The Breaking Bad Pilot, 15 Years Later

“Breaking Bad” premiered on January 20, 2008. Fifteen years later, Post Show Recaps presents this retrospective podcast about how Vince Gilligan, Bryan Cranston, and the rest of the team created one of the most transformative pilots in modern television history.

Hosts Josh Wigler and Antonio Mazzaro guide you through the “Breaking Bad” origin story, from how the series landed at AMC, through the production of its opening episode, all the way to the Emmy-winning drama’s lasting impact on the TV industry. Josh and Antonio also discuss the events of the pilot, how it shapes the journey for Walter White and his family moving forward, and much more.

Sources Cited

• “Breaking Bad Oral History: 10th Anniversary Pilot Behind the Scenes” (Liz Raferty at TV Guide)

• “Sentras and Sizzle-Lean: Seven Things That Changed Before the ‘Breaking Bad’ Pilot Ever Aired” (Liz Brown at Medium)

• “Vince Gilligan on pitching ‘Breaking Bad’” (EmmyTVLegends.org)

• Differences between the various versions of the Breaking Bad pilot (Reddit)

• Music from the “Breaking Bad” pilot, including Dave Porter’s score and more (TuneFind)

Podcast Credits

Hosts: Josh Wigler and Antonio Mazzaro

Executive Producers: Josh Wigler and Antonio Mazzaro

Producer: Jessica Sterling

Editor: Josh Wigler

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