Breaking Bad - What shows is it Similar to ? (NO Spoilers)
09-25-13 | 12:20 PM
#27
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From: Formerly known as Groucho AND Bandoman/Death Moans, Iowa
Re: Breaking Bad - What shows is it Similar to ? (NO Spoilers)
I think I assumed this show would be a comedy based on the star and based on the fact that I started watching Weeds shortly before Breaking Bad and mistakenly assumed they were going to be kind of similar. A few episodes in, in Jesse's basement, made me realize it wasn't much of a comedy.
09-25-13 | 01:08 PM
#28
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Breaking Bad - What shows is it Similar to ? (NO Spoilers)
My only point is that I don't know if I'd tell a potential new viewer that the show is a "comedy" and that they should expect to laugh. Most of the humorous moments in Breaking Bad serve more as ways to break the dramatic tension than to get a viewer to ROTFL or LOLLERSKATE.
But yes, it is a dark dramatic show first and foremost.
09-25-13 | 01:39 PM
#29
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Breaking Bad - What shows is it Similar to ? (NO Spoilers)
However, the show, especially early on, had a sense of the absurd about the premise and the situations the characters find themselves in. I mean, this was the poster promoting the show before it aired:
I think that maybe a better fit would be "darkly comic drama," but my main point was that the show started there was a bit more emphasis on the comic aspects, which gradually shifted as the show got darker and more dramatic.
09-25-13 | 01:42 PM
#30
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Breaking Bad - What shows is it Similar to ? (NO Spoilers)
would that poster have been as "funny" if it was anybody other than the dad from Malcolm in the Middle (or Seinfeld's dentist).
09-25-13 | 01:51 PM
#31
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Breaking Bad - What shows is it Similar to ? (NO Spoilers)
To me, yes. It's the idea of a nebbish looking nerd with their pants off, but shoes and socks on, holding a gun that makes it absurd, and thus funny. I'd counter that the fact that he's wearing jockeys instead of boxers, and that his dress shirt is partially tucked into them, that adds to the absurdity, and thus comedy, of the shot.
09-25-13 | 01:52 PM
#32
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Breaking Bad - What shows is it Similar to ? (NO Spoilers)
Most likely yes.
09-25-13 | 01:56 PM
#33
Moderator
Re: Breaking Bad - What shows is it Similar to ? (NO Spoilers)
The tone in the first season was comparatively "lighter" than subsequent ones. Compare that promo photo the one in Mike86's signature.
09-25-13 | 01:58 PM
#34
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Breaking Bad - What shows is it Similar to ? (NO Spoilers)
Yeah, I think it turned into Half-Life around half way through Season 2.
09-25-13 | 03:51 PM
#35
Thread Starter
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Re: Breaking Bad - What shows is it Similar to ? (NO Spoilers)
Thanks guys 
To be honest i learnt absolutely naff all of useful spoiler free info about the show with the 33 replies to this thread except that i should have a needle put through my dick if i don't check it out. I actually found someone at work with season 1 on bluray so i'm gonna borrow that and see how i go. I like the fact it's a 7 episode first season, not a 22 episode season.
To be honest i learnt absolutely naff all of useful spoiler free info about the show with the 33 replies to this thread except that i should have a needle put through my dick if i don't check it out. I actually found someone at work with season 1 on bluray so i'm gonna borrow that and see how i go. I like the fact it's a 7 episode first season, not a 22 episode season.
09-25-13 | 03:54 PM
#36
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Breaking Bad - What shows is it Similar to ? (NO Spoilers)
If you have Netflix Streaming, all the seasons up through 5a are on there.
09-25-13 | 05:42 PM
#37
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Re: Breaking Bad - What shows is it Similar to ? (NO Spoilers)
Everything pointed to this being somewhat comedic. That poster. Starring a guy known for Malcolm in the Middle and Seinfeld. Created by a guy known for comedic X-Files episodes. A premise that seems similar to Weeds on the surface.
And there's definitely all kinds of humor in the show. Some of it is comic relief that helps with the darkness and some of it is just full-blown dark humor.
And there's definitely all kinds of humor in the show. Some of it is comic relief that helps with the darkness and some of it is just full-blown dark humor.
09-25-13 | 05:54 PM
#38
Re: Breaking Bad - What shows is it Similar to ? (NO Spoilers)
I've found the show's dark comedy hilarious at times, specifically watching Cranston's facial reactions when Jesse would say or do something that was imbecilic.
09-26-13 | 04:52 PM
#39
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Breaking Bad - What shows is it Similar to ? (NO Spoilers)
I've only seen a character arc close to anything like Walt's once - Londo Mollari in Babylon 5 - who starts out as a harmless drunken baffoon but ends up doing worse things as time goes on. In his case it's for the best interests of his world, rather than his family, but it's similiar.
Even similiar in the way that it goes on over 5 seasons, and despite whatever terrible things he ends up doing, you still feel bad for him in the same way you feel bad for Walt.
That's only one character in a cast though, rather than Breaking Bad which definitely mostly circles/stars Walt. BB is unique in that the whole show is focused on it.
Even similiar in the way that it goes on over 5 seasons, and despite whatever terrible things he ends up doing, you still feel bad for him in the same way you feel bad for Walt.
That's only one character in a cast though, rather than Breaking Bad which definitely mostly circles/stars Walt. BB is unique in that the whole show is focused on it.
09-26-13 | 05:29 PM
#40
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From: Southside Virginia
Re: Breaking Bad - What shows is it Similar to ? (NO Spoilers)
On Slate.com right now, there is an essay that is very much spoiler based that argues The Shield was Breaking Bad before Breaking Bad existed. I think it does a pretty credible job of underscoring the similarities, but it mentions and then completely loses the signature difference -- pacing. Breaking Bad is certainly not The Wire, but it's a much slower paced show than The Shield.
I do think The Shield is a good place for somebody to go after Breaking Bad in the unlikely event they haven't checked it out already. I'd recommend in terms of pacing probably Justified as a similarly paced but more thematically different show.
I do think The Shield is a good place for somebody to go after Breaking Bad in the unlikely event they haven't checked it out already. I'd recommend in terms of pacing probably Justified as a similarly paced but more thematically different show.
09-27-13 | 02:30 PM
#41
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Breaking Bad - What shows is it Similar to ? (NO Spoilers)
http://digg.tumblr.com/post/62433677...atching-all-62
How to catch up on Breaking Bad without watching all 62 episodes
Unless you’ve been living in a cave for the past month, you know that the series finale of Breaking Bad is on Sunday. If you don’t watch the show, you definitely have some friends who have been telling you to watch it but UGH 5 whole seasons is just a lot.
Now the series finale is around the corner and everyone is talking about it. You’re having some serious FOMO and you’re running out of time to catch up. Luckily for you, the show is mostly made up of breathing sounds, breakfast and ringing phones so it’s super easy to catch up.
Here’s how to catch up on Breaking Bad without having to watch all 5 seasons:
1) If you have the time, you should watch this 2 hour recap of the first 5 and a half seasons and then marathon the other half of season 5.
Total time = 9 hours
2) If you’re pressed for time, or just lazy, you can watch this 10-minute recap of the first 4 seasons and then this 3-minute recap of the first half of season 5. I couldn’t find a video recap of the second half of season 5 so here’s the wikipedia episode recaps.
Total time = 30ish minutes (depending on how fast you read)
2 ½) If you think reading is lame and you have an afternoon to kill, you can watch the recaps above and then watch the second half of season 5 on AMC.com. (I think this only works if you have a cable login. Borrow one?)
Total time = 7 hours & 13 minutes
3) AMC is airing every episode up until Sunday night but it started yesterday and you’re ALREADY LATE.
Total time =*???
Get to it!
09-27-13 | 03:11 PM
#42
Re: Breaking Bad - What shows is it Similar to ? (NO Spoilers)
I find it shocking that people would consider it a comedy on any level. I think that there are funny moments but I think the humor comes from keen insights and observations of human nature and how they handle difficult situations.
For the original poster, I think thematically Game of Thrones has some similarity to Breaking Bad in theme and character arcs for some characters, although being a fantasy the setting is very very different.
For the original poster, I think thematically Game of Thrones has some similarity to Breaking Bad in theme and character arcs for some characters, although being a fantasy the setting is very very different.
09-27-13 | 03:17 PM
#43
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Breaking Bad - What shows is it Similar to ? (NO Spoilers)
I would have considered it a comedy/drama early on. A lot of laughs at the beginning. Not so much this season.
09-27-13 | 03:22 PM
#44
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Breaking Bad - What shows is it Similar to ? (NO Spoilers)
