Comments on: Sesame Street Does Mad Men

By: bryan

bryan — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 21:01:41 +0000

Indeed, you have been a joy to read on this thread, and I’ve laughed more than a few times. Particularly liked the spideysense reference.

By: Indeed

Indeed — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:13:25 +0000

The multiple and overlapping storylines build slowly though, and much like The Sopranos it’s appeal can be somewhat elusive if one has seen only a single episode out of sequence.

Indeed, the gradual development of a storyline and characters is a key element to what made the Wire (and Sopranos, but less so) so great. Most network TV won’t do that. (So perhaps I should shut my virtual pie hole, but I saw what I saw.)

One of the more fascinating elements of the show is watching the dramatic social changes of the 1960’s begin to unfold for a generation, that while still relatively young, is in many ways more threatened than excited by the changes happening around them.

Meh, I keep hearing this. Again, I haven’t watched more than one (1) episode, but my spidey sense is tingling, as this is all too often the road to Tiresomeclicheville. They already went to great lengths to beat me over the head with Style and Mood as Metaphor and What Have You. That’s what worries me. I’ll give it a chance though.

By: rip

rip — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:56:52 +0000

Mad Men is in many respects a soap opera with it’s heavy emphasis on the interpersonal drama between those in intimate relationships, but it is exceptionally well-written. The multiple and overlapping storylines build slowly though, and much like The Sopranos it’s appeal can be somewhat elusive if one has seen only a single episode out of sequence.

One of the more fascinating elements of the show is watching the dramatic social changes of the 1960′s begin to unfold for a generation, that while still relatively young, is in many ways more threatened than excited by the changes happening around them.

By: KXB

KXB — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:44:31 +0000

Actually, Indeed brings up a point – dramas do not age well, which is why there are few reruns of dramas like Hill Street Blues, St. Elsewhere, Thirtysomething. Comedies last longer, which is why you can still see reruns of I Love Lucy, Seinfeld, Cheers, etc.

But, Mad Men took the interesting tack of setting its story in the 1960s. The history changing events of that period are largely in the background, but they are still there and still have an impact on upper class WASPs in the most unlikely ways. The show has often been compared to the writings of John Cheever – in that the show is about showcasing an entire subculture.

For me, I’m not a WASP, not in advertising – I have almost nothing in common with the characters of Mad Men, but it is still great TV. But I had nothing in common with the characters of The Wire – but that was a great show as well. Will I feel the same way about Mad Men 10 years from now? Who knows? But it is well-acted and well-written, and right now, there is little that competes with it. At least until Caprica starts.

By: Indeed

Indeed — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 03:58:51 +0000

Indeed, I did not miss that phrase. But you ended with “It’s a fad.” – a declarative sentence about a show that, again, you had seen one episode of. "a practice or interest followed for a time with exaggerated zeal" It’s been noted elsewhere that this “fad” is in its third season and has won two Emmys for Best Dramatic Series, as well as a bunch of others for writing, acting, etc. Generally fads flame out quicker, contain little substance, and don’t win back-to-back “Best Series” awards. Wow, it's in its third (3rd!) season! Look out Gunsmoke! Wow, and it's won Emmy Awards! The ones the TV Industry gives out to itself! And two in a row for Outstanding Drama Series! Just like Cagney and Lacey (obviously not a fad)! I think my sarcastic point stands. And I wonder what shows you *do* like. I haven't watched TV since Cagney and Lacey went off the air. I didn't catch your sarcastic point. Which was it?

By: SpiderJ

SpiderJ — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 03:37:00 +0000

True Blood is a soap opera. Mad Men is an honest-to-goodness drama.

By: jojo

jojo — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 03:34:16 +0000

Indeed, I did not miss that phrase. But you ended with “It’s a fad.” – a declarative sentence about a show that, again, you had seen one episode of.

It’s been noted elsewhere that this “fad” is in its third season and has won two Emmys for Best Dramatic Series, as well as a bunch of others for writing, acting, etc. Generally fads flame out quicker, contain little substance, and don’t win back-to-back “Best Series” awards.

I think my sarcastic point stands. And I wonder what shows you *do* like.

By: KXB

KXB — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 02:35:44 +0000

The creator of the show, Matt Weiner, used to write for The Sopranos, and brought over a lot of the production staff from that show. That is why the pace, look, and feel of Mad Men seems to bear alot of similarities. But, since it is basic cable, there is less cursing – which works to the advantage of the show. Too often, writers can just toss in profanity, and call it edgy – and as much as I liked The Sopranos – they did that alot.

By: bryan

bryan — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:44:28 +0000

It’s the aside bits that help make this a great show too. Peggy and Joan for example. The intake of drink, the smoking. It’s (at the risk of sounding terribly pseudo-intellectual) a gestalt show, in that it is greater than the sum of it’s parts.

By: Indeed

Indeed — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:56:53 +0000

Watch the first season and then come back with your senses.

OK, but if it turns out to be another trendy show everyone tells me to watch which turns out to suck rhinos (e.g., True Blood), I’m gonna be pissed. My head still hurts from all the Style, by the way.

Peace.

By: SpiderJ

SpiderJ — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:51:47 +0000

Indeed – Your senses are wrong. The style is there self-consciously, the substance is what you need to be willing to see past the style. In other words, if you assume that the veneer is all that there is to this show, then you’re exactly the sort of mark its characters laugh at in their meetings.

But the advertising isn’t even the really good stuff. The show’s about communication and the way even those who excel at it are terrible at it.

Watch the first season and then come back with your senses.

By: bryan

bryan — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:53:05 +0000

PS I love Sesame Street too. I remember when they did “Thirtysomething” with the Count. That tickled me too.

By: bryan

bryan — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:51:36 +0000

I’ve only been able to see two series so far of Mad Men, but it is IMO excellent. Style, yet, but that is the point. As a social document, as a drama, it excels. It reminds me of the Sopranos, in that you are rooting for a grotesque.

By: Indeed

Indeed — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:59:28 +0000

Glad your criticism is coming from experience, rather than just tossing off unfounded suppositions, then. Perhaps you missed that phrase,

but I get the sense that

It came directly after

I’ve only seen one episode of Mad Men

which you noted in you comment.

By: jojo

jojo — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:50:34 +0000

I’ve only seen one episode of Mad Men

Glad your criticism is coming from experience, rather than just tossing off unfounded suppositions, then.

By: brad

brad — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:37:53 +0000

fads don’t last three years and rake in awards

By: Christopher Waldrop

Christopher Waldrop — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:02:38 +0000

The important thing here is that every four-to-eight year-old will now know the word sycophants.

By: jrfunkenstein

jrfunkenstein — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:36:21 +0000

Classic; why Guy Smiley hasn’t been nominated for an Emmy is a travesty.

By: Indeed

Indeed — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:20:48 +0000

It’s no Miami Mice, but not bad.

I’ve only seen one episode of Mad Men, but I get the sense that it’s pretty overrated, 99% style (yes, I get it, they’re ad men, that’s part of the point, but my head hurts). It’s a fad.