Rainn Wilson Spent His Latest Podcast Awkwardly Telling Bryan Cranston He’s Only Known as Walter White

I will admit that I’m not a regular listener to Rainn Wilson’s podcast. I also have no ill will toward the man, and do feel it’s unfair that he’s been so thoroughly pigeonholed as Dwight from The Office. I actually thought he was fantastic in Super, from James Gunn’s pre-Guardians days. However, a recent clip from his podcast, Soul Boom, perfectly encapsulates that awkward moment when you find that someone you felt was a kindred spirit may not, in fact, share the same experience with you that you think they do.

It’s a segment in which Wilson attempts to delve into Bryan Cranston’s thoughts about being stuck forever being known only as Walter White; I’d assume inspired by feeling a sense of connection to his personal prison of Dwighthood. Specifically, he prompts Cranston, “Tell me about your relationship with Walter White, and going to your grave known as Walter White.” 

I think Wilson expects to have a bit of a back-and-forth as two actors known solely for one role, a bit of camaraderie and good-natured griping over the way a specific kind of success has kneecapped them both.

Unfortunately, the question catches Cranston a little off-guard, and for the same reason it rang hollow to me: Which is that Cranston has been successful in a variety of roles, both before and after Breaking Bad. If anything, the character Walter White was itself a testament to his refusal to be typecast. 

Before Breaking Bad, he was nominated for an Emmy three times as the father, Hal, in Malcolm in the Middle. He was a recognizable and beloved side character on Seinfeld as suddenly Jewish dentist Tim Whatley. He’s since been in Argo, in Godzilla and in multiple other roles that aren’t in any way a nod to or a parody of Walter White. For Christ’s sake, almost immediately after Breaking Bad, he received an Oscar nomination for playing Dalton Trumbo in Trumbo, a character who, last time I checked, doesn’t sell meth whatsoever.

What unfolds from here isn’t, I think, what Wilson intended, but something that is in itself honest and sweet. Cranston goes into what feels like advice and guidance to help Wilson through his problems with the role of Dwight. He segues into a tale of advice he gives young actors, but the dynamic feels markedly different, with Cranston empathizing but also rejecting the idea that he’s only known as Walter White. In the end, it feels like you’re watching a pep talk and maybe some needed validation from Cranston. 

And, yes, it’s definitely all very awkward.