Mad for Mad Men

Sundays at 7pm Pacific on AMC

'Mad Men', I recall the first time (spring 2007) I heard that title and thought "what the heck is that all about?" bringing to mind the notion of a show about anger management. The 'Mad' in 'Mad Men' is a term coined by those who ran the Madison Avenue advertising agencies in 1960s New York. The show was created by Matthew Weiner who also was Executive Producer and writer on 'The Sopranos' another favourite of mine.

'Mad Men' is my favourite drama on television. It is simply excellent. I read an article when the show first started that all the items on the set are historically accurate to the month and year of where the story is set -ie-telephones, typewriters, clothing, newspaper articles, music...and all the smoking in the workplace, home and everywhere (for the record,I am vehemently anti-smoking). Apparently, detailed sketches and artifacts are kept in a vault. The show began in 1960 and is now set in 1965. Each season roughly covers one year in the story development with 1961 being passed over (season 2 started in 1962). It follows the lives of those working at ad agency Sterling Cooper now known as Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce.

'Mad Men' consists of one of the most talented casts on television today. The 4th season started on July 25 and I'm already dreading the end - a season consists of 13 episodes. Thirteen well-crafted episodes. When the show first started I would explain to people what 'Mad Men' was and told them to tune in and see if they would like it.  Since 2007, 'Mad Men' has won the Outstanding Drama Emmy twice (2008 & 2009) and won Outstanding Writing for the same years plus additional Emmys for cinematography and art direction. I'm certainly hoping that come August 29, there will be a three-peat plus some acting awards being handed to Jon Hamm (Don Draper), John Slattery (Roger Sterling), January Jones (Betty Draper), Christina Hendricks (Joan Harris) and Elisabeth Moss (Peggy Olson) - maybe Christina & Elisabeth will tie for Best Supporting Actress.

If you have not yet seen 'Mad Men' first visit the new online video featurettes to catch up on the goings-ons at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce and see if you don't go 'Mad over Mad Men' too.