Review Mad Men

[tribey]

Have never seen a single episode.

On a scale of 1-10 how much am I missing out?

 

[Forzaport]

I'd say 6.

7 if you have a thing for red heads.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

I watched all of the first season but then SBS have stuffed the time slot around which means I've missed it too often, and also then when I moved back to SA and was bunked down at my sisters it clashed with what she wanted to watch but I reckon its a 7.5 to 8.

Its well written and pretty authentic 50's/60's costumes furnishings vernacular etc.

The 1950's and early 1960's is reported as a bit of a golden age in America, when life was more simple and more pure and more moralistic. But if you have read a decent amount of US history you will see that there was a sleazy underbelly to US politics, business, and life in general but it was ignored/not talked about/not reported. This series exposes some of that underbelly.

Oh yeah and the redhead adds a half a point!

 

[Burningleviathan]

In the same boat. Got the first season recently. Gave the pilot a watch and thought it was alright. I don't watch a lot of TV and i think it's watchable.

 

[CrimsonRaven]

Very meh. Hyped to high heaven though.

 

[Portia]

Its extremely good but a slow starter.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

Tribey I'm in the same boat about The Wire. Earlier this year spoke to my mate who is a big fan of it - told him I had read and heard great reviews about it, but never seen it.

He suggested I go to my local library or state library and see if I can borrow it, watch the first few eposides and then if I like it as much as him buy the DVD of the whole series.

May be you can do that with Mad Men tribey. And I should get off my backside and see if I can borrow The Wire.

 

[tribey]

Thanks for the responses guys, will endeavour to Pilot.

 

[morell]

Matey, watch it, and stick with it. Its more layered than an onion - its not an instant gratification type show.

Imo best tv show since the sopranos

 

[bomberclifford]

Tribey I'm in the same boat about The Wire. Earlier this year spoke to my mate who is a big fan of it - told him I had read and heard great reviews about it, but never seen it.

He suggested I go to my local library or state library and see if I can borrow it, watch the first few eposides and then if I like it as much as him buy the DVD of the whole series.

May be you can do that with Mad Men tribey. And I should get off my backside and see if I can borrow The Wire.

REH, The Wire is hands down the best television show I've ever seen. Just outstanding. Well worth the effort to get hold of all the seasons and watch them from start to finish.

Tribey, MadMen is very good but has some weird episodes where you're not sure what just happened. I think they had issues with writers at some stage so the feel of the story changes between seasons. Worth watching though.

 

[Portology]

Tribey, it's a "10" !!

It's a period show, watching a few episodes in a row via DVD or iTunes works really well, especially when mixed with a few drinks. The attention to detail in the production design is incredible. Some great jarring moments where people are casually doing things that just aren't done anymore. The show is into its 5th season now, and the characters do grow and change (or not in some cases!) with the times. They do a good job of inserting a few historic events into the background, elections, heavyweight fights, civil rights, etc. It can seem a slow starter, but it works its way into your mind and pretty soon you too will be wishing you can reach into your office desk for a 10AM double scotch on the rocks.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

Just watching the Charlie Rose show on Bloomberg TV and I remembered he interviewed 3 or 4 of cast members and creator of the show Matthew Weiner a few weeks ago.

For those who don't know Rose his show is on PBS in USA but shown on Bloomberg TV around the world as his interview takes place around a big oak table in the Bloomberg building. Its a great show, only found it last September when I reconnected pay TV. Just a dumb time slot of 12:30 or 1:30am depending on daylight savings. He's done stuff with CBS News was the anchor of CBS News Nightwatch and was on CBS 60 minutes. From his bio page.

Emmy award winning journalist Charlie Rose has been praised as “one of America's premier interviewers.” He is the host of Charlie Rose, the nightly PBS program that engages the world's best thinkers, writers, politicians, athletes, entertainers, business leaders, scientists and other newsmakers. USA Today calls Charlie Rose, “TV's most addictive talk show.” New York Newsday says, “Charlie's show is the place to get engaging, literate conversation... Bluntly, he is the best interviewer around today.”

Charlie Rose is unique. The round oak table, perhaps the most recognized table on television, and the black backdrop, provide an intimate atmosphere for showcasing smart conversation. Journalist Morley Safer, of CBS' “60 Minutes,” calls the program “the last refuge of intelligent conversation on television.”

This is an interview at the start of season 5 after a 17 month break on March22 and a 53 minute interview.

Charlie and guest host Gayle King discuss the upcoming season of Mad Men with the show's creator Matthew Weiner and cast: Jon Hamm, Christina Hendricks, January Jones & Vincent Kartheiser.

http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/12256

And here is another interview from July 2008 at the end of the first season with creator Matthew Weiner and main cast members Jon Hamm, and John Slattery.

http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/9192

 

[DonDraper]

I'm quite a big fan of it as I'm sure some people could tell...

It's pretty brilliant. Just keeps getting better and better too IMO. Current season has been immense

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

I'm quite a big fan of it as I'm sure some people could tell...

It's pretty brilliant. Just keeps getting better and better too IMO. Current season has been immense

Ah yeah of course. No wonder there is also a Don Draper -essendon supporter who posted something on the main board I took note of, and wonder if it was you. I thought I had heard of the name before but had a mental blank at the time.

 

[Changaneen]

I'll have to have a look now Tribes, you've got me curious.

Speaking of mad men

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Nuts bigger than a baby elephant.

 

[neddy36]

Some friends have recommended it to me and this thread inspired me to finally go ahead and watch it.

Hired S1 on Tuesday and finished the entire season last night. Just brilliant. I'm a massive fan of The Wire, the writing for Mad Men is up there with it. I just love the sets, fashion, the smoking and drinking! Not to mention Alison Brie (Trudy Campbell).

Can't wait to get started on S2 next week.