The third time really WAS the charm for Emmy-winner Bryan Cranston.

The actor who just scored his third-consecutive Emmy for lead actor in a drama for "Breaking Bad" announced on ESPN Radio's Mason & Ireland show that he would be a guest host on "Saturday Night Live" Oct. 2. It will be the first appearance on the sketch comedy series for the actor, who starred as the buffoonish father in "Malcolm In The Middle" before his stint on the hit AMC drama, where he plays a chemistry teacher who gradually becomes a drug dealer.

"I'm so thrilled and excited," Cranston said.

Vince Gilligan, the creator of "Breaking Bad," said in an interview earlier this year that he was mystified that Cranston, whom he called a "courageous actor," had never been asked to host "SNL": If Bryan "hosted 'Saturday Night Live,' he would hit it out of the park."

Cranston said in a corresponding interview that he was philosophical about not being asked to host "Saturday Night Live": "Would I like to host 'Saturday Night Live?' Hell, yes, I'd love to. But it's not going to have a big impact on my life if it doesn't happen."

--Greg Braxton

Photo: Bryan Cranston Credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez/ Getty Images