Faking Bad (musical)

In 2018, Rob Gathercole wrote the music, lyrics, and book for *Faking Bad: The Unauthorized 'Breaking Bad' Parody Methsical*, a parody musical based on Vince Gilligan’s AMC series. Originally titled *Say My Name!*, the show compresses the entire story of *Breaking Bad* into about 90 minutes, leaning heavily into camp and satire. Gathercole launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the project, raising £1,877—exceeding the £1,500 goal. The production received generally positive reviews, with critics often praising Gathercole’s writing.

The plot follows Walter White, a struggling chemistry teacher and father, as he descends into the drug trade and transforms into the feared kingpin Heisenberg. In the desert, Walt starts recording a message for his family but stops for a second take. The story then jumps back three weeks. The ensemble explains Walt’s difficult life: two jobs, a pregnant wife named Skyler, and a disabled son called “Teenie Weenie” Walter Jr. On his 50th birthday, he learns he has lung cancer but keeps it secret. At his party, his DEA-agent brother-in-law Hank Schrader takes him on a drug bust, where Walt spots his former student Jesse Pinkman escaping. Walt decides to cook meth to pay for his treatment. That night, he convinces Jesse to partner up. A deal with dealer Krazy-8 goes wrong, and Walt kills him in self-defense. When Skyler presses him about coming home late, Walt admits he has cancer. She suggests he ask his wealthy former friends Elliot and Gretchen Schwartz for help, which he reluctantly agrees to. Hank then explains the DEA’s role.

Weeks later, distributor Tuco Salamanca kidnaps Walt and Jesse, taking them to a desert house. Walt plans to poison Tuco with ricin, but Tuco’s disabled uncle Hector spots them and rings his bell to warn him. Jesse shoots Tuco, and Hank arrives, finishing him off. To avoid suspicion, Walt fakes a fugue state. When reunited with his family, he denies having a second cell phone. After one of their distributors is arrested, Walt and Jesse hire lawyer Saul Goodman. Gretchen confronts Walt about lying that the Schwartzes paid for his treatment; they argue bitterly. Jesse, with his girlfriend Jane Margolis, rants about Walt and splits heroin with her. Walt makes Skyler promise not to sleep with her boss Ted Beneke. Saul sets up a meeting with high-end distributor Gus Fring, who lets Walt cook for him.