Crazy Concept That Almost Turned Better Call Saul into a Half-Hour Sitcom

Better Call Saul, the acclaimed spin-off from Breaking Bad, managed to win over fans’ hearts and concluded with its sixth season last year. If you're a fan, you might be taken aback to discover that the show we've come to adore was almost something entirely different.

After the triumphant conclusion of Breaking Bad, fans were eagerly awaiting what the creators would come up with next. The answer came in the form of Better Call Saul, a prequel focusing on the life of Saul Goodman, the morally ambiguous lawyer from the original series.

The creators initially sold the idea to Sony and AMC without a clear vision of what the show would be. They even though it might be a half-hour sitcom, featuring famous comics coming in with their legal problems week after week.

Imagine that: a sitcom version of the gritty, intense world of Breaking Bad. It's almost hard to picture.

But as they got into making the show, they figured out that a sitcom format might not be the best idea after all. They didn't have much experience writing straight-up comedy, and the complex character of Saul Goodman seemed to demand a more nuanced approach.

Peter Gould, the showrunner of Better Call Saul, once mentioned that they initially thought the show would be 80% comedy and 20% drama. But as we all know, that's not how things turned out.

The show ended up being a drama with a touch of comedy, much like the original show. This shift in direction was a significant turning point for the series.

The decision to pivot from a comedy to a drama was a wise one. Better Call Saul has been lauded for its character development and intricate storytelling, with some critics even arguing that it's as good as, if not better than, Breaking Bad.

The transformation of Jimmy McGill into Saul Goodman has been a thrilling journey to watch. The show has managed to balance drama, suspense, and a bit of humor, and this blend secured its success.

Source: Vox, Digital Spy