I like the plot description for this new episode of Mad Men, "Souvenir." It says "Don takes Betty on a business trip and Pete helps a neighbor in his building." I like that summary because 1) it doesn't really tell you anything but you're intrigued, and 2) it describes two things that have never happened before. Don taking Betty on a business trip with him??
Vincent Kartheiser is so good in this scene below, and the writing is just so smart.
rich sommer-related stories
Sneak Peek: this Sunday's Mad Men
Sneak Peek: this Sunday's Mad Men
I'm not someone who thinks that a TV episode title (or book title or film title or song title) automatically means that the episode will be great, but isn't "Guy Walks Into An Advertising Agency" a terrific title for a Mad Men episode? In this sneak peek below, Lane Pryce and his irritating assistant John Hooker have a big announcement for the staff of Sterling Cooper.
Sneak Peek: this Sunday's Mad Men
This clip from Sunday's episode "The Arrangements" doesn't show it, but Don and his father-in-law have a confrontation, probably because of Sally's thieving ways or about Gene staying there in general. Another plot involves Ann-Margret, played by Kelsey Sanders. Should be a good ep.
The clip below shows Don in a bad mood and not happy about more bad news that Ken, Harry, and Sal bring him.
The clip below shows Don in a bad mood and not happy about more bad news that Ken, Harry, and Sal bring him.
One more big post about Mad Men before tonight's season premiere
Hey, did you hear Mad Men's third season debuts tonight at 10 on AMC? Actually, when the show is this good, I don't mind the hype.To prepare for the third season, here are some more web goodies for you (in addition to avatars, sneak peeks and recaps). The New York Times has an article on the cocktails of the Mad Men era, and if you want to make some of your own AMC has the drink recipes. AMC also has a Which Mad Man Are You? quiz. Or how about buying some of the era's items for your house?
There are also several interviews to read before the premiere, including Jon Hamm (here too), Christina Hendricks, Elisabeth Moss, and Vincent Kartheiser.
Oh, something from the other night, after the jump...
Continue reading One more big post about Mad Men before tonight's season premiere
More Mad Men video goodness
AMC is starting to post more and more videos at their Mad Men site in anticipation of this Sunday's third season premiere. Below are two videos from the Mad Men premiere party that was held recently.
I like the life lesson that Alison Brie (Trudy Campbell) thinks the Sesame Street Mad Men parody will try to instill in kids.
I like the life lesson that Alison Brie (Trudy Campbell) thinks the Sesame Street Mad Men parody will try to instill in kids.
Continue reading More Mad Men video goodness
Some big news for Mad Men fans
Actually, two pieces of big news.First, everyone has been wondering when season three of the AMC show would start. A lot of people have been speculating late summer, and then the network said it would be August, but now we have a definite date. The third season will bow on Sunday, August 16 at 10PM.
Continue reading Some big news for Mad Men fans
Mad Men starts filming this week
Yesterday, to be exact. Rich Sommer (Harry) is Twittering about it, and Variety has a story.
The Variety piece says that AMC has "delayed" the show until August 16, but I don't think it's really a delay since the show just started filming this week. Who wants them to rush things? Sure, it's a month later than usual (the show usually premieres in July) so I guess it's a delay, in general, but contract negotiations with Matthew Weiner and other things factored into that. It's still pretty much on target with its season opener, though the show will now go even deeper into the regular seasons of the major networks. The show remains in its Sunday night at 10PM slot.
Continue reading Mad Men starts filming this week
Here's the DVD cover for season two of Mad Men
Filming for the third season of Mad Men starts in a few weeks (and starts on AMC in August), but some folks want to watch season two again (or for the first time). Here's the cover for the season two DVD package and here are the extras.It's not a cigarette lighter, but it's still pretty cool.
Mad Men close to renewal for a third season
This isn't going to be the most earth-shattering news of the day, considering it's the most buzzed about show on television and just won Emmys for Best Writing and Best Drama. But it's good news for Mad Men fans: the series is THIS close to being picked up for a third season.
The Hollywood Reporter says that AMC has told Lionsgate that they want to renew the show for a third season, though the terms of the renewal depend on what deal they make with creator/producer/writer Matthew Weiner.
Continue reading Mad Men close to renewal for a third season
Mad Men: A Night To Remember - VIDEO
(S02E08) "Crab, Duck. Duck, Crab." - Roger, introducing Crab to Duck.
I have a 12-pack of Heineken in my fridge right now. I don't drink it, but my roommate does. So it's fun to see the Sterling Cooper gang going after the beer company.
But can I say that I don't get Betty's reaction at the party when it came to the beer? Sure, this is just one more thing that she feels Don "deceives" her about, but I don't think he was doing anything particularly bad to her. What is nasty are the boldfaced lies that he tells her when she confronts him about his affair with Bobbie. Though I wonder, what else can he do? I know, I know, tell the truth. But given what the truth is, he probably feels that he has to lie or he's going to be that guy in the credits, falling from the sky as his world collapses beneath him.
Continue reading Mad Men: A Night To Remember - VIDEO
Mad Men: The Gold Violin - VIDEO
(S02E07) "You're not like everyone else around here." - Ken, to Sal
So Don Draper used to be a car salesman?
I guess it fits with the career path of an advertising guy, and ties in nicely with the plot of Don getting a new car because he's moving up in the world of business in general and Sterling Cooper specifically. There's a big unresolved issue in this episode though. I'm really glad they brought it up but a little disappointed that they didn't follow through with it, though I'm sure we'll see more of the plot in later episodes this season.
It could actually change the entire direction of the show.
Continue reading Mad Men: The Gold Violin - VIDEO
Mad Men: Maidenform - VIDEO
(S02E06) "If we were to take you to see some women in their underwear, would that be too much like work?" - Fred, to the Playtex guys
Is it just me or is Don's affair with Bobbie nastier than his affairs with Midge and Rachel from season one? Not just that it's rougher and more blunt, but the way that he's doing it. With Midge and Rachel, it seemed like a natural part of his life and it happened away from home and it was separate. This year it seems like he's making a lot of excuses to Betty about where he has to be, like tonight when he lies to her in the middle of the country club bash to call Bobbie. And there's also a meanness and a sadness to the entire relationship.
Having said that, I think I laughed more in this episode than any other episode of the show so far.
Continue reading Mad Men: Maidenform - VIDEO
Mad Men: The New Girl
(S02E05) "This is America. Pick a job and become the person who does it." - Bobbie, to Don
Is there any other show on TV right now that packs so much stuff into one episode? So many revelations, so many character developments, so many nuances? People who only have the attention span for music videos have complained that "nothing ever happens" on Mad Men, but I say that more happens in an episode of this show than three or four of most other shows on the air right now.
This episode was amazing. Not only did we get the background story on one of the big mysteries of the first season (if this was Lost the message boards would be going crazy right now), we got to see a different side of a few characters and the very welcome (if quick) return of an old favorite. Though I wonder how her new situation will affect Don in the upcoming episodes.
Continue reading Mad Men: The New Girl
Mad Men: Three Sundays
(S02E04) "That was beautiful. Are you going to say Grace now?" - Peggy's mom, to the priest
This episode brought a big smile to my face for one reason: Pete was wining and dining the Gorton's people! I grew up a few blocks away from the Gorton's headquarters, so it was great to see them as the latest client of Sterling Cooper. Hopefully we'll see them in the future too as we've repeatedly seen Belle Jolie, Utz, and Mohawk Airlines.
The rest of the episode shows how intricate this show is. It sort of worries me in a way. How can people who didn't see the first season get into this show, the characters, the rhythms, the seven different stories that each character is carrying around with them? How does the show grow in viewership? I don't know. I just know I love it and other dedicated fans do too, and I hope that's enough for many years to come.
Continue reading Mad Men: Three Sundays
Mad Men: The Benefactor - VIDEO
(S02E03) "Some glib ad man, in that suit, cigarette perfectly in hand, not a hair out of place...here to tell him he's a bad boy?" - Jimmy's wife Bobbie, explaining to Don while Jimmy hates him
I was eating a sandwich (late dinner) while watching this episode of Mad Men, and you know what I was eating with it? Utz potato chips! I actually bought them specifically for the episode today because I knew that one of the plots had to do with an Utz account that Sterling Cooper was handling. This could be a trend, eating/drinking/using a product that a Mad Men plot revolves around. I'm not saying I'm going to be wearing Belle Jolie while watching an episode, but if there's one show that could make me do it it's this one.
Now, who does everyone think Jimmy was modeled after?
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