Bryan Cranston entertains at TV Critics Association Awards

Although it was not televised, actor Bryan Cranston began the TV Critics Association Awards with a funny monologue.

“There are a lot of stars who are here tonight,” he started with. “And even more who aren’t here.”

He also noted that before his series Breaking Bad aired, it was described by a TV executive as the worst idea for a series. It won the award for outstanding achievement in drama.

Cranston also noted the current difficult times for the media.

“Things are changing, newspapers are going away. Some writers are even putting their reviews up on Yeller. . . Note to self: take that one out,” he said.

He also discussed the Olympics.

“Did anyone see the Olympics Opening Ceremony? What the f— was that all about? If you saw this, it was mind blowing. It had indentured workers as volunteers. It had livestock crapping all over the stadium. It had belching smokestacks and frightening nightmare sequences and the Queen jumping out a helicopter, and it’s like, what?! I couldn’t believe that this presentation was directed by Danny Boyle, I wanted to cut my arm off with a dull knife.”

He then added: “Note to self: No movie references with TV critics.”

Cranston will next be seen in the Total Recall remake, which opens Friday. He plays the villainous Cohaagen, played by Ronny Cox in the 1990 original. Colin Farrell plays the heroic lead role previously essayed by Arnold Schwarzenegger.