Goddamnit!

New York - May 21, 2012 - AMC announced today its summer programming slate, including the highly anticipated premiere of the first part of "Breaking Bad's" final season on Sunday, July 15 at 10pm ET/PT. The final season of the Emmy(R) Award-winning and critically acclaimed drama, produced by Sony Pictures Television, consists of 16 episodes, with the first eight episodes beginning July 15 and culminating with the series' final eight episodes next summer 2013.

Over four seasons, "Breaking Bad" has garnered a total of six Emmys(R) wins; a Peabody Award; it has been named to the American Film Institute's (AFI) list of the "Top 10 Programs of the Year" (2008, 2010, 2011); and been heralded as one of the best TV dramas on television. Filmed on location in Albuquerque, NM, the series stars 2008, 2009 and 2010's Emmy(R) Award winner for Outstanding Lead Actor Bryan Cranston; 2010 Emmy(R) winner for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Aaron Paul; Anna Gunn; Dean Norris; Betsy Brandt; RJ Mitte; Bob Odenkirk; and Jonathan Banks. "Breaking Bad" is produced by High Bridge and Gran Via Productions in association with Sony Pictures Television for AMC. "Breaking Bad" Season 4 will be available on Blu-ray and DVD on June 5. For more information, visit www.sphepublicity.com.

Was it not confirmed before? I thought it was.

I thought so too. Can't wait for the first half of season five to start. Best damn show on television, bar none. Will be missed when it's over.

So I guess this way Bryan Cranston can win two more Emmys (plus the one he'll win from last season).

Fuck. I expected a hiatus between seasons but not a year break. But at least it starts THIS SUMMER and not a year from now, so that's good. And I know this will never happen, but I would love to have at least one point in time where both Breaking Bad and Mad Men air on the same night. AMC can't afford to overlap any signature series (TWD,BB,MM) but I can wish.

Like anyone didn't see this coming.

I wonder if Vince Gilligan knew the season would be split in two and he has some crazy cliff hanger planned for the 8th episode.

He had to have known, since I believe it was announced that they would label them as two separate seasons (or parts of one season). The time between the split was what wasn't announced.

I'm kind of glad to know that there's an end. This way they can execute a great season 5 plot. Though I can't imagine how they're going to match the perfection that was season 4. Up until I saw it, I thought Season 4 of Dexter was the best season of TV ever. Come to think of season 4 of Lost was kick-ass too. Something about the 4th season of great shows.

Get ready for season 5 part 1 and 2 Blu-Ray sets.

As I said in the Summer premiere thread, I read that Cranston said recently they are filming these 1st 8 episodes and then taking a 4 month break before they film the rest of the season.

http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/04/06/br...inal-season-2/

Actually he said this over 1 month ago that the season was being split.

Fuuuuck.

My first thought when they do this, in a movie or tv show, is always: "I hope no one dies during the break".

A YEAR is a long time to wait after only 8 episodes. Love this show, but that's kinda lame.

I have a feeling they will supersize some of these episodes, especially the part and series finales.

Pretty sure this is old news. I recall Gilligan mentioning this last summer.

I can't blame AMC for doing this but damn, this sucks.

Oh, fuck you, AMC. Jesus.

I wish Breaking Bad was on HBO

Why are you guys mad? That the season is being split, or that it's the final season?

Why? They'd likely do the same thing. They broke up the final seasons of The Sopranos and Sex and the City. AMC has also allowed Breaking Bad to push the envelope pretty far for being a cable series only. Also not sure why anyone is upset over this. I'm fairly certain this was announced last year after season four, they just didn't tell us how long it would be spaced out between seasons. Actually we're lucky we're getting sixteen more episodes. I seem to recall AMC was originally considering cutting down on the number of episodes for season five.

With the final 8 episodes delayed so long after filming, won't there be a greater chance of major spoilers being leaked in advance? Look what happened last season and also on AMC's The Walking Dead.

Lame. Great show and I'm happy it's getting a proper ending, but still, lame.

Splitting it.

I love the show (a lot), but 16 more episodes sounds just right to finish the series off. Honestly, I think it could have ended after Season 4 (with one or two extra episodes thrown in to complete the story).

Splitting Season 5 is a shitty move for AMC, but I'm not surprised. They need to milk it for all they can.

You think AMC would have learned after The Killing.

I don't get why they say they're splitting seasons into two. This just makes people angry. Why not just say that Breaking Bad is getting two more 8 episode seasons?