Mad Men – The truth comes out
Well, I think it’s safe to say that this week’s Mad Men was the episode of the season … so far, at least. After last week’s episode I was sure that things were going to be dragged out over a couple episodes, but I was happily wrong. Just about everything between Don and Betty came to a head in this installment, and with fantastic results.
Things That Didn’t Suck This Week – Jon Hamm, baby
Mad Men, you guys. MAD MEN. Does it make my life sound completely pathetic if I say that tonight’s return is what I have been living for? I mean, yes, my child has still been clothed and fed, but come on … Don effin’ Draper is coming back! Tonight! What’s so great about this isn’t just that one of my favorite shows currently on television is coming back, but Jon Hamm, who plays the aforementioned Don Draper, has been charming his way across the talk shows this week. From Conan, to Jimmy Fallon, to Regis and Kelly, he’s been hitting them all — and staying awesome the whole time. So with that, I present to you this week’s column, completely devoted to Don Draper (AKA Jon Hamm). Read the rest of this entry »
Daily Rerun Roundup – Labor, The Bubble, and undercover cops
Not only is Burn Notice new tonight, but ABC is airing the last two episodes of Samantha Who?, so you should really be watching that. However, if you just need more, here are some of tonight’s reruns:
- In case you missed it the first time around, the newest Lindsay Lohan opus, Labor Pains, is re-airing at 8:00, on ABC Family. Remember when she was good in The Parent Trap? And Freaky Friday? And Mean Girls? Sigh.
- Also at 8:00, Clark goes undercover as a cop to find out who shot Tom Jones on Smallville, in “Bulletproof.”
- NBC is playing The Office and 30 Rock from 8-10 again, but at 9:30, 30 Rock is airing “The Bubble,” in which Jon Hamm (sadly) finishes his arc playing Liz’s boyfriend.
- At 10:00, CBS is showing an episode of The Mentalist that I may be checking out myself, since I haven’t seen it before. In “The Thin Red Line,” Jane and the CBI crew investigate the murder of a witness in a drug case.
- If that isn’t your cup of tea, and you hate yourself, you can always watch Private Practice, wherein they discuss gender reassignment surgery in babies. Ugh.
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See Jane Clack: Don Draper vs. Steve Douglas
I’ve been catching up on season two of Mad Men, before season three premieres on August 16. I’m absolutely in love with the stylish look of this show, from the smart fedoras to the taffeta dresses. It makes me think of other shows that took place in the 1960s, including one of my all-time favorites, My Three Sons.
Yes, I know these two shows are vastly different, but the characters of Steve Douglas and Don Draper have more in common than you might think at first glance. Let’s compare and pay homage to these two guys in hats…
Suits and Cardigans. Like all professional businessmen in the 1960s, both Steve and Don are quite dapper in their crisp suits, starched shirts, and no-nonsense hats during the work day. During their off-hours, though, they relax in cardigans, sweater vests, and tweeds. I guess the big difference here is that Don is never ruffled or unsettled. Everything is very restrained, never a hair out of place. Steve? Well, he’s got those rambunctious boys and Bub/Uncle Charlie to contend with. He’s bound to get a little flustered at times.
Tragic Pasts. In case anyone hasn’t watched all of Mad Men, I won’t give away too much about Don’s history. Suffice to say it’s filled with grief, much like Steve and the loss of his wife, leaving him to raise three boys on his own. Yet both of these men made the best of their situation and persevered to achieve success in their chosen fields. Speaking of which….
30 Rock – Liz has the worst first date ever; Kenneth has the best
What a great episode!
It’s nice to know that I’m not the only person who regularly forgets that Valentine’s day exists. In tonight’s episode, Liz accidently scheduled her first date with Drew for Valentine’s day. Oops. I’m not sure if that doomed the date or not, but the evening could definitely go down as the worst first date in the history of time. If it was going to happen to anyone, it was going to happen to Liz. Although, I have to say, that a good part of the dysfunction sat squarely on Drew’s shoulders.
30 Rock – Liz is a telenovella villain
To say that Liz Lemon is a loser in love would be akin to saying that the current economy is a little shaky. Let’s face it, that’s half the schtick of the show, but this episode demonstrated her uncanny ability to sabotage a relationship before it even starts.
We saw it already this season with Stewart, the little person who worked at the UN, as well as in seasons past with Floyd and even Dennis. This week it was her relationship with her neighbor, Dr. Drew Baird that was in the crosshairs.
Open Letters: So help me AMC, I will burn you to the ground!
Dear AMC,
Okay, maybe that was a little harsh. I won’t actually burn you to the ground, but I will metaphorically end you with my mind if you dick over Mad Men. Yes, I know that you said it will be back this summer, which is all well and good. I mean, I would prefer it if it came back right now; hell, what I really want is for Jon Hamm and Christina Hendricks to just come over to my house and act out scenes from the show, but I get it. I don’t always get what I want.
But let’s be honest here. You’re AMC. You’re not HBO, or Showtime; you’re not even TNT. What I mean is you’re not exactly known for your original programming. You were what old people tuned into on Sunday afternoons when they wanted to watch reruns of Murder She Wrote, or Unsolved Mysteries, or whatever the hell.
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