A
few years ago, a friend of mine told me that she watched an episode of this new
show about ad execs, set in 1960s New York. It was funny because it was true to
life back then, but so wrong – moms smoking in the kitchen while kids ran around with dry
cleaner bags on their heads? Crazy! Dads driving around town with kids crawling
over the seats? Insane! And it was about being swanky in New York in
the 1960s. I was mildly
intrigued. At the time I was waiting for
Weeds to start its new season, and I needed to fill the expanding holes
in my mind with something other than whatever I was doing before I started blogging. In any case, I started watching, and then I couldn’t
stop. It was not meant to
be a funny show. I didn’t
care. I was hooked.
I
love Mad Men. And, like all good things,
it is coming to an end. Let’s not talk
about that, though. Let’s not even think
it, and my goodness especially let’s not think about the fact that I only own
seasons one through four on DVD and we’re already on season seven for pity’s
sake. And let’s definitely not think
about how many awesome (and not-so-awesome) shows air for years and years (Hello again,
The Simpsons and Law & Order! That’s enough, Two and a Half Men.) What up, Mad Men? You’ve still got a decade or two left in you,
certainly.
Let’s
not think about how my list of favorite shows will go from four to three when
Mad Men ends. Let’s not think about the
pouting or the sobbing or the wailing or the despondent cookie eating when that
happens. Let’s think about all the
things I love about my favorite show.
1.
Jon Hamm. Sure, he’s Don Draper, the jerky
jerkerson cheater cheater pants on fire liar on the show, but he’s soooooo
handsome. Does that make me shallow or
stupid? I don’t know. He's handsome.
2.
1960s swank. When I got a load of Don
and Megan’s crash pad, I almost had a conniption. All the mid century mod! Everything’s low to the ground, all white
carpet and sleek lines that I only see in the home of my dreams. The scenes where Megan is playing house, cooking
in the tiny kitchen, made me cry. “Girl,
turn off that hot pad! What’re you doing, heating a ham slice and a can of
corn? Put on your micromini and make
that man take you to Lutèce!” Do people
say conniption nowadays?
3. The business. It’s so… business-y. I am terrible at business, but I love that the characters on the show seem to work hard while appearing like they’re not doing anything but sitting around looking crisp and fresh. Closing deals and mergers and making millions never looked so effortless.
4. People are dressed. Mad Men’s wardrobe is eye candy. Even Betty the housewife has gorgeous
bathrobes and matching pajama ensembles.
I love the fashion on the show, even though it makes me question my own
choices. Today I went out in my yoga
pants and a white sweatshirt I wore every morning this week AND last, and I wondered
where life went wrong. I want mod minis and sweater sets, pencil skirts and pretty dresses every day! And get my nails painted red and my hair set
and look pulled together instead of like I found my clothes on the floor of a
frat house.
5. John Slattery. His Roger Sterling is the comedic element on
this show. This silver fox has nine
lives, and he’s always smiling. He is
ageless – he looks 50 but acts 15, is drunk and/or high always, and is an
insufferable cad, but I look forward to his one-liners each week. Plus he's always, always in a suit.
6. The way they talk. People were still polite in the 1960s, and
they are polite to each other on the show, even when they're back-stabbing
each other. There’s little name-calling or
lashing out. The pursed lips and side-eyes on this show are
much more interesting than hearing a litany of curse words any day.
7. The drinking and smoking. So I live in a world that still operates under the illusion that strong drinks and cigarettes are glamorous. Bar carts in offices and an ashtray by the bed are de rigueur on the show and never frowned upon by the characters. Kids are taught to mix drinks and use a Zippo at an early age. Okay, so they had heart attacks in their 30s. Still, try to tell me you didn't want to be them before they hit the floor.
8. The art! These people have money, and they show's all about an ad agency! So the
offices and homes are filled with art. I’m
too much of a hick to know what they’ve got hanging on the walls, but darn if I don't notice something pretty over there in the corner in every episode.
9.
Christina Hendricks. Her corporate ladder-climbing office
manager-turned partner Joan Harris is a woman who is out for herself, ambitious
and selectively kind. Be sure to stay on her good side or you’ll find
yourself sharing an office with the Xerox machine.
10. It’s on Sunday nights. Ah, you think I’m stretching with this one,
don’t you? Nope. Sunday nights are my favorite nights for
watching TV. It’s because Sundays are
typically lazy days, and there’s nothing to do those nights - we’re all tucked in, ready for the week. All but one of my favorite four shows are on
Sundays.
And when Mad Men is over, there will only be three. I miss it already. *sniff*
*******
This post inspired by:
Mama Kat's Writing Workshop
Prompt #5: List 10
things you love about your favorite show.
Ah! I love Mad Men too. For all the same reasons. And it's just SO well-written. I'm really looking forward to seeing how Matthew Weiner brings it to an end.
ReplyDeleteYou said Weiner.
DeleteAnd me too.
One day they are going to discover all of the issues they thought were caused by cigarettes and two-martini lunches are actually the fault of too many vegetables. And then it's back to unfiltered cigarettes and fabulous aprons :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I will be there with my lipstick on, eating Melba toast and smoking at the breakfast table.
DeleteOMG!!! I adore Mad Men. Love, love, love! I have slight anxiety attacks when I think of it ending - and honestly, I can't believe they're splitting the season up on us! We're going to have to wait a whole year to see how it ends.
ReplyDeleteI wrote a blog post about the show last year. I know it's not cool to post links, so I won't. But if you interested - email me and I'll share it.
Is there something wrong with me that I want Don and Betty back together? I know, I know...twisted!
WHAT? They're splitting the last season up? You have brought me some new information that makes me happy. But wait a minute - does that mean that this season will be super-short? And do you remember a few years ago when they made us wait eighteen MONTHS between seasons? Not fair, Mad Men. Not fair at all.
DeleteYes - only 7 episodes, with the last 7 starting next winter:(.
DeleteI've never seen this show either, lol. I guess it's because I don't watch live TV, we have netflix. but i think i saw this show on there, i guess i should check it out!
ReplyDeleteCinella @ TMB
stoppin by from mama kats blog
To be fair, I hardly ever watch anything live either. My TV watching habits are grossly inadequate. Check out Mad Men. I don't think you'll be disappointed. Unless you don't like 1960s swanky New York, rich handsome men, and women who look like Jackie O EVERY DAY.
Deletei LOVE mad men. way too much. mostly for reason number one on your list. i didn't know it was ending and i don't even know what season i watched last. this is terrible.
ReplyDeleteJon Hamm really could be reasons one through ten why we love this show, and no one would blame us for it. I'm jealous that you have several seasons to catch up on.
DeleteI've never watched, but your description is fantastic.
ReplyDeleteI think you need to watch. I mean, it's pretty much mandatory that you do. :)
DeleteI've never watched Mad Men, and I really don't need to add another show to my schedule (especially one that is ending), but I'm really tempted to check it out.
ReplyDeleteStopping by from Mama Kat's.
I get not needing another show to follow - hoo-wee, my TV schedule is packed with the four that I watch. Man, I can hardly keep up.
DeleteLook at it this way: now that it's ending, you don't have to worry about playing catch-up. You can binge-watch at your leisure.
Now I'm going to have to check it out. I love sixties swank and I am so with you in wishing that cigs and martini's were actually GOOD for your health!
ReplyDeleteThe swank is really what sets it apart, isn't it? I think you'll love it.
DeleteI don't watch, but definitely enjoy the era! Maybe I could have gotten into this one!
ReplyDeleteIt is never too late to start...
DeleteHOW DID I NOT KNOW SEASON 7 HAD STARTED ALREADY???
ReplyDeleteYou sound like I did when I realized I had missed the entire last season of Parenthood...
DeleteJon. Hamm. Enough said.
ReplyDeleteIt is enough, isn't it? :)
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