With the New AMC Series “Lucky Hank,” Bob Odenkirk Gets Back to His Comedic Roots

Although he adores Saul Goodman, Bob Odenkirk is prepared to move on from the role. He portrayed the crafty, cunning lawyer on “Breaking Bad” before appearing in “Better Call Saul” for six seasons.

With the New AMC Series Lucky Hank, Bob Odenkirk Gets Back to His Comedic Roots_

The dark comedy series “Lucky Hank” on AMC, which premieres on Sunday, stars the Emmy-nominated actor as Hank Devereaux, a college English professor and department chair at an underfunded institution who is going through an identity crisis. This is the first time anyone has ever read the novel he authored. Yet, the New York Times covered his father’s departure from the world of academic literature.

“Men always want to be better than their father if they do the same thing or are comparable, or they want to be the antithesis of their father, and generally they can’t achieve either thing flawlessly,” Odenkirk recently stated on Zoom.

With his discontentment and intelligence, Hank is also pretty humorous, which catches Odenkirk’s attention. Some people might need to be reminded or made aware of Odenkirk’s comedic past. He collaborated with several of “Saturday Night Live’s” most well-known breakout performers, including Adam Sandler, Chris Farley, and Chris Rock.

“Saul Goodman had a sense of humor but was unaware of it. He frequently made you, the audience, laugh. He was absolutely serious about what he was doing, but he still wasn’t trying, “commented Odenkirk. “He is cracking jokes. He says things he knows are humorous and intended to be humorous. Enjoyable to play that. One of the reasons I wanted to play this role was because I adore that self-awareness.”

Based on Richard Russo’s book “Straight Man,” “Lucky Hank” is a comedy. The Office’s co-creators and co-showrunners, Paul Lieberstein and Aaron Zellman claim that the series diverges significantly from the source material.

I’ve made many adaptations, Zellman stated. “You understand that a chapter in a novel could comprise several scenes. Simply put, it’s a different animal, and you must put more money into it.”

When “Lucky Hank” debuts, Odenkirk is still recuperating from his severe heart attack while filming “Better Call Saul” in 2021. Odenkirk’s heart stopped for 18 minutes, and when it restarted, he felt energized and exhausted. He also had no meaningful memory of what had transpired.

“All right, gentlemen, when do we go out and pitch this thing?” he replied two weeks later, according to Zellman.

“Furthermore, Lieberstein said, “You might be making a horrible judgment.

Odernkik has similar concerns about Hank’s life because the heart attack “was as serious as you get before they throw you in the ground,” according to him.

“I’m in it right now. I think, “I’m 60,” as I’m in it. What should I do with the remainder of my life? How would I like to live? That contrasts with the previous ten years, marked by Saul Goodman and a lot of productivity.”

His wife Lily, played by Mireille Enos, balances out Hank’s pessimism in the film but also struggles with concerns of self-identity and purpose. Enos is renowned for his gloomy, somber performances, such as those in “The Killing.”

Odenkirk recalls, “We had lunch together in New York when she considered taking this part. “You have a beautiful smile, I added at the conclusion. Why haven’t I ever seen it? They never ask me to perform light material, she continues. She is constantly fleeing and being pursued. She is fantastic in the constant intense drama. Still, I don’t believe she has ever been allowed to display her energy and lightness. As Lily, it’s truly on display here.”

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