A succinct story in 94 parts...with more on the way...

The season premiere of Breaking Bad was pretty sweet, another example that AMC can produce quality original programming and do more than just air “Waterworld” and other pieces of shit. Thing is this: the lead character has terminal lung cancer. Yes, I know, the character and not the actor. So how much longer can the show last? According to the lead actor, Bryan Cranston, perhaps they could take a cue from “M*A*S*H” and extend the show beyond its intended premise.

All this begs the age-old question in television: when has a series run its course? Technically, the audience decides, which can yield some unfavorable outcomes. With an ultimate goal of reaching syndication level, some shows have churned out episodes with relative ease. Sometimes a simple formula is enough to satiate the viewers needs; “House” follows a similar trajectory each episode, reliable and predictable like a disco song; “Seinfeld” amended the definition of situation comedy, allowing the characters to pursue any avenue or plotline.

However, some people (ie: me) feel that fictional TV can achieve something more than simply occupying our time. It can go beyond the realm of “just a show” and become a narrative that infiltrates our lives, albeit a narrative continually disrupted by adverti--



When is it time to call it quits? When a high concept show manages to extend its run for longer than anticipated, things usually start to decline. Or if there’s a shift from the show’s expansive world of characters to focus on zany and absurd plotlines, not to mention tainting a legacy, that might be another sign. There’s no science to it; the number of viewers dictates the shelf-life and most shows don’t know how to quit when they’re on top (always an exception or two, of course).

Danny McBride takes the smart approach with his new series, “Eastbound & Down,” by following the Ricky Gervais/BBC route of a six episode season. If only more shows did this, bridged some sort of gap between a mini-series and fucking “Gunsmoke.” Thing is, “Breaking Bad” has too much potential and I’d hate to see it go stale only its second season. I was skeptical about the high concept (a chemistry teacher with lung cancer cooks crystal meth to raise money for his family, employing a former student as his dealer), but its meticulous pacing and mixture of drama and dark comedy make it appear like a series produced by the Coen brothers. Not to mention that Bryan Cranston is a great lead; his plight both makes me cringe and root for him. I’d be bummed if it melted into some exaggerated form of itself. I’m almost praying for people to stop tuning in.