I Just Found Out Saul Goodman Was Originally Supposed To Work At Hot Topic. What Happened And Why Breaking Bad Didn’t Go There

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As a long-time fan of both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, I can confidently say that the creative choices made by Vince Gilligan and his team have always been nothing short of brilliant. One such choice that particularly intrigued me was the decision to have Gene, the alter ego of Jimmy McGill aka Saul Goodman, managing a Cinnabon instead of a Hot Topic in Omaha.

Growing up as a teenager in the ’90s, I had my fair share of experiences with Hot Topic and their merchandise, but it was only after stumbling upon an early draft of Breaking Bad’s penultimate episode that I learned of the original idea for Saul’s follow-up gig. The thought of seeing Gene’s demeanor and mustache stocking shelves at a Hot Topic is a mental image that is both amusing and somewhat disturbing.

While it would have been interesting to see how Saul would have handled the goth-leaning merchandise and customers, I ultimately appreciate the decision to go with Cinnabon instead. Not only did it add an element of irony to Saul’s descent into a more mundane life, but it also gave us the iconic cinnamon bun montage that has become a staple of the series.

In hindsight, I can’t help but wonder what Bob Odenkirk might have looked like as an extreme Hot Topic manager, but I think I’d rather leave that image in my head and continue enjoying both shows on Netflix with a warm, fluffy cinnamon bun in hand. After all, who needs nightmarish metal band T-shirts when you can have delicious pastries instead?

As a devoted fan of Better Call Saul, it’s no secret that one aspect that truly sets this AMC prequel apart from its predecessor is the intriguing use of black-and-white flash-forwards, providing glimpses into Saul Goodman’s life post his separation from Walter White. In the very first episode of Better Call Saul, Gene’s appearance was a clear nod to Breaking Bad, with Bob Odenkirk’s character being seen running an Omaha Cinnabon. However, what left me utterly stunned was uncovering that Saul had almost been established in a completely different part of the mall: Hot Topic.

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As a devoted fan, I must clarify that the character we know as Jimmy McGill, or better known as Saul Goodman in “Breaking Bad,” didn’t inherently embody an unexpected passion for metal band T-shirts and “Nightmare Before Christmas” merchandise, at least not according to what we’ve been shown. Instead, this eccentric wardrobe was a creative decision by the genius behind the series, Vince Gilligan, and the writers, serving as a humorous contrast highlighting the stark difference between Saul Goodman’s corporate mall gig and his illegal activities.

Peter Gould, co-creator of ‘Breaking Bad’ and ‘Better Call Saul’, posted on BlueSky after discovering a draft of the penultimate episode in the hit series, “Granite State”. He revealed the page where the initial concept for Saul’s subsequent role was written, accompanied by this message:

I stumbled upon a previous version of the second-to-last Breaking Bad episode, where there was mention of Cinnabon, but it seems it hasn’t appeared just yet.

As a longtime fan of Breaking Bad, I can’t help but feel a sense of intrigue and anticipation as I reflect on the scene where Robert Forster’s character, Ed, meets with Bryan Cranston’s Walter White and Odenkirk’s shifty lawyer. The dialogue between them is tense and cryptic, hinting at the fate that Saul Goodman assumes lies ahead for him. As someone who has watched the show multiple times, I can’t help but draw parallels to real-life situations in which people must make difficult choices and navigate treacherous paths. The scene leaves me on edge, wondering what will become of Ed and whether he will be able to escape the clutches of Walter White and his associates. The suspense is palpable, and I can’t wait to see how this story unfolds.

  • Saul: I mean, a month from now, best case scenario, I’m managing a Hot Topic in Omaha.

In Omaha, a popular topic stands out as an especially challenging circumstance for Saul. Compared to a Cinnabon in the same location, it seems even more disheartening. It would feel quite unusual to walk past the semi-goth store and encounter someone with Gene’s personality and mustache arranging items on the shelves.

Why Breaking Bad Went From Hot Topic To CInnabon

It’s worth noting that the broadcasted episode of “Breaking Bad” never referenced the specific mall chain; instead, it featured Cinnabon, a popular dessert brand now everywhere. Though it might be intriguing to learn that this change was driven by intricate character development concepts, it appears Hot Topic was excluded for different reasons. As Gould clarified in the comments below the post:

Actually, we discovered that Hot Topic offered Breaking Bad merchandise, but we didn’t want to seem like we were promoting it in a tacky way. So, we chose Cinnabon instead, and they weren’t aware of it until the episode was broadcasted.

When someone mentioned that Cinnabon seems more amusing compared to Hot Topic, Gould responded by saying:

At the moment when it was brought up that Cinnabon appears more entertaining compared to Hot Topic, Gould responded.

Couldn’t agree more! And the Cinnabon folks were super-generous to us.

In earlier seasons, the franchise publicly recognized Gene or Saul as their favorite team member. However, as events became increasingly complex in subsequent seasons, this relationship seemed to deteriorate.

Actually, I must clarify that imagining Saul as Gene in a Hot Topic setting was quite appealing to me, offering a stark contrast to the pristine, white ambiance of Cinnabon’s interior design. However, such a scenario would have deprived us of the iconic cinnamon bun montage, which would undoubtedly be an injustice to TV viewers everywhere.

For anyone curious about how Bob Odenkirk might appear as an exaggerated Hot Topic manager, check out his role in the Mr. Show’s Norma Jean Monster sketch instead.

To rid oneself of that mental picture, consider streaming the entire series of both “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul” on Netflix with your subscription. These shows pair perfectly with a cozy, warm, soft, and aromatic cinnamon bun.

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2024-12-30 03:37