What's up with Mad Men?

[Sly]

It's been going downhill as the characters have separated over the years (this happens in every show when characters separate) but this season so far has been really boring. I would like to see them feature more of the advertising business again.

Thoughts?

[dyna mo]

totally agree, i lost interest in the characters after the multi-year production hiatus, then just never could get back into them for the reasons you cited.

i liked it initially when each episode seemed to center around an ad campaign, that rang true for me and captivated me.

[Sly]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

totally agree, i lost interest in the characters after the multi-year production hiatus, then just never could get back into them for the reasons you cited.

i liked it initially when each episode seemed to center around an ad campaign, that rang true for me and captivated me.

When characters separate, the show can no longer be about the characters as a group, so the show tries to make each character interesting in itself?

In this case? We get short stories about Don, Betty, Sally, Peggy, Pete, Joan, Roger? None of the stories are big enough to really grab you, and you stop caring about all of the characters because you no longer see their life every episode.

Same thing happened in Weeds, happened in Breaking Bad until they brought Walter and Jesse back together, and an endless list of others. Whenever shows separate characters, they jump the shark.

[dyna mo]

i've moved on to the americans, it reminds me of mad men in the beginning. fascinating characters and each episode centers around a *mission*. although it's still season 1 and the producers have plenty of time to fuck it up. lol

[CaptainHowdy]

The show is getting bleaker, I do enjoy that.

[Grapesoda]

Originally Posted by Sly

It's been going downhill as the characters have separated over the years (this happens in every show when characters separate) but this season so far has been really boring. I would like to see them feature more of the advertising business again.

Thoughts?

writers seldom have more than an basic over view of any industry... so as the shows progress the writers fall back on standard TV writing... this character fucks that character, and the basic premise of the 'industry' the show is set in begins to evaporate as the writers revert to what they 'know'

[dyna mo]

sons of anarchy did the same shit, fell into a soap opera format.

[LAJ]

Yeah this year the first two episodes were kind of disappointing. I'm hoping they inject more historical stuff into the next few episodes. Since I think we are now in 1968 it'll be interesting how they handle more Vietnam news, Lyndon Johnson not seeking reelection, the shootings of King and Kennedy, riots and just the overall deterioration of NYC.

[Rochard]

First episode of this season was a drag - nothing exciting. I haven't watched the second.

SOA always surprises me, mostly with the violence.

The Americans... Not sure how I feel about it yet. It's okay, but nothing great yet.

[Sarah_Jayne]

I think it is better than ever and I am willing to give it a couple episodes to ramp up for this season.

The real stars of that show are the set dressers and the stylists. In the last episodes there was a couple usages of color, particularly one that involved the color of suits for various characters, that were breathtaking.

[bronco67]

Originally Posted by Sly

It's been going downhill as the characters have separated over the years (this happens in every show when characters separate) but this season so far has been really boring. I would like to see them feature more of the advertising business again.

Thoughts?

Wow, its only the first 2 episodes.

mad Men is a really deep show, and its about a lot more than advertising -- just like the Sopranos was about more than mob criminal activities. Much more.

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by bronco67

Wow, its only the first 2 episodes.

mad Men is a really deep show, and its about a lot more than advertising -- just like the Sopranos was about more than mob criminal activities. Much more.

for those of us who can remember, the ad campaigns anchor the show to a particular place in memory. that is not easy to achieve and it's unfortunate the producers didn't realize the value of that.

[John-ACWM]

Last season I watched was 3, guess I'm not gonna waste my time with it.

[Sarah_Jayne]

Originally Posted by bronco67

Wow, its only the first 2 episodes.

mad Men is a really deep show, and its about a lot more than advertising -- just like the Sopranos was about more than mob criminal activities. Much more.

Yeah, it's only surface level about advertising now. I enjoy those parts too but it has gone gone into darker places and it gets better the more it does that, for me anyway.

[dyna mo]

the other thing about madmen that we were discussing around here a while back is that there is, for us, not 1 redeeming or likeable character on the show.

[Sarah_Jayne]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

the other thing about madmen that we were discussing around here a while back is that there is, for us, not 1 redeeming or likeable character on the show.

Hmm..

There are likable parts of most of them but their unlikeable sides are strong too. Look at this season with Peggy. You are seeing her go from likeable to not as the pressure of her position sucks the nice out of her.

There are times I like Roger, other times I think he is an complete ass. Same with Don.

The only one I really never feel for is Pete. He is a flat out cock.

[Sly]

Originally Posted by Sarah_Jayne

Hmm..

There are likable parts of most of them but their unlikeable sides are strong too. Look at this season with Peggy. You are seeing her go from likeable to not as the pressure of her position sucks the nice out of her.

I never found Peggy likable. She was always self-serving. In the beginning when she was moving up and now when she is trying to be the big shot.

[kristin]

Originally Posted by Sly

When characters separate, the show can no longer be about the characters as a group, so the show tries to make each character interesting in itself?

In this case? We get short stories about Don, Betty, Sally, Peggy, Pete, Joan, Roger? None of the stories are big enough to really grab you, and you stop caring about all of the characters because you no longer see their life every episode.

Same thing happened in Weeds, happened in Breaking Bad until they brought Walter and Jesse back together, and an endless list of others. Whenever shows separate characters, they jump the shark.

I was sad to see how Weeds went downhill so quickly. Season 1 & 2 showed so much potential for the rest of the series.

[JerseyPuma]

still the best show on tv. production value alone is incredible. its like watching a movie every week. roger sterling is the best supporting character ever ever ever. and at the end of the day its don draper's show...everything else is just gravy.

i am REALLY glad they pretty much dumped betty though, january jones was a horrible choice. she couldnt act her way out of a paper bag.

[CyberHustler]

Originally Posted by kristin

I was sad to see how Weeds went downhill so quickly. Season 1 & 2 showed so much potential for the rest of the series.

I agree...

[Sarah_Jayne]

Originally Posted by Sly

I never found Peggy likable. She was always self-serving. In the beginning when she was moving up and now when she is trying to be the big shot.

Really? Self-serving as a woman in that era that started as a secretary that now is an advertising executive? Maybe but she had to be to break those ceilings and that is what a lot of women had to do. I like her because she has been shown to grow as a person and business woman over time. She is way different than she was when she was pregnant and doesn't shrink away any more. Go, Peggy!

[Sarah_Jayne]

Originally Posted by JerseyPuma

still the best show on tv. production value alone is incredible. its like watching a movie every week. roger sterling is the best supporting character ever ever ever. and at the end of the day its don draper's show...everything else is just gravy.

i am REALLY glad they pretty much dumped betty though, january jones was a horrible choice. she couldnt act her way out of a paper bag.

Agreed and apparently the kids hate working with her. The fat suit is dumb though.

[bronco67]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

for those of us who can remember, the ad campaigns anchor the show to a particular place in memory. that is not easy to achieve and it's unfortunate the producers didn't realize the value of that.

Have you ever noticed that in almost every episode, they plant some little moment that makes you realize that it was a different time? I'm not talking about the clothes or set decoration.

Little stuff. Peggy is having a phone conversation but has to pick up the phone and carry it across the room because it almost slid off the table because the cord was too short. That seems like nothing but I definitely noticed it.

Remember when Betty Draper was sitting around with a bunch of women smoking? While pregnant?

Every time they pour hard liquor drinks during a meeting I'm reminded about the era.

If you think they dropped the ball, then you're not really paying attention.

...and likable characters are boring. All shows with likable characters are on Fox, NBC and CBS.

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by bronco67

If you think they dropped the ball, then you're not really paying attention.

...and likable characters are boring. All shows with likable characters are on Fox, NBC and CBS.

relax, it's a fucking television show.

i don't like it anymore and don't watch it, the topic asked what's up about the direction the show is taking, i added my opinion on that.

there's simply no need to make this about me paying attention or not getting the depth of a television show. again, it's a television show.

i never said they dropped the ball, i said they used to anchor shows with an ad campaign and that rang true for me and that was one of the things i liked about the show.

and no, not all likeable characters are boring.


but again, it's a fucking television show.

[Sly]

Originally Posted by Sarah_Jayne

Really? Self-serving as a woman in that era that started as a secretary that now is an advertising executive? Maybe but she had to be to break those ceilings and that is what a lot of women had to do. I like her because she has been shown to grow as a person and business woman over time. She is way different than she was when she was pregnant and doesn't shrink away any more. Go, Peggy!

The why doesn't really matter. Good for her. She was self-serving then and is now, and you just agreed.

[Young]

Mad Men has always been a slow crawl character study.

I'm guessing the ones who are complaining are the the same people that went on Netflix binges in order to catch up.

Of course you're not going to be bored when you pound a season (a few months worth) in a weeks time.

Mad Men hasn't changed at all. Still the same show. Moving at a deliberate pace.

[dyna mo]

again, it's a fucking tv show.

complaining? lolz. it's hilarious that people feel the need to defend their beloved tv show so badly they resort to making it about the person who simply doesn't like a fucking tv show.

that's fukin funny shit.


again, it's fucking tv.

[Young]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

again, it's fucking tv.

and yet you have beef with your inability to find any of the characters likable.

likable? it's fucking tv.

maybe you should take your own advice?

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by Young

and yet you have beef with your inability to find any of the characters likable.

likable? it's fucking tv.

maybe you should take your own advice?

what? i simply said i don't find any of the characters likeable or redeemable and you take that to mean i have a beef with some sort of inability i have?



that's awesome! classic. lol

next, i haven't given any advice here. so what advice is it you want me to give myself? remember, i am the one you claim has an inability, so please type real slows..k? \

jfc! if i had coffee in my mouth, you'd owe me a monitor, that was rich!

[Sarah_Jayne]

Originally Posted by Sly

The why doesn't really matter. Good for her. She was self-serving then and is now, and you just agreed.

What is wrong with being a bit self-serving? Especially at a time when women were expected to just serve. Aren't we all a bit self-serving in our careers? We don't sling smut for charitable purposes. I don't see the self-serving in her non-business life.

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

the other thing about madmen that we were discussing around here a while back is that there is, for us, not 1 redeeming or likeable character on the show.

seems like i had quite the ability to pinpoint my thoughts on the matter.

but this does remind me of that convo, my point was then, when i thought about it, there aren't ANY likeable or redeemable characters on television that i could think of off hand at that time.

the character that actually made me consider that is jerry seinfeld. love the show, love the character but he's a jerk. he's rarely if ever nice, unless it suits him and he goes around calling his best friends idiots and talking shit about them behind their backs..nevertheless, i love the show and i love the character.

[dyna mo]

that's also why i included "redeemable characters" in my comment. i understand that compelling television requires characters that do shit to set-up a 22 minute or 44 minute show, i fully understand that and have no problem with that. but i need a show to have at least 1 of the above.

but again, the show lost me after its extra long hiatus and my not finding any likeable or redeemable characters meant that i lost track of watching the show. no biggie, it's a television show.

[harvey]

first 2 episodes: yawn....
3rd episode: much better

btw, if Don has issues with his wife, he could give her to me


(on a side note, for those of you who enjoy the post-war advertising age history, try getting "Confessions of an Advertising Man" by David Ogilvy. More or less "Mad Men" put in a book and told by the guy after Don Draper's character is molded )

[Supz]

Was always too old school for me. I like shows in modern day. Dont know why.

In the last few months I have watched.

Homeland - Great Show, cant wait for more
Breaking Bad - great show, more seasons, cant imagine whats left.
Sons of Anarchy - Good to start, gets kind of overboard midway through most seasons but ends well as of
LilyHammer - If you want to laugh a bit. This is funny shit. Terrible show, but funny shit
House Of Cards - Good show cant wait for more.

I am currently watching The Wire in full. I have seen about 95% of episodes throughout the years. Just never watched it in order. Good show, Wish it was more about the criminals then the cops.

[Sarah_Jayne]

Originally Posted by Supz

Was always too old school for me. I like shows in modern day. Dont know why.

In the last few months I have watched.

Homeland - Great Show, cant wait for more
Breaking Bad - great show, more seasons, cant imagine whats left.
Sons of Anarchy - Good to start, gets kind of overboard midway through most seasons but ends well as of
LilyHammer - If you want to laugh a bit. This is funny shit. Terrible show, but funny shit
House Of Cards - Good show cant wait for more.

I am currently watching The Wire in full. I have seen about 95% of episodes throughout the years. Just never watched it in order. Good show, Wish it was more about the criminals then the cops.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Wire Snobs clan.

[mineistaken]

For me its still awesome, at the moment probably my favorite show.
Of course more ad campaigns would be eve better.