AMC Breaks Good . . . a look at 'Breaking Bad'

Remember a couple of years ago when I fell in love with ABC Family and all their made-for-TV movies?

Well I've developed a total crush on another network. I'm kind of smitten with AMC. I want to pass the network a note in science class. Call AMC up just to say "hi" and that I was thinking about them. Talk on and on to all my friends about how great AMC is and think of ways to drop their name in conversation. Heck, I might even send them a dozen roses.

First they gave us Mad Men, one of my favorite TV shows from last year. (By the way, wouldn't it have been a great moment on Sunday night when Jon Hamm won for Best Actor and Mad Men won for Best Drama at the Golden Globes?)

And now AMC is bringing us another new series smack dab in the middle of the strike doldrums -- a series that is further proof that great writers can create a fantastic fictional world that instantly engages viewers. Breaking Bad, from executive producer/writer Vince Gilligan (The X-Files), premieres Sunday at 10 p.m. on AMC. Bryan Cranston, best known as Hal on Malcolm in the Middle, transforms himself to play downtrodden high school chemistry teacher Walt White. Walt is teased by his brother-in-law, ignored by his students and devoted to his wife and son. It's an unabashedly brave performance that is captivating.

In the pilot, Walt gets some life changing news and decides to get into the crystal meth business. So you're thinking that sounds a lot like Weeds and it's true. They do have a similar premise (in need of cash, two mild mannered suburbanites turn to selling drugs). But the two shows play out in very different ways. And Walt and Nancy are two very different protagonists with very different motivations.

I don't want to give too much away because the pilot unfolds in an inventive way. But after you watch the premiere, you must let me know what you think. I'm giving the show four stars. I can't wait to see what show AMC cooks up next.

And in more good news, I've watched the first two episodes of Eli Stone (premiering January 31 on ABC) and I really liked it. I can't wait to tell you more about it. I know from your emails, that many of you are worried about the current TV season so I want to highlight the bright spots early and often when I find them.

Ask TV Gal

Why have they yanked Men in Trees when it's one of the most strike-proof shows with such a backlog of episodes? Heidi

It appears what ABC is trying to do is spreeeeeead out the remaining new episodes of their scripted shows. So right now Men in Trees is scheduled to return on Wednesday, February 27 at 10 p.m. after Cashmere Mafia completes its run. ABC is also holding on to the final two new episodes of Brothers & Sisters, which are no longer scheduled to air in January.

I see everywhere that last night was the last NEW episode of Gossip Girl. But they advertised a new episode coming Jan 28 on a new night (Monday night). I took it as being a new episode on a new night. Can you confirm? Devon

Alas no. When Gossip Girl begins airing on Monday January 28, the CW will repeat the pilot episode at 8 p.m. and the second episode of the season at 9 p.m. The third episode of the season will air Wednesday, January 30 at 9 p.m. Basically the CW is trying to attract new fans to the series by airing the episodes in order.

Where Have I Seen Them Before?

Familiar faces were all over Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Dean Winters, Tommy's brother Johnny on Rescue Me, was Sarah's boyfriend Charley Dixon. He was also Liz's beeper selling boyfriend on 30 Rock and, of course, Ryan O'Reilly on Oz. Katie recognized Nick Wechsler, Kyle on Roswell, as the Deputy helping the FBI look for Sarah and John in New Mexico (as Katie pointed out, Kyle seems to be following in his father's footsteps). Cass and Ed caught Sonya Walger as Charley's wife. She's Desmond's one true love Penelope on Lost, Carolyn in Tell Me You Love Me and was Donna in The Mind of a Married Man. Ryan recognized Owain Yeoman as the terminator. He was Lucas last season on The Nine and Steven on Kitchen Confidential. By the way, I didn't think the second episode of Terminator was as good as the first, did you?

Glenne Headly was the faith healer refusing an operation and hinting at something very sad in Alex's past on Grey's Anatomy. She played Karen Stottlemeyer on Monk and I'll always remember her as Tess Truehart in Dick Tracy and Dr. Abby Keaton on ER (remember she dated Dr. Carter).

Danny Nucci was the missing investigative reporter Scott Lucas on Without a Trace. He was Manny on Snoops and Frankie in Some of My Best Friends. Noah Crawford, who plays the young Earl Hickey on My Name is Earl, was the young Scott Lucas.

Lorraine Toussaint was the foster mother on ER. She's currently playing Yoga on Ugly Betty, Kate Perry on Saving Grace, and last season she played Marla James on CSI. She was also Dr. Elaine Duchamps on Crossing Jordan and Rene Jackson on Any Day Now.

Nicole Sullivan was the bull owner on CSI. Among her many roles she was Kimmie on My Boys, Holly on The King of Queens, Carolyn on Raines, and Jill on Scrubs.

Kim recognized Torrey DeVitto playing James' nanny on One Tree Hill. She was Karen on the ABC Family series Beautiful People. Kim remembered that Daphne Zuniga, who who plays Victoria on One Tree Hill, played Lynn, Karen's mother on Beautiful People. Zuniga was also Jo on Melrose Place and Shelly on American Dreams. She also starred in one of my all time favorite movies -- The Sure Thing (definitely worth renting if you've never seen it).

That's all for today. I'll be back on Friday with this week's quotes of the week. Have a question, seen a familiar face or want to nominate a quote of the week? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com. Talk to you on Friday.

Amy Amatangelo, TV Gal ®

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