Mad Men

[Mr.Meanie]

I agree. Best drama on TV currently, along with Fringe and Damages.

[BroncoBuff]

Originally Posted by MightySmurf

The critics talk a lot about the shows chronicling of the changes in the social trends in the 60's and I see a lot of that in the three main female characters. Peggy Olson idealizes this by playing the role of the hard charging career-minded female, in contrast to Betty Draper who has embraced the homemaker role, and Joan Halloway who is trying and failing at balancing at both.

Excellent comparisons of the three. The Peggy Olsen sex/pregnancy/secretly giving birth plot points were very well done. Probably the most moving storyline thusfar. Come to think of it, Joan's career compromises, to "marry a doctor" have also been quite moving ... Betty less so imo.

Just realized another distinction between these three: The compromises they make along the way are in inverse proportion to their socioeconomic standing: The privileged Betty always suppresses her goals and wishes, never surrendering to her (frequently burning) desires. The middle-class Joan, though uncompromising in career matters, has all but surrendered her personal life to a very damaged doctor husband. And working class Peggy (is there anything more dreary than her mother's house?) refuses to compromise one iota ... never gives an inch. She's slept with two bosses, given away her newborn, told off her family to move to the big city, and constantly asserts herself in the workplace.

Originally Posted by MightySmurf

I don't know what to make of Bert Cooper. He seems legit, but I'm still wondering about season one where he was making everyone in the office read Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand.

I think Bert's a one-dimensional character really. 'Atlas Shrugged' was a popular novel advocating a "screw the world, I got mine" philosophy called I think objectivism. Took me the entire first season to really accept the fact the actor was really Robert Morse, though ... the same skinny young hyper actor from the 60s.

Originally Posted by Smurf

They all drink ridiculous amounts of liquor that could put any frat guy to shame.

Well, you're the expert on frat guys' ridiculous drinking habits, can't argue there.

Originally Posted by Smurf

I'm just really impressed with this TV show.

I am too, love it. But there's three things that get on my nerves because they're SO overdone: 1) Cigarettes. Okay, we get it, lots of people smoked then, stop slapping us in the face with it. 2) Like you said, the alcohol. Every.single.time someone steps into an office, first thing they do is pour a double of straight hard liquor. To some extent this served as a class/power distinction (they never drink in bullpen/common areas, but always do in private offices). And I suppose the recovering alcoholic aspect of Duck's character helped the narrative of him as an outsider ... but again, we get it. Stop slapping us with it. 3) The sex. Every.single.main.character has cheated on their mate. Every one. Don't turn the show into a soap opera by pretending people were universally promiscuous then, because they weren't. And no, the 60 - especially the early 60s before November 22 - were not nihilistic ... furthest thing from it.

There, glad I got all that out. I feel better now.

[BroncoBuff]

This is the young Robert Morse:

This is the Mad Men Robert Morse:

[Kid A]

Originally Posted by BroncoBuff

I think Bert's a one-dimensional character really. 'Atlas Shrugged' was a popular novel advocating a "screw the world, I got mine" philosophy called I think objectivism. Took me the entire first season to really accept the fact the actor was really Robert Morse, though ... the same skinny young hyper actor from the 60s.

He almost strikes me as the comic relief how he's used. Not much depth so far to his character, but his Asian culture/modern art/Rand quirks are funny to me...as were a couple of his dress-downs of Campbell.

[Swedish Extrovert]

Originally Posted by McKid A

He almost strikes me as the comic relief how he's used. Not much depth so far to his character, but his Asian culture/modern art/Rand quirks are funny to me...as were a couple of his dress-downs of Campbell.

When he dressed down Campbell after Campbell told Cooper about Drapers secret, that was one of the few times I've laughed during the show.

That, and when the guy's foot got run over with a lawn mower.

[BroncoBuff]

Originally Posted by McKid A

He almost strikes me as the comic relief how he's used. Not much depth so far to his character, but his Asian culture/modern art/Rand quirks are funny to me...as were a couple of his dress-downs of Campbell.

Exactly. An example along those lines ... remember when Campbell marched into Bert's office blow the whistle on Don's change of identity, when we were all expecting big problems for Don? How classic was Bert's response, his delivery ... a pause, then the laconic, dismissive reply, "who cares?"

Plus the no shoes thing and the bow ties. Bert's an interesting character, but ultimately one-dimensional. That's probably why Smurf couldn't quite figure him out

[BroncoBuff]

Originally Posted by MightySmurf

January Jones is friggin jaw-dropper ...

Want me to ruin her for you?

STOP READING NOW if your don't want me to ruin her for you.



Okay, you asked for it: She dated Ashton Kutcher for like three years

[Swedish Extrovert]

Here's what wikipedia has to say about Bert Cooper:

Bertram "Bert" Cooper (Robert Morse): The somewhat eccentric senior partner at Sterling Cooper. He leaves the day-to-day running of the firm to Sterling and Draper, but is keenly aware of the firm's operations. Like many of his executives, Bertram is a Republican. He is fascinated by Japanese culture, requiring everybody including clients and his sister (a shareholder) to remove their shoes before walking into his office (which is decorated with Japanese art). He is a fan of the writings of Ayn Rand and implies he knows her personally. Among his eccentricities, Bert frequently walks through the offices in his socks and intensely dislikes gum and smoking (an oddity for the time, especially considering that Lucky Strike cigarettes is a major client). He owns a ranch in Montana and is a widower with no children. Don approaches him about buying back the agency at the end of the third season, which evolves into them forming their own.

[Swedish Extrovert]

Originally Posted by MightySmurf

Here's what wikipedia has to say about Bert Cooper:

Bertram "Bert" Cooper (Robert Morse): The somewhat eccentric senior partner at Sterling Cooper. He leaves the day-to-day running of the firm to Sterling and Draper, but is keenly aware of the firm's operations. Like many of his executives, Bertram is a Republican. He is fascinated by Japanese culture, requiring everybody including clients and his sister (a shareholder) to remove their shoes before walking into his office (which is decorated with Japanese art). He is a fan of the writings of Ayn Rand and implies he knows her personally. Among his eccentricities, Bert frequently walks through the offices in his socks and intensely dislikes gum and smoking (an oddity for the time, especially considering that Lucky Strike cigarettes is a major client). He owns a ranch in Montana and is a widower with no children. Don approaches him about buying back the agency at the end of the third season, which evolves into them forming their own.

I'm pretty sure all the characters in the show are republicans. Considering Draper, Sterling, and Cooper's push to become campaign advisers to Richard Nixon, and during the election when Betty Draper says, "I just don't trust that Kennedy fellow." And goes on to say some nice things about Nixon.

Also, the political adviser that Betty leaves Don for was talking about jumping on the campaign for Nelson Rockefeller for the future 1968 Republican Primary.

[BroncoBuff]

Hate to do this to you guys ... but these cry out to be seen:

. . . . .

[Swedish Extrovert]

Originally Posted by BroncoBuff

Hate to do this to you guys ... but these cry out to be seen:

. . . . .

January Jones does not exist anymore. She IS Betty Draper.

[ShutDownPoster]

Mad Men is my 2nd favorite show, it took a close second place due to the bad assness of Breaking Bad.

What I loved about Mad Men when it first started was being able to watch a show that really dramatized the creative ideas in such a compelling way. As a creative director, its nice design porn to see Don just owning all the stuffy account guys. I will never forget the first time I saw 'The Wheel' and was just blown away by Don's idea and pitch to Kodak.

Didn't i read a story that back in the day - Aston Kutcher dumped January Jones and told her that she would never amount to anything....

[CHANGSTER]

I watch Breaking Bad and used to like it a lot. Now I'm just watching it to see the **** hit the fan. The thing is just so depressing I cant say its a favorite of mine. Any action by anybody on that show ends up bad. Its like Weeds but complete devoid of humor and levity.

[CHANGSTER]

Look out for The Walking Dead being developed for AMC right now. My favorite comic ever. Its about a group of people shortly after a zombie outbreak. Best part is if it takes off theirs pretty much unlimited material for the show since the book if still ongoing. Perfect book for a tv show imo.

[Swedish Extrovert]

Originally Posted by Chris

I don't. I think there are more depressing shows. I'm only half way through season 3 but my favourite episode is still California.

How many tv shows can claim such a flawed protagonist? How many TV shows can exist without having to set up cliffhangers at the end of every episiode? Instead the show leaves me with something to contemplate particularly when thinking of my father / grandfather's generation (Don is a bit in between).

The California episode is amazing.

I also like the Kodak one, as well as the one where Betty goes into labor giving birth.

[bronco militia]

[s0phr0syne]

Originally Posted by CHANGSTER

Look out for The Walking Dead being developed for AMC right now. My favorite comic ever. Its about a group of people shortly after a zombie outbreak. Best part is if it takes off theirs pretty much unlimited material for the show since the book if still ongoing. Perfect book for a tv show imo.

Yeah, can't wait until October.

I think they've got a 6 episode order on it for right now, right? Hopefully it gets picked up for a good long run. Any word if it is B&W too?

[Swedish Extrovert]

Originally Posted by bronco militia

I subscribe to Esquire. Now I can't wait to get my mail tomorrow.

[ghwk]

Originally Posted by Phat Endy

You guys have brought me around. I'll get that disc back from Netflix and give it another shot.

You have to watch 5 or 6 episodes to get into the characters a bit then decide if you like it.

Roger is my favorite, a total narcissist but man do they give him some funny lines.

[ShutDownPoster]

Originally Posted by CHANGSTER

I watch Breaking Bad and used to like it a lot. Now I'm just watching it to see the **** hit the fan. The thing is just so depressing I cant say its a favorite of mine. Any action by anybody on that show ends up bad. Its like Weeds but complete devoid of humor and levity.

Hey Changster,

BB is actually very funny - maybe not in the 'Dumb & Dumber' category. Let's not forget Bryan Cranston was awesome in Malcom In The Middle - and you do see some of that in Walt - like when he threw that pizza on the roof a couple of weeks ago.

Anyway I still love Mad Men too.

Now this is one lucky bastage - thats the guy in the back of the car in Super Troopers during the 'Meow' scene!

[CHANGSTER]

Originally Posted by ShutDownPoster

Hey Changster,

BB is actually very funny - maybe not in the 'Dumb & Dumber' category. Let's not forget Bryan Cranston was awesome in Malcom In The Middle - and you do see some of that in Walt - like when he threw that pizza on the roof a couple of weeks ago.

Anyway I still love Mad Men too.

Now this is one lucky bastage - thats the guy in the back of the car in Super Troopers during the 'Meow' scene!

Yeah, I guess humors just a little too dark for my tastes.

And what the what! How did that guy land her?

[ShutDownPoster]

Originally Posted by CHANGSTER

Yeah, I guess humors just a little too dark for my tastes.

And what the what! How did that guy land her?

Landing on her as we speak -

[watermock]

So, WTF?

Why do you care, liar?

[ShutDownPoster]

Originally Posted by watermock

So, WTF?

Why do you care, liar?

get off the booze - meant that guy is landing on her as we speak, not me. idiot.

[ghwk]

Some Great Quotes:

Don Draper: We should get married.
Midge Daniels:You think I’d make a good ex-wife?

Pete Campbell: Of course I love you. I’m giving up my life to be with you, aren’t I?

Ken Cosgrove: Pegs, a woman who looks like that will never sound confident, because she never is confident.
Peggy Olson: Baloney.
Ken: Honey, it’s God’s gift to bachelors; the juiciest gazelle is the easiest to catch.

Don Draper: Let me ask you something, what do woman want?
Roger Sterling: Who cares?

Roger Sterling: (to Don) At some point, we've all parked in the wrong garage.


And the classic from the Kodak episode
Don Draper: Well, technology is a glittering lure, but um there is the rare occasion when the public can be engaged on a level beyond flash, if they have a sentimental bond with the product. My first job, I was in-house at a fur company and this old pro copywriter, Greek, named Teddy. And Teddy told me the most important idea in advertising is ‘new,’ it creates an itch. You simply put your product in there as a kind of calamine lotion. But he also talked about a deeper bond with the product; nostalgia. It’s delicate, but potent.

Teddy told me that in Greek, nostalgia literally means the pain from an old wound. It’s a twinge in your heart, far more powerful than memory alone. This device isn’t a spaceship, it’s a time machine. Goes backwards, forwards, and takes us to a place where we ache to go again. It’s not called “The Wheel,” it’s called “The Carousel.” It lets us travel the way a child travels, round and around and back home again, to a place where we know we are loved.