Bryan Cranston

Paul Giamatti. Eileen Atkins. Tom Wilkinson. Alec Baldwin. Bryan Cranston. Zeljko Ivanek. A list of veteran actors who have graced stages and screens around the world for decades, winning countless accolades in the process. Giamatti, the youngest at 41, has been at it for almost 20 years; Atkins is celebrating 50 years in the business. Beyond their talent and work ethic, they all share another rewarding milestone: Last year marked a first Emmy win for each of them.

Bryan Cranston, best known as the buffooinsh dad from "Malcolm in the Middle," is back on the domestic front in AMC's new "Breaking Bad," marking his latest foray into playing fathers who really don't know best. In addition to being locked in midlife crisis mode, the actor's two offbeat dad portrayals have something else in common: They both favor briefs over boxers.

Bryan Cranston stunned viewers by taking home the Emmy for lead actor in a drama series for AMC's "Breaking Bad," winning over the heavy favorite, Jon Hamm of "Mad Men." Cranston took the honors even though the series, cut short by the writers strike, aired only seven episodes. Apparently surprised himself, Cranston's initial reaction was bleeped by network censors. For years, Cranston, a star of "Malcolm in the Middle," was overshadowed at Emmy time by then-costar Jane Kaczmarek.

Producers tend to be worried, and today a producer is worried about this story. "You're not going to write about the flies, are you?" It is August in Albuquerque, filming home to that other critically acclaimed AMC series, "Breaking Bad," which begins its second season today. And inside Stage 5 of this film studio -- on an otherwise seamless day of shooting -- there is the constant annoyance of the fly.

Showbiz has always had a thing for hookers with hearts of gold. Now, it's got a taste for a serial killer with one. He's the star of Showtime's darkly comic "Dexter," which made history Thursday when it became the cable network's first contender for Emmy's top drama series prize. The series, which wrapped its second season in December, scored five nominations overall including one for lead actor Michael C. Hall. Executive producer Sara Colleton may have been more surprised by the series recognition than anyone else.

'There are unbelievably strong contenders.' -- Julia Louis-Dreyfus, on nominees in the lead actress in a comedy category -- 'The fact that we're more mature women in a highly competitive profession is something to be very proud of. People are finally thinking of great stories for complex women, and that's something to be excited about.' -- Glenn Close, "Damages" star, nominated for lead actress in a drama series -- 'I think we're all extra surprised because our first season was cut short by the writers strike.

Here at the Universal Hilton, it was good to see the star of AMC's "Breaking Bad" looking healthier than he did when he won an Emmy for the role in September. Bryan Cranston, former star of "Malcolm in the Middle," had lost 16 pounds then, trying to look the part of a high school chemistry teacher who has only 18 months to live because of lung cancer. Viewers will see the thinner Cranston, and his bald head, when the show's second season premieres March 8. But today, now that production has ended, the TV press here at the TCA Press Tour gathering got to see Cranston "in beefing up" mode.

Imagine the casting call: Looking for a hapless middle-aged guy who works a dead-end job. Must be willing to wear thousands of bees, get strapped to the front of a moving bus and appear naked on national television. Interested actors should know they will take a back seat to four squabbling sons and a sometimes-manic wife. Must wear geeky clothes and have back shaved on camera. This is not the kind of part that would appeal to anyone seeking stardom.

Jane Kaczmarek is no fan of unscripted series -- although she admits to having a weakness for "American Idol." But the star of Fox's "Malcolm in the Middle" will find herself Sunday night in what could be seen as TV's latest reality project: "When Husbands Collide." Both her real-life, off-screen husband, Bradley Whitford of "The West Wing," and her on-screen husband, Bryan Cranston, are competing against each other for a Golden Globe in the best supporting actor for television category.