Sunday TV Dilemma: Game of Thrones and Mad Men

Sunday Is Coming - watch more funny videos

Reminds me...
I miss LOST parties.
And I need to update my TV schedule.

Mad Art

via buzzfeed

No Joke. Emmy Nominations.

Mad Men, Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire, Dexter, Justified - I love you all. And even the shows I don't watch, I'm confident your nomination is well-deserved (except that Beau Bridges' Brothers & Sisters nod. Seriously?)

Ok. Drama cataegories, you can go sit over there in the corner. You're good. I've got beef with the comedy nominations though. MAJOR BEEF.

There are more comedies besides Modern Family, The Office and 30 Rock. And Glee wasn't even that funny this season.

Have they ever seen Community or Bored to Death? I literally LOL every single episode. And don't all my friends love It's Always Sunny in Philedelphia? Curb Your Enthusiasm? I mean, people even like Cougar Town, but Courtney Cox's buddy Matt gets nominated for playing himself on Episodes? Really? Even newbie Happy Endings has caught a spot on my DVR!

I get it. The shows that were nominated are good. But geeeeeeeez I am so sick of seeing Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey at every stinkin award show. I'm rooting for Big Bang Theory by default.

Mad Hot

Can't wait for Mad Men to come back.

(PS: There is no list here. I just borrowed this pic from A Beautiful Mess because I couldn't find the original.)

Mad Men or Playboy?

Have you seen the previews for The Playboy Club? It looks exactly like Mad Men. Geez, Eddie Cibrian's voice even sounds like Jon Hamm's!

Want to see more? Shep's got a ton more posted over at Let's Talk About TV!

Up in Smoke

Don Draper says, 'What?'

Mad Men: What happened, What's to come...

So Mad Men's season has come and gone.... Can you believe it? It seriously seems like just yesterday that Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce (Campbell) was formed, doesn't it? Anyway, some thoughts on the finale and the season as a whole...

On Don:
First of all, Megan? Seriously. Poor Faye. I get it- Megan is pretty. And young. And idealistic. And she doesn't need to know Don's past to see him for who he is. She isn't like the other disposable girls that like him because he is 'Don Draper.' And that milkshake seen... can we say she's the ant-Betty or what? It will be really interesting to see them next season when they are married (if they get married I guess). Don's been pretty stable this season (at least he was either depressed or happy, not enraged), and I don't really know if Megan can handle him at his worst. And I do hope Faye sticks around next season (although it seems unlikely), considering she is one of the few people that know about Don's true identity.

But on Don in general this season, man, what a performance from Jon Hamm, eh? Think of where he was in the first episode- coming home to that empty apartment, calling hookers, drinking a lot (well, more than usual). He definitely got his mojo back (and then some). Seriously, would he have ever in the past admitted that 'Dick' was a nickname of his? Or even took his kids to Anna's house? No way, Jose. I love the new Don.

On Betty:
Eck, was she even necessary this season? I guess we needed to see her happy, to then see her world falling apart. Wasn't it just a few episodes ago that she declared she had everything and Don had nothing? Funny how things work out.

On Sally (and Glenn):
Just throwing it out there- Glenn is creepy. And, as it turns out, sort of unnecessary. I mean, I guess his role was to show how Sally is growing up, defying her mother, but still, I was hoping for something bigger to happen with this storyline. Sally definitely proved this season that she is no mini-Betty. It will be interesting how much more that is explored next season, as Sally is getting older AND will have the influence of Megan in her life.

On Peggy:
I loved Peggy this season. She is more independent and, as the minds behind Mad Men promised, she is representing the changing times more than ever. She went from pretending to be a virgin with her lame boyfriend to working naked in a hotel room with that annoying art director (come on, where' Sal?) and hitting up questionable parties with her questionable new friends.

What I loved most about her this season is her relationship with Don. In the past, it was as if she admired him so much, was always trying to please him, and he would push her away.... until he needed something. Nowadays, he trusts her more. He sees himself in her. A lot of people were saying that her reaction to Don and Megan's engagement was out of jealousy, but I disagree. Betty doesn't love Don like that. She respects him. She expected more from him than to marry his secretary (a la Roger Sterling), and honestly, I did too. If he would marry Faye, Peggy would be happy because Faye was Don's equal. She is smart, independent- Peggy admires her as much as she does Don. At first, the scene where Peggy says goodbye to Faye seemed out of place to me, but now I think it was thrown in to prove that point....

On Roger:
Oh Roger. I heard a nasty rumor that someone was going to commit suicide in the finale and I was sure it was him. He's had a rough year. I'm really hoping that with Lucky Strike gone, he steps up his game and actually works to find clients. He would be good at it... if he puts his mind to it.

Also on the horizon.... being Joan's baby daddy, his BFF marrying a secretary just like him (can you say double dates? I sort of hope Megan and Mrs. Sterling the Second become fast friends....).

On Joan:
I love Joan. And I love the credit she has gotten this year (a raise! but by title only...). It isn't that she has grown as a character, it is that people are finally seeing how powerful she is and I lurve it.

Interesting to see.... if her husband survives Vietnam (honestly, I would be shocked if he did), how the baby affects Roger, how the baby affects work life (if Joan isn't in the office, will we still follow her at-home activities?)

On Lane:
He was my second pick to commit suicide, but alas, he lives. Did he say he moved his family back? I hope he cheats on his wife with that 'colored' girl, honestly. I thought that was a cool, cool way to let Lane stand out from the pack. All we ever see is him at the office, so I loved seeing him out of it for a while this season.

On Pete (and Ken sort of too): 
Pete is becoming a major player, especially in the wake of Roger's demise. Remember how he used to be so annoying? Now he is often the voice of reason! Way to go, Pete. And I just love how he put Ken in his place. Pete's a partner. Ken isn't. I'd love to see the two interact more (especially with Kan just landing the first post-Lucky Strike account...).

And on Sal:
Seriously. Where is he? Bring him back!

and PS. Sorry if this has a bunch of typos in it. I wrote it quick.. and hate editing. Bleck. 

Squint

Where's Betty? Or, Who cares?

shep of Let's Talk About TV posted this about Mrs. Don Draper (or.... what's her new name?):

"If you’ve been watching Mad Men this season you may notice that January Jones’ character, Betty Draper, has been absent quite a bit. She has barely been in the series this season and I don’t really care. Seriously, does anyone actually like Betty anymore? In the beginning there were a lot of people that loved her and then some that could tolerate her, now people pretty much hate her, and I don’t think it’s only because of her character, but also the actress that plays her.

... You have to admit she’s terrible. The few people who believed January could still act after watching her for a few seasons finally woke up to the truth when she hosted SNL and bombed. Hard. They finally realized that her ability to not act was not part of Betty Draper’s persona. That was January Jones in all her… glory?

Now, I don’t think Betty Draper has been absent only because January Jones is a terrible actor, but I think that might play at least some part in it. Another part could be that the story they are telling just doesn’t involve the home life of Don Draper that much this season. Instead of showing what the home life for a womanizing ad man was like, they are focusing on telling the more interesting story of that man, and his cohorts, starting their own agency... After all, the show is about Ad Executives on Madison Ave, not Mr. and Mrs. Draper on Suburban St."

Disagree: That she is a terrible actress (although I agree that she bombed on SNL.... comedy is NOT her specialty).

Agree: I too am enjoying the Betty-free time. I know her story will come back, but I sort of wish it wouldn't. I'm with shep on the fact that this show is about the ad men (and women). Yes, their 'real life' comes into play sometimes, but only when it relates to them and their work (ie Pete and his father-in-law's relationship is linked to Clearasil, Don's relationship with Connie Hilton last season...). Betty's storyline with her new husband and creepy Glenn doesn't really affect Don.

I think Betty should be a character we see pop up every once in a while- when Don tells her she needs to move, when he is picking up/dropping off the kids, etc. It should be about how she affects Don's life, not about her life in particular. Also, if she was gone for a while, I think it would be a great (eventual) story if her and Don hooked up again in a fit of drunk, lonely passion (maybe late this season or next.... while she is still married to that other guy).

The less Betty, the better.

Oh not to mention, I always hated her. She is such a brat.

Watch Your Feet

Mad Men star Crista Flanagan (aka Lois aka dumb secretary who provided us with one of the best moments in television history when she ran over an executives foot with a lawnmower...) will be gracing the pages of Playboy with a 1960s inspired photo shoot. Oh la la!

Secrets, secrets are no fun...

Did you know:
Hamm's favorite episode of last season was "The Gypsy and The Hobo," in which his character's secret double life exposed to wife Betty. "It was beautifully written and shot," he told TV Guide.

This is what I had to say about the episode way back in October 2009:

Don Draper:

Or should I say Dick Whitman? I honestly NEVER thought I would see this day. I mean, I never thought Betty would find out, and then when she did, I assumed she would never confront him. But when she confronted her husband about his sordid past last night... whoa, what a show.

It starts when he stands in his office and realizes she knows the truth. His hand that grips the keys to his past (literally) loosens its grip, and he doesn't even flinch as Betty takes them away and opens the drawer. The action moved to the kitchen, where we see a frazzled Don standing over the sink, reaching for a cigarette. The usually calm, cool, and collected leading man has never been shown so shaken. When she asks if he is looking towards the door, he responds simply, "I'm not going anywhere."

Finally, the scene in the bedroom, when he admits his whole past, is seriously breathtaking. I don't think I blinked for the whole conversation. I thought he would maybe tell her a simple version; only reveal what he had to. But no, he tells the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Being born to a prostitute who died in child birth; being raised by Archie and his wife, and then later after his father died, Mac; going to Korea and taking Draper's identity because it was easier than starting over; divorcing Don's wife and buying her a house; he even admits to visiting her while he was in California!

And when she asks him about Adam, the little boy from the pictures, (ugh Jon Hamm you deserve all the acting awards they can possibly give you!) he breaks down, admitting that his brother came to him and just wanted to be in his life and he turned him away. He turned him away because he didn't want to 'risk all this.'

It is a known fact that I hate Betty and love Don. Even though she mostly acts like a seven year old, I really hope she takes this as a gesture of love and doesn't dangle it over his head forever. AND I hope Don doesn't take back up with that psycho school teacher. She is getting too googly-eyed at him anyway.

Obviously, Betty did not forgive Don, as she is headed off the Reno with that other Dude. (Fine. I never liked you anyway, Betty). Anyways... I'm super psyched about the premiere and to see how Don's life is changed once his secret life is revealed. You think Betty would tell on him?

You Lucky Dog

Did you know:
Jon Hamm's pup Cora congratulated him on his Emmy nod by farting in his face.

I couldn't make that up if I tried.

Obama is MAD

Did you know: Mad Men creator Matt Weiner has a framed letter from President Obama hanging outside his office."He wrote to say he enjoyed Season 3," the Weiner says, giggling in disbelief. "He was congratulating me on my and the show's success, and I wanted to say, 'But wait, you're the successful person.'"

I'm Mad.

MTV told us that we needed to pick one 'current event' to follow throughout the competition. Welp, here I go again. Another thing to tweet constantly about....

Lucky for me (and you!), one of my absolute favorite TV shows just happens to be starting its 4th season on July 25th.... just a few days after all these challenges end. Any clue what show I’m talking about?

I’ll give you three hints.
1. The fashion in it is to die for.
2. The men (or maybe just man?) are gorgeous.
3. It’s already given away with the title of this post.

That’s right, kiddos. I’m talking about Mad Men on AMC.

Every single day, from now until July 25th (premiere day!), check back here for your daily Mad Men post. It could be as simple as my favorite Joan outfit from seasons’ past or some (gasp!) spoilers about what is up for the men (and women) of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce.

MAD

Don Draper. Nuff Said.

July 25th. I can't wait.

Jon Hamm + Missouri Sports = LOVE

I love Mad Men. Jon Hamm is on Mad Men.
I love the Saint Louis Blues. Jon Hamm loves the Saint Louis Blues.
I love Mizzou. Jon Hamm loves Mizzou.
I love Jon Hamm. Jon Hamm loves me? I think so.

all Husbands/BFs: watch and learn from Sunday night TV

The men of my Sunday night line up totally blew me away last night! Tom on Depserate Housewives, Robert on Brothers and Sisters, and then Don on Mad Men aren't always the best husbands, but last night, they might have been every woman's dream.

Tom Scavo:
Tom and Lynette hired Lauren (I know that is not his name on the show, but he will always be the general store clerk from Dr. Quinn to me) as a handyman to help out around the house. Looks like Lauren is living back in the stone age, because he would only listen to what Tom, the 'man of the house' had to say (which, if you know Lynette, was NOT going to work). When she confronts him about this, he tells her that he isn't going to 'crush Tom's walnuts' like Lynette does (oh, burn).

Even though Tom likes Lauren, and you know that the guy is right- Lynette is pretty tough on her husband- Tom goes across the street (on his own accord, mind you) to talk to the fired handyman. He tells him about Lynette's childhood- growing up without a dad and a drunk for a mom- and her need to control every thing in her life. God knows there is a lot she can't control- her cancer, her finances, her kids, her sex drive (I mean, she is pregnant again!)- but he says, "There is one thing she can control.... Me. If I let her."

So Tom lets her boss him around because he loves her. All you men out there, take note.

Robert McAllister:
Robert has been a less than stellar hubby in the past, but this season, in light of Kitty's cancer diagnosis, he has been amazing! Last night totally topped it off, inviting his wife to go debate with Senators at an event at the Reagan Library. Seeing how happy Kitty gets, you know that this gesture alone would ahve been enough to earn him Hubsband of the Year.

But, when they step on to the roof, she does not find a big event, but instead an intimate dinner for two to celebrate a successful first chemo treatment. And then just as she admits she doesn't want to be treated differently because she has cancer, white fireworks light up the sky (just like in her meditation/healing book she had been reading earlier).

Robert, you are the bomb.

Don Draper:
Or should I say Dick Whitman? I honestly NEVER thought I would see this day. I mean, I never thought Betty would find out, and then when she did, I assumed she would never confront him. But when she confronted her husband about his sordid past last night... whoa, what a show.

It starts when he stands in his office and realizes she knows the truth. His hand that grips the keys to his past (literally) loosens its grip, and he doesn't even flinch as Betty takes them away and opens the drawer. The action moved to the kitchen, where we see a frazzled Don standing over the sink, reaching for a cigarette. The usually calm, cool, and collected leading man has never been shown so shaken. When she asks if he is looking towards the door, he responds simply, "I'm not going anywhere."

Finally, the scene in the bedroom, when he admits his whole past, is seriously breathtaking. I don't think I blinked for the whole converstaion. I thought he would maybe tell her a simple version; only reveal what he had to. But no, he tells the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Being born to a prostitute who died in child birth; being raised by Archie and his wife, and then later after his father died, Mac; going to Korea and taking Draper's identity because it was easier than starting over; divorcing Don's wife and buying her a house; he even admits to visiting her while he was in California!

And when she asks him about Adam, the little boy from the pictures, (ugh Jon Hamm you deserve all the acting awards they can possibly give you!) he breaks down, admitting that his brother came to him and just wanted to be in his life and he turned him away. He turned him away because he didn't want to 'risk all this.'

It is a known fact that I hate Betty and love Don. Even though she mostly acts like a seven year old, I really hope she takes this as a gesture of love and doesn't dangle it over his head forever. AND I hope Don doesn't take back up with that psycho school teacher. She is getting too googly-eyed at him anyway.