18 Years Ago Today, HIMYM Forced One of the Best Shows Ever To Change by Introducing a Great Side Character

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It’s rare for fans to consider how different their favorite movies and TV shows might be if an actor hadn’t been unavailable. A prime example is Dougray Scott, who was originally cast as Wolverine in X-Men. However, filming for Mission: Impossible II ran over schedule, forcing him to drop out and opening the door for Hugh Jackman – who now seems destined to play the character for decades! While these situations aren’t frequent, they can drastically alter major films and series.

As a fan, it’s wild to think about how shows can unexpectedly connect! Today marks 18 years since How I Met Your Mother aired “The Chain of Screaming,” the episode where Bob Odenkirk guest-starred as Arthur Hobbs, Marshall’s boss. It seems so small, but that appearance actually had a ripple effect! Because Odenkirk became a recurring character on How I Met Your Mother, it forced Breaking Bad to introduce a whole new character to work around his schedule – and that new character ended up completely changing the direction of Breaking Bad! It’s amazing how one show can impact another like that.

How How I Met Your Mother Changed Breaking Bad For the Better

Bob Odenkirk was initially hired for just four episodes of Breaking Bad as Saul Goodman, the charismatic lawyer known for defending criminals. However, there was a conflict: he was also a recurring character on How I Met Your Mother and had already filmed an episode for its fifth season, titled “Last Cigarette Ever.” This meant he had to temporarily leave the Breaking Bad set to fulfill his commitment on How I Met Your Mother. Specifically, he missed filming the Breaking Bad season two finale, the episode where Jesse discovers his girlfriend Jane has overdosed.

Originally, the plan was to have Saul Goodman resolve a situation, as co-creator Peter Gould explained to NPR. However, Bob Odenkirk wasn’t able to travel to Albuquerque for that scene. At the last minute, Vince Gilligan came up with the idea of using Mike, a character previously referenced as a ‘fixer’ or private detective, instead. Luckily, they were able to cast Jonathan Banks in the role.

Because Bob Odenkirk was committed to the show How I Met Your Mother, Breaking Bad had to introduce the character of Mike Ehrmantraut. This turned out to be a brilliant move. For two seasons, Mike had been mentioned but never seen, and his arrival quickly made him a crucial part of the story. He worked closely with Walt and Jesse, connected Gus Fring to Saul, and helped hide Fring’s operation through the Madrigal Electromotive company. He’s also famous for the line that motivates Walt to become more assertive: “No more half measures, Walter.”

Following his appearance in Breaking Bad, Mike Ehrmantraut became a central figure in the prequel series, Better Call Saul. Over the show’s six seasons, the series explored his developing connections with both Saul Goodman and Gus Fring, and delved into his past, adding depth to his character and his role in the overall story. Mike is one of only four characters – along with Walter White, Jesse Pinkman, Ed Galbraith, and Austin Ramey – to appear in Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, and the movie El Camino.

Jonathan Banks received five Primetime Emmy nominations for his supporting role in a drama series, including four for Better Call Saul and one for Breaking Bad. This recognition wouldn’t have happened if Bob Odenkirk hadn’t taken on a smaller role in a sitcom, which created the opportunity for Banks’ character to become more prominent.

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2026-04-14 20:11