The main reasons why a Saul Goodman spinoff might be considered a bad idea are:
- Poor fit for the character: Saul Goodman, as originally conceived in Breaking Bad, was more of a comic relief character rather than one with deep dramatic layers. Early ideas for a Saul spinoff as a sitcom were dropped because the character lacked the depth needed to carry a show on his own. You need more than just a popular character; the story and character development must justify the spinoff.
- Risk of rehashing the original: Spinoffs often struggle if they just retell the original story from a new perspective without providing valuable new insights. A show that simply coasts on the popularity of a character without adding fresh narrative depth can feel uninspired.
- Failed attempts prove the point: An animated spinoff called "Slippin' Jimmy" that tried to capitalize on the Better Call Saul/Breaking Bad success was widely panned. It abandoned the serious and morally complex tone of the original shows, opting for slapstick humor and cartoonish style, which alienated fans. This misstep highlighted how lowbrow or tonally mismatched spinoffs can damage the legacy.
- Danger of diluting the original impact: Turning Saul Goodman into a standalone series risks diluting the carefully built complexity and moral ambiguity that made Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul critically acclaimed. Without deep writing and dramatic tension, the spinoff could feel shallow or unnecessary.
In summary, a Saul Goodman spinoff is seen as a bad idea because the character initially doesn't fit a stand-alone serious show, the spinoff risks being redundant or shallow, and failed previous attempts showed how damaging a mismatch in tone and quality can be to the overall franchise.
