Did Breaking Bad copy Weeds?

My girlfriend and I were huge Breaking Bad fans and needed a new show to watch after it ended. We recently started Weeds and it is exactly like Breaking Bad (you should quit reading now if you don't want spoilers).

Both have DEA agents in the family.
Both have plane crash incidents.
Both have the main character as an unexpected drug dealer.
Both main characters had significant health changes to make them deal drugs.
Both have "handicap" children in them (Walter's son on Breaking Bad and the deaf girlfriend on Weeds).
Both have the main characters trying to build a drug empire.

Here is the part that bothers me, Breaking Bad was being pitched while Weeds was already on air. Did anyone else notice how similar this shows are? At the end of the day, Breaking Bad does everything better than Weeds does, but it bothers me knowing how the show might have been ripped off.

Here is an article I found talking about the coincidences: Vince Gilligan Talks 'Breaking Bad' Beginnings, 'Weeds'

 

I read somewhere that Vince Gillian said if he would of known about Weeds when he started the show he would not of made it because it was too close of a story line.

 

I think that came from the article above.

 

Also, I am only about two seasons through Weeds, so please don't point out anything about the show beyond that!

 

Weeds is horrible, so no

 

I think Weeds is good, not great. This doesn't change that they did everything before Breaking Bad, even if it was "horribly" done.

 

Weeds was ok at best for the first 3 seasons they completely lost me on the 4th. I hate Mary-Louise Parker so that didn't help. Some of your comparisons are a little week but I do see some similarities.

 

Of course they are similar, a normal every day person becoming a huge player in the drug dealing business.

I have seen every episode of both though, and don't see it being a knock off (as the viewer anyway). Far too different plots and feels to the show. Weeds was funny, Breaking Bad was quite possibly the best drama series ever produced.

 

Sure I guess

there aren't that many original stories these days

this still wouldn't take away from the greatness of Breaking Bad

 

I have never been "addicted" to anything like I was Breaking Bad. I'm still not sure what to do with my evenings... Hart of Dixie anyone?

 

"Milf Weed" vs "Blue Magic"

Weeds was the teen friendly version of Breaking Bad, Breaking Bad also pushed the bar quite a bit more.

 

Yeah, it is kind of drama vs. comedy, but the whole plot of both shows is the same.