Things that didn’t suck this week – Mad Men, Project Runway, and Wil Wheaton
Mad Men has come back, and the slow-burn of the first two episodes is making me completely crazy — in a really great way. Project Runway returned as well, and I begrudgingly watched it, just to find out that it’s just as ridiculous as always. And Wil Wheaton got into a nerd-fight on Leverage. Not bad for the last week of August.
Mad Men returns
Mad Men is back, you guys. Yes, it’s been back for more than just a week, but I’m so stoked about having a new episode tonight. My life is finally complete. The funny part is that, even though fans have been eagerly awaiting the premiere to find out what’s going on with everyone, we really haven’t seen a whole lot yet. Peggy and Pete haven’t really interacted, Joan apparently married her rapey fiance, Roger apparently married Jane — whom we haven’t even seen yet. So much stuff hasn’t happened, but it’s still so exciting. There aren’t any good clips on the Internet, but amc.com has this cool behind-the-scenes video of episode 2, “Love Among the Ruins.”
The Week Ahead – Teen Choice and Mad Men returns!
Highlights of the Week
- Ohmygodohmygodohmygod it’s THE JONAS BROTHERS! They’re going to be at Teen Choice 2009, the awards show so cool they took “Award” right out of the title. How badass are they (Mon. 8pm, FOX)?
- If you’re a little older, how about: Ohmygodohmygodohmygod it’s Neil Diamond – Hot August Night: NYC (Fri. 8pm, CBS).
- Ready to head back to Sterling Cooper? Want to see what those advertising geniuses have up their sleeves in the new season of Mad Men? Me too (Sun. 10pm, AMC).
- They lied to us last week, and pre-empted Better Off Ted for reality repeats. But this week, we’re promised the back-to-back season finale of the show so fun that nobody’s watching it. They’re really going to have to turn these ratings around in the new season if they want to survive. (Tue. 9pm, ABC).
- Tired of all those reality show whores filling up your TV with their 15 minutes of fame? Reality Hell turns the tables on them by faking the most outrageous realty shows they can fathom for these wannabe contestants. Finally, reality worth watching (Sun. 10:45, E!).
- Greg Giraldo wants to prove he’s more than just that guy at all the Comedy Central roasts that no one’s ever heard of. So they gave him a whole hour to be funny with Greg Giraldo: Midlife Vices (Sun. 10pm, Comedy Central).
- So, The Cleaner is okay television, but the true man behind the character is even better. Take a look at him right after the latest episode of The Cleaner with The Cleaner: Extreme Interventionist: The Man Behind The Cleaner. Can I say “Cleaner” any more times in one paragraph (Tue. 11pm, A&E)?
- I doubt we’ll see it come back, but I actually enjoyed The Philanthropist. It wraps its brief summer run this week with a trip to Haiti. I think the show did a great job of showcasing some of the global atrocities that we too often conveniently ignore (Wed. 10pm, NBC). Read the rest of this entry »
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….
Diary of a Firefly virgin – Oh, so this is why people like this show
(Season 1, Episode 6)
Finally! Six episodes in, and I can finally understand why people like this show. This episode was sexy, funny, extra weird, and everything in between. And, there was a definite sense of character and team dynamic that, up until now, felt rather weak. I have my fingers crossed that this fun isn’t just a fluke, but a sign of the awesomeness to come. Read the rest of this entry »
Big Love, Cutthroat Bitch, and Grumpy: Where do House fellows go?
Appearing on House can be good for your career, even if you’re just a fellow who got fired during Season 4. Actors don’t get cast on House because they’re lame. Even though obviously people like Dave Matthews have lucrative careers outside of House, what about other minor characters, especially those who have had recurring roles? What happens after House?
This weekend, I was watching House re-runs with some friends when one of them told me that Edi Gathegi (Big Love) also appeared in the movie Twilight. The conservative doc traded in his stethoscope for dreadlocks and a sexy torso to play semi-evil vampire Laurent. As Laurent, he is completely unrecognizable. I usually have a pretty good memory for work actors have done, but I thought my friend was wrong until I looked it up.
Anne Dudek, who played Amber (aka Cutthroat Bitch) has also continued working. She has appeared on both Mad Men as Francine Hanson and Big Love as Alby’s first wife, Laura. Of course, my first love is Amber, but I am always happy to see her working. I think Anne Dudek really deserves her own show. Read the rest of this entry »
Things that didn’t suck this week – awkward moments, cursing and Keith Olbermann
amctv.com
“I could have had you in my life forever, if I wanted to.” Peggy tells Pete she’s not perfect on Mad Men
How awesome is Elisabeth Moss? When I’m watching Mad Men, I’m often distracted by the utter hotness of Jon Hamm as Don Draper, but damn, Peggy Olson is a great character. Along with her genteel ambition and mousy exterior, there’s a quiet desperation that runs under everything she says and does. It’s the yearning that I notice the most when I watch Moss play Peggy, but the scene in last Sunday’s season finale in which she finally tells Pete exactly what the result of their affair was, she reveals a strength that is pretty damn impressive.
Quotation Marks – Week of Oct. 31, 2008
Lesbian sex, penis pasta, demon exorcisms, and cavity searches all made CliqueClack’s Quotation Marks this week. Take a look, and add your own favorites in the comments section!
“Your victim was smothered. That’s not opinion; that’s science. And science is one cold-hearted bitch with a 14-inch strap-on.” – Masuka, Dexter
“Compared to a lifetime of Zoloft, 445’s a bargain.” – Lafayette to Tara, on the price of her mother’s exorcism, True Blood
“Can I hide this box of penis pasta in your dressing room?” – Liz, on the adoption agency visiting her workplace, 30 Rock
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