Let’s get the “Mad Men” thread started early.
What time does it start tonight, 9 or 10?
What kind of rye do you think Don puts in his Old Fashioneds? Or does he use Canadian whiskey?
Update. Don’t like Rubicon. That main guy is overacting. More generally, too much people using coffee cups as props, talking while they’re eating, etc. You know what I mean.
Yutsano
SociaIist whiskey? Are you daft man? I’m sure he drinks only the good Irish brew.
Cat Lady
10:00. I’m SO psyched for this season – remember how long it took last season for things to really “happen”? It was the John Deere episode about 8 shows in, and then it was on. There was the Kentucky Derby party, then the baby, then Gene dying, and then…. the Lawn Mower, the Kennedy assassination and the ill-timed wedding, then the office coup, in the last four episodes. Wheeee!
The last episode was November 1964.
Here’s what happened in December 1964.
mcd410x
It’s 10. Does anyone know what’s going on in Rubicon?
Cat Lady
1964 says “Fuck You Rand Paul”
Jason
Don drinks Canadian Club, or did last season:
And it’s “Canadian Whisk
ey”. Only US and Irish whiskeys are spelled with an ‘e’.Paddy
@mcd410x Conspiracies, mopey good guy, inscrutable bad guys, government gone amuck (and not in a Glenn Beck way). I’ll give it a couple more episodes before I decide.
BGinCHI
Heard Rubicon is excellent (tv critic on Fresh Air).
Everyone check it out.
plynch22
Don drinks Canadian Club. I used to just make Old-Fashioneds with Maker’s, because I prefer bourbon (and Manhattans, to be honest), but I bought some CC to try it and it’s pretty damn good, especially for an Old-Fashioned.
Muddle a sugar cube, a few dashes of bitters and a splash of water, throw in some ice and a shot of Canadian Club. Finish with an orange slice (I like to squeeze a few drops of juice in, too). And you’re ready for Mad Men.
Ripley
Sazerac, or Old Overholt. Both were around in Don’s day.
Dave C
@BGinCHI:
It’s also online at AMC’s website if you miss it when it airs. I was intrigued, but not completely hooked. Like Paddy, I’ll give it a couple more episodes.
Waynski
I don’t watch. My Dad was a mad man. Too close to home.
burnspbesq
As a result of a flattering Wall Street Journal profile, Don is now the Flavor of the Month in the advertising world. As such, he only drinks single-malt scotch.
Comrade Mary
The Age of Persuasion: Looking for the Admen in Mad Men
DougJ
@Comrade Mary:
Interesting. My dad has a cousin who was a mad man in real life. I’ve heard scattered stories about him my entire life and I never believed them (who would have all of his custodial visits in the Grand Central Oyster Bar?)…until I started watching “Mad Men”. If they based on him, it’s accurate.
JGabriel
DougJ:
Okay. So how’s Leverage? I’m assuming that’s the 9 o’clock default.
.
Corner Stone
That Quiznos ad with the kittens?
Not doing it for me.
DougJ
@Corner Stone:
I don’t like the Apple ad with the short haircut either. The one with the kid with braces is better. And I don’t like that you can’t tell which is which tell you’re ten seconds in.
Corner Stone
I just got back from the pool so I’m already a lil tired. But Rubicon is about to make me pass out before my cheese enchiladas are done baking.
Corner Stone
@DougJ:
Is it too disturbing to admit I only have one thought every time I see that young lady?
It probably is.
Cat Lady
In perusing the awesomeness that is 1964, I found this amazing tidbit which has been lost to the mists of time:
“April 1, 1964 – Mrs. Malcolm Peabody, 72, mother of Massachusetts Governor Endicott Peabody, is released on $450 bond after spending 2 days in a St. Augustine, Florida jail, for participating in an anti-segregation demonstration there.”
Is there a whiter more Pilgrim name than Endicott Peabody?
“Peabody is remembered for recommending the commutation of every death sentence he reviewed while serving as governor between 1963 and 1965, in connection with his unsuccessful efforts to get the Legislature to abolish the death penalty. Massachusetts performed the last execution in state history in 1947.”
“During his administration as Governor, voters approved a state constitutional amendment extending the terms of office of all state constitutional offices from two years to four years, effective with the 1966 election. Peabody advocated laws to prevent discrimination in housing and the establishment of drug addiction treatment programs. Governor Peabody was defeated in the Democratic primary and did not stand for popular reelection to a second term.”
Ahhhh, Brahmin noblesse oblige. We hardly knew ye.
Corner Stone
I swear to FSM if Rubicon slows down any further we’re going to enter a time paradox. Or the movie The Watchmen.
Either way we’re boned.
It feels like Bullet Time in The Matrix series.
Corner Stone
“On the hooman network.”
God I love her.
Corner Stone
And yes, I am warming up for football season running commentary.
I am totally going to freakin’ dominate!
Mary G
The Mad Men preview shows Lee Garner, Jr., the horrible Lucky Strike heir who molested Sal and had him fired for refusing, crashing the Christmas party. I smell fireworks coming.
Only Mad Men would start again in November 1964 and never mention the Beatles once. I’m Sally Draper’s age, and that’s almost all I thought about. My mom was similar in parenting philosophy as Betty, so now I know why I’m a little messed up.
Corner Stone
Dood! Sledgehammer!!
I love that guy.
mcd410x
2nd ep of Rubicon seems better.
mcd410x
And I want to punch the iPhone 4 ads in the face … or the groin.
DougJ
@Mary G:
Ho snap, just mentioned them.
Sarcastro
Look for references to the Christmas party scene in _The Apartment_.
Nicole
I love me some Roger Sterling.
Cat Lady
Creepy Glenn, Beatles 45s, Freddy Rumsen, Sally, Joan and Roger at it, and it’s only 15 minutes in. W00t!
burnspbesq
Ease off on the spoilers, please, y’all. Some of us live outside the Eastern time zone.
DougJ
@Nicole:
Me too.
Nicole
Now that Weiner’s found a Bobby he likes, that character is getting fun. “There are eggs in my bed!” Heh.
Comrade Mary
@Corner Stone: No kittens for you? So how do you feel about a raw chicken? Or maybe this Monster Truck disguised as a kitten?
Cat Lady
The wingnut Republican against Medicare and civil rights on the couch with Bert Cooper is the grand wizard from O Brother Where Art Thou. Typecast much?
Corner Stone
@Comrade Mary: Ummm…Hmmm…neither?
I kept waiting to see if the washed carrots were to going to attack the chicken. Sadly, they never did.
Nicole
So, seeing as how he went after the mother before the daughter, is Glen like a ten-year-old sociopathic Benjamin Braddock?
Cat Lady
That Christmas party need more Ken. Clearly Lee Garner Jr. was missing Sal. What an asshole.
Sarcastro
Don Draper = Sheldrake
You Don't Say
We’re only getting an hour of Rubicon here. Hmmm.
Flipping around TV guide, though, found “Young Cassidy”: Rod Taylor, Maggie Smith, Julie Christie. About Sean O’Casey. TCM at 4:45 am (PST). Never heard of it. Must record.
General Stuck
Nightly Hummingbird pic
DougJ
I’d like Ken back too.
EDIT: Never mind, figured it out
Corner Stone
For those still interested in masculinity, Predator is on G4TTV right now. Just started at 10:00pm CT.
Nicole
I think the actor playing Ken has been listed in the credits, so I assume he’s coming back. I hope so. Can’t wait for more Ken-Pete dynamics.
Cat Lady
@DougJ:
Ken (Aaron Staton) was listed in the opening credits, so he’s going to reappear – maybe he’s going to bring John Deere to SCDP?
Don’s upside down now, and he broke his first rule – don’t shit where you eat. He’s a mess.
Nicole
I just realized- Glen cerealed the kitchen to scare Betty into moving, because Sally is so unhappy there. Aww… that’s really sweet, in a creepy Glen kind of way.
BR
I don’t need any fake conspiracy theories, when there are real issues out there…
http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/collapse/
DougJ
@Cat Lady:
I don’t know why I love Ken so much, but I do.
I’m kind of sick of Don getting with these little twenty somethings. He needs a kick ass Rachel-type. We get enough of the girl-next-door stuff these days with Amy Adams’/Sandra Bullock’s reign of terror.
b-psycho
@Corner Stone: Why does G4 still exist?
Corner Stone
Jesus Fucking Christ. Can’t anyone shut these stupid sonsabitches the hell up?
Mullen says US has Iran strike plan, just in case
Corner Stone
@b-psycho: I’m assuming it serves a purpose somehow. I happen to like Predator.
Ash Can
As for the rye-vs.-Canadian-whisky issue, the two are one and the same, according to my Canadian friends.
MikeJ
@Corner Stone: Of course we have a Iran strike plan. We have a fucking Belgium strike plan. We have a plan to level every country on earth, all individually, many of them in combination. This is no surprise whatsoever.
rob!
Who knew the Ponds Cold Cream people were proto-teabaggers?
Silver
@Ash Can:
Yes…and no. In Canada, Canadian whisky is called “rye”, but there aren’t any requirements for the actually amount of rye used. It tends to be blander and smoother than US ryes are…if you’re using it in a mixed drink, go with Canadian whisky (Gibson’s Finest is quite nice, Crown Royal is shit, imho) but if you’re drinking it neat, stick with an American rye.
Corner Stone
@MikeJ: No, I agree. We have a plan to turn Virginia inside out if we have to.
That isn’t the fucking issue.
Mullen being the personification of US military might should shut his fucking stupid fucking mouth.
I don’t give a god damn about having the plan.
This is more jaw boning that adds up to the other stupid mouthy jaw boning we just don’t need right now. IMO.
I’ve been poo-pooing the whole Iran strike nonsense for the last two years. And I hope I’m right that it’s just talk. But the drumbeats are adding up.
MikeJ
@Corner Stone: In this we are in agreement. Sorry, I’ve read too many people in the blogosphere who are aghast at the idea of a contingency plan. My apologies.
Ash Can
@Silver: Interesting. Thanks for the info.
Joshua Norton
Advertising agency. The 60’s. Add a few magic spells and we’re talking ‘Bewitched’ here.
Joshua Norton
Canadian whisky is called “rye”
That’s one thing I never got used to in California. “Whiskey” out here is automatically bourbon. Back in the northeast, it’s automatically rye. A whiskey sour made with bourbon is quite different than one made with rye. And not as good, quite frankly.
LikeableInMyOwnWay
Love Mad Men. Can’t get enough.
Rubicon? Unless they have something up their sleeve we haven’t seen yet, it just sucks. The deadly slow pace is a killer. Good cinema knows how to use slow, quiet spaces in a piece … Roman Polanksi is probably the best on earth at doing this. Mad Men does it beautifully. Just watching Don Smoke is a lesson in film making.
But Rubicon … ugh. Somebody tell these guys that long languid shots of a car sitting in a parking lot really aren’t dramatically interesting just because, you know, that car belongs to that guy who died in the train crash. I almost find myself hoping that a lizard will appear to tell me I can save a lot of money on car insurance ….. anything to break the silence ….. How about those Orkin commercials? “Is that oak?” “Are we dipping skinny?” Now that is some serious talent.
The insect popping a wheelie on the motorcycle and roaring off into the night, best thing on television right now.
MikeJ
@Joshua Norton: That’s a problem?
LikeableInMyOwnWay
@Mary G:
Beatles mentioned in tonight’s episode.
Zuzu's Petals
Don Draper is a dick.
That is all.
Grace Nearing
@Joshua Norton: Absolutely. I keep waiting to see Larry Tate drop in on his old friend Roger.
Sally Draper’s on the right track: Find a guy willing to trash a place for you.
DougJ
@LikeableInMyOwnWay:
It scares me how much I agree with you about all of this.
LikeableInMyOwnWay
@DougJ:
Think how I feel.
Heh.
.
( If people knew that I laugh until tears at that bug on a bike, I’d be ruined … )
skippy
hey i’m on the aug. 15th episode! watch for me!
asiangrrlMN
I do not watch the Mad Men, so I am just going to treat this as an open thread. Um, hi.
iamdickwhitman
Last week Don was with an escort-now HIS secretary? He is losin it fast.That research lady better turn into a mini Rachel Menken and get into something serious with Don and whip im into shape. I can’t recognize this guy anymore. The DON is dead.
CaseyL
The Don Draper dynamic is really pretty accurate: there were a lot of a men who didn’t pay much attention to their families, were disdainful/dismissive of their wives… and who fell apart completely once they lost them.
But I think it was the structure “wife+children” provided that was irreplaceable and essential; not, apparently, the actual individuals.
Uriel
@Corner Stone:
That ‘ad’ as you call it, sir, is the culmination of the finest work of the Don Drapers of our generation. If Picasso, Galileo, and Wilde were alive today- and condemned to working on madison avenue- they would collectively look at that ad and weep tears of mingled shame and joy at seeing something so truly wondrous being crafted by other hands.
Now, admittedly, the Don Drapers of our generation suck, and if Pablo, Galilei and Oscar were to find themselves condemned to to the soft hell that is modern advertising, they eventually would have decided to rip out their own eyes in protest over the things they’d have seen and done in the name of market share.
But the point stands- that shit as as brilliant as we can expect in this modern day world. It’s exactly what de Tocqueville predicted the arts would become, under a system like ours. And, as such, it is a resounding feature rather than a damning bug.
Expect to see more, not less, of this type of thing as the future creeps intractably on.
Michael
@Uriel:
Are you kidding? Despite the stupidity of some of the ads (and Quiznos is one of the worst), the overall quality is infinitely better now than it was prior to about 10 years ago.
Prior to 1970, nearly all ads were along the lines of “I’m a prominent white person and I use this product. Try it, it is great.” There were few descriptions of its actual qualities or price. Pick up some old LIFE mags and see what I mean. Then came the transitional years from 70 until about 90. Nowadays, we see quite a bit of humor employed, and it creates a pretty solid impression.
JGabriel
@MikeJ:
The plan for a three front war on Latvia, Tuvalu, and Tristan da Cunha is bit loopy though. Maybe because it hasn’t been updated since 1954, though the scenario itself seems rather unlikely.
.
ricky
@Joshua Norton:
I believe you are on target with the parallel to Bewitched.
And the only post sixties program which accurately portrayed that era was Pee Wee’s Playhouse.
JR
I honestly don’t get how so many people can feel so let down by an espionage thriller based on the high-octane world of crossword puzzle solving. It’s the non-stop action ride of the summer!