Malcolm in the Middle Voting Community – Frankie Muniz, Justin Berfield, Erik Per Sullivan, Bryan Cranston, Jane Kaczmarek and Christopher Masterson

Bryan Cranston Likely to Be Emmy Nominated Again for ‘Breaking Bad’

For the past two years, Bryan Cranston (Hal) has won the Emmy award for Best Lead Actor, for his role as Walter White in Breaking Bad.

Now almost finishing its third season, Breaking Bad and Bryan seem likely to be nominated again, with network AMC producing their campaign DVDs, including six consecutive episodes of the show and The Hollywood Reporter publishing an ‘Emmy Roundtable’ which includes Bryan.

Competition will be tough, however, with Bryan and Breaking Bad up against other ‘tough guy’ characters.

Bryan Cranston, a two-time Emmy winner for playing meth-dealing high school teacher Walter White on AMC’s “Breaking Bad”: “This is the character of my career. He has such broad parameters that I can go from being sensitive and concerned to heinous and evil in the same episode. You never know what to expect when you get the script.”

That’s a big change, Cranston says, from when he began his acting career playing cookie-cutter villains on police dramas and action-adventure shows. Cranston met his wife playing such a part on an episode of “Airwolf” 23 years ago.

“I was the ‘bad of the week’ and she was the ‘victim of the week,’ and that’s how men’s and women’s roles were written back then,” Cranston says. “Fortunately that’s changed, and we’re seeing a more equal-opportunity bad guy come forth.”

Bryan will also be up against plenty of previous nominees as well, including big names such as House‘s Hugh Laurie and Michael Emerson from Lost.

Bryan also speaks of his transition from Malcolm to more serious roles in this article from The Hollywood Reporter:

“You can become a victim of your own success,” adds Bryan Cranston, who has won two Emmys for his serious “Breaking Bad” role but who spent six Emmy-free years on the comedy “Malcolm in the Middle.” When that show ended, he recalls he was offered a lot of “derivative, silly dad” roles.

“It’s up to the actor to get themselves out by carefully picking and choosing,” he says. “The only real power we have as actors is to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ and identify well-written material. I never want to be embarrassed by what I’m doing.”

For each of his major roles, Cranston recalls having someone go to bat for him; first it was “Malcolm” executive producer Linwood Boomer, when word came down that executives might want to recast Cranston’s Hal role after the pilot. With “Breaking,” Cranston says, “I heard through the grapevine that the studio questioned whether the goofy dad from ‘Malcolm’ was the right choice. I was confident that the transition could be made, and Vince (Gilligan, “Breaking’s” creator) spoke for me. That’s a big leap of faith.”

The Emmy Nominations will be revealed on Thursday, July 8th at 5:40am Pacific Time. The event will be live from the Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre on the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences campus in North Hollywood and will apparently also be streamed live on emmys.tv.

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June 14th, 2010 (1) Comments - Post a Comment

Bryan Cranston & ‘Breaking Bad’ at PaleyFest 2010

March 10, 2010 – The PaleyFest is an annual celebration of media, this year Breaking Bad formed a panel.

See our GALLERY for photos from the event.

Breaking Bad season 3 finale airs tonight 10/9C on AMC.
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June 13th, 2010 (1) Comments - Post a Comment

Todd Holland Directs Short for Funny or Die with Ralph Macchio

Todd Holland, who of course directed many episodes of Malcolm, recently directed a short mockumentary trailer for Funny or Die. Entitled Wax On, F*** Off and featuring Ralph Macchio of Karate Kid fame, it shows the story of Ralph, who can’t get another job in Hollywood because he is too ‘nice’. So he sets out on a journey to do anything to be involved in scandal and therefore be marketable again. “If he were a degenerate, I could sell him”, his ‘manager’ explains.

As the title might suggest, the video does contain some strong language. That’s — kind of the point.

Don’t feel so bad for Ralph Macchio. Yes, he must be kinda bummed that what little thunder he had left is being stolen by a 12-year-old. Yes, the last good movie he was in was My Cousin Vinny. And yes, he’s only been in one theatrical release since 1993, and it made less than half a million dollars, and it starred Artie Lang. But if the above mockumentary trailer is to believed (it isn’t), Macchio’s not landing the big gigs because he’s just too normal and happy, presumably resting on his laurels Karate Kid residuals. But after an intervention by loved ones, Macchio summons the determination and courage that brought Daniel Larusso glory on the dojo mat, and redirects it to the task of sullying his nice-guy reputation with drugs and hookers in order to stage a Robert Downey Jr.– or Mickey Rourke–style comeback. The Funny or Die exclusive also features cameos by Kevin Connolly, and excellent Michael Lerner (who you’ll remember as the shoe-kissing studio chief in Barton Fink), and Macchio’s female counterpart in the category of where-are-they-now 80’s stars, Molly Ringwald.

Source: Vanity Fair, Funny or Die, Justin Berfield on Twitter

June 12th, 2010 (2) Comments - Post a Comment

Frankie Muniz and Elycia Marie Meet Up with Hanson

Frankie Muniz and Hanson at Tempe Beach Park

Frankie Muniz (Malcolm) has been good friends with the members of pop rock band Hanson for a long time; Frankie even was inspired to play the drums because of Hanson (Frankie is now drumming for You Hang Up).

Frankie and his girlfriend Elycia Marie met up with Taylor, Zac and Isaac on Wednesday last week, first at Greasewood Flat, ‘the original stagecoach stop between Fort McDowell and Phoenix’, then later at Tempe Beach Park. Finally, Frankie and Elycia stayed with the trio for a BBQ and slumber party.

Elycia posted these pictures of the meetup on her Twitter account.

Hanson were actually livestreaming the meetup at their alive@hnet page.. If you have any more pictures, or video captures from the meetup, we’d love to put them up here on the site!

'No stabbing with swords at the dinner table'

June 6th, 2010 (6) Comments - Post a Comment

Watch Bryan Cranston on ‘American Dad!’ [Video]

Bryan Cranston has voiced characters in 2 episodes of American Dad! (a satirical American cartoon series) to date. Firstly back in the shows first season in 2005 and then earlier this year.

Season 1 Episode 15 – Star Trek – November 27, 2005 – voiced Bill Publisherman

Season 5 Episode 11 – A Jones for a Smith – January 31, 2010 – voiced Mr. Winthrop

May 31st, 2010 (1) Comments - Post a Comment

Bryan Cranston Stars in ‘Funny or Die’ Video

Funny and bizarre. Never heard so many euphemisms for a fart before!

Sense of Smell w/ Bryan Cranston – Iraq War vet Tyler (Bryan) has had enough and finally deals with all of the other rude party guests. Produced by Honor Student

Source: funnyordie.com | Thanks Movieye

May 31st, 2010 (4) Comments - Post a Comment

Bryan Cranston PSA Roundup [Video]

2009 – The Lustgarten Foundation – Pancreatic cancer research

2009 – California Landscape Contractors Association – Water conservation

2009 – It’s Your Choice – Anti-Drug PSA – Directed/Edited by Tyler Bourns

2010 – Mind Research Network – Diagnosis/treatment of mental illness & brain injury

2010 – The Lazarus Effect Campaign – Fighting AIDS in Africa

Thanks Gill

May 31st, 2010 (0) Comments - Post a Comment

Bryan Cranston Rings the NYSE Opening Bell

April 8, 2010 – Bryan visited the New York Stock Exchange and rang the opening bell, a bell that rings to signify the day’s start of trading. Bryan was joined by his daughter Taylor, Rainbow Media COO Ed Carroll, AMC President Charlie Collier, Rainbow Media CEO & President Josh Sapan, SVP of NYSE Euronext Rich Adamonis and Robin Dearden, his wife.

See photos from the event in our GALLERY.

Source: AMC TV, NYSE TV

May 30th, 2010 (0) Comments - Post a Comment

Bryan Cranston ‘Breaking Bad’ Interviews Roundup

Bryan directed Breaking Bad 3×01 No Mas and both his daughter and wife made small appearances. He gives a short commentary on this school assembly scene.

Bryan has given many interviews over the past few months promoting Breaking Bad, with great insights into the show and Bryan’s life. Did you know Bryan was a one-time thief when he was younger? – I’ve highlighted in bold some of the best bits from the interviews.

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May 30th, 2010 (0) Comments - Post a Comment

Jane Kaczmarek On Co-parenting

Jane Kaczmarek (Lois) was recently interviewed by Celebrity Baby Scoop about co-parenting and how her divorce with Bradley Whitford has affected her relationship with her children.

Interestingly, she seems to be fairly content at the moment to be having a break from the acting business to look after her children and participate in her community.

Jane Kaczmarek wants you to have the clothes off her back….literally! The lovable TV mom from Malcolm in the Middle sat down with Celebrity Baby Scoop and talked about her charity auction on Clothes Off Our Back, how her three children are doing, and how she finds strength in Buddhist wisdom while co-parenting with her soon-to-be ex-husband, Bradley Whitford.

CBS: Tell about Conagra Foods Child Hunger Ends Here Neighborhood Rally Celebrity Auction.

JK: “Clothes Off Our Back started doing online celebrity auctions for selected charities every year. We would do a local charity, national charity and international charity. Feeding America approached us with the idea of doing an online yard sale of celebrity stuff. Clothes, shoes, bags, etc. used and worn by celebrities, and 100% proceeds go back to Feeding America.

To get involved, you just log on to our site and bid on your favorite items through May 18th. There are some really fun things: Dana Delaney’s Desperate Housewives dress, Courteney Cox’s BCBG Girls tank tops, skirts and sweaters, David Arquette’s golf bag, Alison Sweeney’s dresses and much more.

Courteney Cox and David Arquette are very active with Feeding America so they’re always very generous. There is so many children in need and so many fabulous clothes and items celebrities might never use again. The buyer gets something very nice and the money really goes to a great cause.

Clothes Off Our Back will always have auctions going on. I’ve always said about Hollywood that there are three seasons, mudslides, fires, and award shows. There are always great events going on on that we can grab some celebrity items from. People like to have a little bit of Hollywood. We started with evening gowns and tuxedos and when the economy changed, we added smaller items like dvds and books so we have something for everyone.”

CBS: What are some of the other charities that benefit?

JK: “This year, we work with Feeding America, the largest food bank in the U.S., Hope North, a school and rehab camp for child soldiers from wars in Uganda and Malaria No More. Malaria is the number one killer of children in the world and just $10 buys one net. So you look at a pair of David Arquette sneakers for $40 and that can go toward 4 malaria nets and save the lives of 4 kids. We also support the Mattel Children’s Hospital here in Los Angeles, fighting cancer and other catastrophic illnesses.”

CBS: Tell us why you started the Clothes Off Our Back organization.

JK: “I have always said I’m just a Polish girl from Milwaukee that happened to get lucky in Hollywood. I could not believe that when Malcolm in the Middle became so successful and when my husband’s West Wing was so successful that we got so much stuff. We would get so many clothes. Designers would make something and hope that you wore it and then it was archived as they say.

Many times you were just photographed wearing it and then it that was it. I could not believe how much free stuff we received and then it was just wasted. So we came up with this idea to sell it online. An auction where we could do something with all this bounty and give the money to charity.
I have three very healthy children that are never going to have to worry about schooling or being hungry and there are so many children in the world confronted with that every day. So I thought it would be a good way to raise money for those less fortunate children.”

CBS: Speaking of your children, you are mom to three kids: Frances, 13, George, 10, and Mary, 7. How are they doing? What are they into?
JK: “That was just George calling from school. There is an assembly today and he’s in the choir which is performing. He was in a panic because they were supposed to wear a white button-down shirt and he doesn’t have it. So we need to drive it over. My oldest is involved with Girl Scouts and we just went to San Francisco for a Girl Scouts bridging ceremony. They bridge from being juniors to cadettes. We all walked over the Golden Gate Bridge together. My youngest, Mary Louisa is 7 and in the first grade. She’s just in love with life. Everything is an exciting experience when you’re 7 years old. They’re doing just great, thank you.”

CBS: How are you doing as a single mom to three kids, do you have time to yourself?

JK: “My ex, or soon-to-be ex (the divorce is not final yet) is in Texas doing a TV series. So he’s gone and I empathize with single mothers. It’s just a lot to schedule between baseball, girl scouts, piano lessons and ballet. It’s extremely time consuming but I love making supper and having everyone in the kitchen at night. And I love being there when they wake up in the morning.
Malcolm was a great show it was on for a long time. It was a lot of hours and I had two of my kids while doing the show. I am just very grateful that I can be around a lot now and take care of them and our auctions for Clothes Off Our Back. I just ran a pilot that did not get picked up so the bad news is I don’t have a job, the good news is I get to spend more time at home, which makes me very happy.”

CBS: What is it like now that you are co-parenting with your soon-to-be ex-husband Brad Whitford? Do you share custody and have you been able to create a harmonious system?

JK: No, not yet, we hope to though. He has been gone since January and he has been coming back every other weekend and has the kids. But since he has been working in Texas, they are really with me. For right now that is how it’s working and you always have to put the kids first. We’re still in the same neighborhood, they walk to school and they have the same friends. I always say we are just a family that lives in two different houses so there will be a lot to figure out when he comes back.”

CBS: Do you have any advice for parents who are co-parenting with their exes?

JK: “Be as flexible as possible. I have found that it really doesn’t make much difference at the end of the day what caused the divide. Children pick up on how well the two of you are getting along. So even if you feel you are completely justified to be mad at the guy or vice versa, it just causes them so much pain to sense that between you. They love both of you and anything you say or do to put the other one down causes just the opposite to happen and just comes back to slap you in the face.

There is a Buddhist thing that a friend told me about which is that Buddhists believe in reincarnation and at one time everybody was each other’s mother. What I mean by that is my soon to be ex-husband, according to Buddhist beliefs, was at one time my mother in another life. It forced me to think about things in a different way. How you would treat your mother if you were going through this with her? I love my mother and I’m very close with my mother.
So, there are times that he gets very frustrating and I get very upset and I try to remember if this were my mother right now, how would I respond to her in this situation? It really calms me down. Everyone’s divorce is different. Brad is a great guy, a wonderful man, a great father. Maybe someday I will understand more of what happened, in the meantime you just have to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. And I don’t think anyone sets out to hurt anybody, I just think that a lot of pain happens and comes from things not turning out the way you want them to. I just think we are all on a journey here and how you behave on your journey is all we need to focus on.”

CBS: What’s next for you? You mentioned you were working on a pilot that did not get picked up. Is there anything else on the horizon?
JK: “Nooo (laughs). I have a house in Connecticut and I love going back there for August. The bad news is the show didn’t get picked up, but the good news is I can go to Connecticut in August. It’s much easier to plan vacation time, that’s for sure. I’ve been acting since I was 15.

Doing Malcolm that long kind of got that out of my system. I won’t travel out of town for work. I don’t like being away from my kids. I like my community. I live in Pasedena which is a beautiful place to live. I’m active in music classes at the Pasedena Conservatory of Music, I’m in a book group that is very challenging and I take letter press at the Arts Armory. I have a very full life.”