I Like It Mad

HELP! I need somebody. Help! Not just anybody. Specifically, I need Don Draper to rescue me from the doldrums of summer television. Ask and 1964 will deliver, with the fourth season of MAD MEN.
In the latest incarnation of MAD MEN we’re following our sexist alcoholics through the trials and tribulations of their fight as an upstart ad agency. The show embodies the changing atmosphere of the time, particularly concerning style, that was marked by the British invasion of the Beatles.
The workplace environment at the newly minted “Sterling Cooper Draper (British Guy)” reflects the latest fads and style with office décor and the dress of the hipsters, Peggy (Elisabeth Moss) and some art guy (I couldn’t find out who he was, but he looks exactly like the male lead in SYNDEY WHITE. Yeah, I’ve seen that movie multiple times…).
It is especially interesting to note the evolution of Peggy, who is the modern woman. Her fight for equality may not be completely over, but she has won the war and the few men who don’t know it yet will find out soon. She acts and looks like the female coed of the late 60s, as if she should be preaching about the women’s liberation movement and then going to a kegger. She’s cool, she’s sophisticated and sexually aware. Although Peggy wouldn’t go to a women’s liberation meeting, she would just seize the day and let the other ladies wake up to reality. (I’m writing about you, Joan.) A lot of this power stems from the way Don courted her when forming his new agency, which suggested how important she was and probably solidified her confidence.
Peggy’s unofficial other-half, Pete Campbell (Vincent Kartheiser), has found his own place as the mover and shaker at SCDP (I think the P stands for Pryce). Campbell is now essentially head of accounts, with the other account men existing solely as names on the door. He’s still as annoying as ever, but he has sort of settled down into a somewhat likeable character. At SCDP his future is essentially whatever he can make of it, whereas as at the old place he was stuck behind Ken Cosgrove. All of this explains his drive and desire, which are limitless because his potential is limitless. Ok, that’s not completely true, because his insufferableness will eventually sabotage him.
It’s too bad for Pete that he could never be Roger Sterling (John Slattery). Slattery takes over the character of Sterling with a new direction, so far as he appears concerned with the trip now. He is working to expand their agency with a passion previously only reserved for drinking and screwing. Granted, he is mostly the classic Roger, who is more concerned with Don’s social life than his work life, even though he is the boss.
Most importantly, though, Roger delivers the best line of the night. When critiquing Don for not giving a reporter enough facts, he says the reporter was forced to make certain “assumptions.” That whole speech brought down the crowd at the Lombardo household, err, apartment, with my mom and I laughing, as my dad shushed us.
In case you’re wondering about the rest of the staff, here is a quick rundown: Joan is basically the head administrator, with some heretofore unseen responsibilities that probably represent more duties than at her old post. We’ll probably see how her dick of a husband feels about all this work, as hopefully we’ll get to watch him walk out on him and hopefully into the arms of Wilt Chamberlin. Seriously, who from the show should she settle for? I think that’s the real problem, which is that any guy would be her settling.
Kinsey, Kenny and the weird foreign duo appear to have not made the cut. Last we saw Pete was chosen over Ken and Peggy over Kinsey, but hopefully they’ll get to join the team in some capacity. Although team isn’t exactly right, they’re form of a family in this latest installment (I’ll get to that).
Henry Crane (Rich Sommer) did make the cut in his capacity as TV guy. I don’t remember exactly how it all went down, but I think he was bullied into joining the SCDP. His first appearance this season was very amusing, as he returned from a trip to California with a quality sun burn on his forehead. His most interesting development, though, was his role in a meeting where a client jumped ship. He wasn’t just a scared member of the family, but more like an aging son whose opinion is now respected and counted.
So about this family dynamic, I really feel like what we have at the office is a family. This is especially evident in the case of Don, who doesn’t really have a family since his wife started banging Henry and winning mother of the year awards. Now Don is defined by his work, more than he was when he had a wife to consider or kids to ignore.
The Partridge family feel sets up like this: Don is the dad and Roger is the wife. The Brit is their cousin, son of the uncle they respect, Cooper. Pete is the Brit’s boy and Peggy is Don’s daughter, which is why he holds her to such a high standards. Joan is the adopted cousin twice removed, which makes it ok for anyone to bang her. The artsy guy is Peggy’s friend who hangs around is part of the family by default.
Considering the convenient way all of this came together it feels like I would be remiss to not make such corny connections. The final product is starkly different than the old agency and the old show.
One of the main changes revolves around the fact that it feels like they’re actually working. The drinking and the smoking is more of a set piece now, and not the only action. It’s almost as if they actually have a reason to drinking, because they’re doing all this work.
For some reason all of this bothered me at first. I felt like it wasn’t being true to the original show, but I realized that the failing was in my part. The show is about Mad Men in the 1960s and this isn’t a static concept. I was clinging to the past in a way that is impossible for a show that takes place in such a turbulent time. So there will be changes, and while people of Sal’s ilk are still left to wander the parks, many others are being implemented and causing noticeable differences.
As mentioned earlier, the biggest difference is the restructuring of Don’s life. He is divorced and living in an apartment, while his ex-wife is remarried to Henry and living in their old home.
The picture we see of Betty and Henry is pretty messed up. Betty is either taking her anger out on her kids or is merely continuing the slow progression of terrible parenting that has marked her tenure during the show. It was nice to hear a character voice the audience’s feelings that Betty is a bad mom. The ice queen appears to be warming to her title in her mannerisms and now manifests her chilly demeanor in her clothes.
Stylistically Betty seems very conservative, with a tendency to reflect the more proper role she is playing as the wife of an elder politico. I can’t articulate the point better than to say, the show feels like it got it right. The evil mother acts and dresses like the prototypical evil step-mom.
Season four of Mad Men seems poised to be a rollercoaster ride of epic proportions, and not just for the slow moving show that is. The success of the agency relies on an ambitious gambit that we’ll follow throughout the season. Additionally, we have the quixotic quirks of Betty’s home life, which includes a rapidly aging Bobby, a husband who can only get it up when the sex is mischievous and a daughter who will most likely need therapy and probably embrace the counter culture movement.
The premier episode set the stakes for what is to come and helped us understand where we are. I’m super excited, and not just because I’m confident that Vietnam will go well this time around. I’m excited because we get to see our characters in new positions that will test them in new ways and allow us as viewers to experience them in new ways.
There is, though, the possibility that the show has jumped the shark. (Editor’s Note: Shut your mouth!) I’m reluctant to say it, but the new show could represent the kind of gimmick that is the product of a desperate show that has run out of ideas. I don’t believe this is the case, but I do think it is a possibility.
Let me close with a reaffirmation of my devotion to MAD MEN. I really enjoyed this first episode last night. At the same time as I’m following the latest episodes I’m watching the show from the beginning with the Ventre clan. Not everyone needs to replicate my cultish fandom, but I would recommend you hop on the train from the beginning. I would even say you might be able to jump on the bandwagon now, because the latest version could represent a fresh start for people a little late to the party. But seriously, bring a lot of liquor and cigarettes. And oh yeah, get ready for it rough, because that's how Don likes it in the sack now....

Top Ten shows of 2009

The problem with ranking the best television shows of 2009 stems from the fact that the season of a show extends over two years. So do you judge a show based on when it started, when it finished, or how it performed during the year?
I am judging shows based on when they finished. This affects shows like Glee and Parks and Recreation, which will make the cut in 2010, but not this year. It’s the only fair way to judge a show’s complete arc, and not what it did during a brief period.
Hopefully this list will be inclusive enough for people, sine I watch almost everything. So here it is, in reverse order.
RIP: King of the Hill
• So this show isn’t making the Top Ten, but it does need to be recognized since it went off the air in 2009. HILL was maybe one of the best family sitcoms of all time. Following the life of the Hill family, this show had warmth and laughs.
Since it was a cartoon it was generally overlooked in terms of the quality of the writing and it was also ignored as a rip off of The Simpsons. These two realities will forever bother me.
HILL was never short on creative storylines, as the show did the best job finding the real humor in life. It didn’t rely solely on screwball characters or wacky plots, but was grounded in a reality we could all relate to. I tell you what, I will miss this show. Yup.
10. Chuck
• Odds are you’ve never seen or heard of Chuck, the little action/comedy that narrowly avoided execution after last year’s stellar season. The show revolves around an employee at a big box store called the BUY MORE, who has highly classified data stored in his head. This character, as portrayed by Zachary Levi, is one of the more endearing heroes on television. He is endearing because he is the everyman hero, and this allows us to be swept away on his adventures.

It helps that he has a wicked hot lady friend (Yvonne Strahovski) and a gruff protector (Adam Baldwin), who add laughs, sex appeal and a surprisingly high level of action scenes for a television show.
What ultimately ends up distinguishing this show from its competitors (I guess BURN NOTICE), is the supporting cast of characters that work at the BUY MORE. These guys and girls make the show a legit comedy, so when the action isn’t really working, the laughs are still coming.
Highlight: The penultimate episode includes a wedding in which everything goes wrong, but is just so right for the viewer.
9. Top Chef
• By any standard, this season of TOP CHEF was captivating television. Not much more to say about the show in the wake of my running diaries, which encapsulate the way I feel about this show.
This season had the right balance of talent, personalities and challenges that I doubt they’ll be able to recreate this winning recipe ever again.
8. Psych
• If you ever just feel like having fun, but don’t want to leave your couch, then I’d recommend an episode of PSYCH. Although, in order to appreciate the show you need to have a fondness for obscure pop culture references and must not take your television too seriously.
The duo of Sean and Gus (James Roday and Dule Hill) do not represent anything truly unique on television. They owe Scrubs, Sherlock Holmes, House and Miami Vice (they’d want me to include that) for where they are today. That being said, these two buddies are the kind of guys you want to hang out with, and once a week you get to do that for an hour.
I think you’re able to have fun watching this show because of how much fun the cast is having making the show, as illustrated by the encore performances during the end credits, which usually include group songs.
Sure the mysteries are lacking and the action doesn’t compare to BURN NOTICE, but this is a comedy first and foremost. If you’re looking for anything else you’re just going to get psyched out. If you want to laugh, then get psyched for Psych
7. 30 Rock
• Not really sure what happened in season 3 of 30 Rock. I do know I laughed. That balance is why this show isn’t higher up on my charts. This was the funniest show on television, but without direction. I’m not saying that’s bad, I’m just saying that’s a deal breaker for a higher ranking.
Anyway, if you’ve never seen 30 Rock you’re doing yourself a disservice. It’s got a little bit of everything in terms of comedic styling. There is gross out humor of the lowest degree. There are high brow jokes (which people cite as the reason for not watching). Obscure references. Strange twists. And just jokes. All of this is jam packed into a 22-minute show so tightly that you’re amazed your television didn’t catch on fire when you’re done.
If you’re looking for funny, just head to 30 Rockefeller Plaza or catch it Thursday on NBC.
6. True Blood
• If loving True Blood is wrong, then I don’t want to be right. The second season of True Blood would qualify as one of the craziest things ever on television. Its craziness was not off putting at all though, and instead drew me deeper and deeper into this make believe world.
Missing from this season was any semblance of reality, but it didn’t detract from the show.
The appeal of the show is it beauty and creativity. The world we see is presented to us in such a fashion that you struggle to take it all in. I’d say it is reminiscent of Deadwood or Mad Men in terms of the settings acting as additional players in a scene.
As far as the creativity, True Blood keeps you on your toes while sending you on a wild roller coaster ride. It’s scary. It’s fun. It’s got twists and turns. There are ups and downs. It is a ride.
Highlight: Jason and Andy taking matters into their own hands, as they prove that dumb is not just funny, but downright hilarious.
5. Battlestar Galactica
• The final installment of an amazing television series offered a worthy payout last spring. Much like True Blood, Battlestar was a wild ride. But more than True Blood, Battlestar offered deeper meanings.
By itself this season isn’t any more remarkable than earlier ones, in fact it might be comparatively weak. As the capstone to an amazing story it deserves to be recognized. In terms of a compelling narrative this is it. This story is delivered with an understated bang.
What is most memorable from this season is the shifting of allegiances, with the line between good and evil blurring to the point where the bad guys from the beginning of the series are revered as good guys.
4. Mad Men
• What’s so impressive about Mad Men is how close it comes to being unwatchable. The show is always in danger of putting me to sleep, and it would if it wasn’t executed so perfectly. Frankly, I’m not smart enough to adequately assess this show. I can only talk about it in terms of its entertainment value and the few concepts I was able to glean from it.
Many people wrote off the finale as an all too convenient ending, but I found it to be a perfect transition into the tumultuous part of the 60s.
As for entertainment, this season offered some heartbreaking moments (the firing of Sal), touching moments (the mood in the aftermath of JFK’s assassination) and light moments (Roger Sterling).
Season three began with a slow crescendo that was so faint and took so long to build that the ultimate payoff was out of this world. The patience of the show’s writers is admirable in this regard, even more so considering how there are no wasted moments building to the big payoff.
3. The Office
• Season 5 of The Office was the total package. It was endearing. It was funny. It was real. The show took from the best of its earlier seasons and brought it all together for the best season since its second. The fall off in season 6 has been even more evident in wake of such a good season.
In this season every character is used to perfection, with a place for everyone and everyone in their place. Andy hits his stride. The Jim and Pam dynamic is cemented. Even Michael, who has been a relatively fluid character, becomes a formed and constant role.
The deciding factor for me, is the story arc of Holly in this season. As played by Amy Ryan, there is an injection of heart into the show that I think is necessary for The Office to be great.
2. The Colbert Report
• Jon Stewart brought the Daily Show to prominence in 2000 during the recount in Florida following the presidential election. By 2004 the show was really hitting its stride and operated on all cylinders of funny. The 2008 election and the coverage of 2009 belonged to Stephen Colbert. Colbert offered a fresh perspective from the Daily Show, and with a few years under his belt, surpassed its creator in terms of funny during 2009.
Stephen Colbert’s year included a trip to Iraq, sponsoring a winter Olympic team and got a NASA treadmill named after him. It was all so ridiculous, but strikingly poignant in its coverage of the news. This last aspect is what sets the REPORT apart from the Daily Show, in that it doesn’t need to preach to make a point. Plus, it doesn’t sacrifice funny to preach.
1. Lost
• Lost will always win me over with the show’s mythology. Each episode could be a festering turd and I would still revere them, if they gave me a few answers each week. But Lost has never rested on its mythology, and has always given us our week to week bang. That combination puts it in my top ten automatically.
What differentiates this season from previous seasons is the scope of what they tried to pull off, and the fact that the show basically accomplishes it all with a homerun. What am I talking about? I’m talking about a storyline that crosses space and time. A story that requires on a giant ensemble cast. I’m talking about mythical creatures, ghost monsters and an island that moves. All of this is put together in a package that remains at its core, a human drama. A drama that inspired tears (spoiler alert: Juliet’s demise) and laughs (Hugo with anyone).
Season 5 had to wrap up most of the questions from seasons one through four while also poise us for the big finale in season 6. It does it. The story moves with a sense of urgency, but you never feel rushed. Even in the shortened load of episodes every story, ever character, every line of dialogue is given enough time to be appreciated.
Lost has constantly reinvented itself during its tenure, yet in season five we see a culmination of the different faces. This is our payoff before LOST reveals its true form in its final season.
The highlights are too numerous to limit, so I’ll just ramble them off: a domesticated Sawyer, Ben’s comedic styling, (spoiler alert) Daniel’s tragic end and the denied reunion between Sun and Jin.

So that’s my list of shows for 2009. I hope there’s something to talk about in there.

Feel the RAGE. MAD MEN FINALE

Just finished watching MAD MEN finale. It was simply amazing. About to watch it again and hopefully come down with some insightful thoughts.

Dick Out of the Box

So Mad Men is poised for an explosion of sorts, as Don Draper's world could come crashing down around him after Betty's discovery of his murky past.
Not sure how this will all shake out, but I can't imagine what Betty will do. I doubt Don will tell her the truth, or at least the whole truth and nothing but the truth. It's more likely the quick thinking Don/Dick Whitman will come up with some plausible story that will placate Betty, who is in the business of being easily placated.
What do you think will happen?

So that's why they're so mad...

All caught up on Mad Men. Went through five episodes in two days to get ready for this Sunday.
A couple side notes before I address the show itself.
1. AMC needs to create an AMC On Demand or replay old episodes occasionally. It's like they don't want people to watch the show. These serial dramas with big casts requires you not to miss an episode and they're making that difficult.
2. Mad Men is a show that torments you if you're watching it on a weekly basis. Tony kornheiser was talking about this fact on Bill Simmons' podcast, which i recommend and should probably write about. Tony opts to watch the show all at once on DVD, as opposed to watching it live. Especially after u see the previews for next week it becomes nearly impossible to wait for the next episode. I think Lost, 24 and True Blood are the same way. If i think about it more there are probably other shows.

Anyway, here are my thoughts on Mad Men...
I like seeing the Pete is a real person. I have always thought of him as a robot, but the way he loses it with his wife when she returns after he cheated on her made me see him in a new light. It was reminiscent of his role when he dealt with his mother. Too often i think he becomes a caricature of himself on the show and this keeps him grounded.
Love it when Cooper puts his foot down. This time it was about Don't contract, which Don ultimately signed after Cooper's prodding. We don't know much about him, like what he does, but he is interesting and kills it in every scene.
I don't understand Betty and Don. That's all I have to say about that. No idea why he ever settled down or fell in love with her in the first place. Maybe he was just tired of running? From flashbacks it seems like he was very enamored with her at one point, but now she's just a burden
Sally has really become a potent character on the show. I think I like it. There better be some payoff with her role or I'll feel betrayed.
Earlier in the year i sort of predicted Roger's falling out with Don. Roger was amusing to Don for a while, but now Don is tired of him because he's gone too far. He was an enjoyable nuisance in the past and now he's worn out his welcome. This could be explosive.
Oh yeah, I've always been wary of lawn mowers in the work place.
I liked how Needameyer had a guest spot as the mayor that Betty was dealing with. Probably spelling his character from Animal House's name wrong, but it was definitely him. Thought he would start yelling about pledge pins at any second.
That's it for now since I want to watch Flash Forward and have nothing else to say.

Dear Emmy Diary...

Here is a collection of some my more coherent (yup, the best of the best) thoughts from my viewing of the Emmy's. Enjoy...
• 1940s opening!
• Neil Patrick Harris is a good host. A couple quick notes; Singing yes. Standup no. Transitions awesome! Essentially he has served as more of a funny tour guide.
• Broken into genres?I like a good theme, but I also like it spread out. I guess the pros and cons negate each other.
• Definitely could have used more 30 Rock in my comedy overview
• “Am I the only one who wants to see Tina Fey and John Hamm together???”
• First award of the night is a surprise, at least to me.
• Ok, we get it, 30 Rock is good. It usually wins. It’s nominated a lot tonight. All these jokes make light of how good the writing really is.
• Julia Louis Dreyfus is possibly the hottest over 40 woman ever. No room for debate.
• First travesty of the night, Jon Cryer winning best supporting actor in a comedy. (Another surprise). “Is he dying of something” –Barb. I literally think everyone else deserved that award more than him.
• “Oh Christina Applegate … Tits McGee!” –Barb
• Sarah Silverman just stole the award show so far with her moustache. She made things even better her facial expressions and hand gestures. She’s so much funnier than her show.
• Nice dress Blake. Nice toga Leighton. Oh yeah, and nice boobs Blake. Really nice boobs.
• Am I the only one who is confused that Rob Lowe is still relevant?
• Everyone at EW picked Jim Parsons (Big Bang Theory) to win. I still haven’t seen that show, but apparently I need to start watching. I had previously picked Steve Carell, but after seeing Alec Baldwin’s clip I knew he was going to win.
• I think the Emmys are my favorite award show. It’s quick and I care about every award.
• I think it’s time they start giving acting awards for Reality shows. It’s not like anyone thinks these aren’t characters. They also should do best quote for this year, “whore pit vipers (Joan Rivers).”
• Probably could do without the whole dance number. For starters it was boring, but more importantly I’m confused as to why it’s relevant. Dancing with the stars? Maybe, except I don’t know any of these people. So You Think You Can Dance? Well yeah, they’re professional dancers. Or maybe it’s just a statement about all the dancing on television. Still, so what?
• I love Padma and Tom! Are they one person? It seems like it. Tomma? Padom?
• Tracy Morgan can’t read… He really is Tracy Jordan. His joke about 30 Rock being a reality show strikes a little too close to home for my tastes.
• I want to start smoking cigarettes right now so my voice will sound like a male version of Shohreh Aghdashloo.
• Kate Walsh is not wearing a good dress. The front is frumpy, flesh is escaping in certain places on the side and it fails to highlight her stunning frame.
• Tune in Friday to CBS for people who talk to dead people! I think that’s how CBS sets their lineup, since their viewers will soon be dead. They’re old, get it?
• It is a travesty that “Generation Kill” didn’t win for outstanding writing. David Simon and Ed Burns must not even mind getting screwed by the Emmy voters anymore. They probably like it by now.
• That is one hot lady accountant! The only thing that could possibly preempt her is Dr. Horrible! Nathan Fillion is hilarious! Except on ABC…
• And the award for longest and worst acceptance speech goes to Jessica Lange! I never thought I’d say this, but I kind of wish Drew Barrymore had won. She’s awful, but a little easier on the eyes at least.
• “That guy is smaller than me, and he’s beating up people.” –Dad, in response to Keifer Sutherland presenting and failing to live up to his larger than life Jack Bauer personality.
• Another chance for “Generation Kill!” I’m doubtful though. “Little Dorit,” which I’ve never heard of seems like the likely choice. And yup, I was right. So mad. Well not mad. Depressed.
• The Variety category is usually pretty fun. I especially like that Jay Leno is never a nominee.
• Never watching Big Bang Theory. I just don’t like these actors. Thought I’d like Jim Parsons, but eh. I don’t need him in my life. I already watch too much television.

• The reading of the nominees for writing in a variety show is always funny. This year’s nomination segment is no exception. The dig at Leno by Letterman was exceptionally funny. Wait a second, Jon Lutz, as in Lutz from 30 Rock is a writer on SNL?!?!? 30 Rock really is a reality show!
• Jimmy Fallon previously won an Emmy? Yikes. Why are celebrities laughing at him!??!?! I wonder if he already knows he’ll never get nominated as host of Late Nite?
• I hope to god Stephen Colbert, Mother Lover or Flight of the Concords wins for best song in a variety program. My brain tells me Hugh Jackman will win. Look, he did. Lame. At least they let a good looking version of Peter Jackson accept the award. But still…
• I think we’re running behind. Jessica Lange ruins everything!!!
• Ricky Gervais is hilarious. If you haven’t seen him on Extras you need to go out and rent it today. He’s a little harsh, but I like it. So awkward some times, but I like it.
• So the Daily Show won best Variety show. That makes sense, since they got to cover the election and thrived during it. Can’t wait to see Colbert’s reaction on his show.
• During commercials I’ve been cleaning up my Queue list on HULU. For the first time in my life I’m actually behind on my television watching, and that’s sad because it’s not like I’m doing anything. I don’t really have a job… I still need to get caught up on Glee, last season’s Parks and Recreations, Thursday’s SNL, Psych, the season premiere of Fringe and a handful of Tonight Show clips. That doesn’t include the episodes of Mad Men, Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Top Chef that I’ve got waiting for me on the cable DVR. I’ll watch House when it returns too. Oh yeah, and on HBO I watch Entourage (ughh, loyalty), with plans to watch Bored to Death and Curb. I watch The Office live. Lost when it returns. Reluctantly I turn in for 24. Oh yeah, and TRUE BLOOD!!! I’d recommend all these shows. Not sure if I’d recommend Community, yet. It was ok, but not great.
• Totally forgot about Battlestar Galactica! Great show. Fantastic show. Better than almost every other Drama they showed clips of. It will undoubtedly get screwed by the academy.
• Lost totally underwent a renaissance this year and it won’t get the recognition it deserves. I think that really says something about the quality of television this year. What’s weird though, is that shows like Boston Legal still get nominated. Not next year since it’s canceled.
• Michael Emerson from Lost won for Best Supporting Actor!!! Crazy. Didn’t see this coming, but I’m quite happy. His character Ben is one of the greatest characters on television ever. Ever. EVER.
• I don’t see LL Cool J or Chris O’Donnell showing up on the Emmy’s ever again. Unless they each get new pilots after NCIS: Los Angeles.
• Pretty angry that Cherry Jones won an Emmy for her work on 24. Am I the only one who doesn’t take this show seriously? It’s ridiculous, but takes itself way too seriously. The show is a joke. She was a joke on it. HAHAHHAHAA. I feel sick.
• Who is singing? Why is she singing? What’s going on? Ohhhhh… Dead people. This will be sad. Always interesting to see who gets the big ovations. Not always who you think. These are always so well done. Maybe not long enough if anything. Thought the song would be corny, but it ended up working really well. Not just for last dances at Proms anymore.
• Did they put the two vampires together on purpose? I hope so. Too bad Moyer didn’t get the memo about not dressing in costume.
• Wow. Mad Men won best writing. They only had an 80% chance. Didn’t see that coming. LOST got screwed! Much love to Mad men though.
• Oh my! In Mariska’s little clip for Best Actress I saw Jason from True Blood. That was exciting. Can’t wait until he gets nominated for his work on this season. Probably under the comedy genre though. So excited for True Blood to make the transition.
• “We go where there’s great writing.”-Glen Close. What an appropriate statement. Television is definitely the place to be right now. Movies are boring right now. Television is edgy. A lot of it still stinks, but the best of the best on television is better than the best of the best in cinema. Plus, there is more of the best of the best on television.
• Why did they show a clip from the Mentalist when mentioning Best Actor in a Drama??? That’s done to be ironic, right? Right???!?!?!?
• Wow! Back to back wins for Bryan Cranston for his role on Breaking Bad. Haven’t seen the second season yet, but the first was great. Not sure if he deserved to win again. Wish Sawyer from Lost had been nominated in this role. He didn’t deserve to win, but should have been nominated.
• Is AMC the new HBO? If they get more content I say yes.
• I think The Office deserves to win for Best Comedy. They had a really good year that was as good as season two. The show has remained fresh, funny and constantly gut wrenching. The Holly angle was good, Michael’s paper company was great and the episode after the Superbowl was simply amazing!!! After all that, though, I think 30 Rock is going to win. Oh yeah, and I can’t believe Family Guy was nominated. Simply a travesty. Just ridiculous. Not funny. Not relevant. Certainly not more worthy than the Simpsons during seasons 2-12.
• I would like to see TGS win an award. Really turn 30 Rock into a reality show. It could definitely win an Emmy in the variety category. I’m thinking Best Song by Jenna and Tracy (that’s Jane and Tracy respectively).
• Even Sigourney reiterates my thoughts about the golden era of television! I’d totally agree if it wasn’t for the nominations of HOUSE and Dexter.
• LOVE, Absolutely love, seeing Fred Armisen with the Mad Men crew. He’s engaged to Elisabeth Moss, who plays Peggy on the show. For a while I mistakenly believed he was engaged to January Jones, who plays the gorgeous Betty.
• The show ran only three minutes long. Not bad. Not a bad show. Relatively happy with the awards. Really happy considering how bummed I usually am and the fact I don’t have to go through the heartbreak of The Wire not winning anything (since it’s not on the air anymore).
• Ok. Time for bed.

Wanna get high???

So i watched this week's episode of Mad Men with both my parents. This was a first this season, and hopefully not indicative of an evolving trend (need my own place!). Anyway, I liked tonight's episode. There was a lot going on, strange for this show, and it was pretty funny. Without further ado, let's dive in...
After watching a lot of True Blood and The Wire, I have a fond appreciation for opening theme songs and credits. Mad Men definitely offers a unique and entertaining opening credits, even if I may not totally get it. The whole black and white thing definitely means something, as do the actions during the opening, but it goes way over my head. Regardless of whether i get it, I definitely enjoy it. It's like part of the show and I couldn't imagine skipping it.
Some other memorable openings include Scrubs. When i used to watch the show on DVD, i wouldn't skip over this part, as it felt like part of the process. Fans agreed, since when they altered the opening in season two there was a mass protest amongst fans who were put off by the elongated version. The song is appropriate, the splicing works well and the joke at the end with the backward x-rays is amusing enough for a throwaway gag i've seen over and over.
The Simpsons has a widely recognized theme, which underwent a major overhaul. I can't remember why, and you can look it up on wikipedia if you want, but the Simpsons recently changed their opening. The clip is longer and tweaks the original actions too. I like the change. My brother doesn't. Too bad the show itself isn't as debatable now, because everyone can agree it basically stinks...
Both of these sons are in sharp contrast to Lost's opening, which is short and abrupt, but somehow very poignant and meaningful. Can't explain it beyond that, except to say I love it.
Oh yeah, but True Blood has the best opening song of anything on television right now. Except maybe Burn Notice, which I think is the biggest joke ever. First of all, they explain the show every time in the opening credits. Second of all, "a trigger happy ex-girlfriend" is an amazing line. Finally, there's an inside joke with me and my friends from school where i butcher one of the lines from the opening. "MICHAEL! Someone needs your help." (I guess you have to be there...)
But to the actual show we go...
Love how much the pregnant ladies smoke and drink. Kids were tougher back than because it was an endeavor just to make it out of the womb alive. Now kids are coddled. No wonder my generation is full of pussies.
The ladies in this episode steal the show. Primarily Peggy and Joan. First is Joan, who has a silent war with a former secretary, hosts a dinner party and plays her squeeze box.
In regards to her tension with the now Mrs. Sterling, I'm totally in Joan's camp. Not sure why they're feuding still, but Joan is definitely in the right. Joan's dynamic with her fiance freaks me out. I'm literally afraid for her all the time when she's around her loose cannon of a fiance. This guy is just in love with his image of Joan and totally doesn't get her, so when he sees something he doesn't get he freaks out, which is when i get scared. I don't know how long she can keep him in check before he does something awful again.
As for Joan's playing of the accordion, i was very moved. Wasn't too confident she was actually singing though. Oh well, it doesn't really matter.
"I'm Peggy Olsen, and i want to smoke some marijuana." If i smoked weed I would totally say this all the time. Peggy, who stepped up her game in last week's episode, by having sex like a man, made furhter inroads into the man's world. She smoked some grass, put her secretary in her place and excelled at her job. So proud watching Peggy wage a one woman feminist movement on her own.
I real liked how accurately this episode captured the drug dealer and drug buyer dynamic. It was so awkward how that guy tried to be their friend, and how the Sterling Cooper employees had to pretend to want him around. Why do drug dealers think people like them? I mean this guy was pretty chill, but they just wanted drugs!!!
"Fred Armisen is the luckiest guy in the world." That was my mom's reaction after learning about Fred's relationship with January Jones, who plays Betty on Mad men. Not sure what she meant...
It blows my mind that Sally would have been about my dad's age when this story takes place. Speaking of Sally, I think a spin off is coming with her, Carla, Gene and the often seen, but rarely heard, Bobby. Sally reads to gene. Bobby plays with his toys. Carla yells, "dinner." If it's on AMC, I'd probably watch it...
The surprise of the night was the rug pete Campbell cut out on the dance floor with his wife.
I'll let my mom's description of events describe the scene, starting from shortly before he and the little lady start dancing.
"Pete has had some moments where he hasn't been a deuchebag... They took a class...Danceathon, class of 1961... the precursor to Greece."
Followed by my dad saying, "JUST WATCH THE SHOW!"
Don doesn't seem comfortable with anyone anymore. He and Roger used to have a pseudo friendship, which ran deeper than his doings with anyone else on the show, but it seems to have been exposed as the meaningless thing it always was. I'm worried about those two. they're normally so much fun to watch together, but after Don bitch slapped him tonight, I wonder...
Until next week...
Oh yeah, in a pitiful attempt to get comments, your thoughts???

Mildly Manic Men

Season Three of Mad Men debuted with not quite a bang, much more than a whimper, and with enough intrigue to have even Pete's hair in a muss.

Season three begins at least 6 months after last year's finale, with Betty at least two thirds along in a pregnancy she revealed at the end of last season. The office, much like the show, is undergoing some serious turnover.
Duckey appears to be out, Sal is still in the closet (but might be out soon too), Pete is still a tool, Ken has a new attitude, Peggy is settling, Don is lost and Big Red is being mysterious.
The Brits are in charge and they're remaking the company. Apparently one third of the staff has been fired, as they're getting lean and mean. Beyond this, though, the first episode didn't really expose the new office dynamic except to reveal that most of the yanks don't care for the cousins across the pond and the way they do business (the feeling apparently is mutual).
The episode feels slow and lacks the punch of season one and two, but in many ways that's what you should expect from an episode that adequately paints a picture, albeit in broad strokes, of what to expect this season.
I'm not a die hard fan of Mad Men, most likely because i have a limited attention span and the show's development is too slow for me, but for the most part I was satisfied with the premiere.
The story lines I found most interesting were Sal's rendezvous with the hotel employee and basically everything Joan did. With regards to Sal i felt the development came out of nowhere, in that the advances from the young man seemed unwarranted.
I was devastated that Sal wasn't offered the release he so badly needed, and not just in terms of physicality, but in terms of cementing his identity. He seems like a man lost between worlds and this could have been a moment of self-identification for a man who seems to embrace the blind eye he has towards his true feelings.
I also found Don's handling of the affair to be curious. Does he not care? Is he turning a blind eye? Does he not have an opinion yet? There will obviously be more to come along this point and I'm worried that Sal will be a victim of his times.

As for Joan, her battle with the British male secretary and her candidness with Peggy was amusing and fun. She's not only easy on the eyes but a character everyone roots for. I'm not anxious to address her rape from last season at the hands of her fiance and i feel like we haven't heard the last of it. I just hope the ramifications aren't too damning and that maybe some good will come out of it.
The episode was totally lacking in John Slattery screen time, who in just two brief appearances steals every scene with just a handful of lines. I wish Sterling Cooper broke off and he got his own spin off. As a character actor Slattery is one of the best, but it seems he's finally found the character right for him.
I anxiously await the rest of this season of Mad Men, especially the battle between Ken and Pete, Joan's future, and the eventual murder of Sally Draper at the hands of Betty when she finally loses it.

Mad Men is coming!

Tuck the kids in bed, get out your menthols and pour yourself a stiff drink, because MAD MEN IS COMING BACK ON SUNDAY!!!!!!
(We'll have more previewing this season before and after the premiere)