Hubby and I are probably the last couple in the U.S. to discover the drama series “Breaking Bad.” Living and traveling in an RV using Wally World parking lots, family driveways, and over-the-air antennas will seldom get you much in the way of serious TV other than news and weather–if luck is holding. Actually, we went the way of free over-the-air antennas well before that giving up on the ever-escalating charging practices of cable and satellite companies. Social Security benefits just doesn’t include extras
The series, originally aired on the AMC network through 5 seasons, tells the story of Walter White. Yes, yes, I know–you’ve seen it! Then I don’t have to mention the impact it has on you–scenes continue to haunt your thoughts. Who writes this stuff??! This series was widely regarded as possibly the best television series–ever. The event stacked up awards that included everything from writing to acting including best actor and supporting actor. They all deserved the awards.
In 2013, Breaking Bad entered the Guinness World Records as the most critically acclaimed show of all time.
According to Vince Gilligan, who created the concept, he was talking with his fellow writer, Thomas Schnauz, regarding their current unemployment status and joked that “the solution was for them to put a meth lab in the back of an RV…” I’ve written before postulating inspiration–it manifests in the strangest ways! Neither writer, however, was a stranger to successful TV series. Fortunately for us, a spin-off was created with Bob Odenkirk’s character, Saul Goodman, the “morally bankrupt” attorney and “Better Call Saul” Season 2 will premiere on AMC on Monday, February 15th. Odenkirk is an actor, director, producer and writer who provided contributions to Saturday Night Live, Conan O’Brien, and Dennis Miller, among others.
Through Netflix, we also became acquainted with “House of Cards,” starring Kevin Spacey (a favorite). Unlike “Breaking Bad,” which ended with Season 5, Season 4 of “House of Cards” begins Friday, March 4th. Truly the Breaking Bad of politics, it’s a train wreck and explosive, compelling voyeurism. The series is based on the novel by Michael Dobbs, a British-American journalist and non-fiction author, and developed and produced by Beau Willimon.
Breaking from the dark side, we discovered the schmaltzy series, “Drop Dead Divas,” which ended with Season 6. More than the concept of the series, termed an American legal comedy-drama/fantasy, I enjoyed the portrayal of the characters being girly-girls. The pure enjoyment of feminine mystic, but more th
an that, these are intelligent women. How’s that for a different concept in American television? Attractive and intelligent (yes, even the blond)! Silly, but fun, written by Josh Berman for Lifetime, which network I’d studiously avoided for the steady flow of tear-jerkers usually in the lineup. Berman is likewise no stranger to critically acclaimed TV series (executive producer for “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation“).
With various degrees in hand, all successfully transitioned from college to the big time where we are currently enjoying their efforts. Obviously, the cream rose to the top and aren’t we grateful! I suspect that at some point, we’ll also be redefining “the classics.”
©2016 Virginia Williams 
