Bryan Cranston Says “Comedy Is Essential Right Now” Amid “Bombardment” Of Constant News Cycle

It’s previously been reported that Bryan Cranston helped usher into existence Hulu/Disney+’s Malcolm in the Middle revival, but aside from wanting to get the dysfunctional family back together on screen, the multi-Emmy-winning actor hoped to convey the necessity of comedy in today’s bleak media environment.

In a recent interview with The Guardian, the Breaking Bad alum stated “comedy is essential right now,” especially for audiences combatting a fatiguing and often depressing news cycle.

“It’s not even important; it’s essential,” he continued. “Because it’s a break from the bombardment of nonstop information. People who have the news on 24 hours a day in their homes, I don’t think they realize the damage they’re doing. You might as well make a house full of asbestos or just have radiation constantly emitting through your house.”

Shenanigans abound and chaos ensues in the four-part limited series Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair, in which the family clan reunites at Hal (Cranston) and Lois’ (Jane Kaczmarek) 40th wedding anniversary celebration. Malcolm, (Frankie Muniz) the precocious pre-teen-turned-estranged adult, is forced to re-enter the fray with his own family in tow.

With many original cast members returning (except Erik Per Sullivan’s Dewey, now recast with Caleb Ellsworth-Clark), Kiana Madeira joins as Malcolm’s girlfriend Tristan, while Keeley Karsten plays his similarly genius-neurotic daughter Leah.

But outside of the reboot, which debuts April 10, Cranston will once again appear in another comedic favorite: The Studio Season 2, which is actively in production. The actor will reprise his role as Griffin Mill, the business-oriented and oily Continental Studios CEO.