Showing posts with label Mad Men. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mad Men. Show all posts

Monday, July 26, 2010

Mad Men: Public Relations Vs. The Dangerously Dapper Don

Mad Men-Don & Reporter What was Don thinking when he eluded a reporter’s  “Who is Don Draper?” – question, I’m guessing, he still does not like talking about himself.  Perhaps just this once, he should have.  During the premier episode of the fourth season for AMC’s “Mad Men”, Don Draper’s aloofness comes close to costing his newly formed company some business, business they can’t afford to lose.   To top it off, The partners are informed by Pete that his buddy, Ho-Ho is pulling the Jai Alai account because Don didn’t mention them in the interview.  And his partners aren’t too happy.  Don is unimpressed.

One of many interesting highlights of the new episode was the  Jantzen swimwear execs that Pete snagged into a meeting as potential clients. 

Although Don presented the Jantzen execs with a great layout showing a black bar that covered the model's breasts along with a catchy slogan, "So well built, we can't show you the second floor".  The execs objected, insisting they want to remain a wholesome company and their two-piece swimsuits should be presented as such.  Don gets fed up with prudish restrictions.  He snaps, “You’re too scared of the skin your two-piece was designed to show off.”  He stalks out; only to return and kick them out of the office, literally.  Priceless.

Don wasn’t the only one  causing mayhem  in Sunday’s episode…

After Pete loses the Sugarberry Ham account – Peggy comes up with the idea to hire actresses to fight over the ham at a grocery store.   They neglect to consult with Don.  Who later has to provide Peggy with bail and hush money for the women.

During Thanksgiving dinner at Henry’s mother’s house.  It’s clear that the writers are continuing to develop Sally’s defiant and strong-willed behavior from last season.  Right at the dining table with all guests present, she spits out the sweet potatoes that her mother crammed into her mouth after she clearly refused to eat them - perhaps she should have been named Don Jr.  

Henry’s mother pulled no punches when later letting Henry know she does not care for his new wife.  Telling him, not only did she think Betty was silly and beneath him, but that he could have gotten what he wanted from Betty without marrying her.  Doubt if she’s campaigning for mother-in-law of the year.

Betty, Henry and the kids are still living in the Ossining home past the date stipulated in the divorce settlement.   And to throw salt into his already impatient wounds,  Henry and Betty kept Don waiting the evening following Thanksgiving.  Betty is so openly inconsiderate and flip about it, that Don requests that they move out or start paying rent. "It's temporary," says Henry.  "Trust me, everybody thinks this is temporary," Don snaps.  Yet exits mannerly.

Betty is steamed, but Henry thinks they should move, and points out to Betty that she hasn’t even been looking.  Of course, Betty claims she wants to spare the kids further upheaval.  Perhaps its because she’s being  spiteful toward Don, not to mention attempting to play both ends against the middle,  for the attention she so hungrily curves.

The episode concludes with Dapper Don Draper meeting with a Wall Street Journal reporter.  And with charm and finest abandoning all modesty, Don tells the reporter.  "Last year, our agency was being swallowed whole," The reporter is on the edge of his seat intrigue while trying to capture every word.  Don lifts his glass & says. "I could die of boredom or holster up my guns.  So I walked into Lane Pryce's office and I said, 'Fire us.' Within a year, we'd taken over two floors of the Time-Life Building."

And that’s how MM starts its fourth season – so worth the wait.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Mad Men’s Betty Draper’s Ordeal - Depression or Selfishness?

You do not have to be a television couch-potato, to become a die-hard fan of Mad Men (aka MM) all it seems to take is your undivided attention to an episode – and you could very well become hooked.  Most baby-boomers can appreciate how well the series’ managers to capture the ambiance of the 60s era.  And everyone else can just appreciate the opportunity to be transported back in time and experience what they weren’t able to first-hand.

Writer, Susan Weissman’s recent (11 November 2009) article in The Huffington Post, posed a question that ask, if the alluring Betty Draper  character would smile before next season’s final episodeBetty Draper - Mad Men,   Well, since the third season finale aired Sunday 8 November 2009, and it was a tantalizing cliff-hanging finale, with the promise of a phenomenal fourth season; it’s probably safe to say that MM fans are more interested in the start of the fourth season next year, as oppose to the final episode.

As for Betts (as her husband Don refers to her as), she's what some refer to as spoiled and self-centered.  Most women like Betty who were so use to having the spotlight shone on them that they can't bare to have anyone else upstage them in the attention category, including their own children - so they create a dramatic/depressed atmosphere, starring none other than themselves.  It appears that Betty doesn't smile often because she wants someone to ask her what they can do for her or give to her to make her smile.  Perhaps she is frustrated with her life, because she's not doing much to contribute to her own happiness.

Anyway,  Betts appears to be going from one open-wallet to another  with her latest human-ATM, Hunter, the only thing is, she's not really taking much to the table is she? No, she's a pampered brat who does not work outside the home, but has the nerve to drink and smoke while watching her housekeeper cook, clean, & care for her children.  Yet, she still can't seem to find a way to accomplish any goal she may have had or find anything meaningful to do with her endless free time.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mad Men Is On Point

When Mad Men debuted on AMC in 2007 it quickly became one of the most talked about series on television. The show set in 1960ish New York, focuses on the men and women of Madison Avenue Advertising. The show even made history as the first series to win an Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series; it also won Golden Globe’s Best Television Series – Drama.

One interesting element of the show is that there is a tremendous amount of cigarette smoking throughout each episode, depicting how rampant cigarette smoking was during that era; in the boardroom, the bedroom, and shall we gasp?, even pregnant women; which makes you wonder how/why everyone growing up in the 60s isn’t dead or suffering from cigarette-related cancer of some sorts. The series’ recreation is so on point you can almost feel the burning sensation in your eyes that takes you back to the days of smoked-filled rooms clouded with Camels and Kools.

The show has developed in to such a pop-cultural phenomenon with such a passionate fan base Mad Men continues to surpass everyone’s expectations with each new episode. And the record 4.5 Maddicts viewers tuning into the premiere Season 3, were delighted to learn that the show has been picked up just three episodes into the current season. The captivating world of Sterling Cooper will be back on AMC again next year." said Charlie Collier, president and general manager of AMC. And just in case you’re new to this television sensation -- Mad Men currently airs Sunday nights on AMC at 10pm | 9c.

Even if you’ve not yet become a Maddict fan you may still wish to tune in to catch a glimpse of priceless moments such as the one aired in last night’s episode. The scene begins innocently enough, with an older man walking out of the house carrying three large phone books, chatting with his two grandchildren who are on their way to school; but it’s the look on nine year old Sally’s Draper face as Grandpa Gene presses down on her foot to increase her driving speed from 5 mph to a whopping 25 - 30 mph is one of sheer delightful devilment; as she expertly maneuvers the family’s black Lincoln through the Suburban NY streets during another of her Grandpa’s many escapades; to drop she and her younger brother off at their Grammar school. And if by chance you miss it the first go round at 10pm, the show immediately re-airs in its entirely at 11pm. But the Mad Men Maddicts already know that; so select a time, tune in, and be a Maddict that's on point too.

Mad Men Is On Point

When Mad Men debuted on AMC in 2007 it quickly became one of the most talked about series on television. The show set in 1960ish New York, focuses on the men and women of Madison Avenue Advertising. The show even made history as the first series to win an Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series; it also won Golden Globe’s Best Television Series – Drama.

One interesting element of the show is that there is a tremendous amount of cigarette smoking throughout each episode, depicting how rampant cigarette smoking was during that era; in the boardroom, the bedroom, and shall we gasp?, even pregnant women; which makes you wonder how/why everyone growing up in the 60s isn’t dead or suffering from cigarette-related cancer of some sorts. The series’ recreation is so on point you can almost feel the burning sensation in your eyes that takes you back to the days of smoked-filled rooms clouded with Camels and Kools.

The show has developed in to such a pop-cultural phenomenon with such a passionate fan base Mad Men continues to surpass everyone’s expectations with each new episode. And the record 4.5 Maddicts viewers tuning into the premiere Season 3, were delighted to learn that the show has been picked up just three episodes into the current season. The captivating world of Sterling Cooper will be back on AMC again next year." said Charlie Collier, president and general manager of AMC. And just in case you’re new to this television sensation -- Mad Men currently airs Sunday nights on AMC at 10pm | 9c.

Even if you’ve not yet become a Maddict fan you may still wish to tune in to catch a glimpse of priceless moments such as the one aired in last night’s episode. The scene begins innocently enough, with an older man walking out of the house carrying three large phone books, chatting with his two grandchildren who are on their way to school; but it’s the look on nine year old Sally’s Draper face as Grandpa Gene presses down on her foot to increase her driving speed from 5 mph to a whopping 25 - 30 mph is one of sheer delightful devilment; as she expertly maneuvers the family’s black Lincoln through the Suburban NY streets during another of her Grandpa’s many escapades; to drop she and her younger brother off at their Grammar school. And if by chance you miss it the first go round at 10pm, the show immediately re-airs in its entirely at 11pm. But the Mad Men Maddicts already know that; so select a time, tune in, and be a Maddict that's on point too.