same sets as if nothing ever changed. Between the exact layout, intricate details and more, you’d assume that said set was never torn down or that they had blueprints of the set and knew where everything should be. But in Malcolm in the Middle’s case, things were a bit more complicated. Bryan Cranston, who played Hal, did Variety’s Actors on Actors segment with Rhea Seehorn, where he talked about doing the revival. Seehorn asked him if they had to rebuild the sets in Life’s Still Unfair, and he got real about the house:

I have heard about going the extra mile, but I can't imagine having to comb through who knows how many episodes just to make sure that the house is exact. It probably would have been easier to just build a whole new house set. But it wouldn’t be the same if Hal and Lois lived in a different house than the one on Malcolm in the Middle, which went through so much over the seven-season run.

It’s astounding that no blueprints were saved, even with the show ending two decades ago. Of course, no one could have predicted that a revival would have happened, but you never know when you could need it. This definitely makes me appreciate Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair even more and the hardworking crew. Although now I’m curious if other revivals have to go through the same process.

As of now, it’s unknown if Malcolm in the Middle will get another revival. While nothing is set in stone, it’s possible the revival could launch a spinoff. Creator Linwood Boomer and executive producer Tracy Katsky Boomer previously shared that they think Keeley Karsten, who plays Malcolm’s daughter Leah, could hold her own with her own show. Four episodes was definitely not enough, but if more episodes happen hopefully they don’t have to rebuild the OG house again from scratch.

If anything, all that hard work definitely paid off. Reviews for Life’s Still Unfair leaned toward mostly positive, with many critics pointing out that the one downside is the fact that the show is only four episodes long. More hard work could be on the way, but for now, fans can watch the original series and revival on Hulu and see if they can spot any differences with the house.

I think it’s safe to say at this point that Breaking Bad will go down in history as one of the best TV shows of all time. It’s somehow been almost 13 years since that harrowing series finale, and there are still dozens of Breaking Bad moments that blow our minds. So it’s hard to imagine that anyone — even creator Vince Gilligan — could ever have doubted whether the series was “good enough,” but according to Bryan Cranston, that’s exactly what happened.

Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul — who famously starred as Walter White and Jesse Pinkman, respectively, on Breaking Bad’s five seasons — sat down with the Friends Keep Secrets podcast, and Cranston recalled Vince Gilligan always fretting about making the show better — a trait the actor says all of the best in the entertainment industry share. Cranston said:

Knowing what resulted from his efforts, it seems like Vince Gilligan had no reason for such concern, but he undoubtedly was under pressure from naysayers — including the TV exec who called his Breaking Bad pitch “the single worst idea I’ve ever heard” — and maybe if he hadn’t pushed so hard, the show wouldn’t be what it is.

Aaron Paul noted how Vince Gilligan complicated his characters’ circumstances in ways that made it challenging to figure out how Walt and Jesse were going to continue to get away with their operation. He said:

Bryan Cranston credits Vince Gilligan’s dedication to his craft for making Breaking Bad as good as it is. His efforts were worth all the struggle, because the series they created is going to live on:

Breaking Bad’s legacy appears to be safe, and Vince Gilligan is no one trick pony, either. His prequel/spinoff Better Call Saul was arguably better than Breaking Bad, running for six seasons on AMC. Now Gilligan’s doing great things with Pluribus, which stars Better Call Saul’s Rhea Seehorn and has been a must-watch since its gripping pilot episode. That series can be streamed with an Apple TV subscription, and you’ve probably got plenty of time to catch up as we wait for Pluribus Season 2.

Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, meanwhile, are two of the best shows to binge on Netflix right now, so fire up that Netflix subscription to watch (or rewatch) these series that hopefully Vince Gilligan knows by now are more than just “good enough.”

Breaking Bad is a show filled with character tragedies of all sizes and flavors, but one scene that still bludgeons my brain all these years later is Brock’s poisoning, since that was one of the most unforgivable acts. (If any character actions that go down throughout the 2026 TV schedule even come close, I’ll be surprised.) Brock’s situation specifically led to one of the show’s most dramatic Walt and Jesse scenes, and Bryan Cranston has made the sequence all the more powerful to me with a BTS reveal.

Cranston, somewhat fresh off his 2026 Emmys win for his wild and mostly soundless performance in The Studio’s Season 1 finale, sat with fellow Vince Gilligan alum Rhea Seehorn (of Better Call Saul and Pluribus fame) and Variety to talk about working with one of television’s most celebrated creators. The two Emmy winners addressed the fact that Gilligan (and Saul co-creator Peter Gould) are known for holding off on giving actors scripts for future installments. As one might imagine, that detail brought interesting wrinkles to certain scenes, such as the aforementioned argument.

The scene in question took place in the back half of Season 4’s “End Times,” with Jesse holding Walt at gunpoint while accusing him of poisoning Andrea’s son, which Walt denies with heightened efficiency. Here’s how Cranston described playing out that dialogue without knowing the truth:

That all makes sense as an actor playing a character who, despite much evidence suggesting otherwise, often comes across as somewhat empathetic to those closest to him. But then Walt is also as desperate as characters can be, which also plays into his overtly frightened responses.

Of course, Walt DID poison Brock, so that entire scene is really an exercise in extreme duplicitousness. Which Cranston addressed when he continued, saying:

Gotta love that even Bryan Cranston seemed surprised to learn just how dark his character's actions could be. But did he really believe his own acting in that scene? Maybe so. When Rhea Seehorn asked him if he'd have played that argument any differently knowing the truth, to which he responded with:

Even knowing that Walt was responsible for so much of the horrible sh-t that happened in Breaking Bad, I still probably would have believed him during that exchange, given how hardcore Cranston's acting was. We're all just trusting Jesses deep down, I guess.

The wonders of the Breaking Bad-verse will likely never cease to make themselves known. All episodes can be streamed via Netflix subscription while waiting for Rhea Seehorn's return as Carol in Pluribus Season 2, which will presumably find its way back into our lives in 2027 via Apple TV subscription.

We hear all the time about actors having people shout lines of dialogue at them when they’re in public or being asked by fans to recite a particular quote. This can surely be annoying to celebrities when they’re asked to perform on command, but it’s hard to fault the fans for being excited … right? Maybe not. Bryan Cranston admitted that he tends to troll people who ask him to say a famous Breaking Bad line, but after hearing why, I’m actually on the actor’s side.

Breaking Bad may be one of the best TV dramas ever made, with Bryan Cranston making the ultimate character transformation from Walter White, chemistry teacher with cancer, to “Heisenberg,” meth producer and drug lord. There were so many moments in Breaking Bad that blew our minds, so it’s really not a surprise that the actor gets fans asking to hear his most menacing quotes. In a conversation for Esquire, Frankie Muniz asked Cranston what famous line people want him to say, and he admitted to doing what he’s asked, just not in the way they want to hear it. He said:

It comes off as a bit rude that Bryan Cranston would agree to say something to an excited fan, only to do it in a way that he knows that person doesn’t want to hear it. Honestly, think about hearing the actor say that famous line in a high-pitched sing-song voice when this is what you were expecting:

It turns out, though, that Bryan Cranston isn’t just doing that to be a jerk. After hearing his explanation, I doubt he’s out there trying to ruin people’s day. He explained:

Walter White was undoubtedly an intense role, and if you’ll refer again to the clip above, it really feels like Bryan Cranston had to go to some dark places to evoke such menace and play a character who was capable of some horrible things. That’s not a place inside yourself that you want to revisit while walking down the street or catching dinner at a restaurant.

Bryan Cranston had to let his Breaking Bad character die, and now fans have to understand, too, that Cranston is not Heisenberg, and he’s definitely not out there demanding that people “Say my name.”

There may be a more gracious way for the actor to deny fans’ requests, but at least this way, people can say they heard Bryan Cranston do the line, and he doesn’t have to conjure any of the Walter White evil that may lie dormant inside of him either. If you want to hear the line as it was originally delivered, Breaking Bad is one of the best shows to binge-watch on Netflix right now, so fire up that Netflix subscription and head to Season 4’s “Cornered” to find the one who knocks.

Breaking Bad is generally considered one of the greatest modern TV shows of all time (and for good reason). With that, series lead Bryan Cranston still fields questions about the show over a decade after its conclusion. The crime drama came up again while Cranston was promoting the well received Malcolm In The Middle: Life's Still Unfair. And, funny enough, Cranston found himself in the position of defending the Skyler White character from co-star Frankie Muniz.

Muniz, who played Cranston's titular TV son on Malcolm in the Middle, appeared alongside him during a recent Hot One Versus interview. During the interview, Muniz asked Cranston which of his most well-known TV wives was a better spouse, Lois or Skyler. From there, Muniz talked about how much he couldn't stand Skyler when he watched Breaking Bad, but Cranston stepped in and shared his take on it:

That response got Muniz to back off his comments, and I can't help but wonder if the former child actor sensed he wasn't going to successfully convince Cranston that Skyler was a bad person. Regardless of that, the conversation went subsequently flowed right along with no further back-and-forth about it.

Frankie Muniz's view of Skyler White being awful is hardly unique, as actress Anna Gunn has talked about receiving fan backlash over playing her character. A portion of the fandom seems to view Skyler as the villain in Walt's story, given he initially took up drug dealing to help his family amid his terminal cancer diagnosis. However, toward the end of the series, it became clearer that Walt's motivations were less about ensuring his family's future after his passing and more about attaining power.

Fortunately, more viewers have come to see Skyler as sympathetic in the years since Breaking Bad. I would also argue that I've seen more people readily view Walter as the real villain of the series, despite his goofier, unassuming moments (including the pizza incident with the roof).

With all that said, I still don't think it's hard to understand why Bryan Cranston picked Lois over Skyler as the better fictional wife. There's just something sweet about seeing Hal and Lois' relationship on Malcolm, specifically the way they remain close despite juggling the chaos brought on by their sons.

Then again, how can one measure the love a spouse has when comparing odd shaving rituals with laundering money for a drug cartel? Skyler White certainly has her flaws, but I think it's clear enough at the end of the day that she genuinely cares about Walt despite the wild circumstances that he put the family in. Would Lois do the same for Hal? I have to wonder.

Malcolm In The Middle: Life's Still Unfair is available to stream with a Hulu subscription. Anyone looking for something a bit more intense, though, can check out Bryan Cranston's Emmy-winning turn as Walter White by streaming all five seasons of Breaking Bad with a Netflix subscription now.

In the last 20 years, there have been many conversations about the incredible talents of Bryan Cranston. The last 20 years, of course, covers the full run of Breaking Bad, but his time as Walter White also put into focus his impressive pre-Breaking Bad years. For seven seasons, he executed the work of a comedic genius playing Hal on Malcolm in the Middle, and per the creator of the series, it's because he is "essentially fearless" as a performer.

One can recognize this fearlessness watching his work on the new limited revival series Malcolm In The Middle: Life's Still Unfair (which is now available to stream with a Hulu subscription), – and when I spoke with series creator Linwood Boomer and executive producer Tracy Katsky Boomer, they explained it was all a part of the creative process that was utilized a quarter century ago:

• Linwood Boomer: He's used to that from me. He's used to the, 'Hey, why don't we cover you with 10,000 bees?'
• Tracy Katsky Boomer: That's how they used to come up with storylines. They would come up with like, 'What would Bryan say no to?' And they would try to think of the craziest thing. Like, 'Well, he'd never say yes to 10,000 bees.' And then he'd come up and be like 'Bryan said "yes" to bees.'

The reference to the flying, stinging insects is a specific callback to Malcolm In The Middle Season 1's "The Bots And The Bees," but that was just one wild ride the show took him on. When the '00s sitcom was at its most cartoonish, Hal was usually in the middle of it, and he did everything from get strapped to the front of a bus (Season 4's "Baby (Part 2)" to get stuck under a "paintvalanche (Season 2's "Hal Quits").

That spirit is very much back in play in Malcolm In The Middle: Life's Still Unfair. Without giving away too much, Hal ends up going on a bodacious drug trip that involves wild self-exploration – and it involves a sequence of rebirth and conversation with various parts of himself.

Discussing the actor's work, Linwood Boomer postulated that Bryan Cranston's openness to challenge in his work stems from his own creativity and the ability to build on the material presented to him. Boomer added,

Bryan Cranston's Hal is arguably the great highlight of Malcolm In The Middle: Life's Still Unfair (which can be attributed to a perfect approach to the character), but everything about the new 2026 TV series is remarkable. If you haven't watched the acclaimed show yet, do it now, and if you've already watched it, do yourself a favor and watch it again.

The critically acclaimed Apple TV show, The Studio, is returning for a second season, and filming is currently underway. While fans are excited for the Hollywood-centric series to return, the whole event is undeniably bittersweet. The creatives are mourning the death of Catherine O’Hara , who died in January at 71. Aside from being a comedy legend, O'Hara was also an integral part of the Emmy-winning show. Now, series cast member Bryan Cranston is revealing what the production process has been like in the wake of O’Hara’s passing.

During a recent interview with Vulture, Cranston opened up about his friendship with O’Hara, which he developed while working on The Studio with her. He unsurprisingly had nothing but wonderful things to say about the late actress. Cranston specifically talked about how O'Hara's energy contributed to the show being a special experience, and how her experience and craft as an actress was apparent throughout the entire process:

The pair didn’t share too many scenes together, as Cranston plays the Studio CEO Griffin Mill, and O’Hara played former movie studio head Patty Leigh. However, the two actors did have one unforgettable scene together where Cranston’s character is high on drugs and the rest of the main characters have to puppeteer him at a Cinema convention. Trust me when I say it's absolutely hilarious. Cranston gave one of the funniest performances, but O’Hara is also pitch perfect in the scene. Both of them are fearless performers, and it's easy to gather exactly what Cranston is saying about O'Hara based on this scene alone.

Of course, the show must go on, as The Studio is currently shooting in Venice. However, the Breaking Bad star made it clear that Catherine O’Hara’s presence was still heavily felt on set, and her sneaky and sweet gestures were missed. As for how the cast has been keeping the late comedian's memory alive, Cranston shared some truly sweet comments (and a funny anecdote involving series lead and co-creator Seth Rogen):

O’Hara might not physically be a part of The Studio Season 2, but her spirit clearly lives on through her incredible co-stars, who've sought to honor her throughout the production process. All in all, O'Hara was truly a force of nature on and off screen and, although the show simply will not be the same without her, it’s comforting to know her comedic sensibilities are being kept alive by people who loved and admired her.

Fans can revisit Catherine O’Hara’s performance on Season 1 of The Studio, which is currently streaming with an Apple TV subscription. Fans can also look forward to the second season, which is expected to be released later this year. For more information about other exciting titles heading to the small screen this year, make sure to consult the 2026 TV schedule.

It’s been two decades since Malcolm in the Middle ended its seven-season run on Fox, and if you often ponder how adult life has treated the titular genius middle child and his crazy family, you’re in luck. Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair, set to hit the 2026 TV schedule on April 10, sees Frankie Muniz’s Malcolm being pulled back into his family’s orbit after intentionally distancing himself. Critics have seen the four-part revival, and they say the only thing that’s unfair is there isn’t more of it.

Almost all of the original cast members are reprising their roles for the Malcolm in the Middle revival, including Frankie Muniz, Bryan Cranston and Jane Kaczmarek. Unfortunately, Erik Per Sullivan has retired from acting and will not return as Dewey, but I’m interested to see how Caleb Ellsworth-Clark steps into that role. We’ll also get to meet Malcolm’s daughter Leah (played by Keeley Karsten … do I smell a spinoff?) and girlfriend Tristan (Kiana Madeira). Enough already! Let’s get to the reviews!

Kristy Puchko of Mashable says this is more of a celebration of one of the best sitcoms of all time than a reboot, and the “sensational” Life’s Still Unfair had her laughing, gasping and crying. She continues:

Matt Roush of TV Insider rates the four 30-minute episodes (which will be available with a Hulu subscription) 4 out of 5 stars, calling it a “raucous hoot.” Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair will leave you wanting more, but its “boisterous brevity” is also so satisfying. Roush writes:

Aiden Kelley of Collider gives the miniseries an 8 out of 10, writing that it’s a more-than-worthy return that is hilarious but really shines in its emotional moments. Kelley’s only complaint is that not all of the supporting cast can be done justice in such a short runtime. The Life’s Still Unfair review reads:

Amber Dowling of The Wrap agrees that the worst part of the Malcolm in the Middle revival is that it’s only four episodes. Dowling writes:

For Aramide Tinubu of Variety, however, neither the whimsy nor nostalgia justify the revival's existence, and it ends up feeling more like a wholly unnecessary reunion special bursting with cameos. Tinubu writes:

Critics mostly agree this is a nostalgia trip worth taking, and the biggest complaint in the Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair reviews that I read was that they wanted more than two hours of time with these beloved characters. All four episodes of the miniseries will be available to stream Friday, April 10, on Hulu, where you can also watch the original series’ seven seasons.

Ever since I started watching The Pitt and learned that the actress behind Dr. Mel King, Taylor Dearden, was the daughter of Bryan Cranston, I’ve been wondering if he’d ever appear on the show. Then, I heard the Breaking Bad actor praise his kid's work, and that dream became bigger. Now, as Season 2 of Pitt prepares to premiere, an executive producer has opened up about whether that dream could ever become a reality.

This whole conversation about Cranston started when Chucky actor Brad Dourif was brought up during an interview with Rotten Tomatoes, because he guest-starred on The Pitt during Season 1. Notably, his daughter, Fiona Dourif, is a regular on the medical drama – she plays Dr. McKay – and her real-life dad got to portray her character’s father, Neil McKay. So, the interviewer asked if there was a “temptation” to “get Bryan to come in with Taylor.” In response, director and executive producer John Wells said:

Well, that settled things quickly. The odds of us ever seeing Bryan Cranston on The Pitt are slim to none. However, there’s a good reason behind it.

Overall, this medical drama is made up of extremely talented actors who were not super well-known, with the exception of Noah Wyle. That is a fact they’d like to maintain on the show, so the attention stays on the characters we know and love and the messages about healthcare workers and medicine they’re working to spread. Explaining that point further, Wells said:

To be blunt, if Bryan Cranston (or any A-lister for that matter) were to be on The Pitt, it’s possible that it would shift the focus of the show and leave people more likely in awe of the actor than the story at hand.

Don’t get me wrong, some series use A-list guest stars in very effective ways. I mean, Cranston won a 2025 Emmy for guest-starring on The Studio, which felt like it featured every famous person ever in it. However, other programs aren’t built to do things like that, and that’s the case for The Pitt.

So, as The Pitt gets ready to premiere on the 2026 TV schedule, don’t get your hopes up. However, don’t feel like this is a bad thing either. Sure, it’d be great to see the father-daughter duo on screen together, but they can do that elsewhere. When it comes to this medical drama (which was one of my favorite shows of 2025), the focus is going to stay on the actors we got to know last season and introduce us to new guest stars and regulars who will be played by talented actors who deserve the spotlight. That seems like a win to me.

Now, to see Taylor Dearden and the cast of The Pitt back in action, make sure your HBO Max subscription is ready. Season 2 premieres on January 8, and then it will air weekly on Thursdays after that.

Malcolm in the Middle is returning, as Frankie Muniz and the cast reunited to shoot a four-part miniseries that’ll debut amid the 2026 TV schedule. The prospect of seeing the stars reprise their respective roles is very exciting, and that’s especially true when it comes to Bryan Cranston. Fans seem pumped to see Cranston play devoted but occasionally irresponsible father Hal again, and even Aaron Paul is psyched. That was evidenced by the excellent, Breaking Bad-related comment Paul left under Cranston’s recent post.

An official teaser for Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair was released just days ago, and it reaffirmed that the show would premiere for Hulu subscription holders in 2026. However, the clip does delightfully play on the classic scene of Hal having his back shaved. Bryan Cranston shared the video to his Instagram, with a portion of his caption reading, “Some things never change.” Take a look at the video below:

I never thought I’d ever say this in any context, but that video of a man getting the hair on his back shaved is making me nostalgic. Based on the comments section, I’m not the only one who feels that way either. Aaron Paul – who played Jesse Pinkman to Cranston’s Walter White on Breaking Bad – hyped up his longtime pal. He also included an excellent reference to the Vince Gilligan-created drug drama:

While Walter White sports the white undergarments on a few occasions throughout Breaking Bad, the most iconic instance in which he wears the tighty-whities while cooking meth and later while trying to defend himself from drug dealers. I’d like to think that Cranston is now indeed giving the people what they want by reprising his role as Hal. Of course, fans shouldn’t expect the humorous father of six to be slinging meth when he returns in the miniseries.

Life’s Still Unfair focuses on Malcolm – now a father with a daughter of his own – as he reunites with his family to celebrate parents Hal and Lois’ 40th wedding anniversary. In addition to lead actor Frankie Muniz and Bryan Cranston, other franchise veterans like Jane Kaczmarek, Christopher Masterson and Justin Berfield are also returning. Some of the stars have expressed enthusiasm about working together again, including Cranston, who’s kept tabs on his TV family in the years since the OG show ended its seven-season run on Fox in 2006.

I can’t see Cranston covering himself in blue paint again for the sake of this limited series, but what I can easily imagine is for Hal to have become somewhat kookier with age. My theory also extends to the various members of Hal’s family and, honestly, what would this franchise be without this large brood’s distinct eccentricities? Needless to say, like Aaron Paul, I’ll be tuning in for this TV revival.

For now, Malcolm and the Middle fans – as well as series newcomers – can stream all seven seasons of the show now on Hulu. A Disney+ subscription will grant access to the beloved single-camera comedy series as well.

Mild spoilers below for anyone who isn't caught up with Pluribus' first season via Apple TV subscription.

As someone who's gone through fluxuating levels of obsession with Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, I was beyond ready for Vince Gilligan's newest show Pluribus to similarly suck me in, and I also knew that I'd be unable to watch without my brain forcing comparisons and contrasts between all the shows. I'd like to be able to say it's because all three shows take place in Albuquerque, but nope.

To be sure, Rhea Seehorn's Carol is invested in a story that's entirely unlike Gilligan's grittier crime drama and its body-dropping legal-ish drama follow-up, and not just because I can't predict what'll happen. Carol is a bestselling author and one of very few people left who still has her own thoughts and motivations intact, as the rest of the planet has "suffered" what appears to be the most peaceful alien invasion imaginable. It'd be an understatement to say she's not into it, and she makes zero effort to hide her constant misery and disdain.

It's that side of Carol's personality that brings to mind the point in Bryan Cranston's Breaking Bad run when his Heisenberg persona was rolling on all cyllinders. So let's dig into it.

Pluribus' Carol Is A Miserable And Moody Person, But Rhea Seehorn Immediately Makes It Work

Even before the world went belly-up, Carol Sturka revealed herself to be more misanthropic than one might expect from a hugely popular fantasy author with a loving fanbase. Flashbacks have also shown her to be the glass-half-empty side of the coin to optimistic manager and lover Helen (Miriam Shor). So when Helen is killed and the rest of humanity is taken over by hive-mind behavior, Carol is certainly qualified to be the most unhappy person in existence.

The tonal specifics are obviously intentional, with Carol set up to be the immovable object facing the presumably unstoppable force of The Others' influence. They're currently unable to figure out how to tap into Carol's brain, which sets up an ongoing mystery of sorts, and also allows for a very non-traditional narrative set-up. Our protagonist is both rude and rash, and she makes decisions that seem to fly in the face of her comfort and survival; meanwhile, the antagonists are unendingly pleasant, helpful and seem to have Carol's best interests at heart, even if an ulterior motive or two is also lurking.

A set-up like this doesn't happen that often because it's not one that's destined to succeed. Main characters are generally meant to be likeable and agreeable so that the biggest number of viewers watching can find ways to relate with them. That's more or less how Seehorn was brought into Better Call Saul's story, and her character Kim Wexler became arguably the fourth biggest character in Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould's crime saga.

Without Better Call Saul endearing me so strongly to what Rhea Seehorn brings to Gilligan's storytelling, I can't say for sure that I'd be quite as won over by Carol's unending snark and attitude. But probably so, with Walter White setting the precedent.

Heisenberg Is One Of TV's Most Adored Monsters, Despite Being An Egotistical Asshole

Even beyond the "Prestige TV" comparisons of the overall shows, Breaking Bad's Walter White stands alongside The Sopranos' Tony Soprano in the sense of being TV criminals that fans idolize as if they were bigger heroes than Superman. But when you look at Walt's behavior solely during the later seasons when he's fully taken on the Heisenberg persona, almost nothing he does is virtuous or agreeable or meant to earn goodwill from viewers.

Walt becomes increasingly invested in his own legacy and rise to prominence, and completely loses sight of the vaguely justified reasons he initially had for cooking meth. As Heisenberg, Walt legitimately burns all bridges and seems incapable of going any lower by the end, having both witnessed and perpetrated the murders of those most important to his loved ones, with plenty of other bodies keeping them company.

Unlike Rhea Seehorn's Carol, however, Bryan Cranston was given an ample amount of time during Breaking Bad 's early seasons to play up Walt as a smart and sympathetic family man who opts for logic over emotion. We see him as the loving husband, the supportive father and the dedicated employee, so that it means that much more when those distinctions are stripped away and destroyed.

By the time he's declaring himself to be the "one who knocks," Walt already has millions of viewers on his side, and it's an easy shift to follow along with, especially with an even bigger villainous benchmark like Gus Fring looming. So then when that threat gets taken care of, it's beyond clear that Walt could do absolutely anything without facing a full fanbase backlash.

We're not there yet with Seehorn's Carol, who doesn't appear capable of sinking to Walt's level just yet. Even though she did technically kill millions of people when her emotions went untethered, Carol had no idea it was happening, and has since atempted to avoid repeated instances. Which may or may not be the nicest thing the character has done so far.

By all means, Carol will likely start to shed some of her barbed armor as Pluribus gets deeper into Season 1, but I'm holding out hope that she remains just as prickly to keep audiences on our toes. If we've made it this far without everyone hating her, there's no reason to shift course, I'd think. Blessed be Bryan Cranston and Rhea Seehorn for making murderers and curmudgeons so loveable.

Vince Gilligan has said he’d only go back to Breaking Bad’s universe without other projects to work on, but that would mean Pluribus would need to get canceled. So for now, that’s a big reason why I’m not so eager to dig deeper into Walter White or Saul Goodman’s stories. But just for now.

Pluribus streams new episodes on Apple TV every Friday.

A new layer was just added to the discourse surrounding the financial troubles Bryan Cranston’s movie, Lone Wolf, is facing. It was reported a couple of months ago that the production was apparently not paying some of its cast and crew in full. Now, the Breaking Bad actor has spoken out about the situation, and he vowed “not to appear on screen again” until everyone gets the compensation they deserve.

In a statement given to Deadline, Cranston, who leads the conspiracy thriller alongside Lily Gladstone, explained that the publication's initial report about Lone Wolf was accurate as far as he knew. And, since he’s not a producer on the project, he laid out the “second-hand” information he had, explaining:

Reportedly, the film has a shortfall of $2 million, and it needs that to complete filming, Deadline reported in another story. It explained that the film’s team is working to get the finances necessary to finish the work. However, because of this financial struggle, the cast and crew’s pay has been delayed, and it’s been that way since early in production.

Due to this, SAG-AFTRA placed a Do Not Work Order on the project; however, they were able to start back up, as Cranston’s statement also noted.

The actor then explained that the team behind the film is working to secure the money needed to see this project to completion. However, if that does not happen, both he and Gladstone will not promote or finish work on the movie, as he said:

Considering Cranston’s filmography, which includes the award-winning and excellent drama Breaking Bad, as well as Gladstone’s status as a 2024 Oscar nominee and prestigious actor, they are the two most notable names attached to this movie. They are the stars, and this statement made it clear as to why they won’t finish or promote the film if everyone else isn't paid in full. This declaration could carry some weight in this situation.

It’s more than evident through this statement that Cranston wants to make sure his other co-stars and crew get fully compensated and finish the film. He made that evident again with the following remarks. Explaining that while he did get paid in full, he was “surprised” that the crew hadn’t, and this whole situation has left him “distressed,” as he stated:

While it’s not unheard of for indie movies to face financial difficulties, Deadline noted that this kind of trouble is “more rare” for projects at the scale of Lone Wolf. It has a lot of good going for it, with Mark Pellington directing the thriller about a veteran (Gladstone) who gets recruited by a contractor (Cranston) for a mission to assassinate a major politician, and Cranston, Gladstone, O’Shea Jackson Jr. and more starring in it.

Hopefully, it can work through its financial troubles and pay everyone what they deserve. At the moment, it’s unclear how exactly that will happen. So it’s likely that Lone Wolf will not appear on the 2025 movie schedule. However, as we learn more about this situation and how the cast and crew are responding to it, we’ll keep you updated.

The 2025 TV schedule has played host to some great new shows, including The Pitt. The hit series, which is streamable with a Max subscription, marks Noah Wyle’s medical drama TV comeback, but the show also highlights some fresh talent. One of the many fresh faces that makes up the stellar ensemble cast is actress Taylor Dearden, who is the daughter of acclaimed actor Bryan Cranston. Being the proud dad that he is, Cranston knows Dearden crushes it on the show, but what I really love his reason for not giving her any acting advice.

Dearden plays Dr. Melissa “Mel” King, a second-year resident who has become quite the fan-favorite. The rising star is Cranston’s only child and uses the surname of her mother, Robin Dearden, who is also an actress. As Taylor continues to receive praise for her role on the show, Cranston spoke to The Associated Press about her success, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a father with more glowing thoughts on their kid:

The Pitt is not Taylor Dearden’s first acting gig, as she actually made a small appearance on Breaking Bad back in 2010. She’s appeared in a number of shows and short films, since then, most recently Apple TV+’s For All Mankind in 2022. However, the aforementioned medical drama seems to be shaping up into her true breakthrough job. On top of that, the show has become a critical darling, and it quickly received a renewal for Season 2.

It’s sweet to hear how much Bryan Cranston supports his daughter and her professional endeavors, but he has firm reasons for not providing her with acting advice:

I absolutely love Cranston’s reasoning, which is that Dearden may have picked up more than a few pointers naturally due to her parents' chosen professions. The Malcolm in the Middle icon also brings up a great point in that there are cases in which kids just don't want to take advice from their folks. I love that Cranston just trusts that his daughter will be able to navigate her way through the industry like he had to. There's a firm balance between being a supportive parent and a domineering one, and it seems Cranston has struck the balance.

Considering Taylor Dearden's work on The Pitt, I can definitely understand why her dad is so confident in her abilities. Mel King is such an interesting character as well, and there's certainly room for her to grow. That being said, it’s unlikely the show will explore the characters' lives outside of the hospital, but that certainly doesn't mean Dearden won't have strong material to work with moving forward.

There's been a lot of discussion about nepotism in the entertainment industry as of late and, admittedly, there are some valid takes on that. However, that doesn't take away from the sheer pride that an actor like Bryan Cranston sees in his daughter. To check out Dearden's great performance, check out the The Pitt (which is very visceral) now!

Spoilers below for anyone who hasn’t yet streamed The Studio’s Season 1 finale with an Apple TV+ subscription.

Seth Rogen & Co. deserve a lot of praise for everything that’s made The Studio’s first season such a hilarious treat for streaming audiences, from A+ directors cameoing as themselves to the spot-on satire surrounding its Kool-Aid movie to Rogen’s proficiency with on-screen pratfalls. The main cast also excels, of course, but the finale firmly proves that recurring star Bryan Cranston is not only this show’s biggest highlight, but quite possibly the funniest thing on TV in 2025 altogether.

Of course, Cranston’s studio boss Griffin Mill wouldn’t have reached such unpredictably nutty highs and lows without the events of the preceding episode, "CinemaCon,” which goes a long way in supporting this argument. It’s of course where Griffin imbibed on countless shroom-enhanced chocolates and other drugs, leading to a largely bumbling and completely incoherent performance in “The Presentation.” Speaking of…

Bryan Cranston Deserves Awards For His Weekend At Bernie's-esque Physical Comedy

Matt's plight to pull off the most successful CinemaCon presentation imaginable seems all but possible on the morning of the event itself, considering no one involved is able to get any sleep, with Matt thinking it'd be a good idea to have a hallucinogen-fueled rager the night before. Who knows how successful he would have been if not for Griffin showing up and drinking, eating and snorting whatever was in his midst. Behavior that's made all the more troubling by Matt learning Griffin is 82, far older than what others believe him to be.

This perfect set-up for disaster is indeed hell for Matt, Sal and others, and the finale turns into a very self-aware semi-parody of 1989’s vacation-gone-awry movie Weekend at Bernie’s. (The second Andrew McCarthy movie reference, following Matt namechecking Mannequin in a previous episode.) That gimmick could easily lose its appeal with the quickness if handled wrong, but The Studio makes an artform out of it thanks to Bryan Cranston’s upper-echelon physical comedy talents.

The fact that Cranston isn’t playing a corpse makes his lolling and other unpredictable movements all the more hilarious, and there are moments where I felt positive a dummy was used in the actor’s place, only to realize the Breaking Bad star never left. Every single time his head rolled backwards or forwards, with his mouth awkwardly hanging open, I howled. Similarly, his every attempt to lick his ice cream cone floored me. I had to rewind several times because jokes were drowned out by my voice.

While many fans can’t wait to see Bryan Cranston return to the world of Malcolm in the Middle for that sitcom’s upcoming revival, I can’t imagine that anything he does in those four episodes will come anywhere near the excellence of his Studio performance. Which is made all the more impressive due to how completely incomprehensible the character was in the finale, with his only big line happening during the “Movies!” chant that closes things out.

It’s a perfect performance that just doesn’t happen very often in modern entertainment, but Cranston proves beyond all doubt that slapstick will never die. And if it turns out any of The Studio’s shelved episodes are about Griffin Mill, I will do whatever’s necessary to see them come to light.

Though Bryan Cranston's performance is on a wholly different level from everyone else in The Studio's finale, the episode also features the wildest scenes from Zoë Kravitz, who unwittingly chows down on way too many illicit chocolates before realizing that there's psilocybin in them.

I honestly could have watched everything that went down in Kravitz's hotel room in real time, considering how hiliariously childlike and completely random she became. Perhaps the biggest highlight? Her effortlessly nailing the Blackwing presentation for the CinemaCon crowd before walking backstage and gleefully confessing that she was peeing her pants. Pure chaos and pure comedy.

Honorable Mention #1: Zoë Kravitz On Mushrooms Is A+ Television

Honorable Mention #2: Dave Franco Should Always Be This Hysterically Loud And Unpredictable

As if there weren't already enough unpredictable moving parts wandering around Las Vegas during The Studio's final two episodes, Dave Franco's presence is almost completely uncessary from a narrative perspective, but absoultely necessary to ramp up the comedic quotient. He basically exists to offer the loudest and most sporadic exposition possible, as he's also under a number of different influences

It's a testament to Franco's unbridled id-energy and charismatic smile that his performance works so well, since there isn't much to it beyond him yelling and enjoying everything. I mean, he obviously gets as caught up in the mayhem as anyone, and pulls off his own CinemaCon presentation despite being covered in blood from an unrelated incident. And it's hard to judge the crowd for applauding it, since it's surprisingly effective for something so off-the-cuff.

So by the time the Emmys come around again, if Bryan Cranston's name isn't one of the Guest Actor nominees for his stellar work as Griffin Mill, I. guess the only next step would be to eat a bunch of mushroom-filled chocolates and then produce my own version of the Emmys at home. Nobody needs to see that, though.

When Deadpool & Wolverine was hitting the movie release schedule last year, I did wonder what Hugh Jackman would do next. Unsurprisingly, he headed back to his theater roots for From New York, With Love, which is expected to keep running until October 2025. But on the movie front his next project is a movie about some sheep solving a murder, and I can't stop thinking about it.

Amazon showed up for the first time this year at CinemaCon 2025, and during CinemaBlend's live blog of the whole event, there was a lot of hope we might get some Bond news. The closest thing we got to that was that some work has “started” in London, but to be honest, it didn’t really matter because the movie I am still thinking about days later actually had to do with Hugh Jackman and the sheep solving a murder.

Amazon announced Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie – a movie literally about some sheep who are devastated and try and figure out whodunnit after their shepherd dies –and the vibe in the crowd was audibly giving a “what is this?” sort of bent.

But then we got footage from the studio, and to be honest, the movie looks delightful. I’d still argue Three Bags Full reads more like a Hallmark movie title than a big screen venture, but Amazon is committed to bringing this one to the big screen, and after seeing the first look, it doesn’t look half baaaa-d. I know, I couldn't help myself.

Hugh Jackman theatrical follow-up after Deadpool & Wolverine with a little movie from none other than Kyle Balda, who helmed a bunch of Despicable Me franchise projects for Universal. Chernobyl and The Last of Us’ Craig Mazin wrote the script and some major talent is involved, and when I say major I mean it:

• Hugh Jackman
• Bryan Cranston
• Emma Thompson
• Nicholas Galitzine (Heartstopper)
• Patrick Stewart
• Julia Louis-Dreyfus
• Regina Hall
• Nicholas Braun (Succession)
• Molly Gordon (The Bear)
• Chris O’Dowd

But talent alone does not necessarily make for a good movie, and Three Bags Full will likely rise or fall based on its tone, which seems both amusing and engaging. As for its title, the movie is actually based on the book of the same name by Leonie Swan, a book you can purchase on Amazon and is called a “clever spin” and an “offbeat yarn” (yes those are both wool nods) on the detective genre.

Three Bags Full isn’t expected to come to theaters until 2026, but it’s part of a new move from Amazon to work toward reinvigorating the theatrical business. Amazon has committed upwards of 15 movies for full theatrical runs in the coming years so that audiences can continue enjoying movies on the big screen. And hey, at least Jackman won't have to worry about peeing in the Wolverine suit for this one...

The studio really had a big win with Red One last year (though less so at the box office), and it was a big move to see the studio show up at CinemaCon this year, and alongside properties like Bond, it’s nice to see Amazon also investing in some originals (and maybe selling a few books on the side in the meantime).

I didn’t have this on my bingo card when it came to Hugh Jackman’s upcoming roles, but the premise is so wacky it just might work, and it certainly made for one of the most interesting moments at CinemaCon this year. Along with Three Bags Full, Jackman will also be starring in Apostle Paul, The Death of Robin Hood, and Song Sung Blue, which is also in post-production.

And in the meantime, there's always that 8-hour video of Jackman breathing if you need a quick fix.

Making movies is not an easy job. Each major releases requires wildly expensive budgets, and trying to bankroll various departments can be a struggle. Unfortunately, Bryan Cranston's upcoming thriller movie Lone Wolf has seemingly hit some financial issues, and is in hot water over reportedly not paying its crew. Let's break it all down.

While there are some Bryan Cranston roles you might have forgotten about, he's had a long and wildly successful career including his tenure on Breaking Bad (streaming with a Netflix subscription). But Deadline is reporting that Lone Wolf may be in trouble; despite the movie wrapping production back in February, "dozen of crew member" have allegedly still not been paid for their labor.

Anonymous sources told the publication that the movie is having serious funding trouble, and allegedly are deficient of $1 million in payroll. And as a result, departments are still owed "at least one week" worth of pay. This certainly feels like a precarious situation, and if true could seemingly put the entire project's fate in jeopardy.

Per this report, the upcoming thriller was originally supposed to have a budget of around $13 million actually came in at $11 million. The financiers and producers reportedly haven't been able to find a way to secure this extra sum of money, which is presumably where the payroll delays are coming into play. While some crew departments are still waiting on money, the report indicates the cast of Lone Wolf has been paid.

The financial issues happening with this movie reportedly occurred early into filming, with pay being delayed in the midst of its production. This resulted in a delay in filming, with unions like SAG intervening. The budget discrepancy also led to more changes on the set, as a crew member told Deadline:

Speaking of cast, there are a number of big names attached to Lone Wolf. In addition to Bryn Cranston, the cast includes Oscar winner Lily Gladstone, Straight Outta Compton's O'Shea Jackson Jr., Jennifer Ehle, Spencer Garrett and Chet Hanks. They were all seemingly paid for their work on the film, which has wrapped production prior to the story about the payroll breaking.

Only time will tell how things shake out with Lone Wolf, as there will be plenty of eyes paying attention to if/how this pay and budget discrepancy is solved. It's unclear when the project will hit theaters, and if it ends up being on the 2025 movie release list.

Kevin Hart’s best movies show that the comedy actor has an infectious energy. Anyone who’s seen enough of the stand-up comic’s material or worked with the talented actor can probably easily do a good impersonation of him. His The Upside co-star Bryan Cranston sure can, and has showed an amused Hart his own imitation of him – which is also the stuff of nightmares, if I do say so myself.

Hart has a distinctive voice that would be humorous for anyone to try to imitate. His quick-paced style and animated tone truly make the Primetime Emmy nominee a lot of fun to watch. Just when you thought that The Rock was the only one who could destroy Hart with a hilarious impression, though, a throwback Instagram video proves that another co-star slays at channeling his inner Hart. The Jumanji actor and Bryan Cranston had a fun conversation on The LOL Network in 2019 where the Breaking Bad actor showed Hart his impression of him. While the on-point impersonation is hilarious, you can argue it’s also the stuff of nightmares:

Of all the actors out there, I never would have thought Bryan Cranston could pull off a Kevin Hart impression. It’s impossible not to crack a smile while watching this hilarious video. Cranston's quick phrases and intense delivery are perfect! Clearly, the Think Like a Man actor was more than satisfied with his former co-star’s impression, as he couldn’t stop laughing.

On the other hand, I’m also incredibly freaked out at just how accurate Bryan Cranston is sounding like Kevin Hart. It's almost like you can have the Little Miss Sunshine actor on the phone as the Ride Along actor and probably not know the difference. Cranston may use dark, sarcastic humor to play the best Breaking Bad character, Walter White, but we may forget the goofy side to him that he showed off as Hal in Malcolm in the Middle. It’s nice to see that fun side of him come out once again.

While we know Kevin Hart mostly for making us laugh, his switch from comedy to drama in The Upside was perfect for the actor. It was the perfect chance for Hart to show us he can hit our emotions well playing a recently paroled convict who takes a job caring for a quadriplegic billionaire. He and Bryan Cranston have great chemistry that brings fun, humor, and a lot of heart to the drama. Before The Upside started filming, the Asteroid City actor admitted he didn’t know if Hart was right for the movie since it strays away from the slapstick comedy he’s used to being in. But after the two met at a restaurant and saw how they related to one another, Cranston knew the pair would work well with one another.

Bryan Cranston’s scarily accurate impression of Kevin Hart shows just how well he got to know the Night School actor during their time in The Upside and that his distinct voice can be contagious. As Hart’s larger-than-life personality can’t go unnoticed, Cranston clearly couldn’t resist imitating his co-star’s energy and delivery. But, I'm still weirded out hearing the comedian's voice coming out of the Your Honor actor and am really curious who else he can imitate. Take a look at our 2025 movie releases so you’re updated on Hart and Cranston’s future film projects.

Invincible Season 3 has finally premiered on the 2025 TV schedule, with the first three episodes becoming available for Prime Video subscription holders to stream, and five more on the way. Among the lineup of new talent on board for the new season are Breaking Bad alums Aaron Paul and Jonathan Banks, with the former voicing Powerplex and the latter’s role still officially being a secret (though it’s speculated he’s voicing Conquest). As it turns out though, Bryan Cranston, their co-star from the popular AMC series, has repeatedly turned down playing a role on Invincible, though my fingers are crossed this changes at some point.

Robert Kirkman, who wrote both the original Invincible comic books series and created the TV show, identified Bryan Cranston as the man who’s declined on several occasions the opportunity to lend his talents to one of the best Amazon Prime Video shows to binge watch. He told DiscussingFilm:

Bryan Cranston is certainly no stranger to voiceover roles, with some of his credits in that portion of his resume including Batman: Year One, Madagascar 3, the latter two Kung Fu Panda movies, Isle of Dogs and SuperMansion. So why does he keep turning down Invincible? It’s hard to say, but it sounds like Robert Kirkman is getting a kick out of it and doesn’t plan to stop asking him onto the show. Given that Season 4 has already been greenlit, he’s already guaranteed to do that at least one more time.

I’m game for certain traditions, but this is one that I hope is ended sooner rather than later. I understand Cranston’s working on a variety of different projects, including that Malcolm in the Middle revival, but coming in to do a guest or even recurring role on Invincible wouldn’t be nearly as time consuming as working in front of the camera. If he is truly the only actor who has declined working on Invincible, someone in his inner circle needs to change his mind and convince him to make time in his schedule for this popular TV show. It’d be even if he played someone who interacts with either Aaron Paul or Jonathan Banks’ characters, but I’ll take what I can get.

New episodes of Invincible drop Thursday on Prime Video, and be sure to keep visiting CinemaBlend for more coverage on the series. That includes J.K. Simmons opening up about Omni-Man’s return in Season 3 to CinemaBlend, as well as Steve Yeun and Gillian Jacobs giving their honest opinions to us about if Mark and Eve’s romantic relationship will last.

I have a confession to make. Amidst my dislike for green beans and custard (a tragedy given my St Louis home base), I also didn’t love one of the proclaimed peak TV greats: Breaking Bad. In fact, my husband and I got through more than a season of slogging through the well-acted, well-scripted, and highly lauded drama series before I gave up and called it quits. I don’t regret it for a second.

I didn’t quit Breaking Bad because I thought it was rubbish. I didn’t quit because life got too busy; life is always busy and I’ve still had time to binge-watch a decade’s worth of Masterchef. I didn’t quit because I have a grudge against Bryan Cranston or Vince Gilligan or because I liked Dean Norris better in Under the Dome. (Sidebar: I did not like Dean Norris better in Under the Dome, though the first season is solid.)

I didn’t quit because at the time of Breaking Bad’s airing, particularly near the end, the Albuquerque-set series was all my co-workers could talk about. Though it is worth pointing out that Breaking Bad was a huge talking point for CinemaBlend back in 2013 when I was a freelancer at this esteemed website.

I quit because I found it dark, graphic and depressing. Much like Michelle McNamara’s I’ll Be Gone In The Dark, it was keeping me up all night on the nights I managed to get through an episode or two. I could watch an episode at 4 p.m. and still be stressed about it at 1 a.m. It had nothing to do with the memorable characters or the solid writing; I simply could not abide living adjacent to this world created by Vince Gilligan.

I can’t be the only person in the history of the universe who simply found Breaking Bad to be too stressful to manage, but I have yet to find another person willing to admit this. All of the reasons above are reasons Breaking Bad is often listed as one of the best TV shows and (among the best TV shows that got even more popular streaming). In fact, there are so many people who like the Bryan Cranston-led drama there are literal resources to help viewers find shows like Breaking Bad.

My co-workers have since told me that Better Call Saul might be a better fit tonally for me, and they are probably right. Bob Odenkirk’s a funny guy in real life and Saul has been branded by us as a TV series that’s “easy to dive into.” I even recently found out Saul was originally supposed to work at a Hot Topic, a prospect I find very amusing. But I had so much trouble sleeping with Breaking Bad, I haven’t been willing to give Saul Goodman’s tale the proper reverence, either. Maybe my Gilligan-less streak will change when his new show with Rhea Seehorn drops?

Listen, as someone who works on the Internet, I am inherently aware I missed out on a lot of cultural milestones and a piece of peak TV history by ducking out when I did. I know because TV moments like Heisenberg throwing a pizza onto the roof were everywhere. But for me, there’s just stuff I wanted to do that didn’t include well-written stories about a teacher-turned-crime lord and the chances he was willing to take when he felt like he had nothing to lose.

I know I write about TV for a living, but the occasional gap is necessary given how much content is being created these days, and we have a lot of wonderful employees who could wax poetic about which episodes are the best (and worse) and which Gilligan series sticks with them more. It's just not me.

And in case you are wondering… No, I haven’t been able to finish Sons of Anarchy either.

Through five seasons of Breaking Bad, Bryan Cranston completely shifted from being a beloved comedic actor to one of peak TV’s most celebrated thespians, all thanks to his increasingly more intimidating performance as Walter White. The former chemistry teacher became quite proficient with criminal acts, from cooking up nearly perfect meth to planting explosives to rigging up the show’s infamous “machine gun in the trunk of the Cadillac” contraption.

So yeah, Walter White certainly knows a thing or two about machine guns — even if series creator Vince Gilligan has publicly regretted its inclusion — but not everyone might be aware that Bryan Cranston himself is apparently known to get into a Nerf gun war on occasion. At least whenever he’s invited to, as it went on the set of Modern Family whenever the Emmy-winning actor popped by the ABC sitcom to offer up his directing talents.

When Modern Family vet Nolan Gould appeared on former co-star Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s podcast Dinner’s On Me, the younger actor talked about how he, Ariel Winter and Rico Rodriguez used to be “maniacs” behind the scenes and would get into all kind of shenanigans. Here's how he boasted about getting the superstar actor to join their horseplay:

Host Jesse Tyler Ferguson did indeed remember that experience, and told Gould to share a little more about it, to which the To Do List actor said:

Ferguson then addressed the fact that he'd actually hosted Bryan Cranston himself on the podcast previously, and that he'd talked about the Nerf gun experience at the time. As the Mitchell Pritchett actor put it:

As opposed to Modern Family and Malcolm in the Middle, Breaking Bad didn't exactly have a ton of child actors hanging around the set. There was Walter and Skylar's baby, of course, but not until later, and it's probably not super safe (or fun) to play Nerf wars with an infant.

Cranston directed two episodes of Modern Family, one in Season 3 and one in Season 5, but that wasn’t his only stint behind the camera. He helmed three episodes of Breaking Bad, eps of Sneaky Pete and his Showtime thriller Your Honor, as well as that episode of The Office where a car stunt nearly went awry, with seven installments of Malcolm also under his directorial belt.

Just because he's proficient in directing doesn't mean he'll be quitting his day job anytime soon. To that end, Cranston’s comments about stepping away from acting went viral last year in ways he presumably didn’t intend for, since he came out afterward to clarify that he wasn’t fully retiring from the artform, but that he would be taking some time off when he turns 70 in 2026.

Before that happens, though, fans will get to see the actor return to his TV sitcom roots for Malcolm in the Middle’s officially confirmed revival, which will hopefully land on the 2025 premiere schedule.

In the meantime, fans can always rewatch Breaking Bad in full with a Netflix subscription, while Modern Family is available to stream in its entirety with a Hulu subscription.

There were whispers earlier this year that a Malcolm in the Middle revival was going to happen, and now it is officially confirmed. One of television's most dysfunctional families is coming back for a limited series, and I'm so excited to see Frankie Muniz, Bryan Cranston, and more for one major reason.

I'm considering splitting my time next year between the 2025 TV schedule and watching the classic sitcom, so I can be prepared for this new adventure first revealed by Disney+. The story will revolve primarily around Muniz, Cranston, and Jane Kaczmarek's characters and feature other members of the Malcolm in the Middle cast as well. Now, here's what we know about it so far and why I'm so psyched about it.

Malcolm In The Middle Will Return With New Episodes On Disney+

Malcolm in the Middle will return for a four-episode limited series, and if you have a Disney+ subscription, you'll be able to see Malcolm return home for his parent's 40th wedding anniversary celebration.

It's also noted that creator Linwood Boomer will pen all four episodes and that actors Christopher Kennedy Masterson and Justin Berfield will likely be approached to reprise their roles as Francis and Reese. As for Erik Per Sullivan, who played Dewey, he left acting in 2010 and hasn't looked back. No word on other actors reprising their roles at this point, but I'm excited to hear more.

Another note is that it seems Malcolm will have a daughter and a wife. Assuming that holds true, we'll see new actors in those roles, but there's no word on who they may be. It makes me wonder if we will see Malcolm do his iconic fourth wall breaks or if his kid will take that over. For those thinking Malcolm can't be old enough to have his own daughter, Frankie Muniz just welcomed his own baby a few years ago. So, the family growing in realistic.

However, when it comes to what I'm most excited about, it comes down to the return of the OG parent played by Bryan Cranston.

I'm Thrilled To See Bryan Cranston Return To Comedy

While seeing the whole family interact will be fun, it's also going to be such a joy to see Bryan Cranston get back to Malcolm in the Middle as Hal. He played a character so kooky and outlandish that when Breaking Bad first came out, there was genuine confusion from people like me who thought he couldn't pull off such a serious role.

However, in more recent years, I think folks would more strongly associate Cranston with dramatic roles. So, it'll be really cool to see him get back to his comedic roots and a show he clearly still has a soft spot for, thanks to his connection with Frankie Muniz and others. Who would've thought that after years of wanting Heisenberg to return, we'd get Hal and be just as thrilled about it?

Details about the Malcolm in the Middle revival are still rolling in, but I'm sure we'll be hearing more about it in the coming months as we roll into the new year. Get pumped in the meantime by checking out the OG series with a Hulu subscription.

Bryan Cranston is now arguably best known for his beloved role as Walter White as part of the Breaking Bad cast. However, the actor got his real big break by playing the goofy, fun-loving father Hal on Malcolm in the Middle. Even though it's been close to two decades since the sitcom’s series finale aired and the cast has moved onto other projects, it doesn’t mean they've all totally lost touch. In fact, Frankie Muniz recently revealed the sweet way that Cranston still keeps tabs on him after all of these years.

It's fair to say that Frankie Muniz is all grown up, as he's now a husband and father -- who's transitioned to race car driving. Still, it doesn't hurt to have someone older in your corner. On the podcast Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum, Muniz was asked who his role model in the entertainment industry is. Though he mentioned his faux father earlier in the interview, Muniz had to name-drop him again:

The fact that Bryan Cranston still checks in on his sitcom son all these years later is nothing short of sweet. On Malcolm in the Middle, Hal and Malcom's dynamic was particularly endearing, given the vast differences between the brainy child and goofy patriarch. The characters may have seemed mismatched, but they truly loved each other. With that, I can't help but smile knowing that the actors who portrayed them are still close.

Hal and Malcolm had hilarious moments on one of the all-time best sitcoms, one of which involved Hal inducting Malcolm into “The Brotherhood of the Wheel” via skating lessons. There was also the time when Malcolm helped Hal play chess. Few father/son duos were as quirky this one, and that's why some fans are likely eager to see a revival of the classic Fox show.

Frankie Muniz wants a Malcolm in the Middle sequel, and he reiterated that sentiment during his chat with Michael Rosenbaum. In previous interview, Muniz even stated that the show is taking so long to happen, because he and his collaborators don't want to rush it. Meanwhile, Bryan Cranston shares that same wish, with the Emmy winner even taking steps to make a revival of the comedy series happen. Like Muniz, I'd love to know what Malcolm and his family have been up to over the past 20 years -- including whether the boy genius became President of the United States like his mother wanted.

Bryan Cranston's role as Walter White will remain icon, but the same should also be true of his turn as the comedic Hal. What I'll now remember in addition to Cranston's work, though, is the warm way he keeps in touch with his longtime co-star. Here's hoping the two remain close and are able to reunite for a revival at some point.

Until then, know that Malcolm in the Middle is available to stream using a Hulu subscription. Also, those who want to see Mr. Cranston portray a suburban drug dealer can stream Breaking Bad with a Netflix subscription.

We’ve seen great TV shows that explore the struggles of working in Hollywood like HBO’s Entourage and the 2016 Emmy-nominated Lifetime series UnREAL. But Seth Rogen’s Apple TV+ series The Studio is on a whole other level, as it's filled with A-list celebrities to really add authenticity. Out of all of the A+ cameos in the teaser trailer, I wouldn’t even be able to pinpoint just one that I’d be most impressed to by in this 2025 TV schedule entry. (Okay, it’s Martin Scorsese).

Seth Rogen’s best movies are known for their big ensemble casts like This Is the End, The Disaster Artist and Sausage Party. But I certainly wasn’t prepared for all of the recognizable faces I saw in the first look at The Studio. The show sees Rogen starring, writing, directing and executive producing. Rogen plays aficionado Matt Remick, who becomes the newly appointed head of Continental Studios. Based on the teaser trailer, it’s a battle between executives, stars and corporate overlords amid the production of a big movie. We see the anxiety-ridden situations that occur behind the scenes like parties, creative meetings, awards programs and more.

Other than seeing panic and chaos occur in the teaser, I'm distracted by all of the A+ celebrity cameos that will be featured in the streaming series. If you were to ask me which celebrity I’m most impressed to see in the new Seth Rogen series, I wouldn’t be able to pick just one with all of the options in front of me. Though the first that truly stands out is Martin Scorsese, who looks in the trailer to be giving some brutally honest feedback about a talent:

I already have a feeling that Martin Scorsese’s cameo is going to be one for the books. The Oscar-winning director does make cameos here and there. Some Scorsese's best movies feature him on screen, and he also had that funny cameo in Entourage. Needless to say, I'm excited to see how he figures into this upcoming series.

Another celebrity cameo I can’t wait for is Catherine O’Hara. Known for playing one of the funniest characters on Schitt’s Creek, the Golden Globe winner looks to be a mentor of sorts for Seth Rogen’s character. It’s a huge relief that O’Hara’s time on TV isn’t over.

Bryan Cranston will also be appearing on The Studio as a Continental Studios employee. The Emmy Award winner hasn’t let us down yet with his prolific roles in shows like Breaking Bad and Malcolm in the Middle. I already can tell he’ll be bringing his infectious energy to the cast. Viewers can see Cranston's character telling Matt Remick what the studio’s expectations are in movies they’ll be making.

Of course, you can’t leave out Anthony Mackie. He's dazzled as Sam Wilson in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and as Twisted Metal's John Doe, and I'm ready to see him take on yet another sweet role:

My personal favorite honorable mentions would have to be Zoë Kravitz, Paul Dano and Charlize Theron. Kravitz has been wowing us with her most recent projects like The Batman and her directorial debut Blink Twice. Dano is one of the most talented actors out there who constantly delivers transformative performances in movies like Little Miss Sunshine, There Will Be Blood and The Fablemans. Considering how many films he does, it's refreshing to see him on a TV show (though he was on Mr. And Mrs. Smith last year.)

And I'm definitely confident that Charlize Theron will do a great job on The Studio. Coincidentally, she worked with Seth Rogen in Long Shot, and their chemistry was great.

Though this first look at The Studio is just roughly a minute-long, I’m already anticipating Seth Rogen’s new series, and the A+ celebrity cameos as the sweet icing on the cake. Plus, if Martin Scorsese is going to be in it, how can I ignore it? The first two episodes of the 10-episode half-hour series will be available to stream with an Apple TV+ subscription on March 26th, with one episode subsequently premiering every Wednesday.

Hollywood is a tough place to get your big break. Many actors struggle for years before they finally hit it big. These stars put in the effort and stuck with it until they finally became huge stars after they turned 40. Stars like Steve Carell, Kathy Bates, Alan Rickman, and many more actors like them are household names now, but it took them years to get there.

Steve Carell

Like so many other people Steve Carell started his career at Second City in Chicago. He then kicked around television for a while, with roles on the Dana Carvey Show and eventually at The Daily Show. It's when he left that show to head the cast in The Office that his career exploded and he became one of the most beloved stars on earth.

Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson has one of the most impressive resumes in Hollywood, but it took him a long time to get there. His first credit came in 1972 when he was 24, but it would take another two decades or so, after a series of smaller roles in the late '80s, that he would land the role of Jules Winfield in Pulp Fiction and have his career completely explode.

Alan Rickman

The late, great Alan Rickman started acting in theater in the mid-70s, finding regular roles throughout the early '80s. Then, in 1988, at age 42, he made his feature film debut in a little movie called Die Hard. To this day, Hans Gruber is a legendary villain. He would go on to star in dozens of movies, most notably the Harry Potter films, before passing away in 2016 at age 69.

Betty White

Though Betty White had a little success in her 30s with her eponymous TV show for NBC in the '50s and minor hit Life with Elizabeth in the same decade, it really wasn't until after her 40th birthday in 1962 that she really rose to big stardom. After her 50th birthday, she was cast in the Mary Tyler Moore Show, and after her 60th birthday, she teamed up with Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty in the role she's probably best known for today in Golden Girls.

Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman was born in 1937, but it would take almost 50 years for the legend to truly break out in film. After working here and there as a dancer and as a stage actor in the 1960s and '70s, he scored his breakout role in 1987's Street Smart, starring alongside Christopher Reeve. His performance earned him the first of his Oscar nominations and by 1989's Glory, Freeman was a bonafide star.

Bea Arthur

Like her Golden Girls co-star Betty White, major success came later for the great Bea Arthur. Though she was a steadily-working actor starting in the 1940s, it wasn't until she played the character Maude Findlay, first in All In The Family, then her own spinoff called Maude, that Arthur reached the heights of fame. She was nearly 50 at that point, but her star never faded after that.

Brian Dennehy

Brian Dennehy didn't set out to be an actor. After serving in the Marines and graduating from Columbia University in 1965 with a degree in history, he caught the theater bug and started working in regional theater. In 1983, after a few smaller roles, he scored his first big role as the sheriff in First Blood at age 45.

Kathryn Joosten

Kathryn Joosten is best known for playing the beloved Mrs. Landingham in The West Wing and like her character, her real-life story is truly inspiring. She spent the first half of her life first as a nurse, then as a stay-at-home mom, raising two kids. At the age of 42, after divorcing her husband, Joosten began working in local theater in her hometown of Chicago. At age 53, she moved to Orlando and became a performer at Disney World. Soon after she moved to Hollywood and started landing parts in TV. Amazing.

Kathy Bates

Though she made her film debut in 1970, it would be more than two decades later, after working in theater and in bit TV parts, before Kathy Bates would become a star. It was, of course, he now-legendary performance as Annie Wilkes in Misery that would vault her to stardom. Truly one of the best female villains in Hollywood history.

Bryan Cranston

Most people certainly think first of Breaking Bad when they hear the name Bryan Cranston and with good reason. Cranston was 52 when he first starred as Walter White. Of course, that wasn't his breakout role, which came eight years earlier when he starred as the dad in Malcolm In The Middle ]. While he has been acting in movies and TV for years, it was that role, after his 40th birthday, that really put him on the map.

Viola Davis

EGOT winner Viola Davis found success on the stage first, winning two Tonys before turning 40. In 2008, at age 43, she was nominated for an Oscar for her role in Doubt, but it was 2011's The Help, for which she was nominated for another Oscar, that vaulted her to superstardom.

Rodney Dangerfield

Rodney Dangerfield has one of the best stories of perseverance in Hollywood history. Though technically his career started in the 1930s, his stand-up was so bland that he eventually gave up and became a salesman. In the 1960s, he re-invented himself and his act and it was a hit, with some of the best one-liners of all time. Suddenly the guy that got no respect was getting respect by talking about how he got no respect! It wasn't until 1980, at almost age 60, that Dangerfield landed his first starring role in a movie, in Caddyshack.

John Mahoney

John Mahoney started his career as the "old guy" at the Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago. After years as an English teacher, the future Frasier star gave up his career and started acting in his late 30s. By the late 80s, well into his 40s, he was landing roles in movies like Say Anything... and Moonstruck.

Jane Lynch

It's easy to say that Glee was the project that really made Jane Lynch famous, but she got her big break before that when she found her way into the Christopher Quest universe, where she was responsible for some of the wittiest one-liners in Best In Show.

Ricky Gervais

Ricky Gervais took a roundabout way to comedic fame. He started in music, moved to radio, and eventually found his way onto the popular British show The 11 O'Clock Show. It was in 2001, however, at age 40 when he co-created and starred in The Office. The rest is well-known history.

Michael Emerson

Michael Emerson took the very long trail to fame, and his story is inspirational. He struggled for years as an actor, first in New York, then later in Florida where he taught acting as well. He stsarted landing work in the theater in the late '90s, but got his big break in a guest spot on The Practice in 2001. Of course, he's best known for playing Ben on Lost.

Peter Dinklage

Though he found steady work in the early '00s, Peter Dinklage really shot to superstardom when he was cast as Tyrion Lannister in Game Of Thrones when he was 42. Today, that character is still, and will likely always be, one of the most beloved in TV history. Tyrion also happens to the character who appeared in the most episodes of Game of Thrones.

Larry David

Larry David's career had a lot of ups and downs in the early years. His first major gig was as a writer on SNL, though he didn't find much success there. At age 42, in 1989, he co-wrote a TV pilot for what became Seinfeld and his career took off. On screen, after playing a few minor roles onSeinfeld, he found even more fame with HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Melissa McCarthy

While she did have some big supporting roles in her 30s in Gilmore Girls and Samantha Who?, Melissa McCarthy's career exploded when she started as Molly in Mike & Molly, in 2011, at age 41, she co-starred in Bridesmaids, where she completely stole the show, earning an Oscar nomination in the process.

Margo Martindale

Margo Martindale has become one of the best character actors in Hollywood, but it took her a long time to get there. She worked in community theater for years before she regularly started landing TV roles in her late 30s. After her 40th birthday, her career took off with dozens of memorable supporting roles in both film and TV.

Leslie Jones

Saturday Night Live is generally thought of as a young person's game. Most cast members join very early in their careers and by the time they are 30, they are moving on to other things. Leslie Jones is an exception to that. She didn't join the cast until she was nearly 50, but she made an immediate impact. Since leaving the show, she's continued to star in things like 2016's Ghostbusters and Coming 2 America in 2021.

Ty Burrell

Modern Family took the world by storm when it debuted in 2007 and one of the leads of the show, Ty Burrell, became a huge star. This came after years in Hollywood in supporting roles and, eventually, a starring role in the short-lived show Out of Practice. It was Modern Family that made him a household name.

Octavia Spencer

Octavia Spencer started landing bit parts and supporting roles in the mid-90s, but it was 2011's The Help that put the Academy Award-winner on the map, after her 40th birthday. Not only did she win for her role in The Help, but she's been nominated for others as well, including for her work in Hidden Figures and The Shape of Water.

Patrick Stewart

While Patrick Stewart steadily found work in the theater and in smaller supporting roles in TV and film, it wasn't until he was cast as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1987 that he became a household name. He was 47 at the time and he's only gotten more famous as he's gotten older.

Billy Bob Thornton

Billy Bob Thornton basically made his own fortune in Hollywood after years of smaller supporting roles, he wrote, directed, and starred in Sling Blade. The movie was a low-budget masterpiece and he's been starring in big roles and winning awards ever since.

Hannah Waddingham

Many actors get their start in the theater, just like Hannah Waddingham. With a fantastic singing voice and wonderful acting chops, it makes sense that this is where Waddingham would first find success. It would take a couple of decades for her to equal that on screen with roles in shows like Game of Thrones, and, of course, her greatest claim to fame, Ted Lasso.

Richard Farnsworth

Without a doubt, the late Richard Farnsworth had one of the most incredible careers in Hollywood history. He had uncredited roles in some of the most famous Hollywood epics including Gone With The Wind, The Ten Commandments, and Spartacus. He didn't earn his first credited role until he was 46 in a movie called Texas Across the River in 1966. Then in the 1970s, he became a well-known character actor in projects like Roots, The Natural, and Misery.

F. Murray Abraham

After scoring a handful of supporting roles in movies in the 1970s, F. Murray Abraham became a household name after his Oscar-winning performance as Antonio Salieri in 1984's Amadeus. It was truly a career-making role and one that is still loved today by fans.

Liam Neeson

Liam Neeson was 41 when he starred in one of the greatest movies ever made, even if it's a movie you can only watch once. As Oscar Schindler in Schindler's List, Neeson immediately became world famous. It's safe to say that role will always keep him famous, too.

Lucille Ball

It's really hard to believe that Lucille Ball was over 40 when she became famous on I Love Lucy, but it's true. The comedian worked in show business for decades before she and her husband Desi Arnaz created the now-legendary TV show and her fame never faded for the rest of her life.

Tommy Lee Jones

Like a lot of actors from Texas, Tommy Lee Jones does things his way. The Harvard grad worked for decades, even winning a Golden Globe and an Emmy before he truly found fame and became a leading man in the 90s with movies like The Fugitive and Under Siege.

Ken Jeong

it's not often that someone switches careers from medicine to drama, but that's exacting what Ken Jeong did. Though he always had a love of acting, he originally pursued a more traditional career as a doctor, while acting and doing standup on the side. By the mid-2000s he was earning enough to leave medicine behind, and in 2011, at age 40, he broke out in a huge way in the Hangover.

Your favorite movie and TV star had to start somewhere and, sometimes, that somewhere is appearing in commercials. There have also been some cases in which an actor has already made it to the top but decided to lend their star power to a TV ad. You can find both kinds in the following collection of TV commercials featuring some huge celebrities.

Ben Affleck (Burger King)

An early blip in Ben Affleck's acting career was a commercial for the popular fast food chain, Burger King. The future live-action Batman actor and Academy Award-winning filmmaker plays a teen who accidentally invents Door Dash when his car phone intercepts a car from a girl who wants to order a whopper.

Cameron Diaz (Coca-Cola)

When Cameron Diaz was still a model primarily, one of her first experiences with acting – before making her feature debut in The Mask – was in a TV ad. The future Shrek movie star shines in an early '90s Coca-Cola commercial that feels a lot more like a perfume ad from the era in its alluring direction.

Paul Rudd (Super Nintendo)

All of Paul Rudd's versatile talents – from making us laugh in movies like The 40-Year-Old Virgin to thrilling us as Ant-Man in the Marvel movies – can be traced back to a Super Nintendo commercial he did in the early '90s. He plays a very enthusiastic video gamer who attracts a crowd when he, somehow, hooks up his console to a drive-in theater projector for the ultimate experience of playing The Legend of Zelda and other favorites.

Jennifer Lawrence (My Super Sweet 16)

Jennifer Lawrence got to be the original My Super Sweet 16 girl without appearing on the actual reality TV series that documented wealthy young women's extravagant birthday celebrations. MTV ran dramatized promos for the then-new show starring the future Academy Award winner and Hunger Games movie star as the birthday girl who encounters a few mishaps during her festivities.

Brad Pitt (Pringles)

Years before he starred in Super Bowl Heineken ad helmed by his Fight Club director, David Fincher, the then-up-and-coming Brad Pitt got a taste of commercial acting by starring in a 1988 Pringles spot. He plays one of three surfer dudes who become stranded on the side of a California road when a trio of lovely women approach them for an impromptu Pringles party.

Amy Adams (Commercial Federal Bank)

Mainstream audiences first became aware of Amy Adams' impeccable singing talent in 2007's Enchanted but customers at Commercial Federal Bank were really the first to discover her. In 1997, the multi-Oscar nominee starred as an Olvia Newton-John lookalike in a parody of 1978's Grease for the bank.

Steve Carell (Brown's Chicken)

Steve Carell's channeled his inner Michael Scott long before leading NBC's The Office cast when he was just starting out acting in commercials. In the early 1990s, he played a Brown's Chicken employee whose clumsy mistake while setting up a marquee advertising "cholesterol-free cooking" accidentally convinces customers the food will cost them nothing.

Drew Barrymore (Pillsbury)

It must have been clear to anyone who spotted Drew Barrymore in her early Pillsbury commercial that she was destined to capture our hearts in E.T. the Extra-terrestrial just a few years later. The 1979 ad stars the then-four-year-old as a little girl whose mother cheers her up on a rainy day by making chocolate chip cookies.

Leonardo DiCaprio (Bubble Yum)

Before breaking out with his supporting role in Growing Pains and really hitting big leading the Titanic cast, the up-and-coming Leonardo DiCaprio did a few commercials. One sees the future Oscar winner demonstrate his natural charisma while demonstrating the powerful flavor of Bubble Yum bubble gum.

Arnold Schwarzenegger (Alinamin V)

You may never be able to look at Arnold Schwarzenegger the same way again after witnessing the series of gobsmackingly bizarre ads the Terminator star filmed in Japan long after his big break. As the spokesperson for an energy drink called Alinamin V, the future California governor puts on a maniacally large smile and is sometimes seen riding the beverage's bottle into space or popping out of it like a genie.

Mila Kunis (Telephone Tammy)

Had Mila Kunis' Jackie Burkhart been a child of the '90s, Telephone Tammy – a doll who responds to your call with an included play phone – sounds like the kind of toy she would have grown up with. Not to mention the fact that the future That '70s Show cast member appeared in a commercial for Mattel when she was just starting out.

Morgan Freeman (Polaroid)

Future Academy Award winner and voice-over extraordinaire Morgan Freeman starred in a number of TV commercials early on in his career. One such ad was a 1970s spot for Polaroid, not as the man holding the camera that instantly prints out photos but the man telling the amateur photographer to cool it with the reshoots.

Britney Spears (Maull's)

Die-hard fans of pop superstar Britney Spears know that she started out as a child actor who worked with Ryan Gosling on The Mickey Mouse Club, among other rising stars. One of her earlier roles was a young girl who was apparently very excited to eat a home-cooked hamburger in a commercial for Maull's Barbecue Sauce, a local St. Louis brand.

Mark Hamill (Kodak)

Before playing Luke in the Star Wars movies made him familiar with technology from a galaxy far, far away, Mark Hamill represented what must have felt like a futuristic innovation at the time. He starred in a 1975 commercial for a Kodak camera that takes high-resolution photos from far away, allowing him to snap a shot of his girlfriend (and her mother) on a balcony while he stays on the ground.

Anne Hathaway (Better Homes And Gardens Real Estate)

Academy Award winner Anne Hathaway first showed her talent for performing in romantic dramas like One Day and The Idea of You in a 1996 commercial for Better Homes and Gardens. She plays a young woman who believes she and her boyfriend will still have time to spend before his family moves away until they learn the real estate agency has already sold the house.

J.K. Simmons (Farmers Insurance)

From his memorable roles in HBO's Oz and Sam Raimi's Spider-Man movies, J.K. Simmons was pretty well known by the time he was cast as Professor Nathaniel Burke of the University of Farmers for a long-running Farmers Insurance ad campaign. When he won his Oscar for Whiplash, host Neil Patrick Harris sang an impromptu parody of the company's commercial jingle.

Harrison Ford (Kirin)

Playing Han Solo in Star Wars and the title hero of the Indiana Jones movies made Harrison Ford an international star and one of the highest-grossing actors of all time. He would also increase his notoriety in Japan by starring in a series of commercials for a regional brand of lager called Kirin.

Keanu Reeves (Corn Flakes)

Before playing a master of kung fu in The Matrix, a master of gun-fu in the John Wick movies, and a master of excellency in the Bill & Ted movies, Keanu Reeves played a master of sneaking a bowl of cereal for himself. The role of a waiter who enjoys some of the breakfast food he has been hired to serve comes from an '80s-era ad for Kellogg's Corn Flakes.

Betty White (Snickers)

Snickers had a funny ad campaign starring well-known actors as metaphorical representations of the out-of-character behavior of hungry people. One of the earliest, and funniest, stars the legendary Betty White as a dude who needs a bite of the protein-loaded candy bar when his performance in a casual football game is off.

Bruce Willis (Seagram's Coolers)

When he was best known for Moonlighting and before starring in one of the all-time greatest action movies, Die Hard, Bruce Willis had another claim to fame: Seagram's Golden. He served as the adult beverage's spokesperson in a series of ads, some of which utilized his musical talents.

Jeff Goldblum (Apartments.com)

It's a little strange how a performer as widely recognized and beloved as Academy Award nominee Jeff Goldblum would be hired to star in an ongoing ad campaign as an original character and not just as himself. Nevertheless, the star of Jurassic Park and The Fly is dazzling and dazzling in the Apartments.com commercials as Brad Bellflower.

Sharon Stone (Finesse)

In the 1990s, films like Basic Instinct and her Academy Award-nominated role in director Martin Scorsese's Casino made Sharon Stone one of the most esteemed, and desirable, actors of her time. In the 1980s, her looks helped sell Finesse shampoo as one of the most desirable brands in the hair care market.

Jack Black (Pitfall)

It appears that Jack Black's charismatic, high-energy sense of humor was something he possessed from a young age. Exhibit A: his appearance in a 1982 commercial for Atari's Pitfall, as a wide-eyed child in a safari hat enthusiastically recalling his experience in the jungle-set video game, years before he played a jungle-set video game character in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.

Sarah Michelle Gellar (Burger King)

No one would have believed, in 1983, that an adorable six-year-old girl who became a recurring spokesperson for Burger King would grow up to become one of the fiercest horror Scream Queens in the genre's history. Yet, that would become Sarah Michelle Gellar's destiny after leading the Buffy the Vampire Slayer cast as the titular defender against evil.

Tobey Maguire (Tropicana Twister)

In 1991, when he was still a teen, Tobey Maguire did an ad for a blended juice drink from Tropicana called Tropicana Twister. The future Spider-Man actor only briefly appears as a kid who breaks the fourth wall, suggesting that broccoli be added to the next unique flavor combination.

Courteney Cox (Tampax)

Before starring in the Friends cast as Monica Gellar, Courteney Cox was best known in the 1980s for dancing with Bruce Springsteen in the "Dancing in the Dark" video. However, did you catch the future Scream movies star's appearance in a Tampax ad as a gym patron?

Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Pop-Tarts)

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is one of the most acclaimed former child stars who still act, with film and TV credits that back to the late '80s and early '90s like Angels in the Outfield and, of course, 3rd Rock from the Sun. If you go back even earlier than those classics, you can see the future Looper and Inception star in a 1991 ad for Kellogg's Pop-Tarts as a child who child urging his father to have breakfast before he leaves for work and offers him the toaster pastry.

Bryan Cranston (Preparation H)

Four-time Emmy winner and one-time Academy Award nominee Bryan Cranston has worn many faces throughout his career, from a hapless suburban dad in the Malcolm in the Middle cast to a ruthless drug lord as the lead of the Breaking Bad cast. Years before then, he wore the face of a spokesperson for Preparation H in a commercial from the early 1980s.

Willem Dafoe (Mercedes Benz)

With roles like one of the best Spider-Man movie villains, Green Goblin, and others, Willem Dafoe has proven time and time again that he plays an exceptional bad guy. Thus, he was the perfect choice to star in a Super Bowl ad for Mercedes Benz as the Devil, who almost convinces a young man to trade his soul for the car until he learns how affordable it is.

Geena Davis (WMET)

With an eclectic career that includes her Academy Award-winning role in The Accidental Tourist, the horror-comedy movie favorite Beetlejuice, and plenty more, it is clear Geena Davis can be anything. So, we imagine early '80s TV viewers who lived in the region where WMET broadcasted had no trouble accepting her as the voice of the local rock radio station when she starred in its enchanting commercial.

Jeremy Renner (Duracell)

Before he was defending the Marvel Cinematic Universe with the Avengers, Jeremy Renner made a living as a commercial actor. One of his greatest hits was a 90s-era Duracell ad in which he plays a tourist in Mexico whose stereo battery harnesses the power of a herd bulls.

John Travolta (U.S. Army)

Years before he played Santa in a Capital One ad and sent up his role in Grease for T-Mobile, John Travolta starred in an Army recruitment promo in 1973. Just four years later, his Academy Award-nominated lead role in Saturday Night Fever made him one of the biggest stars on the planet.

The X-Files is an iconic show to come out of the early '90s, and the combination of mythology stories and Monster of the Week episodes created enough of a hit to last nine original seasons, two revival seasons, and two feature films. David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson aren't the only big names to come out of the show, however, as a number of the guest stars went on to become stars of their own shows. Read on for the standouts!

Ryan Reynolds

Ryan Reynolds is known for big screen ventures like the Deadpool films nowadays, but The X-Files fans saw a very young version of the actor in the Season 3 episode “Syzygy” in 1996… briefly, anyway! His character was killed off before the end of the cold open, but Reynolds would go on to star in ABC’s hit Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place sitcom from 1998-2001.

Bryan Cranston

Bryan Cranston proved a master of comedy with Malcolm in the Middle and of drama with Breaking Bad, but he flexed his acting muscles on The X-Files earlier on. While playing the ill-fated Patrick Crump in the Season 6 episode “Drive” wasn’t his first TV credit, the 1998 gig introduced him to executive producer Vince Gilligan, who would go on to cast Cranston as Walter White.

Jack Black

Long before School of Rock and The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Jack Black played Bart “Zero” Liquori in Episode 3 of The X-Files’ third season in 1995. He would later star in TV projects like Tenacious D between 1997-2000, The Brink in 2015, and the Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight animated series from 2022-2023.

Terry O'Quinn

Terry O’Quinn portrayed three different franchise characters. He played Lt. Brian Tillman in the “Aubrey” episode of Season 2 in 1995, SAC Michaud in The X-Files: Fight the Future feature film, and Shadow Man in the “Trust No 1” episode of Season 9 in 2002. Best known now as John Locke on Lost from 2004-2010, he also recurred on shows including Hawaii Five-0, FBI: Most Wanted, and Resident Alien.

Luke Wilson

Luke Wilson holds a special place in the hearts of many X-Files fans for starring as the vampire sheriff Lucius Hartwell in arguably the show’s best episode: “Bad Blood” in 1998. Following that Season 5 episode, he landed multi-episode gigs on shows including That ‘70s Show and Roadies before starring in the DC Comics-based series Stargirl from 2020-2022.

Lucy Liu

Future Kill Bill actress Lucy Liu played Kim Hsin in The X-Files’ third season episode called “Hell Money” back in 1996. She debuted in her first series regular role on the sitcom Pearl later that year, but her big TV break would be Ling Woo on Ally McBeal before playing Dr. Joan Watson in CBS’ Elementary from 2012-2019.

Tony Shalhoub

Before he was an Emmy- and Tony Award-winner, Tony Shalhoub appeared in the Season 2 episode of The X-Files called “Soft Light” as the very stressed Dr. Chester Ray Banton. While he was already starring on NBC’s sitcom Wings at the time, his most acclaimed (and award-winning) work came later with Monk starting in 2002 and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel starting in 2017.

Jane Lynch

The ninth season of The X-Files wasn't the most popular, but the “Lord of the Flies” episode in 2001 featured Jane Lynch as Mrs. Anne T. Lokensgard years before she introduced the world to Sue Sylvester on Fox’s Glee. For that role, she'd be nominated for three Emmys and win one over the course of six seasons from 2009-2015.

Felicity Huffman

Considering Felicity Huffman's later fame for Sports Night, American Crime, and Desperate Housewives, it can be easy to overlook her very early episode of The X-Files as Dr. Nancy Da Silva in 1993. The Season 1 episode was an homage to the iconic horror film The Thing and remains one of the show’s best more than thirty years later.

Shia LaBeouf

When one thinks of Shia LaBeouf as a child star, his lead role as Louis Stevens in Disney Channel’s Even Stevens from 2000-2003 probably comes to mind first. One year earlier, however, the future household name played a sick youngster by the name of Richie in a Season 7 episode of The X-Files called “The Goldberg Variation.”

CCH Pounder

While CCH Pounder only appeared as Agent Lucy Kazdin in one episode of The X-Files, Season 2's “Duane Barry” was pivotal. Starting later in 1994, Pounder appeared in the first four seasons of ER before arriving on The Shield in 2002. Her longest-running role has been playing NCIS: New Orleans' Dr. Loretta Wade for all seven seasons from 2014-2021.

BD Wong

While BD Wong appeared in Jurassic Park in the early ‘90s, small-screen stardom would take longer. He played Detective Glen Chao in The X-Files’ “Hell Money” episode of Season 3 in 1996, before he’d go on to a role in Oz from 1997-2003 and Law & Order: SVU starting in 2001. He’d eventually become one of the Law & Order stars to appear in most episodes.

Donal Logue

Donal Logue guest-starred in The X-Files' very first Monster of the Week episode, called “Squeeze,” in 1993. He went on to recur in later seasons of ER before starring in all five seasons of Grounded for Life and all five seasons of Gotham, which wrapped after 100 episodes in 2019.

Peter Boyle

Peter Boyle’s career goes back to the 1960s, but X-Files Season 3 fans will remember him for playing the title character in “Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose” in 1995, for which he won an Emmy. He would then score another seven Emmy nominations for playing Frank Barone across nine seasons of Everybody Loves Raymond from 1996-2005.

Laurie Holden

Laurie Holden wasn’t a one-off guest star on The X-Files but would appear in ten episodes as Marita Covarrubias between 1996-2002. She’d become more of a household name as part of the original cast of The Walking Dead regulars, and she ranks among the Walking Dead cast members to appear in most episodes.

Aaron Paul

The future Breaking Bad star can be found in a Season 9 episode of The X-Files, called “Lord of the Flies” in 2001, where he played a character with the distinguished name of “Sky Commander Winky.” He would go on to recur on Big Love before landing his career-making role as Jesse Pinkman opposite Bryan Cranston. Post-Breaking Bad credits include The Path, BoJack Horseman, and Westworld.

Michael Emerson

Years before his Emmy-winning portrayal of Ben on Lost, Michael Emerson guest-starred in the final Monster of the Week episode of The X-Files’ original run. Called “Sunshine Days,” the Season 9 episode in 2002 preceded his guest stint on Without a Trace, his role in Saw, and of course five seasons of Lost. Other long-running roles since The X-Files include Person of Interest and Evil.

Jesse L. Martin

Jesse L. Martin arrived on The X-Files to play baseball-loving alien Josh Exley in “The Unnatural,” the Season 6 episode written and directed by David Duchovny in 1999. Later that year, Martin joined the cast of Law & Order, where he remained for nine seasons and nearly 200 episodes. The Flash was his next series regular gig until 2023, followed by The Irrational early in the 2024 TV lineup.

Bradley Whitford

While Bradley Whitford is likely best remembered for his work as Josh Lyman in The West Wing starting in 1999, he had a very different part to play in The X-Files’ second season in 1994. He portrayed the unfortunate Daniel Trepkos in “Firewalker.” Whitford has three Emmy wins to his name since the early ‘90s thanks to his work on The West Wing, Transparent, and The Handmaid’s Tale.

Paul McCrane

Paul McCrane played the titular character in the Season 4 episode called “Leonard Betts” in 1997. He’s also responsible for one of the most iconic lines in The X-Files history: “I’m sorry, but you’ve got something I need.” McCrane joined the cast of ER later that year to play Dr. Robert Romano across seven seasons, ending his time in one of the medical drama’s most memorable deaths.

Kurtwood Smith

Although he would later be quite well known for a different Fox series, Kurtwood Smith portrayed Agent Bill Patterson in the Season 3 episode called “Grotesque,” which aired on the network in 1996. Two years later, he was back on Fox for That ‘70s Show to play Red Forman for eight seasons and 200 episodes. Smith more recently reprised the role for Netflix’s That ‘90s Show.

Octavia Spencer

Octavia Spencer’s episode of The X-Files in 1999 may be better remembered as the one that delivered the first actual kiss between Mulder and Scully, but you can find the actress in the Season 7 episode titled “Millennium.” In addition to winning her Academy Award for The Help, Spencer landed many guest and recurring TV gigs before her lead role in Apple TV+’s Truth Be Told from 2019-2023.

Seth Green

Seth Green was a guest in the very first episode of The X-Files following the pilot, as Emil in “Deep Throat” in 1993. While it wasn’t his first TV role, it preceded his work as Oz on Buffy the Vampire Slayer from 1997-2000. He really hit his stride as a voice actor with Robot Chicken and Family Guy in particular, with hundreds of episodes of each show to his name.

Garrett Dillahunt

The X-Files is one of Garret Dillahunt’s earliest credits, as he played Edward Skur in the flashback-heavy Season 5 episode “Travelers” in 1998. He may be better remembered for his work in Deadwood which started several years later in 2004, followed by TV projects including all four seasons of Raising Hope, three seasons of The Mindy Project, and three seasons of Fear the Walking Dead.

Dean Norris

Dean Norris is a master of playing characters in law enforcement, including Marshal Tapia in The X-Files’ Season 2 episode “F. Emasculata” in 1995. His biggest TV break would come years later as Hank Schrader in Breaking Bad, and he appeared in all three seasons of CBS’ Under the Dome and all four seasons of TNT’s Claws before recurring in Law & Order: Organized Crime’s fourth season as well.

Lucy Lawless

Lucy Lawless’ most iconic work to date was likely as Xena in Xena: Warrior Princess for syndication from 1995-2001, but she came to network TV primetime in 2001 for two episodes of The X-Files Season 9 as alien super-soldier Shannon McMahon. She’d go on to recur across the last three seasons of Battlestar Galactica and become one of the faces of Starz’s Spartacus franchise of shows starting in 2010.

Brad Dourif

Brad Dourif is one of The X-Files’ most memorable early guest stars as serial killer Luther Lee Boggs in Season’s “Beyond the Sea” in 1991, but he really made a mark on TV starting in 2004 with playing Doc Cochran in Deadwood. More recently, he has been voicing the demonic doll himself in the Chucky series that premiered in 2021.

Bruce Campbell

After the Evil Dead films, Bruce Campbell was a perfect casting for a show like The X-Files in its sixth season. He played Wayne Weinsider in the twisted “Terms of Endearment” episode of 1999. Campbell would later spend seven seasons on USA as part of the Burn Notice cast, and – of course – reprise his role as Ash for all three seasons of the Ash vs Evil Dead TV show.

Willie Garson

The late Willie Garson played two different characters on The X-Files: Quinton “Roach” Freely in Season 3’s “The Walk” in 1995 and Henry Weems in Season 7’s “The Goldberg Variation” in 1999. His most well-known work is likely playing Stanford Blatch on Sex and the City across all six seasons starting in 1998. He would also star in all six seasons of USA’s White Collar following its 2009 premiere.

Giovanni Ribisi

Giovanni Ribisi certainly wasn’t unknown in television when he guest-starred as Darin Peter Oswald in Season 3 of The X-Files in 1995, but it was before he made his Friends debut as Frank Buffay Jr. More significantly, he starred in Fox’s Dads opposite Seth Green from 2013-2014 and then all three seasons of Prime Video’s Sneaky Pete from 2015-2019.

Mark Sheppard

Mark Sheppard only had a couple of credits in the entertainment industry to his name when he appeared as Cecil L’Ively in the Season 1 episode “Fire” in 1993. He then landed ongoing roles in shows like Soldier of Fortune, Inc., 24, and Battlestar Galactica, but he’s best known for portraying the fan-favorite demon Crowley on Supernatural for eight of the show’s fifteen seasons.

Danny Trejo

Danny Trejo came to The X-Files in Season 8 to play Cesar Ocampo in “Redrum” in the show’s early post-Mulder era. In addition to some film credits following TXF, he arrived on The Young and the Restless in 2008 and – most notably – Sons of Anarchy to play Romeo Parada starting in 2011. He’s also a prolific voice actor for shows including King of the Hill, The Adventures of Puss in Boots, and Big City Greens.

Bryan Cranston earned accolades for his dramatic works like Breaking Bad and Your Honor. However, he played everyone’s favorite lovable and inept dad Hal on the Fox sitcom Malcolm in the Middle for seven seasons. Much like his over-the-top character, Cranston is known for doing stunts in his roles. For one Malcolm in the Middle stunt, he discovered that being covered in blue paint is very bad for the body.

The Your Honor star opened up about the near-deadly stunt on The Graham Norton Show (via EW). He revealed that the moment played out when the TV patriarch poured a bucket of blue paint on himself during the Season 2 episode “Hal Quits.” The character became a painter after quitting his job, leading to Cranston dousing himself in paint. The Oscar-nominated actor explained how the stunt was supposed to go, saying: 

It seems that the Malcolm in the Middle team wasn’t aware of this fact before Cranston performed the pivotal scene. Of course, the scene played into Hal’s chaotic nature, but it appeared the writers didn’t know about the risks before the Breaking Bad star and the crew got on set. Unfortunately, that backfired when the actor went all-in on the joke. Cranston said:

Thankfully, the crew was able to help the Malcolm in the Middle alum before the situation caused permanent damage. Pores must be clear to regulate body temperature. Bryan Cranston’s ordeal was reminiscent of the rumor about iconic Goldfinger Bond girl Shirley Eaton dying from suffocation due to the gold body paint. (Born in 1937, the former Bond actress is still alive today.)

While Bryan Cranston has come a long way from Malcolm in the Middle, he still loves his time as a sitcom dad, having spearheaded a potential revival. While there hasn’t been any word on the Fox sitcom reboot in a while, it appears the Emmy winner is ready to return to the comedy. In the meantime, you can catch up on the show by streaming it through a Hulu subscription. If you're looking for some coming up sooner rather than later, follow up the Malcolm revisit by checking out our 2024 TV schedule.

Seeing A-list celebrities on SNL is certainly nothing out of the ordinary, considering there is a different one hosting the show each week, even including non-actors who end up nailing it. Lorne Michaels and company have still managed to shock the Studio 8H audience numerous times by bringing out a public figure whom no one could have guessed was going to be part of the show. The following are some of our all-time favorite Saturday Night Live celebrity cameos.

Leonardo DiCaprio (Season 39)

In Jonah Hill’s third SNL monologue, the Academy Award nominee is bombarded by questions about working with Leonardo DiCaprio before trying to convince the audience that the future Oscar winner was not even supposed to be in The Wolf of Wall Street initially. Just then, the Titanic cast member himself walks on to knock some sense into his co-star before agreeing to recreate the famous “We’re flying!” scene from the Best Picture Oscar winner. 

Barack Obama (Season 33)

In the cold open for SNL’s 2007 Halloween show, a spooky party hosted by Bill (Darrell Hammond) and Hilary Clinton (Amy Poehler) is crashed by an unexpected guest in a Barack Obama mask. The stranger removes the rubber face to reveal he is actually the future 44th President of the United States in the flesh.

Barbra Streisand (Season 17)

A recurring topic in Mike Myers’ “Coffee Talk” sketches was Linda Richman’s obsession with Barbra Streisand, who shocked the host and her guests (played by Madonna and Roseanne Barr) by briefly walking on the set to greet them in one sketch. According to Barbra Archives, Myers had been informed that the Oscar-winning Funny Girl star might show up, but Madonna and Barr’s shocked reactions were completely genuine.

Robert De Niro (Season 26)

Academy Award winner Robert De Niro never hosted SNL until 2002, but made multiple surprise appearances beforehand, such as the time he showed up on “Weekend Update.” The cameo was in response to Jimmy Fallon’s unfavorable review of 2000’s Meet the Parents, which Fallon tries to defend with his impersonation of the acting legend, who turns the tables by imitating him at the end.

Kel Mitchell (Season 48)

A pre-taped segment imagines a reboot of the classic Nickelodeon comedy, Kenan & Kel, but with host Keke Palmer as a new character named Kelly. However, the bit ends wonderfully with an appearance of Kenan Thompson’s original co-star, Kel Mitchell, who actually auditioned for SNL once before, to no avail

Judge Judy (Season 24)

Cheri Oteri made an impact on SNL in a short time with memorable characters and hilarious impersonations — especially that of Judge Judy. However, the honorable TV personality herself proved that no one “rules” like the original when she interrupted one of Oteri’s parodies of her court show.

Sarah Paulson (Season 48)

In a sketch poking fun at his internet persona, host Pedro Pascal plays a teacher whose students have made viral videos honoring him as a surrogate “daddy” and another teacher name Ms. Jenny as “mommy.” Entering the room to the crowd’s surprise as Ms. Jenny is the Last of Us cast member’s good friend, Emmy winner Sarah Paulson.

Taylor Swift (Season 49)

Even after her boyfriend — one of the funniest pro athletes to host SNL, Travis Kelce — made a surprise appearance in the same episode (hosted by Pete Davidson), no one anticipated Taylor Swift would show up in the Season 48 opener to introduce musical guest Ice Spice’s second performance. Reportedly, neither of these cameos were planned and were put together last minute when the Grammy-winning superstar and Kansas City Chiefs tight end happened to show up at 30 Rock.

Jason Momoa (Season 45)

In a courtroom-style sketch starring Chance the Rapper as a judge who rules purely by first impressions, one of the defendants is played by Jason Momoa, who already has the host in stitches with his ridiculous wardrobe. However, the Aquaman actor suddenly cannot stop laughing after accidentally referring to himself as a “paraplegic,” when he meant to say “paralegal.”

Eminem (Season 46)

Pete Davidson plays a young man named Stu who writes a series of increasingly erratic letters asking Santa Claus (Jason Bateman) for a PlayStation 5 in this holiday parody of “Stan” by Eminem. As we learn at the end of the bit (which original video star Devon Sawa loved), the Real Slim Shady is the one who ended up getting the PS5 under his tree.

The Property Brothers And Tony Hawk (Season 48)

Kenan Thompson plays the host of an international beauty pageant that is close to going off the rails when he makes note of the random selection of Property Brothers’ Drew and Jonathan Scott and Tony Hawk as the judges before introducing them. Much to the surprise of Thompson’s character (and the audience), the twin renovation reality show stars and the pro skateboarder are appearing as themselves.

Jeff Probst (Season 48)

At first, the only joke this wedding-set sketch has going for it is the repeated utterance of the word “Joker," in reference to the best man’s choice of Halloween costume, modeled after Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight. What transcends the SNL sketch from terrible to amazing is when Survivor host Jeff Probst shows up to announce if the guests voted in favor of the best man (Andrew Dismukes) keeping on his makeup or in favor of the bride (Heidi Gardner), who thinks his costume has ruined the ceremony.

Conan O'Brien (Season 47) 

When John Mulaney’s induction into SNL’s Five-Timers Club doesn’t seem to be going well, with veterans like Steve Martin and Candice Bergen believing he doesn’t fit the quality standards, coming to his aid is none other than Conan O’Brien. The beloved late-night host-turned-podcaster’s surprise appearance was not only special because he starred in the first Five-Timers Club sketch while working as a writer, but because he previously severed ties with NBC after 2010’s embarrassing Tonight Show debacle.

The Hunger Games Cast (Season 40) 

After starting his third SNL monologue with a song about the year 1989 modeled after Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space,” Woody Harrelson is suddenly joined by his Hunger Games movies co-stars Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson. When Academy Award winner Jennifer Lawrence shows up, Harrelson initially mistakes her for “the real Taylor Swift.”

Eugene Levy (Season 46) 

Host Dan Levy offers a glimpse of what Studio 8H looks like backstage in a post-Covid environment. During the tour, he is shocked to learn his father and fellow Schitt’s Creek cast member, Eugene Levy, flew from L.A. to New York to support him, but pandemic protocols have forced the comedian to watch the show from a clear, protective case.

Matt Damon (Season 44)

Matt Damon is the face behind many of the most amazing celebrity cameos in movies, but the Oscar-winning writer and star of Good Will Hunting has worked his magic on the small screen as well. For instance: his surprise appearance on SNL as Associate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in a hilarious cold open recreating his senate hearing.

Julia Stiles (Season 49)

On “Weekend Update,” Chloe Fineman demonstrates her most romantic holiday gift idea: recreating the balletic performance from the end of one of the best dance movies, Save the Last Dance. Fineman and the crowd are suddenly starstruck when the film’s star, Julia Stiles, shows up to help bring the tribute to a grand finale.

Arnold Schwarzenegger (Season 14)

When an overly excited Danny DeVito interrupts his monologue and requests to re-do the show’s opening, he asks his good friend and Twins co-star, Arnold Schwarzenegger, to launch things with the famous catchphrase while he is sitting in the audience. The Terminator movies star would show up in the episode again to pay a visit to his cousins, Hans (Dana Carvey) and Franz (Kevin Nealon).

Bryan Cranston (Season 42) 

In a funny cold open, CNN reporter Jake Tapper announces that then-President Donald Trump has selected a new head of the DEA. The person in question is former high school chemistry teacher Walter White, played by former Breaking Bad cast member Bryan Cranston reprising his legendary, multi-Emmy-winning role.

Paul McCartney (Season 32) 

This sketch is already crawling with amazing cameos when Alec Baldwin, in the Platinum Lounge at SNL’s Five-Timers Club, runs into Martin Short (working as a server) and Steve Martin, who attempts to murder his It’s Complicated co-star under the impression he is tying his hosting record. However, the biggest surprise comes when Paul McCartney walks in, whom Martin initially mistakes for fellow club member, Paul Simon. 

Melissa McCarthy (Season 42)

One of SNL’s all-time best hosts, Melissa McCarthy, showed up to play then-White House press secretary Sean Spicer during an episode hosted by Kristen Stewart. While then-President Donald Trump did not care for the sketch, Spicer did not seem bothered by the impersonation (save McCarthy’s amount of gum chewing), and the big became one of SNL’s most popular YouTube clips, later inspiring the Oscar nominee to reprise the role once more.

The Office Cast (Season 44)

When an audience member interrupts Steve Carell’s third SNL monologue to ask if an Office reboot is in the works, he initially says the beloved NBC sitcom might be best left alone. However, fellow Office cast members Ellie Kemper, Ed Helms, and Jenna Fischer pop in to convince him otherwise.

Barry Gibb (Season 39)

Arguably Jimmy Fallon’s single funniest SNL sketch is “The Barry Gibb Talk Show,” in which he and Justin Timberlake, as Bee Gees members Barry and Robin Gibb, discuss pressing topics with public figures. One of the later editions featured Madonna appearing as herself, but when the real Barry Gibb shows up at the very end is an all-time classic moment.

Larry David (Season 41)

While he never was an SNL cast member (but did perform sketch comedy on Fridays), Larry David had a brief stint at Studio 8H as a writer years before returning to the show in a legendary way. In a cold open recreating the 2016 Election’s Democratic presidential debate, the Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm creator drove the crowd crazy with his first of many appearances as Bernie Sanders, who, it turns out, is a distant cousin of the comedian, as they would later discover (per Time). 

Brad Pitt (Season 24)

Brad Pitt is, surprisingly, one of many celebrities who have never hosted SNL, but he has popped in on the show a couple of times. The first time was in a cold open for an episode hosted by David Spade, as the Tommy Boy actor’s therapist, for some reason.

Alex Trebek (Season 27)

One of SNL’s best “Celebrity Jeopardy!” sketches comes from Will Ferrell’s final episode as a cast member, particularly for the surprise guest at the very end. After Ferrell’s Alex Trebek announces the “Final Jeopardy!,” the real, late Alex Trebek appears to bid his impersonate adieu.

James Gandolfini (Season 30)

When reporting on then-New Jersey governor Jim McGreevey’s scandal on “Weekend Update,” Amy Poehler and Tina Fey introduce a native to New York’s neighboring state to comment on the topic. The guest turns out to be played by the late James Gandolfini of the Sopranos cast fame, whose commentary turns out to be filled with stereotypes at the expense of his own community and others.

Chris Rock (Season 42)

A highlight of Dave Chappelle’s Emmy-winning debut hosting gig was the appearance of his friend and collaborator, Chris Rock. The ‘90s SNL icon shows up in a sketch set on the night of the 2016 Presidential Election to bond with Chappelle’s character over their anticipation of the inevitable results.

Jake Gyllenhaal (Season 45)

One of the most dazzling cameos in one of John Mulaney’s best comedy specials, John Mulaney & the Sack Lunch Bunch, was Jake Gyllenhaal as Mr. Music. The Academy Award nominee later reunited with the beloved comedian in one of Mulaney’s best musical SNL sketches as a pajama-clad traveler at LaGuardia Airport.

Janet Reno (Season 26)

Before Jane Lynch played Janet Reno in a true crime series, she was portrayed by Will Ferrell on SNL for years in “Janet Reno’s  Dance Party.” The final edition of the hard-partying sketch, amid the end of Reno’s sting as U.S. Attorney General, went out with a bang when the real Reno crashed through the wall to greet her doppelganger.

Mick Jagger (Season 49)

Musician and actor Bad Bunny’s SNL hosting debut was pretty cameo-heavy, including appearances by Pedro Pascal, former cast member Fred Armisen, and Lady Gaga. However, it was Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger who brought the house down with his bewildering parts in two sketches — first as a telenovela actor and later as a man posing as a nun.

Mark Zuckerberg (Season 36)

Host Jesse Eisenberg’s monologue is interrupted by Andy Samberg’s impersonation of Mark Zuckerberg, whom Eisenberg portrayed to Academy Award-nominated acclaim in the Social Network cast in 2010. Little do they know that the real Facebook founder is backstage, but goes against Lorne Michaels’ suggestions and joins Eisenberg onstage for an “awkberg” first meeting.

Sometimes what makes SNL really fun is waiting to see which celebrities might show up for a surprise appearance this time.

Shows like True Detective, Fargo and Big Little Lies helped pave the road for “movie stars” to bring their talents to the small screen, though many have yet to take the plunge. Nicolas Cage is one of those actors who has amassed dozens of cinematic roles without ever leading a TV series. But that might change soon thanks in part to Bryan Cranson and Breaking Bad’s meditative nature.

When one thinks of Cage’s career, the brain rather instantly jumps to his more overstated performances, from the gloriousness of Face/Off and Con-Air to the highly memed Wicker Man remake. He may be looking for the exact opposite when it comes to TV gigs, however, at least when one takes his words at face value. 

Here’s how he addressed his potential career shift while speaking to a crowd and promoting his new movie Dream Scenario at the Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (via Deadline):

I think we can all agree that's an over-simplification of the work that Bryan Cranston & Co. put into the five seasons of AMC's Emmy-winning hit, even if some of the best Breaking Bad episodes do feature a healthy amount of one or more actors staring hyper-pensively at one thing or another. Sometimes it's a suitcase. Sometimes it's the ceiling as characters lie atop a bed of money. 

Let's also go ahead and agree that what the world needs right now is for Nicolas Cage to deliver his own version of Walter White's most memorable moments, from the "Say my name" scene to cackling like a lunatic in a crawlspace. Is this a good task for A.I. to achieve?

In any case, even if the Leaving Las Vegas star does make a transition over to television with the quickness, it doesn't automatically mean he'll be aiming for shows like Breaking Bad. He might choose to join the next season of Chucky, the next season of NCIS or - just to speak it into the universe - a TV spinoff of any of his best movies. He may pivot completely to host a house-flipping show on HGTV.

It's worth noting that Nicolas Cag's career technically started in TV, as his first on-screen role was for the unordered 1981 sitcom pilot The Best of Times, opposite Crispin Glover. The mind reels with what could have been. Beyond that, he's hosted and appeared on SNL, and hosted Netflix's 2022 show History of Swear Words. Let's hope he lands a doozy. 

Fans should definitely check out Cage in Kristoffer Borgli’s Dream Scenario, which CinemaBlend’s Sean O’Connell lauded for giving audiences one of Cage’s career-best performances along with its unique narrative. Check out the trailer below, and try not to think about it too often afterward.

While waiting to see where he lands on the small screen, check out Nic Cage's favorite Nic Cage movies to see where you match up.

Happy endings for the characters of Breaking Bad were few and far between, but members of the cast recently reunited at an event that looks like a whole lot of fun. Bryan Cranston hosted a celebrity poker night to raise awareness (and money) for the Entertainment Community Fund, and two of his former Breaking Bad co-stars were on board for some Texas Hold'em. Krysten Ritter, whose character had one of the most tragic endings of the show, was all smiles in photos with her fellow former stars, along with other celebs who came out to play.

Fortunately, Krysten Ritter posted plenty of pics from the poker event, including one that showed she was playing against Tulsa King's Andrea Savage, The Vampire Diaries' and Star Trek's Paul Wesley, Academy Award-nominee Annette Bening, and Bryan Cranston himself. In her Instagram Story, she shared a photo of her and Cranston looking a lot chummier than their Breaking Bad characters would have been if they were in a room together: 

Honestly, my favorite part of Ritter's post might be that Bryan Cranston couldn't look any less like the terrifying Walter White, but she included the "I am the danger" emoticon of the star in the role that won him four Emmys for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. 

Plus, Ritter looks considerably better than she did by the end of her time as Jane in Breaking Bad, although the Jane flashback in El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie showed her in happier times with Jesse (Aaron Paul). Check out her post with Better Call Saul's leading man next!

Krysten Ritter may not have reprised her role as Jane alongside Bob Odenkirk despite ranking as one of the Breaking Bad characters we wanted in Better Call Saul's final season, but it's nice to see that they crossed paths to pose for a pic at the poker event. The two actors' times on Breaking Bad didn't overlap by much, as Jane only appeared in eight episodes of Season 2 and one of Season 3, while Saul appear in just four episodes of Season 2 before appearing much more frequently in the remaining three seasons. 

The actress had more pics to post than just side-by-side with the former Breaking Bad actors. Alongside Smallville's Michael Rosenbaum, she snapped a pic of Cranston while he was looking in a different direction:

The actress didn't spend her whole night hanging out with former co-stars or sitting down at a poker table, however, as she was able to at the very least meet a sitcom icon: Jason Alexander of Seinfeld fame. Take a look, at her post complete with a little Instagram Story cameo from Alexander's George Costanza: 

Krysten Ritter didn't reveal how well she did (or didn't do) at the celebrity poker game, but it seems safe to say that she had a good time! Jesse Plemons was also present as another Breaking Bad alum, according to the Entertainment Community Fund announcement about the event, but Ritter did not share a photo with the actor who played Todd. 

If Ritter's throwbacks to Breaking Bad have put you in the mood to revisit the series, you can find all five seasons streaming now with a Netflix subscription. All six seasons of Better Call Saul are also available, along with the El Camino movie that finished Jesse Pinkman's story and featured more than one cameo from characters who had already died. 

Breaking Bad may have ended over a decade ago, but the bond between lead actors Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston is still strong. Not only do the two still hang out on occasion, but they even went into business together a few years ago. The pair launched an alcohol brand that includes a line of mezcal. Considering they’re well versed in producing drinks, it’s actually not all that surprising that they teamed up to serve as bartenders at Drake’s recent birthday party. And after the event, Paul marked the occasion by sharing a sweet photo. 

Drake turned 37 this week, and the Grammy winner celebrated by throwing a party in Miami. The soiree was held at a restaurant called Casadonna, which is an Italian-style restaurant located on the coastline. According to TMZ, there was plenty of mango juice on tap, but the two Breaking Bad alums were also treating guests to cocktails. And of course, they also had plenty of their Dos Hombres brand mezcal. Based on the footage obtained by the news outlet, everyone – including “Champagne Papi” himself – had a good time. The Jesse Pinkman actor took to his Instagram story to reshare a picture of himself, his old co-star and the rapper. Check it out:

I definitely didn’t have this meet-up on my bingo card, but I’m certainly not upset that it happened. (Also, Bryan Cranston is really rocking that shirt.) Aaron Paul also dropped another message on his Instagram story. In that case, he dropped a brief message for the “Best I Ever Had” performer:

This event is just another major moment for Drake, who’s had an eventful 2023. From dropping his new album to being thrown a bra during a concert, the singer really has quite the life. By having the two actors at his party, he’s certainly living a number of BB fans’ dreams. I have to be honest, as a lover of the franchise myself, I can’t help but be slightly jealous. Still, I think those slight feelings of envy are far outweighed by my sense of admiration.

What never ceases to delight me, though, is the enduring bromance between Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston. Many would surely agree with me that their chemistry on screen was nothing short of fantastic. But their interactions off camera are far more delightful (and don’t involve crystal meth). There’s even a familial connection between them now as, last year, Cranston was named the godfather of Paul’s son, Ryden. These two are definitely friendship goals, and I’m so here for it. 

While their friendship lives on, I think we’ve pretty much seen the last of Walter White and Jesse Pinkman. The characters appeared together again in the 2019 Breaking Bad movie, El Camino, which wrapped up Jesse’s journey. And in a delightfully surprising turn of events, the actors reprised their respective roles on Better Call Saul during its final season last year. Though Vince Gilligan’s fictional universe of drug dealers and lawyers seems to have reached its end, Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston could always reteam for another show or movie. And if not, based on the success of Drake’s party, I’d say joint bartending could be a solid gig for them. If you're hoping for another reunion, we've rounded up some shows like Breaking Bad to keep you busy.

You can stream all seasons of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul using a Netflix subscription and, for more info on more recent small-screen fare, checkout the 2023 TV schedule.

Is it the end of the line for Breaking Bad? It’s been over a year since Vince Gilligan put the franchise to rest for the second time with the ending of Better Call Saul. As the TV show creator is currently getting ready to start production on an original sci-fi series for Apple TV+ that is void of methamphetamine and crime, he shared his thoughts on whether he thinks he would return to the world he started with Walter White. His answer has me hoping it doesn’t happen. 

While reflecting with Variety on the 10th anniversary of the Breaking Bad finale, Vince Gilligan was asked whether he believes he has said goodbye to the franchise “forever.” Here’s how he answered: 

It sounds like if Gilligan could have his way completely, he would never look back on the Breaking Bad franchise because he’s said what he wanted to say through both series. However, he shared one caveat. If his next couple projects completely flop and he finds a way back into Walter White’s world, he’s willing to open the door again. 

Gilligan sounds caught between loving the universe he created with Breaking Bad, and not wanting to overstay its welcome on TV screens even knowing how popular and powerful it is. The TV creator has been entrenched in telling the Breaking Bad story since 2007, bringing five seasons of the initial show starring Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul before lightning struck a second time with the success of prequel series Better Call Saul, which bowed out after six seasons. Gilligan also had this to say: 

It’s a fair answer, because who knows? Perhaps Vince Gilligan will figure out a really great new storyline from Breaking Bad or Better Call Saul and blow our minds years from now. However, I’m inclined to be content with the two incredible TV shows we’ve been given and hope Gilligan doesn’t simply go back to it out of boredom or peer pressure. I'd love to see him put his talents into his new original ideas and for them to pay off. 

Both series are so well made and I’d hate for more to come from the franchise and downgrade the quality Vince Gilligan has set up for what we’ve seen before. For the time being, Gilligan is placing his focus on a mysterious Apple TV+ sci-fi show, which has already received a two-season order. Gilligan shared he is planning to get started with production on the show this winter in New Mexico. 

In the meantime, you can watch both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul with a Netflix subscription. If you’re looking to rewatch it, check out the different orders you can watch both shows and if you've had your fill, here are some shows like Breaking Bad to try next.

The SAG-AFTRA strike continues. And with indications that the two sides aren’t really talking, it seems unlikely that it will be ending anytime soon. But the actors on strike are making their voices heard, and during a rally in New York yesterday acclaimed actor Bryan Cranston took aim directly at Disney CEO Bob Iger on the issues of fair pay, as well as the use of Artificial Intelligence in films.

Actors took to Times Square in New York for the “Rock the City for a Fair Contract” rally where several prominent names spoke in support of the union’s demands. Among the speeches, Bryan Cranston took specific aim at the CEO of Disney, who recently made headlines for saying that the union’s demands were “not realistic.” Cranston said (via Variety) that while he understood why Iger would have a different perspective on the strike than the actors, he hoped the CEO would listen to what was being said and understand why they were asking for it. Cranston addressed the rally saying…

The union has asked for many changes to the existing contract between itself and the studios. Most notably, the actors are looking for better residual payments for streaming productions, as most of the current deals only extend to films or broadcast television. They’re also looking for assurances that the currently progressing AI technology isn’t used to supplant them in any way. The WGA union, covering Hollywood writers, is also on strike for many of the same reasons.

It’s certainly true that Bob Iger is going to have a different perspective on things than SAG. Iger is responsible to shareholders, who are seemingly looking at Disney’s profitability above all else. Disney specifically has been under fire for its profits, leading to significant layoffs throughout Disney this year. Certainly, any concessions that pay actors more will impact that profitability. It doesn’t mean Disney or other studios won’t be profitable, but Wall Street likes to see growth, and spending more on movie and TV projects due to a new contract would slow that growth at best.

Actors, on the other hand, want what they see as their fair share of the money being made by these projects. While Hollywood has pivoted hard to streaming, actors and writers have been seeing less money because of it. Thus far it appears that both sides are holding firm, which only means that the strike will continue. 

I always love getting the inside scoop on how an artist became the person we know them as, and how other performers and creatives have helped them grow. It’s especially exciting when it’s about someone you’re a big fan of, and that recently happened to me with Brett Goldstein. The actor/writer/producer was giving a talk to actors about how to make it in the industry, and he relayed a piece of advice he learned from Bryan Cranston. That advice, along with his own experience hiring the cast of Shrinking created a really interesting inside look into the casting process, while the Emmy winner also provided some fantastic lessons. 

As Brett Goldstein spoke with the cast of Apple TV+’s Shrinking, he ended up talking about advice that would help young actors land roles. While speaking to the SAG-AFTRA crowd, which is a group made up of people who are in the actor’s union, the comedian got real about a piece of acting advice he learned from Breaking Bad alum Bryan Cranston. The Roy Kent actor explained:

It feels very on-brand for Goldstein to drop an f-bomb in his explanation, and while that’s a bit funny, what she’s saying is sincere advice. This lesson the Ted Lasso writer is referring to originated from a video Bryan Cranston made for the Oscars, and he recalled it almost perfectly. You can see the Asteroid City star’s excellent audition advice here:

Hearing that this lesson left a mark on Goldstein is not only inspiring but makes a lot of sense. His audition story for Ted Lasso famously goes like this: he was a writer working on the show, and he decided to submit an audition for Roy Kent. He made a tape, and emailed it to the creators, noting that if “this is shit,” they should just all forget it happened, as he said on Jimmy Kimmel Live. It sounds like he really did try to give it his all, and then set it and forget it. It's safe to say it really worked for him. 

As he talked about auditions, Brett Goldstein also spoke about the process from the side of the creators, producers and writers. Not only is this actor a star in Ted Lasso, but he’s also a co-creator of Shrinking, and he played a big part in casting the series. He spoke about how he just knew who the right people for the job were, explaining:

While I’m no actor, even in general life this is fantastic advice. It’s important to understand in any hiring process that the human likely picking the new employee doesn’t think poorly of the other candidates, they’re simply looking for the perfect fit. Goldstein and the cast of Shrinking continued to elaborate on this idea, and gave some tips for auditioning in the full interview with SAG-AFTRA:

Considering both Bryan Cranston and Brett Goldstein have won numerous Emmys for their respective roles in Breaking Bad and Ted Lasso, this feels like advice that has worked for them, and would likely work for up-in-coming actors. 

All three shows mentioned in this story have been critically acclaimed, and both actors have gone on to have wildly successful careers. To see what I’m talking about, you can give Shrinking a chance and check out Ted Lasso with an Apple TV+ subscription. Also, to see Bryan Cranston as the notorious and beloved Walter White, you can stream Breaking Bad with a Netflix subscription. 

Bryan Cranston is one of America’s favorite actors. Not only was his performance as Walter White in Breaking Bad lauded as one of the best, but he has also followed it up with a number of incredible performances in projects like Your Honor, Trumbo, and most recently, Asteroid City. When an interview clip of the actor hinting at his potential retirement went viral, fans were gutted, unsure of how many more iconic performances from the actor we would get. Now, the Emmy winner is clarifying his comments, and it’s good news. 

Bryan Cranston Clarifies Retirement Comments

Fans of the Upside actor may be relieved, as Bryan Cranston set the record straight about these retirement rumors in an Instagram post. While the actor is approaching 70, and may be taking some much-needed breaks in the upcoming years, this doesn’t mean he is done performing. He dispelled the retirement rumors, saying:

He went on to talk about his reasons for taking a year-long break, saying he wants to spend more time with his wife Robin, and explore some time as a couple outside the business. He also wants to refocus and explore life so he has new ways of approaching his characters. For Cranston, he said this includes working in different mediums like producing. He elaborates on this point, saying:

He also explains more experiences he wants to explore in his time off, like literature, and plans to unplug from social media. In addition, he expresses his deep gratitude for the career he has had thus far, and others he may have down the line.

These are all incredibly valid reasons for taking some time off. The industry is moving faster than ever, with many actors feeling worn down by the pace. Tom Holland has been taking a break after a stressful production on The Crowded Room, and after having an extremely busy 2022, Andrew Garfield is also taking a year off. I hope Cranston enjoys his respite, and I can’t wait to see what the Oscar nominee does next. 

Why People Thought Bryan Cranston Was Retiring For Good

While Bryan Cranston clarified that his break wasn’t a retirement, it sure did sound like one initially. The Malcolm in the Middle alum spoke to GQ about his career and the several experiences he’s had throughout his long, varied acting career. While speaking to the publication, he talked about selling his stake in his mezcal brand, Dos Hombres in 2026 and shutting down his production company, with intentions of moving to a small village in Europe. He said:

These all sounded like massive changes. While the publication did state that this would be temporary for Cranston, it did feel very permanent. Thankfully, the actor clarified his statements, hopefully putting retirement rumors to rest. Some actors do decide to retire while still at the top of their game, like Daniel Day-Lewis. However, it seems like the Breaking Bad icon feels different, and he has plans to return after his European getaway. 

You can catch Bryan Cranston in Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City, which hits theaters nationwide on June 23. You can also relive his career-making performance in Breaking Bad, which is streaming with a Netflix subscription. For more information on other projects set to hit cinemas and streaming in the near future, make sure to consult our 2023 movie schedule. 

Breaking Bad is considered by some to be one of the greatest TV shows of all time, as it's known for its incredible storytelling and a legendary performance by Bryan Cranston among other things. The show is mostly a gritty drama that's firmly set within the world of drug dealers. However, it turns out things weren’t always serious behind the scenes. The cast behind the acclaimed AMC show recently opened up about off-camera shenanigans, specifically one particular day on which Cranston was "fucking around" and brought a penis shaped water gun to set. 

In a recent profile of the Walter White actor from GQ, his Breaking Bad co-stars talked about what it was like working with him. This includes details on his personal acting process. While some actors like to remain “in the zone” while on set, the Emmy winner was no such actor. The Saving Private Ryan alum apparently loved goofing around as Saul Goodman actor Bob Odenkirk revealed: 

It's great to hear that the leading man wanted to have fun when the cameras weren’t rolling. Walter White was such an intense character and, as a result, a lot was asked of the actor throughout the show's run. He has a lot of highly emotional scenes and is extremely intimidating throughout. While his character had to act a certain way, the Trumbo star clearly didn't and let his silly side reign. Fellow BB star Aaron Paul, who played Jesse Pinkman, corroborated Bob Odenkirk’s thoughts about the actor. He did so by backing them up with the aforementioned moment involving a penis water gun:

Poor Aaron Paul. The Jesse character had a lot to carry as well, with his complicated background and his entanglement in a criminal underworld. Paul was probably performing his heart out and then his co-star decided to mess with him using a water gun and a penis-shaped one no less. To be honest, the thought is absolutely hysterical and is likely part of the reason the former co-stars share a familial connection today. They even own a mezcal brand together called Dos Hombres, further proving they were able to bond off screen. 

It's not at all surprising that the jovial-seeming Bryan Cranston tried to infuse fun into Breaking Bad whenever he could and that some of the cast was game. A lot of actors, including Cranston himself, had comedy backgrounds, which probably helped keep the atmosphere on set light when the cameras weren't rolling. The Your Honor actor, in particular, was starred on the sitcom Malcolm in the Middle (and he wants more of it) before he cemented his leading man status. And years before nabbing the role of Saul, Bob Odenkirk was known for his comedic work before his turn, as he was a head writer on SNL. I'd wager that they all had a fun time on set, and I'm now also wondering if there's any way to top the craziness of bringing a penis-esque squirt gun to a job.

Bryan Cranston can be seen flexing his comedy chops once again in Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City, which hits theaters worldwide on June 23rd. Fans can also revisit his award-winning performance in Breaking Bad by streaming all five seasons with a Netflix subscription. And of course, if you're looking for current shows to watch, take a look at CinemaBlend's 2023 TV schedule.

It’s easy for something to go viral on TikTok if enough people are willing to give something a whirl. Kevin Hart and Dwayne Johnson were willing to slap each other with tortillas because of a TikTok challenge, and Kevin Bacon even sang the TikTok viral song “It’s Corn.” With a new Wes Anderson feature coming to theaters this summer, more people are catching onto this Oscar-winning director’s filmmaking style with a TikTok trend that’s got the cast of his new movie Asteroid City joining in. 

Every Wes Anderson movie seems to have specific visual trademarks. You may have noticed in classics like Rushmore, Moonrise Kingdom and The Grand Budapest Hotel, among others, that Anderson uses a soft color palette with his quirky characters, as well as uses deadpan humor to amuse us. There’s also the use of wide-angle tracking shots with Anderson using perfect symmetry to place his characters standing in a single file or in the middle of the shot alone. 

These are qualities unlike any other filmmaker that a ton of TikTokers have placed in their new videos, including the cast of Asteroid City, who have joined in on the fun with their own TikTok below.

As a huge Wes Anderson fan, you can imagine my reaction to watching Universal Pictures' video. Getting to see Scarlett Johansson, Bryan Cranston, Jason Schwartzman and many others in Asteroid City’s incredible all-star cast doing Wes Anderson-y things totally made my day. They did a great job portraying many of the filmmaker's trademarks, like the signature deadpan movements, the symmetry placement of the cast and the close-up shots of objects they were holding. It's just pure bliss. 

And I’m not the only one blown away by The French Dispatch director’s style. Other TikTokers made videos of their own using Anderson’s signature moves for simple things like going on vacation, to the pool, or even to lunch! These creative videos are filled with comic book-styled opening text, Alexandre Desplat’s score and the type of shots you’d see in any Wes Anderson top-ranked movie. Seeing a trend like this warms my cinephile heart in knowing there are people out there who recognize this filmmaker’s original and distinct level of genius that continues to keep audiences entertained.

As we’re about to hit into the month of June, there are more things you should know about Asteroid City to get you even more pumped. Wes Anderson may be revisiting the period piece genre, but he’ll be exploring the science fiction genre for the first time while still keeping his well-known tropes. This upcoming film will be about young space cadets and out-of-towners coming together for a Junior Stargazing convention. Alexandre Desplat’s score music will also be heard, with this being his sixth collaboration with Anderson. 

Desplat has had a record of doing an amazing job of blending in with the tone of any project he takes on. With critics placing the movie at a current 82% on Rotten Tomatoes, this is a great sign we’re receiving yet another Anderson hit.

After watching the cast of Asteroid City come up with their own Wes Anderson-themed video, are you next to jump on the bandwagon? If you decide you want in on this, I’m sure your vision will be transformed with your whole world looking like it’s come out of a dollhouse setup and much brighter than usual. Asteroid City’s 2023 movie release will be coming to theaters on June 16th.

Updated with video.

Breaking Bad continues to be the type of show that just keeps on giving. Years after the show went off the air, finally answering who would live and who would die thanks to Walter White’s criminal escapades, fans still debate several key aspects of the program. There have been attempts to try and expand on the legacy of Breaking Bad, from the Netflix original movie El Camino to the award-winning Better Call Saul. (Just don’t ask us which show is better, because that’s too hard.) But there remain so many questions about Breaking Bad that we still have to this day, including this significant one about Walter, Hank, and the book left on the toilet tank.

Needless to say, there are massive spoilers for Breaking Bad in the remainder of this article, so stop reading now if you haven’t yet watched the show. 

There’s a pivotal moment in the final season of Breaking Bad when Walter’s brother-in-law, DEA agent Hank Schrader (Dean Norris), stumbles on a book of poetry that has been inscribed to “W.W.” And in the moment, Hank calculates all of the clues to realize that Walter is the Heisenberg he has been chasing all these years. It’s not one of the best Breaking Bad episodes, but it’s an unforgettable moment. 

But given how calculating Walter (Bryan Cranston) has been at every step of his criminal career, is it fair to believe that he would leave such an incriminating piece of evidence lying around… on the toilet? This certainly felt, to me, like something Walter would have destroyed as quickly as possible. And it felt that way to an attendee at a 2014 panel held on behalf of the show, where Cranston and show creator Vince Gilligan took questions from the audience, and one man asked why Walter let that book be found. Gilligan admits that this plot point is one that the show’s writers continue to argue about to this day. But his reasoning for Walter’s crucial mistake goes something like this:

So Vince Gilligan chalks it up as a mistake made by a brilliant drug-running chemist who’d let his attention slip because he was out of the game. Very possible. If you watch all of Breaking Bad in order, you will find plenty of examples of Walter making a huge mistake, or being lucky (and getting out of jams because of that luck). But how does Bryan Cranston feel about Walter’s slip up? The show’s lead told the panel:

Can you imagine anyone else needing to weigh in? Both Cranston and Gilligan believe that Walter White dropped his guard, leading to one of the best scenes in the entire series:

For now, it seems like the Breaking Bad story is over (unless you count that embarrassing Super Bowl commercial that Cranston and Aaron Paul did). What burning questions do you still have about Breaking Bad, all these many years later? 

Marc Maron may interview more Hollywood A-listers than anyone in the business. His massively popular podcast, WTF with Marc Maron, was on the ground floor of the podcast craze, and in the process cornered a massive part of the market when it came to both comedy and celebrity interviews. However, podcasts weren’t always accepted as a legitimate form of entertainment, and Maron recently told me a great story about Bryan Cranston and Jon Hamm showing up to record in his garage. 

I recently caught up with Maron to discuss his new HBO comedy special From Bleak To Dark. When reflecting on the early days of his now-famous podcast, he said this:

So it sounds like the Hamm seal of approval made Bryan Cranston feel more comfortable about venturing into Marc Maron’s garage. These days, of course, we can assume that the comedian has a more legitimate studio, but back then, garages were a standard podcasting location.

Maron must have made plenty of friends in the industry, as those are some huge names to be getting in the early days. It makes sense that Jon Hamm would be down, as the actor notoriously doesn’t take himself too seriously. He famously gave up a huge chunk of his Fletch salary to make sure the movie got made, and he almost fired his agents after they suggested Top Gun: Maverick was below his pay grade. Bryan Cranston is, of course, also a beloved actor, who has plenty to watch on streaming if you’re a fan of the Breaking Bad star.

As for Maron, he has plenty going on outside of podcasting. He recently starred in the Academy Award-nominated film To Leslie, which thankfully you can stream now. His performance even received props from major stars like Kate Winslet, despite the awards snubs. Hell, he even came close to appearing in Avatar: The Way Of Water, and dropped some F-bombs reflecting on it in classic Maron fashion.

Despite all of this success, he’ll always be a stand-up comic first and foremost, and you can see his brand new special From Bleak To Dark on HBO Max right now! If you still haven’t signed up, we have the lowdown on subscribing to HBO Max.

When chemistry teacher Walter White first decided to "break bad" and cook up drugs as a desperate attempt to leave his family in prosperity after his inevitable death from cancer, people were instantly hooked on the rush of seeing just how far he was willing to go to reach that security.  Over the course of the 5 seasons, Walter leaves a lot of damage in his wake and it sure shows in how haggard the characters look when he was finished with them.  

Luckily fans didn’t have to wait long to get more Breaking Bad since creator Vince Gilligan continued the thrills with spin off, Better Call Saul.  If you want to get the full effect of celebrating the 10th anniversary of Breaking Bad, you can watch the two series together in this perfectly curated order.  Flip through these photos to see how much damage occurred throughout the original series.

“Cancel culture” may have started out with the intention of ensuring that people were held accountable for offensive actions or behavior, but the practice of “canceling” someone has always been a controversial one. This has seemingly been particularly true for celebrities, many of whom have lost jobs and income as a result of such displays of public outcry. Despite if or how they’ve been affected by cancel culture, a number of famous faces, including Kevin Hart, Kim Kardashian, Lizzo and Johnny Depp have used their respective platforms to share their views on the phenomenon.

While social media has been a huge tool for putting certain behaviors on display in the court of public opinion, it’s also been helpful in continuing the dialogue about what we’re trying to accomplish in doing so. Over the years, the effectiveness of “canceling” people has often been called into question, and everyone’s got an opinion about what cancel culture means in regards to free speech and censorship. Celebrities in all corners of the entertainment world have spoken out, so let’s take a look at what some of them have said about cancel culture.

Lizzo

Lizzo seemingly needed no reason to speak her mind on cancel culture early in 2023. The self-love-promoting singer took to Twitter to share why she thinks the practice has become “misused and misdirected.” Her full statement: 

Many of the commenters agreed, saying the focus should be put back on accountability. 

Joe Rogan

It wasn’t just Joe Rogan who experienced backlash in February 2022, but Spotify as well, when the UFC commentator and TV personality was accused of spreading misinformation about COVID-19 and the vaccine, as well as using a racial slur in multiple episodes of his podcast The Joe Rogan Experience. Rogan said the efforts to cancel him backfired, telling British pundit Douglas Murray (per the NY Post): 

Spotify does not disclose its podcasts’ subscriber numbers but THR sources said Joe Rogan’s show has had steadily increasing numbers but didn’t spike due to any one event. 

Kevin Hart

Kevin Hart spoke about cancel culture in 2021, noting how he thinks things have gone too far, but he agrees that there should be consequences to people who inflict real damage. In his words: 

The Hart to Heart host was the subject of controversy in 2018, when old tweets resurfaced with homophobic language, causing Kevin Hart to step down as host of the 2019 Academy Awards. When he spoke on the subject in 2021, he said people need to be allowed to learn from their mistakes. He continued: 

The assertion that people aren't going to be perfect and need to be allowed to make mistakes seems to be one commonly made.

David Spade

Famed Saturday Night Live comedian David Spade opened up in 2022 about his thoughts on comedy in the age of cancel culture, saying: 

David Spade admitted he’s not typically one who “starts a lot of shit” with his own comedy. 

Ricky Gervais

British comedian Ricky Gervais shared a similar opinion back in a 2020 interview with Metro. As a comedian who does stir the pot a bit more, it's no surprise he's commented on the phenomenon, noting that everyone has a different idea of what cancel culture means, and some people take it too far. The Office star said:  

He said everyone doesn’t have to agree with everyone else, but people who think others don’t have the right to say something they don’t agree with are opposing free speech. 

Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp’s defamation trial against Amber Heard was one of the biggest pop culture moments of 2022, and in the midst of his legal battle, he issued a warning about cancel culture, saying: 

Johnny Depp was forced to step down from the Fantastic Beasts franchise amongst abuse accusations in the years-long legal battle with his ex-wife. 

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian has had her share of scandals over the years, but in 2021 she called cancel culture “ridiculous,” telling the podcast Honesty (per People): 

She went on to say that if we cancel someone for past behavior, we’re “not inviting them into the conversation to really understand.” 

Sharon Stone

Sharon Stone didn’t mince words when discussing cancel culture on the Just Jenny podcast in 2021. She called it the “stupidest thing I have ever seen,” pointing out that we can all grow from listening to different perspectives. The actress said: 

She further implored people to “stop being so small” and “grow some empathy.” 

Megan Fox

Megan Fox has spoken about being “objectified” in certain jobs during her career, but when fans went after director Michael Bay in 2020, the actress defended the Transformers director and publicly stated her distaste for canceling people: 

The actress appeared to note her fans’ good intentions, but didn’t want the director to face consequences for something he didn’t do. 

Bryan Cranston

In January 2021, Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston appealed for more forgiveness in the world and less canceling, telling the AP: 

He implored people to remember that asking for forgiveness is a human strength, not a weakness. 

Rowan Atkinson

Mr. Bean actor Rowan Atkinson blamed social media for today’s society of “us vs. them” mentality, telling the Radio Times (via Deadline) in 2021: 

He said that thought fills him with fear about the future. 

Alec Baldwin

Alec Baldwin shared his thoughts on cancel culture in a lengthy video on Instagram, saying the situation was getting out of hand. While he admitted there are people who deserve to be punished, we shouldn’t punish everyone the same way, pointing out that “even the criminal justice system recognizes that.” He continued: 

He seemed to fall in line with a number of other celebrities who said people who get “canceled” don’t deserve to have their whole lives ruined. 

Kelly Osbourne

Kelly Osbourne shared her 2 cents on the phenomenon in 2021, after her mother Sharon Osbourne parted ways with The Talk following allegations of racism. Kelly said: 

Ozzy Osbourne’s younger daughter pointed out that nobody feels like they can make a mistake because of what the online chatter might do to their careers and lives. 

Phillipa Soo

Rather than expressing her opinion about cancel culture, Hamilton actress Phillipa Soo shared her advice for those who have been “canceled,” imploring them to listen to what is being said and learn from the experience. She said on Twitter: 

In the opinion of many celebrities, it seems cancel culture may not be achieving the desired outcome in holding people accountable for offensive actions and statements. Hopefully we can continue figuring out the appropriate action to take to effect real change, and it seems many celebrities think that listening to each other and acknowledging that people make mistakes is one step in the right direction. 

This article is going to dive into spoilers from Breaking Bad. I know the show has been around so long that its spinoff program, Better Call Saul, has come and gone. Still, if you haven’t yet seen Breaking Bad and still want to remain 96% pure, then back out now.

Take a poll of a random sampling of dedicated television watchers that they likely will tell you that the Breaking Bad episode “Ozymandias,” from the final season of the award-winning drama, ranks as one of the best Breaking Bad episodes of all time. And that’s saying such, seeing as Breaking Bad is considered by many to be one of the greatest television programs of all time. So much happens in that episode, from the neo-Nazis finding Walter’s stash of money to Hank dying, to Walt confessing in front of Jesse that he watched Jane die way back in Season Two. What a brutal moment. And according to Rian Johnson, who actually directed the episode, that confession almost didn’t happen, because of troubles they were having on set that day. 

Rian Johnson is making the rounds recently to discuss his sequel to Knives Out, titled Glass Onion. The movie once again brings back Daniel Craig’s deliciously brilliant detective Benoit Blanc, but moves him to a new location, with a whole new crop of suspects. But during an appearance on CinemaBlend’s official ReelBlend podcast, Johnson detoured to Breaking Bad and talked about filming “Ozymandias.” And he shocked the hosts when he seemed to remember, in the moment, that he almost didn’t get the Jane confession moment because the sun was setting and they were losing light. Said Johnson:

Television is magic. Honestly, all storytelling – film, television, books – they are all miracles that probably should happen. You hear about moments like this, and the obstacles facing the crew, and you have to marvel how anything gets accomplished, and still look so incredible. In that scene, we witness the death of a major, major character and the decimation of Walt’s criminal empire. It won’t go down as one of the best Walter and Jesse partner moments, because it doesn’t involve magnets (bitch). But it’s memorable and legendary. And looked like this:

We still have a lot of debate about Breaking Bad versus Better Call Saul, though there is no wrong answer no matter what side you choose. We’ve even pit Vince Gilligan’s masterpiece against The Wire, though once again, there’s no wrong answer. And now when you watch the above scene, I hope you think of the hustle that Rian Johnson put in to get it captured on film.

Do you all remember Bryan Cranston’s early 2000s sitcom of three rambunctious boys being raised by two parents who are just as quirky, with the oldest brother off at military school? If you didn’t grow up during the Malcolm in the Middle craze from 2000-2006, you might have a chance to join this generation if the beloved series makes a comeback. Bryan Cranston might get the Malcolm in the Middle cast together again for an upcoming revival. 

For Breaking Bad fans out there, you may have forgotten that Bryan Cranston’s first lead in a television show was playing the immature but loving father Hal in Malcolm in the Middle. Frankie Muniz, who played the title role in the hit series, spoke to Fox News Digital about how Cranston is getting the ball rolling on a revival script and that the former child actor would love to be a part of it. Muniz said:

Muniz said he would be working 13 hours a day when he was filming Malcolm in the Middle, so it makes sense why he didn’t have much of an appreciation for seeing the show when it was airing. But now that the show’s been over for 16 years, he can now watch it as any other fan would. The Agent Cody Banks star has expressed interest in the past for a Malcolm in the Middle sequel and imagined Malcolm to be having a midlife crisis. If he ended up becoming president of the country as his family expected, I can imagine why that’s so.

When Bryan Cranston was once asked if a Malcolm in the Middle revival could happen, he was all for it because he missed the cast “like crazy” and continued to stay in touch with them. The Breaking Bad star continuously conveyed plenty of interest for more episodes so he can continue playing the dimwitted Hal who never failed to make us laugh. He imagined that if he were to put together a revival, it would be 10 to 12 years later from the last episode. Well, it’s been a lot more than that so we’re overdue for some new stories of this whimsical family.

Bryan Cranston has some upcoming movies like the new Wes Anderson film Asteroid City and joined the cast of the upcoming Apple TV+ movie Argylle. He also returned to TV with the Showtime series Your Honor which will be entering its third and last season. As for the rest of the cast, they haven’t done too much after Malcolm in the Middle ended. All of that can end up changing if everyone decides to get together for more wild family fun.

Knowing that Bryan Cranston is penning a Malcolm in the Middle revival show is all we need to further the anticipation of this potential new show. This Emmy-winning sitcom introduced audiences to your not-so-typical family setup and proved you have nothing to be ashamed of for having a weird family. Keep up with our TV premiere dates so you’ll know if and possibly when the Malcolm in the Middle revival series can make its way to your TV. Feel free to catch up with episodes of Malcolm in the Middle on your Hulu subscription.

Thanks to Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould’s magnificent drama Better Call Saul, longtime Breaking Bad fans once spent a few more minutes with Bryan Cranston’s returning antihero Walter White. Outside of that universe, the actor is gearing up to deliver the second and final season of his excellent Showtime series Your Honor, and the latest bit of casting news for the crime drama notes that another former Breaking Bad and Saul actor has joined its ranks for a role that sounds right up his alley.

Your Honor Season 2 is welcoming Mark Margolis to its hectic storyline, along with Perry Mason and Halt and Catch Fire vet Mark O’Brien. The former will bring his effortlessly intimidating skills to the cable series in the fitting role of Carmine Conti, the mobster father of Hope Davis’ Gina Baxter and the grandfather of the late Rocco Baxter, whose death is what set the show’s escalating events in motion. 

Having previously retired to Italy, Carmine makes his way down to New Orleans so that he can bring order and organization back to the crime family in the aftermath of Season 1’s events. Something tells me the intensity between Margolis and Davis during their scenes together will be as thick as New Orleans’ humidity. 

As fans of Gilligan’s AMC series are well aware, Margolis spent years playing the largely dialogue-free role of Hector “Tio” Salamanca, a cartel kingpin whose business interests violently cross paths with Cranston’s Walt, as well as Giancarlo Esposito’s Gus Fring. The role, which led to the actor having brain surgery after taking a spill while filming, was arguably the most memorable one of his career so far, which also includes a slew of other TV shows, such as American Horror Story, Oz, The Equalizer, and Gotham, which had a memorable crime boss of its own named Carmine. 

As for Mark O'Brien, he's joining Your Honor's second season as Father Jay, presumably meaning he'll be donning a collar for the majority of his time on screen. He'll be the family priest for the Baxter clan, with mob bosses having an affinity for Catholic priests, and he'll not only provide counsel to the squad, but he's also noted to be skilled at having conversations with skeptics. So I'm guessing he's pretty good at convincing people to do what certain parties feel is necessary. 

Your Honor Season 2 previously revealed a trio of stellar guest stars that'll pop up: The Americans' Margo Martindale, The Flight Attendant's Rosie Perez, and Transparent's Amy Landecker. Filming for the new episodes is currently underway, with ten episodes expected.

Bryan Cranston, who learned of a real-life blood connection to former co-star Aaron Paul, will return to the small screen when Your Honor Season 2 makes its linear debut on Showtime on Sunday, December 11, at 9:00 p.m. Fans can actually watch it up to two days early, as the premiere will be available on demand and on streaming for all Showtime subscribers. Anyone wanting to catch up on Season 1 can do so with a Paramount+ subscription, and can head to our 2022 TV premiere schedule to see what other new and returning shows are on the way.

Better Call Saul is now only two weeks away from completing its wildly ambitious and exceedingly excellent trip into Albuquerque’s underworld in the pre-Breaking Bad years. Of course, the timelines have now all converged with the airing of Episode 611, “Breaking Bad.” But just as fans were finally able to wholeheartedly celebrate Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul making their long-awaited reprisals of TV icons Walter White and Jesse Pinkman within Saul’s world, the AMC drama was surprisingly (and perhaps on-brandedly) hit with a lawsuit over an episode that aired earlier this season. 

AMC Networks, Sony Pictures and Better Call Saul’s producers were namechecked in a lawsuit filed by the company Liberty Tax Service, which is suing on the grounds of trade dress and trademark infringement. According to TheWrap, the company is going after the legal drama for its “intentional misuse” in depicting Betsy and Craig Kettleman’s company Sweet Liberty Tax Services, which was introduced to the show in the first half of the season with Episode 602, “Carrot and Stick.”

Liberty Tax Service goes on to allege the show is responsible for “dilution, defamation, disparagement and injurious falsehoods” over how the fictional company was depicted, as headed up by the money-hungry and embezzlement-friendly Kettleman family. Beyond the similarities in the name itself, the real-world tax company claims the Better Call Saul team purposefully copied the Liberty Tax logo and style, which includes various imagery involving the American flag and the Statue of Liberty. 

Here’s some specific language from the lawsuit implying the AMC drama’s intent.

At this point, it doesn’t appear as if AMC Networks, Sony Pictures, or any of Better Call Saul’s producers have spoken out about the lawsuit’s existence, which is understandable. It’s hard to tell just how seriously they’ll take the new filing, since it doesn’t seem likely that any one particular tax company has ultimate rights over using the Statue of Liberty or other American iconography in its logos and such. To me, the Kettlemans’ company looked like 100 other small-scale tax assistance operations, but that’s apparently not reflective of reality, or else Liberty Tax Service might have 100 other lawsuits on the table.

As fans will no doubt remember, Sweet Liberty Tax Services was the very place where Bob Odenkirk’s Saul Goodman procured the inflatable Statue of Liberty that stands atop the character’s strip mall law office both in the prequel and in Breaking Bad proper. It was also the place where the Emmy-nominated Rhea Seehorn found more of her footing on Jimmy’s shakier side of lawfulness, which inevitably led to all kinds of terrible things like her leaving Jimmy and New Mexico altogether. 

While waiting to see how this lawsuit shakes out, Better Call Saul’s final episodes will air over the next two Mondays on AMC at 9:00 p.m. ET. Fans can watch Aaron Paul currently on Westworld Season 4 on Sunday nights on HBO, and he’ll be seen later this year (or next) in the upcoming season of Netflix’s Black Mirror. Bryan Cranston, meanwhile, has the second and final season of Showtime’s legal-ish drama Your Honor coming this fall. Head to our 2022 TV premiere schedule to see what else is on the way.

Spoilers below for the latest episode of Better Call Saul, so be warned if you’re not yet caught up!

With its eighth episode, AMC’s Better Call Saul at last drew the line in the New Mexico desert sand for Bob Odenkirk’s Jimmy McGill and his most significant other, Rhea Seehorn’s Kim Wexler. Following a moral-deflating visit to the memorial for the dead-and-buried Howard Hamlin, Kim ended things not only with Jimmy, but with her entire career. With that split now set in stone, Saul Goodman can emerge in full, and the Breaking Bad timeline can officially commence. Which means we’re right around the corner from Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul’s respective returns as Walter White and Jesse Pinkman. 

Given that glorious eventuality, the two actors spoke with the Albuquerque Journal about bringing the duo back to television following their previous reprisals for the AMC/Netflix feature El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie. And Bryan Cranston, ever the joker despite his dramatic chops, deadpanned the claim that co-star Bob Odenkirk had become a bit more full of himself and demanding in the years since he’s been a lead on Better Call Saul. According to Cranston:

Of course, if Bob Odenkirk has changed in recent years, it’s only been for the better, at least according to seemingly everyone who’s worked with him. And the love for the Mr. Show vet only grew stronger while filming the final season, when Odenkirk suffered a production-stopping heart attack. (The near-tragic scene in question happened in Episode 608.) The actor had nothing but love to share for everyone he worked with once the drama wrapped filming earlier this year. On-screen, however, things are not at all so kind-hearted and cheery, as the final dots will soon be connected for this interconnected universe. 

Not that we have any real clue yet how Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul will show up, as far as whether or not they’ll be together on screen or not. After all, Walt could appear in a flashback, while Jesse could show up in one of the black-and-white Gene flash-forwards. But it seems like they’ll be paired up again, since they were flown out to the production together. Cranston did open up about the heighted secrecy involved, saying:

The need for secrecy is obviously understood, since fans would have no doubt flocked to whatever establishments the actors went to had the public at large known about Cranston and Paul’s trip to New Mexico at the time. And while they obviously weren’t tortured or anything so drastic, it does sound like the duo went through some less-than-optimal experiences just so viewers could experience their cameo returns in fully unspoiled bliss. 

Of course, the original idea was for no one to know about Walt and Jesse’s return until it happened, and Aaron Paul joked about co-creators Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould putting them through all those complications just to troll them, seeing as how the news was revealed fairly early on that the biggest Breaking Bad crossover possible was imminent. Here’s how Paul put it:

Someone who’s not messing around is Gus Fring, who is now living far easier without Lalo haunting his daily existence. And with construction set to start up again in the lab beneath the laundromat, it’s only a matter of time before he needs someone in there cooking up the signature blue meth at the heart of Breaking Bad. 

Better Call Saul airs Monday nights on AMC at 9:00 p.m. ET, with Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul’s returns rumored to be happening in Episode 610, airing on July 25. While waiting to see that happen, head to our 2022 TV premiere schedule to see what new and returning shows are on the way.

Better Call Saul is seemingly so close to finally folding its own story into the Breaking Bad timeline, but there are still six episodes left for Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould to break fans' brains with how things wrap up, if things do, in fact, wrap up. One fantastic way to throw everyone for a loop is with a marquee guest star to balance the impending returns of Bryan Cranston as Walter White and Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman, and Better Caul Saul will do just that by welcoming in a true TV legend in Carol Burnett. What the what?

After reports started floating around the Internet late into the weekend, AMC officially revealed that TV comedy icon Carol Burnett will be popping up in Better Call Saul’s final season, and wouldn’t you know it? The network just so happened to leave out all of the information regarding what her character will be up to after she arrives. I kid, of course, since fans of this crime drama universe are no strangers to Saul’s creative team keeping a tight lid on any and all details regarding the show’s tightly wound narrative. 

What we do know, however, is that Carol Burnett will be playing a character whose name is “Marion,” which as far as I can tell isn’t a name that has popped up in any noteworthy ways within either Better Call Saul or Breaking Bad. Could Marion be connected to Walt or Jesse in some way? Will she be playing someone from Saul’s distant past? Or will she go completely against her comedic talents by portraying the grieving mother of Patrick Fabian’s now-deceased Howard Hamlin? (That would assume Howard’s death goes public, which is something I’m not entirely convinced will happen.)

Here’s the perfectly brevity-minded way Burnett reacted to joining one of AMC’s best series yet:

If only she’d have just mentioned ten or eleven details about her character while making that statement. Darn, darn, darn! I guess that’s why she’s a professional. 

Across its previous five and a half seasons, Better Call Saul has been no stranger to guest stars from all genres, platforms, and backgrounds, but Carol Burnett is on a slightly different level in terms of legend status. I can't imagine what it would be like to have her, Bob Odenkirk, Rhea Seehorn, Ed Begley Jr., Bryan Cranston and the always hyper-intimidating Tony Dalton all in a single scene together. And then we can have another spinoff series that's both a close look at Gus Fring's backstory and is also Mama's Family with Vicki Lawrence. Am I the only one wanting that?

Better Call Saul will return to AMC for the final six episodes of Season 6 on Monday, July 11, at 9:00 p.m. ET. Head to our 2022 TV premiere schedule to see what other new and returning shows are on the way while waiting to get our biggest questions answered. 

The Office may have ended nearly a decade ago, but the cast has been spilling on-set tea ever since. While there have been some great stories over the years, the best have arguably come from the behind-the-scenes memoir The Office BFFs: Tales of The Office from Two Best Friends Who Were There by Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey. In the book, the series alums revealed the time they were almost killed filming the Season 9 episode “Work Bus” with director Bryan Cranston. Now, Cranston has finally responded, joking about trying to kill the cast -- until Fischer saved the day.

While telling the story, the two co-stars and real-life BFFs dubbed the episode “Death Bus” due to all the chaos that ensued during filming. All in all, what they described sounded like a true near-death experience. After they broke down what happened, the Breaking Bad alum finally got the chance to tell his side on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Upon hearing Colbert’s reference to the title, he stated that their recount of the events was “unfair.” Though the six-time Emmy winner jokingly admitted to wanting to kill The Office cast before Fischer spoke up about smelling exhaust fumes:

So this version of the story sounds way more dire than how Jenna Fischer and Angela  Kinsey described it. Needless to say, having carbon monoxide fill a cabin containing the cast and crew would've been disastrous. Thankfully, the Office alum's keen sense of smell kicked in and was able to prevent anyone from getting monoxide poisoning. The Walter White actor went on to joke, though, that he went ahead and got another whiff to ensure that things were indeed as they seemed:

It's hard to disagree that such an episode would've been far different and, more tragic, than the the actual series finale, which ultimately closed out the fan-favorite series' ninth season. I think it's fair to assume that the entire cast is grateful to Jenna Fischer for realizing what was up.

In the episode, the employees of Dunder Mifflin move their operations to a bus after their usual workspace is shut down by landlord Dwight. During the same interview, Bryan Cranston explained how he and his team planned to make the bus scenes work and in the process, revealed how the dangerous situation came to be:

I'm getting edgy just thinking about what could've gone wrong. I mean, I've heard of suffering for your art but, had things gone south, that would've been taking it a little too far. At the end of the day, I'm glad Jenna Fischer, Angela Kinsey, Bryan Cranston and their collaborators lived to tell the tale.

If you want to see this installment (and other amazing Office episodes), you can stream every season with Peacock Premium. And when you're finished checking out the show, be on the lookout for other workplace comedies that are either premiering or currently airing on television.

The Office is the source of some of television's funniest and most outrageous moments, and apparently, the Dunder Mifflin chaos wasn't just on screen. According to The Office alums Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey, one episode almost cost the entire cast their lives. The two actresses reminisced about what happened while filming an episode with Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston.

The BFFs recalled the harrowing on-set moment in their behind-the-scenes book The Office BFFs: Tales of The Office from Two Best Friends Who Were There (via Mashable). The on-set crisis occurred while shooting the Season 9 episode “Work Bus,” which Cranston was directing. The episode was centered on a trick that Jim played on Dwight backfiring, leading the overzealous manager to buy a mobile office. Things took a more bizarre turn when Jim convinced Andy to take the Dunder Mifflin staff for pie at Laverne's Pies Tires Fixed Also. Of course, the irony wasn’t lost on the stars as Kinsey understood it was Walter White filming the mobile Office episode, similar to his mobile meth van in the Emmy-winning drama.

But even diehard Office fans may have had no idea of the behind-the-scenes chaos. Fischer revealed that “the mobile office” was packed with the cast and crew along with a cavalcade of office items, including desks, a watercooler, and a big-screen television. The overwhelming situation was compounded when the producers felt The Office’s Rainn Wilson’s fake steering wasn’t “authentic” enough for driving on a curvy road. The Splitting Up Together actress recalled their solution was to detach the vehicle from its rig and have a stunt driver at the steering wheel. That’s when things changed, according to the actress.

Upon taking off on the road, things went from zero to 100. Kinsey relived the dangerous and disordered shoot as she broke down what happened within the vehicle.

If the Deliciousness host’s account wasn’t scary enough, Fischer’s recount sounded even more horrific. The over-the-top driving led to the actress being pinned by co-star Leslie David Baker. She recalled co-star Phyllis Smith was posted up against a wall by multiple objects, including John Krasinski. Kinsey was immune from being trapped as she recalled co-stars Ellie Kemper and Jake Lacy ramping into her. She mentioned cast members falling on the floor and being trapped under multiple items.

Thankfully, the cast survived the erratic driving incident. After a much-needed lunch break, they got back on the bus again. But things only got worse as Fischer recalled the cast almost dying from another threat.

Upon the cast and crew leaving the vehicle, It was revealed the AC unit’s intake hose and shuttle’s exhaust pipe were next to each other. This led to the hose blowing car exhaust through the sunroof. Fischer put the incident into perspective by saying the cast was being poisoned “not so slowly.”

But this overwhelming dangerous day started on the wrong foot, according to Kinsey. She remembered what it was like being on the bus on an extremely muggy day.

At the end of the shoot, Kinsey mentioned Cranston being “so calm and kind” despite the disorderly day. She even hugged the Oscar nominee. Sharing moments like this seemingly brought the cast together as they have reunited multiple times since the show ended. Hopefully, the cast will officially come back together for a reunion special or new episode someday, as Krasinski was down for it. Secrets from the NBC sitcom have been spilling for some time, including Craig Robinson sharing why Patrice O’Neal’s Lonny stopped appearing.

You can rewatch all nine seasons of The Office, including this episode, by getting a Peacock subscription. Of course, you can keep track of what the entire cast is doing now.

The television landscape has produced a plethora of formidable actor duos over the years, from I Love Lucy’s Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance to Law & Order: SVU’s Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni. Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, widely known for their roles as Walter White and Jesse Pinkman on Breaking Bad, respectively, certainly stand amongst the best. While their on-screen work was entertaining, their off-camera relationship has been especially sweet to see. The two actors have remained close since the acclaimed AMC drama ended in 2013. In fact, Paul revealed a new familial connection he shares with his co-star, while discussing his return as Jesse on Better Call Saul. 

This is an incredibly exciting time for Aaron Paul and, no, it’s not just because Jesse is set to appear during the sixth and final season of Saul. The 42-year-old Paul and his wife, Lauren Parsekian, recently welcomed their second child, a baby boy named Ryden. This week, Paul appeared on The Tonight Show, where he gushed about the newborn (and jokingly lamented the lack of sleep he’s had). He also revealed that his son now has a godfather in Bryan Cranston:

Though the two Emmy winners were already linked for life through Breaking Bad and their  mezcal brand Dos Hombres, this latest connection is certainly the sweetest. It’s a true testament to the bond between the two men and, if I were in Bryan Cranston’s position, I’d be flattered as well. 

Still, for many people, their roles as the chemistry teacher-turned-drug kingpin and his ex student are probably what come to mind when one first thinks of them. With that, fans are definitely pumped to see the actors reprise their famous roles on the spinoff series. During his chat with Jimmy Fallon, Aaron Paul didn’t give away specific plot details, though he did discuss what it was like to reprise his role as the humorous, yet sympathetic, Pinkman:

The Saul Goodman-centric series doesn’t mark the first time the two stars have reprised their characters since BB ended. Aaron Paul’s Pinkman led 2019’s El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie, in which Bryan Cranston briefly reprised the role of Walter White as well. The acclaimed film (streamable with a Netflix subscription) continued Jesse’s journey and  also featured cameos from other major characters.

Throughout their show’s five-season run, Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston developed tremendous chemistry, providing fans with some excellent Walt and Jesse moments in the process. It’s unclear as to whether or not they’ll appear on Better Call Saul together but, whatever happens, it’s sure to be special – and something that young Ryden can someday watch and be proud of. 

Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul can both be streamed on Netflix. CinemaBlend’s 2022 TV Schedule is also available for those curious about this year’s new and returning shows.