‘Breaking Bad’ statues in New Mexico bashed by lawmaker for ‘glorifying meth makers’

Not everyone is happy with the new statues in New Mexico of the stars of “Breaking Bad.”

And that comes as no surprise to Vince Gilligan, the creator of the popular AMC series who predicted the statues of the fictional meth chefs in Albuquerque may draw some criticism.

The “larger than life” statues of Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul in their roles as “Breaking Bad” duo Walter White and Jesse Pinkman were erected on July 29 in Albuquerque, where the show was filmed.

The city paid homage to the characters as a way to celebrate the economic impact of the series and its spinoff, “Better Caul Saul,” provided to the area.

“The cast and crew of ‘Breaking Bad’ changed American television and have played an unmistakable role in our city’s meteoric rise in the film industry, bringing hundreds of millions into our economy,” Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said in a news release. “While the characters are just fictional, the show’s positive impact in Albuquerque is very real.”

But it doesn’t sit well with State Rep. Rod Montoya, a Republican who has criticized the statues.

“I’m glad New Mexico got the business, but really?” Montoya said in an interview with Fox News. “We’re going down the road of literally glorifying meth makers?”

His remarks were backed up by local conservative talk radio host Eddy Aragon, a former mayoral candidate who said the city should not be funding the statues of the fictional characters after removing ones of “real historical figures,” Fox News reported.

In June 2020, the City of Albuquerque removed the state of Juan de Oñate, a conquistador “known for his brutal treatment of Native Americans.,” Native News Sun Today reported.

Gilligan, who also created the widely popular “Better Call Saul” spinoff, said he understand why not everyone would be accepting of the “Breaking Bad” statues.

“In all seriousness, no doubt some folks are going to say, ‘Wow, just what our city needed.’ And I get that,” he said, according to Variety. “I see two of the finest actors America has ever produced. I see them, in character, as two larger-than-life tragic figures, cautionary tales.”