mad men

[Tears of Lys]

Heh. John Slattery (Roger Sterling) said in an interview that he originally auditioned for the role of Don Draper. He says, "Anybody would want to be him. Hell, James Bond would like to be Don Draper" or words to that effect.

[Blaine]

Jimmy Barret is just a low-level insult comic. I don't think he's meant to be any specific person.

The term "insult comic" is a badge worn by plenty of folks - specifically of that era. Though Don Rickles would be the most well-known of the bunch. Or Jackie Mason. Or maybe Triumph the Insult Comic Dog - but he didn't come around until much later. :P

[Commodore]

Triumph [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=430cwalf5UE&feature=related"]doing the weather[/url] is still an all time classic.

[Anya, Vengeance Demon]

Best Drama and Best Writing in a Drama isn't too shabby, and I'm not even disappointed by the Hamm loss because it wasn't to James Spader (and I keep meaning to get back to Breaking Bad one of these days, before the second season begins). Three hours of the five worst hosts in awards show history has taken its toll, however.

[Rockroi]

Really glad Mad Men won. Also, I am suprisingly happy that Bryan Cranston won for Breaking Bad. He is extremely good in a really understated roll that requires him, most of the time, to run between the extremes of "small, little man" to "fucking crazed bad ass."

But I have not seen a show like Mad Men grip its audiance since the Wire. I am thrilled it won.

[Blaine]

As big a fan as I am of both John Hamm and Slattery, I honestly thought the right two guys won those categories last night.

In the supporting actor category (which was a surprisingly strong one):
Zeljko Ivanek is one of those actors I've seen a bazillion times, but he's always great. He also has a knack for being on really great shows, which never hurts. Homicide, OZ, the West Wing, Law and Order - he's always a standout. But his role on Damages might've been the most out-of-character role I've seen him take. And he really did kill it. It was nice seeing him win, considering he's a "hey it's that guy" actor of the highest order.

Leading Actor:
As much as I like Hamm on Mad Men and as important as he is to the overall tone of the show, it's still more of an ensemble than Breaking Bad. With a less talented guy than Hamm as Draper, the show might still sort of work. In Breaking Bad, everything relies on Cranston. And for a guy known as being the goofy Dad on Malcom in the Middle, Cranston really blows your mind in BB. Just a phenomenal role and a great showcase for his ability.

I'm glad Mad Men won best Drama and best Writing though. It definitely does seem to be inheriting the mantle of the new Sopranos. I think whoever is working at AMC should be pretty proud of themselves for getting such accolades with their big foray into original programming.

[Blaine]

This is pretty cool. Don Draper's going to [url="http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2008/09/don_draper_to_host_snl.html"]host SNL next month[/url].

[Rhom]

[quote name='Blaine23' post='1527052' date='Sep 22 2008, 11.57']This is pretty cool. Don Draper's going to [url="http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2008/09/don_draper_to_host_snl.html"]host SNL next month[/url].[/quote]

I will definitely have to make time to watch that.

I havn't seen last night's episode yet. (Will see if I can make time to catch it through On Demand as soon as I get home tonight.) But I wanted to poke my head in here to mention how excited I was to see the show win the Emmy for best drama. Its good to see a brilliantly written show without any gimmicks get a well deserved nod. I was somewhat disappointed that John Hamm didn't get the best actor award, but I guess there's always next year!

As one further question, I am not entirely familiar with the way these awards are decided upon. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes (Pilot) was nominated for several awards. Do the producers just choose one or two episodes to be submitted? I'm curious as to why that one received so much love.

Edit: So now I have risked potential spoilers and skimmed over the new posts in the topic and see nothing on a new episode... was there not one last night?

[Anya, Vengeance Demon]

[quote name='rhombencephalon' post='1527270' date='Sep 22 2008, 14.36']As one further question, I am not entirely familiar with the way these awards are decided upon. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes (Pilot) was nominated for several awards. Do the producers just choose one or two episodes to be submitted? I'm curious as to why that one received so much love.[/quote]

I believe that actors get to pick what episodes they wish to send (Jon Hamm sent "The Wheel", as you might expect), and that the producers decide what episode to pick for Writing/Directing/Best Drama. I think the choice of the pilot had a lot to do with it being a pilot, and thus not confusing to Emmy voters unfamiliar with the series. David Simon and Ed Burns took the exact opposite tack, sending the series finale which I imagine would do little for non-[i]Wire[/i] fans.

[quote]So now I have risked potential spoilers and skimmed over the new posts in the topic and see nothing on a new episode... was there not one last night?[/quote]

Correct. "Six Month Leave" will air next week; yesterday they showed a re-run of "Three Sundays".

[Rhom]

[quote name='Sarah L. Palin' post='1527285' date='Sep 22 2008, 14.46']I believe that actors get to pick what episodes they wish to send (Jon Hamm sent "The Wheel", as you might expect), and that the producers decide what episode to pick for Writing/Directing/Best Drama. I think the choice of the pilot had a lot to do with it being a pilot, and thus not confusing to Emmy voters unfamiliar with the series. David Simon and Ed Burns took the exact opposite tack, sending the series finale which I imagine would do little for non-[i]Wire[/i] fans.



Correct. "Six Month Leave" will air next week; yesterday they showed a re-run of "Three Sundays".[/quote]

Ah. Thank you for clarifying that for me on both points.

[Mathis]

So why do they do that? Its not just Mad Men either, just about every major American show inexplicably misses a week or two here and there. It just seems so arbitrary. Does it coincide with some North American holiday or something? Veterans day? Or mabye Thanksgiving, IIRC its an autumn holiday.

[Anya, Vengeance Demon]

[quote name='Mathis' post='1527730' date='Sep 22 2008, 19.29']So why do they do that? Its not just Mad Men either, just about every major American show inexplicably misses a week or two here and there. It just seems so arbitrary. Does it coincide with some North American holiday or something? Veterans day? Or mabye Thanksgiving, IIRC its an autumn holiday.[/quote]

Thanksgiving is in November. In this case, I think AMC decided to skip a week so as to not lose viewers to the Emmys; since the show had sixteen nominations, they were presumably worried about splitting the audience. (The concern seems a little bizarre, given that the show is available for four or five encore presentations on AMC plus iTunes, and MM fans tend to be in the demographic where iTunes is fairly well accepted.)

[Anya, Vengeance Demon]

Apparently somebody from Canada has seen "Six Month Leave" via OnDemand and posted a summary on IMDb. I haven't checked on that--I can wait six days if need be--but I mention it because that suggests to me that the episode might turn up for download before Sunday night.

[Mathis]

Hurrah!

[Rhom]

[quote name='Mathis' post='1527730' date='Sep 22 2008, 19.29']So why do they do that? Its not just Mad Men either, just about every major American show inexplicably misses a week or two here and there. It just seems so arbitrary. Does it coincide with some North American holiday or something? Veterans day? Or mabye Thanksgiving, IIRC its an autumn holiday.[/quote]

Most shows scatter their episodes over the course of the season so as to take maximum advantage of "sweeps week" and other ratings stunts. It was really bad when shows like 24 would go on hiatus for 3-4 weeks and then pick right back up where they left off. Many serialized shows like Lost and 24 now wait to start their season in January so they can finish in May when most series traditional have their finales.

[Anya, Vengeance Demon]

Joan Halloway to Roger in "Six Month Leave": “One day, you’ll lose someone close to you… it’s very painful.” Here she is, speaking in the hotel room with Roger last season: "I don’t like eating in here. Food that close to the bed reminds me of a hospital."

What I find interesting about this--and very MM-ian--is that Matt Weiner clearly has something in mind for the tragedy that Joan's life was shaken by, and has probably since he started breaking the first season, but has spent almost two seasons without quite spelling out what it was. Some people argue that it's an abortion, but I doubt very seriously that a woman would describe her abortion as "losing someone very close to you"--none of the women I know who have had one talk about it in remotely those terms--and also that would be a giant cliche that accepting a one-dimensional view of Joan as nothing more than a sex kitten. I think Mad Men can do a little better than Dirty Dancing, surely. In any case, I suspect we won't find out this season either. Maybe in season three.

Speaking of things that were impeccably foreshadowed, everything in Roger's arc seems to be leading up to the last scene of tonight's episode where Mona comes in and announces that he's left her (!) and blamed the decision on Don's urging (!!). The encounter with Vickie, the party girl of Three Sundays, seems to have left him seriously considering a second wife, and the relationship with Joan was strongly hinted in "The Gold Violin". (I completely missed the significance of Jane's talking with Don about her call with Sally, but of course it was to set up how Roger _really_ knew about Don's separation. He's not going to come in at seven to hit the ol' paddleball.)

As for Freddy, I have to say that the emotional punch was lost on me. I felt a sort of vague sadness at the clear indication that he's going to continue on a long decline--interesting that because no one knows of Duck's alcoholism, no one realizes the insight he has into Freddy's behavior--but it never really connected for me. Shame to lose Joel Murray, though.

ETA:

Oh, and it looks like Blaine and I both got punk'd by the AMC promo people. Damn them.

[Blaine]

Really strong return to form last night.

I saw where Roger was headed way back when. It was pretty heavily foreshadowed with the prostitute in Three Sundays... but my prediction was slightly off. I thought Roger would leave Mona for Joan. Instead, he left her for Joan 2.0 - which is even more dastardly when you think about it.

Other things that were great last night:
Freddie's big mess. Not only was that disturbing, it was remarkably well played by all the actors. Not for a second did I doubt that is exactly how Pete, Peggy and Sal would've reacted. That is how you pull off something broad and hard to believe, by keeping it very real. It was sad and funny and just plain fucked up all at once.

Roger and Don. One thing this show has really been missing this season is enough Roger Sterling. Seeing Draper and Sterling together is one of the best contrasts on the show. Not only that, but they're just funny together. Of course, this week, every line they had was laced with double-meanings - but it still felt natural.

Peggy's promotion. Though she and Pete weren't in much this week, the few small scenes they shared were excellent. Pete's reaction to Freddie's firing contrasted nicely with hers. Again, a lot of this season has been about these characters as individuals, outside the office - but the show really crackles when they're all together, playing opposites in the agency.

Other great moments were the casual slips by Don. Calling himself "Tilden Katz" to get in the underground casino. Punching Jimmy Barritt. Then referring to said punch as a "real Archibald Whitman" move. All of these things let us know how far gone Don is from his safe, manufactured life.

The only downside for me this week was Betty. Again, she doesn't get much to do except be miserable, while showing equal parts disdain and devotion to her suburban housewife role. One minute she's not bothering to wake up for her children and drinking the day away, then she's defrosting the freezer and cutting shelf paper. I get it, but it's gotten a bit old.

[Anya, Vengeance Demon]

[quote name='Blaine23' post='1535239' date='Sep 29 2008, 10.34']I saw where Roger was headed way back when. It was pretty heavily foreshadowed with the prostitute in Three Sundays... but my prediction was slightly off. I thought Roger would leave Mona for Joan. Instead, he left her for Joan 2.0 - which is even more dastardly when you think about it.[/quote]

Yeah, I remember that prediction. I recall at the time thinking that Roger would have enough self-knowledge to realize that it was an absolutely self-destructive move, but clearly not.

[Rockroi]

Great episode on a variety of levels.

But the biggest was the “Deadwood” moment (more on that in a second).

This entire episode is set on the foundation that Don’s life is now, deep down, a lie. His wife and he are separated and it has left him in turmoil. I like how the Drapers are a divorced couple now- with interesting lies to cover the visitation, etc.

And yet DON is the one with the straightest head.

Sterling and Don is one of the best relationships on TV and maybe in the last 30 years of TV. They play so well its uncanny. The scene where they KNOW they have to can Freddie; Don is not up for it, Sterling knows it HAS to happen. And the whole time they both make the points.

Loved the scene in the gambling den. A bit TOO convenient- just as they are discussing separating and their turmoil in putting their lives back together, Barrett just HAPPENS to be there- for Don to punch. A relatively weak way to end the episode if you ask me. Though, I DID like the throw away line at the end; Barrett turns to the only black guy in the place and says, “So, Floyd, how’d I do” a clear reference to famed New Yorker and former heavyweight king, Floyd Patterson.

The rest of the scene is dedicated to “So long, Freddie” parts where they lay the foundation that Freddie (like Marilynn Monroe) may kill himself . The hug (in Mad Men?) the awkward “Goodbye” etc made it seem that the next thing we would read was that Freddie was dead. NOPE! Just turns out Roger is leaving his wife! Holy Hell, how’d that happen?

But the episode had its Deadwood moment SMACK DAB in the middle of the episode.

Freddie pees his pants; he is a complete embarrassment. At the meeting, Don stands up for Freddie while Duck wants him canned. Why? Why is DUCK – the recovering alcoholic wanting Freddie’s head while Don in defending the pants-pee’er? Shouldn’t DUCK be defending the guy? Why is Don Draper defending a man who pee’d his …

Because Don Draper pee’d his pants! Or, should I say, Dick Williams did. Remember in the Korean War flashback, right when the shelling begins, Dick pee’s his pants. He was scared so BADLY that he pee’d himself (same side of the pants as Freddie, btw). The REAL Don Draper then points this out… causing Dick (our Don) to drop his lighter and… kill Don.

AND THEN we are at the Blood Drive. The guys are mocking the pants pisser…

Don takes offense at this; he scolds the whole crew for their antics, then sarcastically sates, “What does it matter? Its only a man’s name!”

EXACTLY! The two tie together; Don’s lowest and most pathetic moment- pee’ing himself is now tied to Freddie’s. Don’s defense is not just for Freddie but for himself.

VERY DEADWOOD! Why? Because Deadwood NEVER explained stuff twice. It always provided info ONCE and then demanded that its audience pay attention! When the call back came, when the two ends were tied together; when all the signals came back and the last piece of the puzzle fitted into place, either you got it or you didn’t. No second chances.

Mad Men just hit that same high note. All because of a pants pisser.

[Anya, Vengeance Demon]

[quote name='Rockroi' post='1535394' date='Sep 29 2008, 11.45']Loved the scene in the gambling den. A bit TOO convenient- just as they are discussing separating and their turmoil in putting their lives back together, Barrett just HAPPENS to be there- for Don to punch. A relatively weak way to end the episode if you ask me. Though, I DID like the throw away line at the end; Barrett turns to the only black guy in the place and says, “So, Floyd, how’d I do” a clear reference to famed New Yorker and former heavyweight king, Floyd Patterson.[/quote]

Well, Freddy mentions that the (then current) heavyweight champ was in the club, so I think that _was_ Floyd Patterson.

Also, Duck wasn't necessarily defending Freddy, but his point was apt: you keep giving the man rope, and he'll find a way to hang himself higher. Duck would know.