Entries Tagged 'Mad Men' ↓

One of the manifold joys of AMC’s 1960s Madison Avenue drama "Mad Men" was that the treacherous little worm Pete Cooper, played by Vincent Kartheiser, turned out to be as multi-layered and tormented as handsome ad man Don Draper, played by series star Jon Hamm. Like Draper, Pete let his lust and ambition carry him to some dangerous places, but, again like Draper, it was the psychological wounds of his youth that really drove him. No matter what horrible thing Pete was doing, Kartheiser let you see the sad, twisted ball of crazy behind it. And now Kartheiser has been honored by Hollywood Life magazine as Breakthrough Star of The Year on TV at the magazine’s 10th annual Young Hollywood Awards. Frankly I’ve never seen the magazine or heard of the awards, but it’s nice to see Kartheiser’s work recognized, because Hamm, who was terrific, has sucked up the lion’s […]

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AMC scored a surprise critical hit with their first original series, "Mad Men," a lush period piece about Madison Avenue advertising executives in the ’60s. Like just about everyone else who saw it, I fell in love with the tense, quiet drama of "Mad Men" and the exquisitely crafted recreation of a place and time full of cigarettes and sexism. Luckily for me, and you, AMC knows which side its bread is buttered on, and they’ve announced that the show will return sometime in July. AMC hasn’t given us a specific date for the premiere, but the season 1 DVD - with its super sweet packaging - will be in stores July first. If you missed the first season, catch it on DVD, "Mad Men" is just swell.
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(Begin pointless personal digression.) I have a soft spot for the semi-annual TV Week Critics Poll. (Read the story here and results here.) Back when the magazine was called Electronic Media, I used to be in the poll all the time, and I started talking to the people over there - we were all in Chicago at the time - and I ended up getting hired as assistant managing editor and getting a whole different look at the industry. While I worked there I ran the poll a couple of times, too, which gave me lots of time to talk to my critic friends who I only got to see on press tour otherwise. So this poll is like an old pal. (End pointless personal digression.)
But seriously, "Pushing Daisies" is better than "Mad Men"??? I don’t think so. Better than "House" or "The Office"?? Really? Uh, no.Ten Best Series1. Pushing […]

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"Mad Men" got nominated for about a million awards this past week, the cast gathered to celebrate, the photographers were there, and I just want to say: Christina Hendricks. Wow.
Go ahead and click on the picture for the full-size version. Look into her eyes and tell me you wouldn’t nominate her for any award possible.
It doesn’t hurt that she’s actually a really good actress, and that "Mad Men" has been an incredible coup for AMC, a great production all around.
But … damn. Christina Hendricks. She’d make a QVC zirconium showcase into appointment television.
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Consider this a reminder item, I guess. As good as "Mad Men" is, tuning to American Movie Classics on Thursdays at 10 still doesn’t exactly come naturally. But AMC’s original series is flat-out terrific, exhuming 1960 Madison Avenue as both a period piece and a meditation on the American Dream. With lots and lots of drinking and sex. Oh, wait, I already said American Dream. But seriously, folks… we should all tune in tonight for our own pleasure and also so AMC is rewarded for this daring effort from "Sopranos" writer Matthew Weiner. How many other shows examine sexual politics, commercial speech and our very identity as a nation, in the context of a terrifically entertaining drama?

That’s some especially fine acting here, first and foremost by Jon Hamm as adman Don Draper,  whose past haunts him daily. He’s outwardly a raging success as an ad man, blazing new trails by […]

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The Times says "Kid Nation" is like "The Real World" only with younger stars. They are neither vehemently negative nor really interested in watching more.
Slate covers blogs by TV characters, like the "Big Love" character Margene, and also posts a  review of "Gossip Girl" which is not as harsh as we’ve been on the show, as well as a backstage note about TV show budgets getting out of hand.
Televisionary has an interview with that dude from "Chuck."
Variety says that AMC’s "Mad Men" is going to get renewed.
Ducky has a bit about "ANTM," and FourFour notes that they’ll have their carefully-crafted nastiness posted every Monday.
And here’s a video clip of Dick and Daniele from "Big Brother 8:"

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This may be the season of women on cable, from "Damages" to "The Closer" to "The Starter Wife" to "Saving Grace," but I’m all about "Mad Men." Maybe it’s a guy thing, which would be ironic. One of "Mad Men’s" strong points is its exploration of the Neanderthal sexual politics of America in 1960. (Although, maybe there’s some truth to the old adage that what you don’t show is more enticing. The bras are unbelievable.) That’s not really it, though. Compared to the Grisham-esque thriller "Damages" and the Lifetime feminism of those other series, AMC’s "Mad Men" feels deep and serious at the same time it’s pretty entertaining.
Last night’s episode 5, coincidentally titled "5G," only deepened this AMC drama’s appeal, opening yet another peephole into the tortured soul of successful Madison Avenue ad man Don Draper (above), played with star-making intensity by the little-known Jon Hamm. Like a character from […]

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I’ve been following Rob Walker’s discussion of "Mad Men" since the show started, and he’s definitely got a neat take on the show. What I like is that he’s not writing about it as a TV show, but as a commentary on the way advertising works, and what people think about advertising. Of course if you want a regular TV-critic’s take, you’d do worse than reading Time’s review. … Meanwhile our Rant of the Day Award goes to Matt Roush over at TV Guide who’s just outraged about the hours he wasted watching "John From Cincinnati" on HBO.
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TVSquad has a review of "Mad Men" that’s so positive, I almost feel embarrassed for them. They say:
"Is it possible to fall in love with a TV show? I don’t mean a show that
you really like and respect and put on your TiVo season pass, I mean a
show you actually want to date and kiss and walk hand in hand with on
the beach? "Mad Men" is that show for me. I’m even in love with
the credits, a montage of black and white graphical images of buildings
and people and subtle, sly music."

Woah, there, TVSquad. Calm down. Sure, it’s a good show, but is it THAT good?
Well, apparently, yes it is. Almost everybody likes it. A ittle Googling turned up one negative review, but "What’s Alan Watching?" likes it. Even the brainy reviewers like NewCritics and Vanity Fair’s James Wolcott think it’s pretty good, if not 100% perfect. Personally, I don’t […]

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