A Look Back on An Interview with Bryan Cranston

Key Takeaways

Bryan Cranston directed "The Office" episode "Work Bus," detailing its challenging production.
The "Work Bus" set faced extreme August heat and a near-fatal carbon monoxide leak.
Cranston shared his philosophy on incorporating life experiences into his artistic work.
"The Office" and "Breaking Bad" both experienced initial low ratings before achieving popularity.
Bryan Cranston co-founded Dos Hombres mezcal, which is now a top-five global brand.

Bryan Cranston, known for "Malcolm in the Middle" and "Breaking Bad," directed "The Office" episode "Work Bus."
He initially believed the episode would be filmed in a comfortable, air-conditioned studio, not a moving bus.
The hosts once considered Cranston an ideal director for a hypothetical road trip movie, despite his "Work Bus" experience.

The cast nicknamed the episode "Death Bus" due to filming in triple-digit August temperatures in the San Fernando Valley.
Filming took place for a day and a half on set, with the majority occurring on a moving bus, in a park, and at a baseball field.
The actual moving bus created cramped, unstable conditions where furniture and office equipment shifted unexpectedly.
A stunt driver was hired after an initial scripted swerve felt unconvincing, leading to more intense bus movements.

The show previously faced on-location issues, citing an instance during the "Booze Cruise" episode where cast members drifted at sea for 20 minutes due to a dinghy engine failure.
The "Work Bus" set lacked adequate ventilation, prompting the production team to bring in a portable air conditioning unit.
The external AC unit was towed by a trailer, with the intention of piping cool air into the bus.

An investigation revealed the portable AC unit's intake was positioned too close to the bus's exhaust pipe, causing fumes to be drawn into the vehicle.
This oversight nearly led to the entire cast being overcome by carbon dioxide during filming.
One host's (Jenna) "sensitive nose" detected the gassy smell, ultimately preventing a potentially fatal situation.
Leslie David Baker was notably uncomfortable, exhibiting an exaggerated reaction to getting back on the "Death Bus."

Bryan Cranston's first entertainment job was a three-day role on "Days of Our Lives" in 1981, where he recounts oversleeping on his first day.
Co-star Bill Hayes kindly helped him block the scene and learn the backstory.
Cranston's favorite place in the world is Venice, Italy, which he visited on his honeymoon 35 years prior, describing a magical Vivaldi concert.

Cranston expressed a need for a break from his 25-year non-stop career, feeling depleted and fearing his creative output would become derivative.
He desires real-life experiences, such as reading classic novels, learning to cook, and experiencing other cultures, to inspire his art.
The hosts connected this sentiment to Zach Woods' view on artists needing life experiences outside an artistic bubble.
Discussions included how everyday observations and frustrations, similar to Jerry Seinfeld's, can inspire art and comedy.

Speculation about a potential 'The Office' reboot confirms 'Greg' is working on something new that will not involve the original cast.
Cranston's most frequent fan interactions relate to "Breaking Bad," including numerous photos of people dressed as Walter White for Halloween.
"The Office" had low initial ratings for its six-episode first season and was nearly canceled until Steve Carell's film success.
"Breaking Bad" also struggled initially but gained significant traction when Netflix transitioned to streaming, allowing binge-watching.

Michael Scott's character evolved from caustic to a "confident imbecile" between seasons one and two, influenced by Ricky Gervais' advice.
The writer's room had a note to include at least one "redeeming moment" or "moment of Zen" in each "Office" episode.
Examples included Pam listening to Jim's messages and Dwight receiving a pat from Michael.
The pie and montage at the end of the "Work Bus" episode and Jim supporting Dwight on the bus roof were identified as such moments.

Cranston discussed his current focus on "living life" and seeking new, challenging roles, drawing parallels to musical artists like The Beatles.
He co-founded Dos Hombres mezcal with Aaron Paul after a missed connection post-"Breaking Bad," stemming from a shared desire to collaborate.
The mezcal's production involves smoking agave in earthen pits and using mountain spring water.
Dos Hombres has grown to become the fifth largest mezcal brand globally.