'Breaking Bad' Producer Worried Bob Odenkirk's 'Silly' Saul Goodman Would Ruin the Series
Walter White came awfully close to never calling Saul.
Bob Odenkirk's flashy, less-than-scrupulous lawyer Saul Goodman (a.k.a. Jimmy McGill) became one of the most memorable characters in Breaking Bad, going on to star in his own Emmy-nominated prequel series, Better Call Saul.
But according to Breaking Bad producer and Better Call Saul co-creator Peter Gould, the character almost never made it onto the screen.
'His creation was all in service of Walt's story. We weren't thinking, 'Here's an independent character who's going to have a life of his own,' ' Gould tells Alan Sepinwall in an interview included in the TV critic's new book, Saul Goodman v. Jimmy McGill (out Feb. 4), excerpted by EW.com.
Gould wrote 'Better Call Saul,' the episode of Breaking Bad's second season in which Odenkirk's character made his debut. But even then, he tells Sepinwall, he wasn't sure Saul would have a future.
'Personally, as I was writing the episode, I got very nervous,' Gould explains. 'I got scared, because I was worried that we were going to break the show by making a character that was too silly — that he was going to be just too big for what I thought was a very grounded show. Grounded in its own way, let's put it that way.'
Gould says his misgivings weren't helped by AMC's initial response to the script for the 2009 episode.
Related: Bob Odenkirk on Why He Thinks Steve Carell Beat Him Out for the Role of The Office's Michael Scott
'My fear was actually enhanced when we had our first notes call with an executive who will remain nameless,' Gould recalls. '[Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan] and I were on a conference call, and the question came up, basically, 'We don't like this character. Could we start again and come up with a different story for this episode?' '
Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Gould explained that Gilligan refused to scrap 'Better Call Saul,' and the unnamed network exec backed down 'because they had to trust Vince.'
'But, you can think about what an alternative universe would be where we had had to throw that episode out,' Gould says.
Related: Breaking Bad Cast on Lack of F-Bombs on the Show — and How There Could've Been More
Rather than ending up on the scrap heap, Saul quickly became an integral part of Breaking Bad. Odenkirk was promoted to series regular for the show's third season, and continued to appear in the show until its 2013 finale. Gilligan and Gould were considering a spin-off for the character well before Breaking Bad ended, and in 2013, Better Call Saul premiered with Odenkirk starring. The series served as both an origin story for Saul, examining his early years as a lawyer and his gradual corruption, and a continuation of the character's story following the events of Breaking Bad.
Odenkirk was nominated for five Golden Globe Awards and six Emmys for his performance in the series, which wrapped up in 2022.
Read the original article on People
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Emmy Voters: Don't Forget About Zahn McClarnon and ‘Dark Winds': He's Your Next Leading Man
The third season of 'Dark Winds' might be one of its best yet. In the latest season, Zahn McClarnon's Joe Leaphorn is tracking down a missing Native teenager who goes missing after his friend is murdered. At home, his wife Emma (Deanna Allison) is struggling to forgive him and decides to leave. Amid it all, Leaphorn is facing generational trauma and confronting his past. More from Variety Short and Sweet: From 'Adolescence' to 'Sirens,' This Season's Best New Shows Are Barely Longer Than a Movie Limited Series Writers on the Impact of Casting, Writing Emotional Journeys, and Finding a Tonal Balance David E. Kelley on Shaping 'Presumed Innocent' With Ruth Negga's Barbara as the Killer - Then Changing the Ending After Filming Began Although the show has largely gone unrecognized by Emmy voters, there's still time to consider the AMC thriller and McClarnon's performance when it comes to drama categories. Take episode 6, which revolves around a ketamine fever dream that sees Joe transported back in time, threading together three narrative threads: the traditional Navajo story of the Hero Twins facing the Ye'iitsoh; Joe's present-day confrontation with a monster that's been haunting him throughout Season 3; and the revelation of a deeply personal childhood trauma. McClarnon says it was satisfying to explore that aspect of the character. 'I find it cathartic to tap into some of that stuff that I went through as a kid, which was very similar. I enjoy that process as an actor and that's why I wanted to be an actor,' he said at an FYC panel and a later interview. The actor, who is Hunkpapa Lakota, knew how authenticity was important to the creative team and showrunners. And for certain scenes, he had to learn Diné, the Navajo language. Cultural consultants on the show helped ensure the pronunciation was correct, but it wasn't easy. McClarnon says it would often take a few weeks 'to learn a couple of lines.' Though McClarnon is always reserved, his performance in this season particularly is also filled with emotion. In the season finale, his eyes tell the story as he sits there wordless with his world falling apart, and he learns of Emma's feelings towards him. McClarnon has led 'Dark Winds' for three seasons. In season four, he'll get to direct. Yet, he doesn't consider himself a leading man. 'I don't,' he replies when asked about it. 'I know that I can be number one on a TV show. I can be an EP and direct at the same time. I have that skill,' he says. McClarnon, who starred in the 2005 TNT series, 'Into the West' and later in 2009's 'Not Forgotten' is overdue for lead awards attention. His performance as Joe Leaphorn has proven he can carry a series, with the complexity to peel back the layers. Though he starred in 'Reservation Dogs,' which had comedic elements, he's not sure about taking on a rom-com. He laughs, 'I don't know if I can be a romantic comedy leading man.' But McClarnon won't rule it out. 'We'll see what happens,' he says. Television Academy voters, it's your move to spotlight McClarnon and show him he's got everything it takes to lead the way. Best of Variety 'Blue Velvet,' 'Chinatown' and 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' Arrive on 4K in June All the Godzilla Movies Ranked 'House of the Dragon': Every Character and What You Need to Know About the 'Game of Thrones' Prequel
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Were Seated with the Same Last Name at a Special Table at Recent Wedding — All the Details
The seating placards for a recent wedding that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce attended were addressed to "Taylor and Travis Kelce" The wedding planner behind the Tennessee nuptials revealed the seat assignments on Instagram The news comes amid the recent success of Swift buying back her mastersThe wedding planner behind the Tennessee wedding Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce recently attended dropped an Easter egg of her own — that the couple's seat assignments were addressed to "Taylor and Travis Kelce." The photo of the seat assignment, shared by wedding planner Ellie Nottoli on Instagram Monday, June 9, also revealed that the couple was placed at table 13 — famously Swift's lucky number, which she used to paint on her hand for live performances during her early touring years. Other photos offered a behind-the-scenes look at the sky blue and butter yellow spring wedding color palette, as well as the setup of the whimsical outdoor wedding, including the blue hydrangea centerpieces. PEOPLE reached out to Nottoli for comment, but did not immediately hear back. The couple stepped out for the wedding in Tennessee on Friday, June 6. Photos and videos quickly circulated online after one attendee posted a snap of Swift talking to fellow wedding attendees with the caption, 'not taylor swift being at my friends friends cousins wedding." In additional photos and videos shared by guests at the ceremony, Swift, 35, wore a blue floral midi dress paired with brown platform sandals and her natural blonde waves. Kelce, 35, wore a striped button-down shirt, brown slacks, and black shoes. The "Fortnight" singer was seen spending time outdoors with the Kansas City Chiefs tight end and their fellow wedding guests. Fans took to social media after Nottoli shared wedding details on social media — including the seat assignments for Swift and Kelce. One reposted an image of the invitation to X, and wrote: "TABLE 13????? TAYLOR AND TRAVIS KELCE????😭😭😭 THIS IS SO SERIOUS😭😭." Another added, "TAYLOR AND TRAVIS KELCE?!????? EXUSE ME." While a third wondered, "should i say congratulations? 🤫💍" Swift and Kelce's appearance at the wedding came shortly after the news of Swift acquiring her first six masters from Shamrock Capital after they were previously purchased by Scooter Braun. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The 14-time Grammy winner announced in an Instagram post that she regained control of her first six albums, directing fans to a handwritten letter posted to her website. "Hi. I'm trying to gather my thoughts into something coherent, but right now my mind is just a slideshow," Swift wrote in the opening of the letter. "A flashback sequence of all the times I daydreamed about, wished for, and pined away for a chance to get to tell you this news. All the times I was thiiiiiiiiiiiiis close, reaching out for it, only for it to fall through. I almost stopped thinking it could ever happen, after 20 years of having the carrot dangled then yanked away. But that's all in the past now," she continued. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Mariah Carey Encourages Fans to 'Be a Diva, Be a Boss' While Receiving Ultimate Icon Award at 2025 BET Awards
Mariah Carey accepted the Ultimate Icon Award at the 2025 BET Awards The best-selling female singer of all time was honored alongside Jamie Foxx, Snoop Dogg and Kirk Franklin The 2025 BET Awards, hosted by Kevin Hart, air on BET at 8 p.m. ETMariah Carey is the ultimate icon and wants fans to be the same. On Monday, June 9, the "Always Be My Baby" singer was honored at the 2025 BET Awards with the BET Ultimate Icon Award, and had a speech just as iconic as she. Earlier in the evening, Carey took the stage to perform her latest single "Type Dangerous," which she released on Friday, June 6. With a gentleman on her arm, she cascaded down the stairs in a white coat before revealing a metallic gold mini dress. Carey was also joined onstage by Rakim, whose classic 1986 debut single 'Eric B. Is President" she interpolated on "Type Dangerous." Carey, 56, along with Jamie Foxx, Snoop Dogg and Kirk Franklin are recipients of the award this year, which celebrates "decades of groundbreaking contributions to music, entertainment, advocacy, and community impact." Their talents range from music and business to television and film. She was introduced by Busta Rhymes, who waxed poetic on her impact as an artist and his love for the elusive chanteuse. "Mariah, she is not only an icon culturally for all of us, but she is the blueprint for hip-hop pop collabs before it was even cool," he said. "If you wanted a ballad, she got you. If you need a bop and a bounce, no problem." He also quipped that if you need a song that officially signals the start of the Christmas season, she has you there as well. "This means so much," Carey said upon taking the stage, "especially coming from BET. And Busta, you made me a little emotional backstage, I was watching you and remembering that song. You're still one of my favorites." This marked Carey's first-ever BET Award. "If you're gonna get one, might as well start with the Ultimate Icon Award," she joked. "But really, it's incredible to be here alongside Kirk Franklin, Jamie Foxx and Snoop, I love you guys. Congratulations." "My life and career have been quite the adventure. I will spare you the long, drawn-out saga tonight. It's all in my book anyway," she continued. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "It took me a while, but I finally realized life is far too short to live for anyone else's approval, which is something I always did," she said. "So I decided to own who I am. My extraness, my fabulousness, my and yes, my success and my iconicness." Added Carey: "I'm so grateful for you all to celebrate it with me tonight. Thank you so much. I just want to encourage everyone out there to believe in yourself. Love and respect yourself. Be a diva, be a boss, be anything you wanna be. But be iconic while you're doing it." In March, Carey — who is the best-selling female artist of all time — was also recently honored at the iHeartRadio Music Awards, accepting the ICON Award. "Thank you iHeart for this incredible honor. As a kid, I used to listen to my favorite artist on the radio and dream of being on the airwave myself. Now, for those of you who may not know what airwaves are, think of it as the non-wifi version of streaming, okay?" Carey joked. "Even now I still get excited when I hear one of my songs playing on the radio. It never stops being magical." The Queen of Christmas also gave her fans, whom she affectionately calls her "Lambily," a shoutout. "You've been with me through every step of this journey. Your love and loyalty are the greatest gift, and I'm endlessly thankful for each one of you," said with Carey and her fellow BET Ultimate Icons, Kendrick Lamar leads the nominations this evening with 10 nods. Other nominees this year include Doechii, Drake, Future, GloRilla, Metro Boomin, SZA and The Weeknd. The BET Awards are airing live on Monday, June 9 from Los Angeles' Peacock Theater on BET. Read the original article on People
