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How Bryan Cranston Perfected Hal in Malcolm in the Middle

2024-08-28 Entertainment
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Just an Observation
Just an Observation
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Description

This video essay analyzes Bryan Cranston's comedy performance as Hal in Malcolm in the Middle (Fox). Before Breaking Bad, which earned Cranston four Emmys, he was nominated for 3 Emmys for his role in Malcolm in the Middle. It turns out Bryan Cranston is an incredibly physical comedy actor, so this video uncovers the tiny details and expressions he added to the role that made it stand out. He is such a master of physical comedy that he could be the star of a silent film. FAIR USE NOTICE: This video may contain copyright material; the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. This material is made available under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made "fair use" for the purposes such as criticism, comment, review, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that otherwise might be infringing. All rights belong to its owners. Music Used: The Chase by Topher Mohr and Alex Elena (YouTube Audio Library) Pisco Sour by Gunnar Olsen (YouTube Audio Library) Morning Stroll by Josh Kirsch/Media Right Productions (YouTube Audio Library) Take Me Out to the Ballgame by E's Jammy Jams (YouTube Audio Library) The Curious Kitten by Aaron Kenny (YouTube Audio Library) Like You Mean It by Dan Lebowitz (YouTube Audio Library) In The Hall Of The Mountain King by Grieg (YouTube Audio Library) Sunny Side by Text Me Records (YouTube Audio Library) & "Merry Go" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Timestamps: 0:00 Bryan Cranston 2:10 Physical Comedy 6:43 Vocal Comedy 8:55 Emotional Expression #bryancranston #malcolminthemiddle #breakingbad

Top Comments (10)

@scarface5857 2024-08-28

The best compliment I can give to Bryan Cranston, is that no matter how much I see the two characters of Hal and Walter White, I can't grasp that it's the same actor. It's like watching a completely different human being. I just never see Bryan there. only the characters. Only a handful of actors can do this.

2.9k 29 replies
@eturner141 2024-08-28

I love that somebody is finally giving Brian's performance as Hal the appreciation it deserves ❤

1.6k 14 replies
@Ninewave1 2024-08-28

My favorite Hal moment is when he is at Burning Man and the people think he's doing performance art and Hal doesn't realize it.

1.2k 9 replies
@ichbinschwul187 2025-11-24

I hope this comment doesn‘t drown because it‘s so late, but as someone who grew up with the German dub of the show, Hal was my favorite character even in my early teens, which speaks to his absolutely phenomenal physical acting skill. When I rewatched the show in English and as an adult, both for the first time, with my newly found understanding of the craft, I was absolutely floored by Cranston‘s performance. To me, he‘s probably the greatest actor of the generation.

857 11 replies
@martinwinter615 2025-11-24

He made the show - without him, the show would not have worked.

575 11 replies
@katherinepfister4177 2024-08-28

Hal in Malcolm in the middle is the funniest character on that show. Thank you Bryan Cranston.

508 4 replies
@nrrork 2024-08-28

It's poetic that the show whose central premise was "life is unfair" has somehow become so forgotten, despite being one of the most solid comedies ever made. It beat The Office and Arrested Development to the punch with its single camera, fourth wall breaking narration, no laugh track setup. There was PROBABLY a sitcom that did that before Malcolm, but I can't think of it. I'll leave that to a bigger TV geek than myself. (Edit: Pete and Pete did! Cable in the 90s was a good testing ground for innovation. They were so desperate to fill airtime, they'd greenlight projects the broadcast betworks wouldn't touch.)

381 8 replies
@ottomattix86 2024-08-28

Having watched Malcom and Seinfeld growing up....breaking bad was a shock. Hal is amazing .

307
@brendolbreadwar2671 2025-11-24

Many people dont realize this was THE first sitcom of its kind. Sitcoms where extremely boring and afraid to take risks before this show. This is one of the best shows ever.

250 14 replies
@gogetavsvegito 2024-08-29

And to think the fathers role was originally written to kind of just be there but it was Cranston who gave the character his personality that we all love

211 1 replies

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