AMCtv.com awards the Talk forum and blog commenters quoted in our weekly "Hot Topics" post with prizes like a Mad Men poster, Desktop or a Mad Men 2010 calendar (limit one per person).

In the same way that Don's relationship with Suzanne Farrell raised eyebrows a few weeks back, such is the case with Betty and her new friend, Henry Francis. Commenters weighed in across a number of threads about the latter couple's attraction.

• "As soon as Francis says he intends to marry her, she jumps the fence and all of a sudden wants to ditch DD." -- MsDMAC

• "Betty sees a chance to escape her philandering husband and gilded cage..." -- az-fan

• "I'm a big fan of Henry Francis - and I think it's revealing that the only full-on smiles we saw from Betty this season come when she's in his presence..." -- myralouise

Log onto the Talk forum to join in this conversation or start a Mad Men topic of your own. As always, your comments throughout the blog are welcome.

This week, the papers suggest how to achieve the Mad Men look in your wardrobe, in your home and on your menu, while Vincent Kartheiser confesses to crying at the weddings of fellow cast members.

• The Wall Street Journal answers a reader question about achieving the "Mad Men look" without seeming costume-y. One suggestion: Easy on the Brylcreem.

• Vincent Karthesier 'fesses to having cried at both Christina Hendricks and Elisabeth Moss' recent nuptials. Aw.

• The Courier-Journal has a think piece about men suffering from "arrested development" in real life and on TV. Don Draper gets a shoutout.

Continue reading "The Wall Street Journal Gives Tips on Achieving the "Mad Men Look"; Vincent Kartheiser Cries at Weddings " »

As Sterling Cooper's CFO, Lane Pryce is nothing if not precise whether the topic is dollars or diction. This self-professed "stranger in a strange land" has chastised the staff for overspending, and placated his unhappy wife on more than one occasion. Funny how it all sounds better with a British accent. Have a favorite line from the penny-pinching Englishman? Tell us.

We'll randomly choose one contributor to win a Mad Men poster, a Mad Men Dyna Moe desktop set, or some Mad Men DVDs. Your selection may even end up on the Mad Men website. All submissions should be posted in the comments section below and must include the season and episode from which the quote is taken.

We'll post a list of the prize-winners at the end of Season 3.

Nice work! This week's caption challenge yielded a number of very funny options. Here are the five that most struck a chord -- be sure to vote for your favorite in the poll below. On Mon., Nov. 9, we'll launch a new Caption Challenge and announce which of these entries locked up a Dyna Moe Desktop Mad Men.

Alison Brie (Trudy Campbell) shares her thoughts on Episode 12's shocking historical events, Trudy and Pete's nimble dance moves, and why the Campbells might actually be one of Mad Men's most functional couples.

Q: Trudy's marriage with Pete has weathered a few storms. Have you learned anything about real-life relationships from your on-air one?

A: Trudy has taught me that one of the most important things is compromise. What keeps her and Pete going strong is that she can go with the flow. It would be better if both parties were doing this, though [Laughs]. I think Trudy is one of the best wives on the show. I loved how they've come together in their marriage this season. Matt [Weiner] said, "You know, last season you were both working out the kinks." It wasn't common for couples to live together before marriage. So all the things you figure out today over the first two years of dating, back then you were figuring it out over the first two years of marriage.

Q: Pete's reasons for not attending the Sterling wedding are obvious. What's the best excuse you've used to get out of a wedding?

Continue reading "Q&A - Alison Brie (Trudy Campbell) " »

The first few moments of Episode 12 immediately establish its big theme: Disorientation. America is about to be turned upside-down by the Kennedy assassination, but that's not where we are yet. Instead we're at the office with the Sterling Cooper crew. Thanks to a busted heater, they're bundled up in hand-knit mittens, large wool coats, and in the case of Lane Pryce, a very smart (and slightly dangerous looking) pair of black leather driving gloves. That the office -- the ultimate place of hold-it-together natty decorum -- is now as chill as the Rockefeller ice rink knocks our usual perception of Sterling Cooper sideways. And it's only the beginning.

Margaret Sterling has often resembled a child in grown-up clothing, but the electric blue suit she sports while crying about her impending wedding takes that image to new levels. Short and boxy, it fits the period silhouette, and because it reveals her arms, it also makes Margaret look like a girl who's outgrown her clothes but refuses to discard them -- a nifty metaphor for her spoiled attitude. The second flash of Margaret -- weeping in her wedding dress -- underscores the upside-down themes of that storyline. Plenty of brides probably break down in their gowns for various reasons, but they usually pull it together before anyone sees them. Here, we see everything.

Continue reading "The Mad Men Fashion File - Inside Out and Upside Down" »

We didn't get to see Duck Phillips until nearly half-way into Season 3, but suffice to say, the man has had some memorable moments. Actor Mark Moses talks about his character's scene at the Pierre, and his favorite line for 2009.

Q: In the beginning of Season 3, many viewers  wondered, "Where's Duck?" Was there any question about his return?

A: I wasn't quite sure -- just like everyone else. And then I was called and they said, "You'll be back for a number of episodes." I was very excited to come back to the show. I had no idea what Duck was going to be doing in Season 3, so it came as just a big of a surprise to me as the audience.

Q: Duck has a stunner of a moment with Peggy in Episode 7. What was your reaction when you read that twist?

Continue reading "Q&A - Mark Moses (Duck Phillips)" »

The actor behind Sterling Cooper's Senior Vice President of Account Services speaks to AMCtv.com about competition on the set then narrates a typical day on the set.

Q: Pete and Ken compete for Head of Accounts the entire season. Are there any off-set competitions in the cast?

A: I feel very competitive with Robert Morse off-set. We often duke it out. He always wins. I used to be more competitive. Sure, I like to win when I play basketball or board games or video games, but my day isn't ruined if I lose. I'm always up for a rematch. In all seriousness, that's something that's nice about maturing. When I was right out of college, I felt competitive with some of the guys in my class over career stuff. It's funny now to think about it -- that a friend getting a job or something had anything to do with me... I think that my relationship with my wife has played a pivotal role in the chilling out of Aaron.

Q: In spite of all the drama at Sterling Cooper, Ken seems to take everything in stride. Is there anything from this season that would've shocked you in real life?

Continue reading "Q&A - Aaron Staton (Ken Cosgrove)" »

Self-labeled Maddict? Or simply a devoted commenter who has yet to win some series swag? Whatever the case, if you're a fan of the show, you might be interested in checking out the Mad Men merch at Gold Label Goods online. Have your eye on a Sterling Cooper journal? You'd be in good company.

According to Gold Label Goods Managing Director Sherry Grisham, it's one of their bestsellers, along with "Where the Truth Lies" T-Shirts and Sterling Cooper mugs. Besides clothing, coffee mugs and hats, Gold Label Goods also carries such new items as Mad Men Flip Mino video cameras and branded Sigg water bottles. To see what else they're carrying, head to the store.

Always wanted to put words in Bobbie Barrett's mouth? Go for it! The Mad Men caption challenge asks fans to submit a memorable quip of ten words or less to go with the image above (illustrated by Dyna Moe of "Mad Men Yourself"). On Thu., Nov. 5, we'll narrow the entries -- submitted in the comments section below -- down to five selections. Readers will then vote for their favorite. On Mon., Nov. 9, we'll announce the winner who will receive a Desktop Mad Men and a Season 2 poster; the four runner-ups will each receive a Season 2 poster.

Editor's note: The illustration for next week's caption challenge was published erroneously in this entry. The entry has now been updated with this week's illustration.

Last week's winner can be found after the jump.

Continue reading "The Mad Men Caption Challenge - Week 2" »