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TCA Video: Economic Woes Up Ante on ‘Bad’

Jan 9, 2009  •  Post A Comment

The faltering economy may create some empathy for Walt White, the central character of AMC’s “Breaking Bad,” who is terminally sick and cooks crystal meth to provide for his family’s future, according to Vince Gilligan, the show’s creator and executive producer.
Speaking with TelevisionWeek reporter Jon Lafayette at the Television Critics Association’s Winter Press Tour, Mr. Gilligan said viewers might not have been able to see where Walt was coming from in the first season of the show, before the economy took a downward turn.
“I think now with the economy being unfortunately as bad as it is for ordinary Americans, more and more people can sympathize with Walt,” he said. “Not thinking he’s making a good decision, but can understand why he does what he does.”
Check out all of TVWeek’s TCA coverage here.

On a cable network that’s relatively new to original scripted content, Mr. Gilligan said he’s had to watch his bottom line on “Bad’s” budget. He said his relationship with AMC is good, but funds are tight, as in the rest of television.
Mr. Gilligan said he’s had to rework story points in season two because the original ideas would have been too expensive to produce.
“But it’s kind of a challenge, it’s kind of a creative challenge. You make do with what you have. And sometimes what you have turns out to be better than what you would have had if you had the money for what you initially intended.”
Mr. Gilligan also talks with TVWeek about the future of “Breaking Bad,” if the show could continue with Walt and rivaling “Gunsmoke” in terms of consecutive seasons.

One Comment

  1. Great show. Fancast has the season finale! Refresh before the new season starts! Check it out- http://www.fancast.com/tv/Breaking-Bad/96341/main

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