Mad Men Season 4

In today's NYT feature (front page of A&L), reviewer notes that
they're only vaulting a single year, to 1964. Had presupposed
they'd be moving at least another year or two down the road . . .
but at least we'll be in the era of Beatle-consciousness.

 

The NYT feature calls Mad Men "a cultural phenomenon much in the way The Sopranos once was."

Really? Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think the show has quite reached that level of popularity. And most people I know, either family or friends, don't make a point to watch.

 

I think in some ways one could argue that "Mad Men" is even more culturally influential than "The Sopranos." You now have 20-somethings ordering Scotch and longing to wear suits to work. Quite a change from the frat boy culture of the previous couple decades.

 

Thank God it's on basic cable, and you don't have to pay to play, as
you did with Tony, Ed Swearingen, and Jimmy McNulty.

 

http://www.amctv.com/originals/madmen/madmenyourself/

 

I assume that we won't be hearing from Sal again. What a great job by the actor in a very interesting role.

 

It's been stated that the Ken Cosgrove character WILL be back . . . and I strongly suspect that Betty's new mother-in-law will be Betty White.

Hard to say about Kinsey, as he was left off the lifeboat on departure . . .
Sal/Bryan Batt? Nobody's said never, and Batt ain't talking. I'm betting
he shows up, at least one more time, before The End.

 

I've tried to stay spoiler free, but i'm wondering if Weiner is still sticking to a five season plan and if the show is going to span the whole decade.

I like the idea of characters coming and going -- Ken and Kinsey are not super essential, but even if Joan ended up unhappily ever after with Dr. Rapist, that would have been OK. I know that it is hard to do with a star, but it makes it more like real life.

 

Actually, I love this show so much I'd like to see it careen into the '70s. It'd be fun to see them in that era.

 

Hamm has been quoted to the effect that he wants to stay with it as long as Weiner wants to keep cranking it out.

 

bravo to hamm, then, for recognizing he's got the best role of his career.

 

And making more money than he ever dreamed of. HC& I can't wait for Sunday night.