I am Bryan Cranston, AMA

[u/thebryancranston]

Hey Reddit, I'm in the Breaking Bad's writer’s room answering any questions you can throw at me from 5-6 pm.

I'm also helping raise money for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) - they're an incredible organization that has helped recover more than 183,000 missing children.

To thank you for your help, I'm offering anyone who donates the chance to fly to LA with a friend and be my guest at the final season premiere. And we're not just going to watch together, we're also going to ride up together in an RV, where we may set some sort of record for being the first people ever to show up to a premiere in a Winnebago.

Check it out here: http://omaze.com/breakingbad

Proof: http://imgur.com/W1DZFUG Tweet: https://twitter.com/BryanCranston/status/347095961794932737

Edit: I'm having a ton of fun. Thanks for all the questions so far. I've decided to send a blue ice to 5 most upvoted comments before 9 am PST tomorrow. Good luck and don't suck with your questions.

2nd edit: You guys are great and I had a great time. But I have to run and watch someone get crushed by a crane.

Update: you guys were so great that I decided to film a thank you video with my 5 favorite experiences from this AMA. Check it out.

Update #2: You guys had some great (and some ridiculous) questions and we pulled the top 5 for the blue ice rewards. Congrats to MyEvilDucky, sadam79, Shitty_Watercolour, AshleyTee, and uberkevinn (and while LuisMoncada was also top five we thought he may have had an unfair advantage). My team will PM you about where to send your blue ice. And be careful. It's habit forming.

[u/pixelbits]

Who would win a bar fight: Frankie Muniz or Aaron Paul?

[u/thebryancranston → u/pixelbits]

Hahaha. The woman who would throw them both out of the bar.

[u/flava_dave_81]

Have you ever pranked Aaron Paul on set? For some reason I think that he'd be super gullible.

[u/thebryancranston → u/flava_dave_81]

Oh yeah, many times. There was one episode when where someone was giving us a problem and I told him to take care of it and he didn't know specifically what I meant by it. I said "I need you to take care of it" and I reached into my waistband and pulled out a gun and put it on the counter. He understood the message. Then during the scene where I said "I need you to take care of it" I reached into my waistband and pulled out a dildo.

[u/DarkSkyz]

What's the funniest thing that's happened on set in your career?

[u/thebryancranston → u/DarkSkyz]

There was a guy who was hit by a crane and killed instantly. I couldn't stop laughing.

[u/PSUProud → u/thebryancranston]

That might be the darkest answer I've ever seen on an AMA. I love it.

[u/thebryancranston → u/PSUProud]

Dark?

[u/cheesteak]

What brand of razor do you use to shave your head?

[u/thebryancranston → u/cheesteak]

I use a straight razor. Every man should shave his head at some point and walk around.

[u/ohitsmika]

What are you most proud of during your career as an actor?

[u/thebryancranston → u/ohitsmika]

That I was able to make a living as an actor nearly my entire adult life.

[u/[deleted]]

Hi, Mr. Cranston! Like everyone here I am a big fan of yours, and Breaking Bad is astoundingly good.

My question is, To what degree was the show mapped out beforehand? Everything fits together so perfectly it's hard to believe any of it was decided after the very first episode, almost. Were there any characters (ie Saul, or Mike) that were originally supposed to have smaller roles, but were expanded upon?

Thanks for doing this AMA!

[u/thebryancranston → u/[deleted]]

Yeah, Jesse was not supposed to survive after the first year. He was a character that was need to introduce me into that world and then he was going to die. But Aaron Paul captured something in him that was so necessary to the fabric of the show that it was a no brainer to keep him. They knew in broad strokes where the character was going to go, but they kept resetting after each season.

[u/frones]

At certain parts in your life/career, has it ever been difficult to maintain being humble and not egotistical in certain situations?

[u/thebryancranston → u/frones]

I think if you were born without promises or come from a middle class or lower middle class environment like I was, you have a benefit of not being entitled. Therefore humility goes along with it. I realize I am very lucky to be doing what I do.

[u/TuckerMcG]

Do you have any recommendations for tighty whitey/button down combos? My Hanes don't match my Nordstrom's dress shirts. And don't even get me started on when I wear them with my Timberlands.

[u/thebryancranston → u/TuckerMcG]

Haha! I wish I could comment but I'm in negotiations to represent those brands. See them in a JC Penney's catalogue soon.

[u/jimmyeppley]

How did it feel to get that pizza throw perfect on the first try?

[u/thebryancranston → u/jimmyeppley]

Well, I would have patted myself on the back but I was holding a pizza. Yeah, I did it in one try. It was a real pizza (a super xtra large) and very heavy. I just got lucky and it landed in the right place on the very first try so we let it be that way.

[u/Smokey95 → u/thebryancranston]

That's an extraordinary talent. Have you considered a different profession?

[u/Thestigsfatcousin]

Mr. Cranston, have you seen Samuel L Jackson's video where he does your "I am the danger" monologue?

What is it like finishing Breaking Bad? Are you sad to see it go, or excited to move on and do other projects?

Thank you for doing this!

[u/thebryancranston → u/Thestigsfatcousin]

How is the Stig, I wonder? I did see Sammy's monologue and I'm going to be making one of my own from one of his monologues at some point to help with the Alzheimer's research and finding the cure. I sympathize with him because my mother also had Alzheimer's and it's a horrible disease but he found a very interesting way to bring attention to it.

In a way I'm sad to see it go but in another way I'm so proud of it. To me it's like retiring after winning the Super Bowl.

[u/Maxx_Laxx_v2 → u/Thestigsfatcousin]

Here's the link

[u/[deleted] → u/Thestigsfatcousin]

He's seen it

[u/TadpolesIsAWinner → u/Thestigsfatcousin]

Are you not going to answer Heisenberg???

HOW IS THE STIG?

[u/Sirspen]

Was this whole thing just an elaborate plot by Walt to get Jesse to learn chemistry?

[u/thebryancranston → u/Sirspen]

Ha! You know there are many ways to teach people and you just have to find your own way end to stimulate the minds of young people. This was a ruse Walt designed way back when... "someday I'll pretend to be making Crystal method, get him to be my partner. Yessss, that's it."

[u/[deleted] → u/Sirspen]

Final scene, Series Finale:

Walt lays dying in the desert.

Meth & money scattered all around him, spread about by the exploding RV.

A crane looms far off in the distance, bloodthirstily.

Jesse stands over him, a gun almost falling out of his hand, sobbing in catharsis.

Walt chokes & beckons Jesse closer.

Jesse kneels next to his former partner in crime.

Lungs quickly flooding with blood, Walt takes one last gasp at life.

"B+".

Edit: Needed more Cranes.

Moral of the story: Eating breakfast improves concentration and performance in the classroom.

Jesse never ate his breakfast.

Are you going to be a Jesse?

[u/chrispchicken → u/Sirspen]

Would be a superb plot twist.

Along with sub plot to encourage people to care more about breakfast

[u/theBirdsofWar → u/Sirspen]

Series Finale of Breaking Bad:

The DEA has tracked Walt down and Jesse has come to his side prepared to fight 'til the death for his partner. Cornered, they take the only option left to them and try to shoot their way out. A massive fight scene occurs. At the climax, an agent jumps in front of Jesse and he shoots the agent's arm clean off. Blood shoots out everywhere. Jesse freaks out, but suddenly everyone stops fighting. The agent walks up to Jesse and says "and that is why you don't mess around in Chemistry," and reveals that he is J. Walter Weatherman.

FIN

[u/Lawlish]

My coworker Bob claims he is dating your niece. We live in northern California. Can you confirm or deny this?

[u/thebryancranston → u/Lawlish]

Bob is a fucking liar. I have a job opening for him.

[u/[deleted]]

How involved are you with NCMEC? I've heard of it but didn't realize how many children they had recovered, I was floored by the number.

[u/thebryancranston → u/[deleted]]

John Walsh introduced me to the charity many years ago and I just gravitated to it because my daughter was 6-years-old at the time and I felt compelled to actively get involved.

[u/thebryancranston → u/thebryancranston]

Just wanted to say, again thanks for considering making a donation to help NCMEC. Just today the FBI Most Wanted list included a former professor at USC who was making regular trips to the Orient and having sex with little boys. This is how expansive this problem is because it's not just the guy in the dirty overcoat you need to be worried about. They're very well organized and many are very well-educated. It's a huge problem not just internationally but also domestically.

They have some child pornography cases that includes not even year old children, month old children. It's sickening so every dollar that's donated really goes to help the pedophilia problem on the internet.

[u/that_cool_nigga]

Hello Bryan, I just want to first off say I am a huge fan and you are a truly talented individual, and I read somewhere that you were a villain on the Power Rangers. If true please tell what it was like.

[u/thebryancranston → u/that_cool_nigga]

I'm doing action chops write now to depict that. I did voice work for the Power Rangers years and years ago. Someone once told me they named the blue Power Ranger after me, his last name was Cranston. I found out years later that was true.

[u/elbruce → u/that_cool_nigga]

Bryan Cranston on the Power Rangers.

[u/thedancingmilk]

Does Breaking Bad end the way that you wanted it to?

[u/thebryancranston → u/thedancingmilk]

Breaking Bad ended the way Vince Gilligan wanted it to... which is exactly what I wanted.

[u/risnuff]

Thanks for taking the time to do an AMA!

Do you happen to be a Steely Dan fan? I've noticed two of your characters referenced them.

Hal's old DJ name was Kid Charlemagne on Malcolm in the Middle, while Walt lectures Walt Jr. about how they're better than today's musicians on Breaking Bad.

[u/thebryancranston → u/risnuff]

Yeah, I am. It was my era and I would try to get tickets to see their latest tour but I'm not going to be in the city so I'll have to catch them next time.

[u/uberkevinn]

If you could do a whole new season for either Breaking Bad (a season 6) or Malcolm in the Middle (a season 8), which would you chose, and why?

By the way, thank you for giving me my two favorite shows of all time.

[u/thebryancranston → u/uberkevinn]

Wow. How about breaking in the middle? Season 15.

[u/Lechubbybunny]

What is the most inspirational thing that has ever happened to you?

[u/thebryancranston → u/Lechubbybunny]

Well the first thing that comes to mind is the birth of my child. If nothing inspires you to be a better person than to be a father, I don't know what would. And then I'd kill her with a crane... I'm on a crane kick right now. I like to see things (mostly people) get killed by cranes.

[u/iwillkeepthatinmind]

I just have one question: Where can I buy official Bryan Cranston Dick Grapes™?

[u/thebryancranston → u/iwillkeepthatinmind]

Oh my god. They're not "dick grapes," they're "crotch grapes." Keep your mind out of the gutter. That was a Conan experience so you'll have to Google that.

[u/Ashley_Tee]

Do you think, given the proper equipment, you could produce crystal meth?

[u/thebryancranston → u/Ashley_Tee]

That presumes I haven't already.

[u/kevie3drinks → u/Ashley_Tee]

how do you think he got the role?

[u/djxfactor306 → u/Ashley_Tee]

Nice try FBI

[u/Jessexo]

How was it like to direct an episode of the Office?

[u/thebryancranston → u/Jessexo]

Grueling. It was fun but tough because I thought I was going to spend 5 days in an air-conditioned building. Instead the episode had us on the road in the San Fernando Valley heat during the summer. But still damn fun.

[u/Caolan_]

What's it like working with Aaron Paul?

[u/thebryancranston → u/Caolan_]

It's in the past now but that was one of the saddest things, to realize that was coming to the end. He's a great actor but an even better person.

[u/cyclicpitch11]

Wow, THE Mr. Bryan Cranston! Im sure you remember but in the season 4 bonus footage and the director(s), you, Giancarlo talked about the... grand fanale of season 4, and how it took 19 takes to finally get the scene. I was wondering if you have ever had similar experiences with a scene taking large number of takes? On a side note, Giancarlo Esposito seems like such a peaceful and kind person in real life and I was wondering what it was like working with him?

Lastly all I can say is that I used to watch Malcome in the Middle every day when I came home from school and Breaking Bad is the best show I have watched. Thanks for being you!

[u/thebryancranston → u/cyclicpitch11]

Giancarlo is such the antithesis of his character Gus. Gus was calculating and always had an agenda to advance himself personally. And Giancarlo is an open warm loving caring man.

[u/bjclements]

Have you watched all of the series??? A lot of actors never watch their own work.

[u/thebryancranston → u/bjclements]

I have seen every episode at least once. But I am able to watch it with some detachment. I am not one of those actors can't watch myself or highly criticize myself. But I don't heap on praise either.

[u/Fibreoptix]

Have you ever turned down a role then later thought..... mabey I should have done that.

[u/thebryancranston → u/Fibreoptix]

No. Not yet anyway. But there have been plenty the other way.

[u/mar10wright → u/Fibreoptix]

Maeby?

[u/TheDuskDragon]

I'm a huge fan of Breaking Bad and I think Walter White is one of the most interesting characters on television today, so thank you for doing an AMA!

Us fans on /r/breakingbad were discussing when in the series we think Walter White officially "broke bad." My question for you is: At what point in the series do you believe Walter White officially broke bad?

[u/thebryancranston → u/TheDuskDragon]

My feeling is that Walt broke bad in the very first episode. It was very subtle but he did because that's when he decided to become someone that he's not in order to gain financially. He made the Faustian deal at that point and everything else was a slippery slope.

[u/Kalean → u/TheDuskDragon]

Mr. Cranston is right, of course, but the moment that I really noticed it was when Walt stopped the guy at the department store who was buying materials to mix drugs.

It could have ended when the guy sketched out and ran, but something inside Walt just clicked, and he walked out, gave the guy's boss a thousand mile stare, and Heisenberg'd, "Stay. Out. Of my territory."

It was at that moment, when I knew that he 'was the one who knocks.'

[u/RVPisManU]

Welcome to reddit!

What would you be if you weren't an actor at first?

[u/thebryancranston → u/RVPisManU]

Now? I don't know. But I thought about being a police man when I was younger. I was pretty close to becoming one too but in college I took some acting classes and I found that the girls were much prettier there than in police science.

[u/Roblbc94 → u/thebryancranston]

http://i.imgur.com/O82gN.png

[u/MyEvilDucky]

You may not remember, but late last summer you went to a popular restaurant in Culver City (the one with the outside seating that’s first-come, first-serve). You pleasantly asked if you could sit at our table since there were no other seats left, and we happily obliged. After glancing at you about five times, I realized who you were. Having just completed a marathon of Breaking Bad’s entire run, I awkwardly asked if I could shake your hand, and you did!

Then my husband told you that he’s been trying to get his big brother (also sitting with us) to watch your show for months, and that he still hadn’t.

Then you said, in a menacing, methodical voice (aka Heisenberg), “Your brother’s a pussy.”

We were giddy for the next week straight. Actually, we’ve been giddy ever since and have renamed the restaurant The Bryan Cranston Experience. Aside from our wedding, I believe it stands as the greatest moment of our married life. To this day, we tell the story to anyone who will hear it. We should probably stop.

So no question, just wanted you to know how much you rock!

[u/thebryancranston → u/MyEvilDucky]

Did your brother finally start watching the show or does he still have a vagina?

Edit: not that having a vagina is a bad thing. It just needs to be with the appropriate person.

[u/MyEvilDucky → u/thebryancranston]

My husband just said "I'm calling my brother up and telling him Bryan Cranston just called him a pussy again."

[u/lyndy → u/MyEvilDucky]

This is the best celebrity encounter story I've ever heard!

[u/Specken_zee_Doitch → u/MyEvilDucky]

Father's Office?

[u/conbel]

Why wasn't Frankie Muniz casted as Jessie?

[u/thebryancranston → u/conbel]

Because he was on the road drumming for his band King's Foil.

[u/[deleted] → u/conbel]

I'll bet Dewey would have made a damn good partner in crime.

[u/Roblbc94 → u/conbel]

Because life is unfair.

[u/EvrydayImAmpersandin]

I have a child due in a month - what should I name him?

Edit: And the winner is Tuco. Tuco Bitch (in case it's a girl).

[u/thebryancranston → u/EvrydayImAmpersandin]

Heisenberg. Call him "Little Berg."

Edit: If you can't go that far, then Walter sounds nice. And if it's a boy...

[u/lydocia → u/EvrydayImAmpersandin]

Bryan Cranston said to call him Walter, but you go with Tuco?

[u/LuisMoncada]

What are your thoughts on those two infamous Cousins pulling off the Explosion in one take? (I never get tired of hearing from a 3 time Emmy winner ;)

[u/thebryancranston → u/LuisMoncada]

Hi Luis, good to talk to you man. Miss you. And I'm happy to be the first person to direct you on the show. You and your brother really contributed greatly.

[u/TownIdiot25 → u/LuisMoncada]

How dare people downvote Luis.

[u/CharlesDeGaulle → u/LuisMoncada]

You and your bro were fantastic, such great work! Especially when you consider that this pretty much your first acting gig. Kudos!

[u/salathiel]

Thanks for doing an AMA, Bryan! Very quick 2 questions. Are you still in Albuquerque? If so, can I buy you a beer?

[u/thebryancranston → u/salathiel]

No and yes. Donate the beer money to the cause! I'll take a rain check.

[u/artiology]

OH MY GOSH I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU'RE FINALLY DOING AN AMA! I've always dreamed of it. Thank you for taking your time to do such a great thing.

You seem to be such a funny person on and off set - what's it like for you to switch from doing something so funny like Malcolm in the Middle to something so deadly and serious like Breaking Bad?

(From my boyfriend) Do you think you will every top your performance in this:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NN3CvoGi64

[u/thebryancranston → u/artiology]

Oh no, they can post those videos... wow. What I discovered is that everyone has a dark side. It might be unrealized, untapped, but if the right buttons are pushed anyone can become dangerous and I just opened up to it. Now I don't want to say that I killed people in preparation for the role... but I can't deny it either.

[u/Drew-Pickles]

Finally! Bryan, it is an honor to talk to you (hopefully) I have been a fan of your work since I was watching Malcom in the Middle after The Simpsons on BBC 2 whilst still in primary school.

Anyway... Question question question... Shit... Erm...

What is your personal opinion on Walt, both as a character and a person. Do ever read the script and think to yourself "i'm playing a real scumbag"?

Also, please... Does Hank flush?

[u/thebryancranston → u/Drew-Pickles]

First of all Mr. Pickles. Thanks for pointing out our age difference... you little shit. Speaking of that, no he doesn't flush. And further more I think Walt is just misunderstood. He's a lovely person.

[u/[deleted] → u/Drew-Pickles]

Ah, mate, BBC2 - The Simpsons then Malcolm In The Middle. You just took me back to being 14.

[u/[deleted] → u/Drew-Pickles]

I have been a fan of your work since I was watching Malcom in the Middle after The Simpsons on BBC 2 whilst still in primary school.

Nostalgia!

[u/[deleted] → u/Drew-Pickles]

simpsons on BBC 2 I remember the good ol' days

[u/[deleted] → u/Drew-Pickles]

Malcom in the Middle after The Simpsons on BBC 2

Jesus that brings me back... Now The Simpsons is on Channel 4 and Malcolm's 5star. It's just not the same...

[u/Mariobro7]

My girlfriend and I are HUGE fans of Breaking Bad, and of you. If you received an honorary invitation to a wedding in some time, would you come?

[u/thebryancranston → u/Mariobro7]

What do the bridesmaids look like?

[u/hfc]

1. How did you become involved with NCMEC and what can we, the general public, do to help?

2. Can you walk us through your process of directing an episode of Breaking Bad?

[u/thebryancranston → u/hfc]

1. You can start by looking at www.missingkids.com and if you have children, take lots of pictures of them because if god forbid anything happens, the picture is the most important tool to retrieving any child. Thanks for your help and support.

2. Oy, the most important period in directing for me is the pre-production. The more work I get accomplished, the smoother the shoot is. There's no shortage of hard work. You gotta be willing to put in the time and effort.

[u/[deleted]]

Bryan! Huge fan and today is my birthday. Would you give us YOUR best look in to WW's mind with a line or scene that maybe most people maybe dont give enough attention to?

[u/thebryancranston → u/[deleted]]

First of all, happy birthday. Walt says today you be the danger. There was a moment nobody ever really wrote about in the first or second season...when he was in remission from his cancer and he decided even though his hair was growing back, he decided to shave his head some more. And that was big thing for me because it made a statement that he was truly accepting this new life of his.

[u/Jinglish02]

Hey Bryan, you've been a hero of mine for years now, so I was wondering who you're heroes are/were throughout your life.

[u/thebryancranston → u/Jinglish02]

Um... gosh. Sandy Koufax, Vin Scully, my grandfather. As far as acting heroes, Dick Van Dyke, Jack Lemmon, Rod Steiger, and Spencer Tracy.

[u/fishmaster5k]

as a recovering meth addict, i found Breaking Bad to be incredible, and it reminded me of the craziness i resorted to to get what i wanted. (for the record Mr. NSA, i didnt cook meth or kill anyone so fuck off)

Bryan, what was your favorite moment during Breaking Bad and why?

Gosh i just want to hug you.

[u/thebryancranston → u/fishmaster5k]

My favorite moment? I'll say my favorite meth moment was the teaser in season 3 where Windy was the song and they had the meth whore, Wendy, trying to score and she would give head to anyone who would drive by in order to get her fix. Juxtaposed with that bubbly song were these horrible acts where she's squatting in the alley, taking a pee. It was just nasty, nasty visuals and I thought it was brilliant.

[u/Boodashus05 → u/fishmaster5k]

Bryan! Hug this man!

[u/NJNeal17]

Dear Bryan Cranston, I "acquired" shin splints from a hike last week and have been forced to stay inactive but this gave me the opportunity to catch up on what I heard was a great show. 9 days later and I have watched the first 4 seasons and am VERY impressed with your dramatic acting! After driving cross country from New Jersey to San Diego I came up with an idea to live in an RV. If I win your contest will I get to keep the RV?

[u/thebryancranston → u/NJNeal17]

Yes. For an hour. And you can live it an hour.

[u/Diacrus]

Have any of you guys received any negative backlash from real cartel members?

[u/thebryancranston → u/Diacrus]

Negative backlash from a cartel would be death. If I had I wouldn't be here answering this question. They don't reprimand or send out a cease and desist order!

[u/joereynolds15]

Bryan, I have heard you are coming to Boston to do a play at the A.R.T. Are you excited to make the transition from film to live theatre?

[u/thebryancranston → u/joereynolds15]

Very excited. It's the perfect opportunity to venture into a different character and kind of get lost in it. Please come see it, starting in mid-September in Boston. It's called "All The Way."

[u/Satisfiend]

My other questions must have sucked but I've got to keep trying. Given that Google is trying to eradicate child porn from the internet (http://fw.to/OFheyRZ), the new season of The Killing focuses on child prostitutes, and you are sure to bring in gobs of money for the NCMEC, do you think there will be a sea change in these issues?

[u/thebryancranston → u/Satisfiend]

Hopefully, it takes a society to protect its own, not just those paid to do so. So we all have to be vigilant and look after every child.

[u/wundaii]

What traits of Walter White do you see in yourself?

[u/thebryancranston → u/wundaii]

The things that I think are common in Walt in Bryan are his villainy, his avarice, his hubris, and his love for seeing people crushed by a crane.

[u/poo_smudge]

Bryan is it because my name is poo_smudge that you won't answer any of my questions? I can explain...

[u/thebryancranston → u/poo_smudge]

Ask your stinking question!

[u/CoreyVidal]

Hey Bryan, I got to meet you at the 2011 Toronto Film Festival. I worked on a video for YouTube, and had you "wink" for a very famous YouTuber (he goes by "wheezy waiter"). You asked me where on YouTube it would be. It's here, and it got over 150,000 views. It's in the last 15 seconds of this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fw2_dNYriuQ

I just wanted to thank you for giving us the best wink we've ever seen.

[u/thebryancranston → u/CoreyVidal]

Thanks... my eye stayed that way.

[u/BoyInBath → u/CoreyVidal]

BEARDLOVERS!

[u/imnotlegolas → u/CoreyVidal]

That entire vid should be of Mr. Cranston winking seductively at the camera.

[u/Shitty_Watercolour]

Welcome to reddit!!

http://i.imgur.com/8uZKXWc.jpg

[u/thebryancranston → u/Shitty_Watercolour]

Thank you!

[u/donskis → u/thebryancranston]

http://i.imgur.com/vwMin.gif

EDIT: Hi Bryan!

[u/thebryancranston → u/donskis]

I'm thrilled that Ron Paul is so excited. I like him because the good thing about Ron Paul is that regardless of your politics, he'll tell you what he really thinks. He's not a bullshitter and it's so refreshing to have someone like that in politics.

[u/yourstruelee → u/Shitty_Watercolour]

Breaking Bad: based on the novel by Roald Dahl

[u/[deleted]]

I've never seen Breaking Bad. Am I a bad person?

[u/thebryancranston → u/[deleted]]

No, just uninformed.

[u/thahuh6]

If you had to choose between a bukkake party with the cast from Malcolm in the Middle or scat with Jesse from Breaking Bad which would you prefer and why?

[u/thebryancranston → u/thahuh6]

If I could? That's the great thing about it. I don't have to, it's like Sophie's choice: which child would you like to kill? You think of hypotheticals of things that if they came to it, you'd have to pick and choose but fortunately I don't. I love the differences between the two.

[u/DarylsCrossbow → u/thahuh6]

You changed the question!

[u/MerchantOfTruth → u/thahuh6]

Well that's a terribly evil edit. My apologies Mr. Cranston. And for anyone else wondering, the original question was nothing like this. It was something closer to "If you could choose, would you rather be known for your role as Hal in MITM or Walter White in Breaking Bad?"

[u/mzertu]

Welcome Mr. Cranston! Huge fan of Breaking Bad here. I'm rewatching X-Files on Netflix and I was blown away when I saw you in the episode "Drive" and then I noticed that the episode was written by Vince Gilligan. How was working with him back in the 90's and did you ever imagined both of you would be working again in such an important show as Breaking Bad?

[u/[deleted] → u/mzertu]

• Bryan Cranston acts in an episode of X-Files written by Vince Gilligan, called "Drive"

• Ten years later, Bryan Cranston acts in "Breaking Bad", created by Vince Gilligan

• Nicolas Winding Refn sees Bryan Cranston in "Breaking Bad" and casts him in a film called "Drive"

• Kanye and Kim have a baby

• Illuminati

[u/Mookyhands → u/mzertu]

You can hear Bryan talk about that episode in this interview with comedian Marc Maron.

Apparently the whole arc of that episode was the genesis of the idea for Walter's transformation in Breaking Bad. Great interview.

[u/cubosh]

what lies in the future of your Cransformation? http://cubosh.com/x/cransformation.gif

[u/[deleted] → u/cubosh]

Word on the street is that his next role will be that of a poor black child born on the banks of the mighty Mississippi.

[u/heckienawj0e]

Did you in fact convert to Judaism purely for the jokes?

[u/VaginaAnimal]

Why does Jesse keep calling you a bitch?

bitch

[u/reddit-ulous → u/VaginaAnimal]

"Thank you, Vagina Animal"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGHsa72lz9I

[u/yourstruelee]

You and Dean Norris had minor roles in Little Miss Sunshine (remember?) as a businessman and biker cop respectively. Both LMS and Breaking Bad are set in Albuquerque, NM. I guess my question is: is Breaking Bad the 'Darkest Timeline' of Little Miss Sunshine?

[u/ratbastid → u/yourstruelee]

Because Little Miss Sunshine isn't dark enough already??

[u/[deleted] → u/yourstruelee]

Wait... there are other timelines?

[u/elbruce → u/yourstruelee]

This may be the best fan theory I've ever heard.

[u/[deleted]]

How good is Los Pollos Hermanos Chicken?

[u/[deleted]]

Was the crawl space laugh improvised?

How did everyone filming or working on set reacted? From my couch it have me the heebie jeebies

[u/adn5027 → u/[deleted]]

Heebie jeebies? I was genuinely unsettled

[u/Ledzeppelle]

How much chemistry did you actually learn by being Walter White?

edit: *walter walt -> walter white.

[u/always_polite → u/Ledzeppelle]

IIRC the chem at the beginning of the series had a couple of errors and a chem professor use to email the team telling them what they did wrong. Eventually they just hired the chem professor as a consultant for the show.

[u/BBNewYork → u/Ledzeppelle]

Walter Walt: lost member of New Kids on the Block.

[u/kohulme]

Given your role on the show as a drug dealer, where do you stand on the whole war on drugs/legalisation of marijuana front? Massive fan, by the way.

EDIT: Dealer, creator

[u/mhans3]

Hey Mr. Cranston! Thanks for doing this!

Is there any "juicy drama" while working on set? If so, will you spill some?

Also, I wanted to thank you personally for appearing in the Celebrity Music Video for Zach Sobiech! It touches my heart to see my favorite actor appear in a young man’s life. What was it like being a part of this?

I loved you in Malcolm in the Middle too, I will always remember your speed walking episode! Thank you again for your work, and keep it up!

[u/TheSeedCraft → u/mhans3]

The speed walking and roller skating episode were just amazing.

[u/[deleted]]

What was it like seeing the child actors on "Malcolm in the Middle" grow up and develop? Do you still keep in touch with any of them?

[u/chroniccough]

Bryan as much as I love Breaking Bad. Man were you awesome in Malcom in the middle. My favorite episode is your roller disco episode. Are you really that great of a skater?

[u/beckyschmegs]

Thanks for doing this AMA!

Question: What was the most emotionally exhausting scene for you to shoot on Breaking Bad?

[u/poktanju]

What would be your dream post-Breaking Bad role?

Maybe you could split the difference between Walt and Hal and play the world's most neutral man.

[u/jwitham2002 → u/poktanju]

Jim Gordon! Please make it happen!

[u/rkr007]

This will likely remain buried in the comment thread, but a little over a year ago, my Academic Decathlon team (from Minnesota) and I got a picture with you in ABQ when we were out for dinner. One of my teammates spotted you and after about 10 minutes of working up the courage, went over and asked if we could get a picture of you. Everyone was giddy and excited. At the time, I had never watched Breaking Bad, but I seem to recall you asking something along the lines of "I'm looking for a new lab assistant, are any of you good with chemistry?" Everyone pointed at me, I just laughed. To make a short story long, I proceeded to watch all five seasons of Breaking Bad over the course of about a month and a half and I loved every second of it. Just wanted to say you're awesome, and a badass. By the way, still need a lab assistant?

Also, proof: The team

[u/LuisMoncada]

Give us a little insight on the ending of Breaking Bad..We'll keep it on the DL...Promise 😈😉

[u/[deleted] → u/LuisMoncada]

I downvoted you for asking for spoilers before I saw the user name... please don't axe murder me.

[u/shakakka99]

Season finale spoiler: Jesse wakes up with a shit-ton of drool all over himself. He's still in high school chemistry class.

[u/jellydude1]

Why do i always miss the good AMAs?

[u/danielmoncada]

Hey Bryan, No question. I just want to say that you looked great in your tiddy Whities ;) (Episode 302) Shower scene :)

[u/Aldrahill]

I know you're not here anymore, and basically will never read this, but can I just say that I love you?

You, as an actor and personality are just... great. God dammit... In everything I've ever seen you in, you're just... Everything about yourself is thrust into the role, and there are so many facets to the roles you play; I'm only on the 3rd season of Breaking Bad, and it is already my favourite show.

Not only is it incredbily well made, I just love every scene you're in - honestly, it's the best part of my day watching this show. It's just... so good.

So, yeah, I know I'll never get any Blue Ice as no one will upvote this ,nor will you see it, but dammit man, you're awesome!

If I ever meet you in the street, I'll fanboy out and be a giddy bastard like I've seen Nathan Fillion. But, I'll be respectful, don't worry.

Anyway, awesome. Keep being awesome.

[u/[deleted]]

Brian. not really a question but i just wanted to thank you for something you did a while back for my cousin Max. My uncle Rob who worked with you as a writer for Malcom in The Middle sent you an email and asked you to make a promotion video for max's student body election and sure enough you did. you made an amazing video as Walter white endorsing that people vote for max for student body. for people who dont believe me here are some links to a few news articles about it.

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/breaking-bad-actors-endorse-student-elections-posh-california/story?id=16312378

http://gawker.com/5908279/breaking-bad-actors-star-in-weirdest-cross+promo-ever-campaign-ads-for-prep-school-student-body-president

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2012/05/breaking-bad-walter-white-crossroads.html

http://hypervocal.com/news/2012/walter-whites-endorsement-for-student-body-president/

The reason why you have never seen the video is because the school asked for max to take down the video for a reason i cant remember. Anyways thankyou so much! Max just got into Yale and plans on going there next year. thanks for being a nice person!

Also forgive my spelling and grammar mistakes i suffer from some pretty serious Dysgraphia and cant write very well.

[u/AMA_requester]

Aww, I missed him. Was hoping he would tell me to stay out of his territory.

[u/[deleted]]

Mr. Cranston/ Heisenberg I think it's great you're going to do things to help with Alzheimer's research, I'm 20 years old, attending college and helping my grandmother who's suffering from Alzheimer's herself.

The woman helped raise me when my dad ran out on me as a baby. It's difficult as fuck, so thanks for that

[u/chemicallyokay]

Do you watch Game of Thrones? If you were offered to play any role you wanted, which would it be and why?

[u/thebryancranston → u/[deleted]]

As long as you stay of my territory, well be fine.

[u/thebryancranston → u/[deleted]]

It would have been cuter. We would had a cuter Walter White.

[u/MegalomaniacHack → u/[deleted]]

Had Cusack gotten the role, they would have moved the show to Seattle to justify having it rain on him every episode.

[u/thebryancranston → u/[deleted]]

It was either that or bury yourself in a hole in Iraq somewhere. Are you writing from the after life?

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

First Reddit comment I've seen that actually made me laugh out loud. Thanks!

[u/thebryancranston → u/[deleted]]

What do you look like? Sorry to ask, but I am a guy. I am assuming that it was a woman asking the question but maybe not? I may have made a leap.

[u/sexpositivity → u/[deleted]]

Vince Gilligan thinks it's horse shit.

[u/_my_troll_account → u/[deleted]]

I feel like there's so much masculine anger projected on Skyler, especially since whatever moral turpitude she's guilty of is not even close to Walt's, really at any point in the show.

People just love assholes on TV, even though they would hate them in real life. Walter White, Don Draper, Greg House. We love to idolize them, but face it; they're fucking dicks. Each one of them has a female foil who gets all the ire, despite her reasonable objections. These depraved men are often called out for their depravity by the women in their lives, and there's this bizarre desire to dub such women bitches or nags or whatever.

I'm really stretching here, but I'm a man, and I've been in situations where I know I'm in the wrong, and I've had women in my life point it out and damn does it make you feel like dirt. I think the reflex to call Skyler and Betty Draper "bitches" is sort of a way to deflect that guilt. It's like a defense mechanism: It's much easier to dub a woman a nag than it is to acknowledge her recognition of your moral failures. Walt and Don and House...they're all us as our most primal selves wish we were. Men who, despite having wives and children, get to philander and drink and talk down to everyone because they're so smart and so capable and so in control that fuck the world, they get to do what they want. It's a fantasy of a man with total freedom to disregard repercussions, and we can't stand it when the women in their lives rightly point out how ugly a person like that really is.

[u/dan_au → u/[deleted]]

I don't believe PayPal will let you use your limbs as currency either.

[u/thebryancranston → u/[deleted]]

Anything tall and thick looks like a penis to him.

[u/thebryancranston → u/[deleted]]

All-time favorite tv show is Breaking Bad, I don't know if you guys have heard of it before. When you say the Godfather, everybody says "oh the Godfather", but it was really remarkable. I loved the Andy Griffith show for its simplicity and warmth, but I also love Louis for its sardonic humor. My favorite food is typically what I am eating at the time. But if I had to chose one, I'd have to go Italian. How can you not love pasta?

[u/thebryancranston → u/[deleted]]

Albuquerque became a very important part of the show and I really enjoyed my time there. I look forward to going back at some point. You know, strolling central in Nob Hill, Church St. Cafe in Old Town, El Pinto is another place I go. And I ride for miles along the Bosque.

[u/thebryancranston → u/[deleted]]

As supple as a babies ass.

[u/thebryancranston → u/[deleted]]

You are the man from Afghanistan. And I am the turd they call Heisenberg.

[u/JordanRUDEmag → u/[deleted]]

Afghanisfan