Reuters and Variety Note That AMC and Mad Men Are Making History With Emmy Nods
According to Reuters, the critics are saying that AMC's 20 Emmy nominations -- 16 for Mad Men and four for Breaking Bad -- have put basic cable on the artistic map and are "marking a turning point" for the awards show. Variety adds, "If last year was AMC's coming-out party, this year represents its coronation." (AMC garnered a record number of nominations for a basic cable network while Mad Men became one of the first basic cable series -- the other being FX's Damages -- to earn an outstanding drama nod.)
Predictions have followed fast and furious, with the Hollywood Reporter talking of "near-certain wins for outstanding drama series and for the phenomenal Jon Hamm as lead actor in a drama." It also notes that if the first two episodes of Season 2 are "an accurate indicator, it's poised to move well beyond its overachieving rookie heat to attain something far more rare: consistent greatness."
Media planners and buyers are also choosing Mad Men -- which has elicited much excitement at the Television Critics Association (TCA) summer tour -- as the likely winner of the best drama Emmy come September, Media Life Magazine writes.
"AMC is a really incredible place to be in this early formative period," Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner tells Variety. "They've made a plan and they've been very brave and smart about sticking to it. They have a strategy of getting into the (original series) marketplace based on quality." TV Week says the broadcast networks need to "take a long, hard look at the way they develop and nurture new shows."
The Emmys aren't Mad Men's only nominations this season. The drama is up for a TCA Award, to be presented on Saturday, in the "program of the year" category, along with The War, John Adams, The Wire and Lost.
I avoided watching the Mad Men reruns after Season 1 ended but as soon as I saw Season 1 on Blu Ray I snapped it up. I watched all three discs in 2-days....I took so long because I started the first disc late in the evening. It is exquisite to watch the series sans commercials and I am even more captivated than when watching the first release. I would buy Season 2 sight unseen right now. The company of people who put this show together are brilliant.
I hope that the commitment to quality of story and presentation continues because this is the kind of drama that makes up in a big way for all the crap TV producers have been passing off as entertainment in recent decades.
Going back to the commercials, During the Season 1 commercial breaks, there were lots of interesting informational bits and commercials that I would have enjoyed seeing as part of the Special Features section. Maybe they will appear on the Season 2 Blu Ray disc?
I didn't watch any reruns all year and when I watched the episode where Roger hits on Don's wife in kitchen after dinner, I hadn't noticed the first time (or it didn't dawn on me) that Roger was in no condition to be driving home after drinking all those highballs. It seemed funny (not ha ha funny) to me that Don walked him to the door and clearly saw how wasted Roger was and all he could say was "That's my car" and you could hear the tires screeching as he drove away. As this seen took place I thought; Nowadays 9 times out of 10 a friend would call you a cab or put you on the couch til you were sober. I think Lonecia is right I will enjoy picking up the 1st season on DVD to enjoy it again. I'm sure I will catch alot of stuff I missed the first time I watched them last year. Looking forward to it. And cant wait til next Sunday nite.
p,59, during the marathon, I caught something I missed (the previous 2 times I saw the episode you mentioned) with Roger and Betty in the kitchen---after he eats most of her dinner! When he brings Don the peace offering (bottle of whiskey) he mentions he got to some place (evidently not far from Don's house) and "pulled off the road and slept in his car"...Thank God...wonder how many lives were saved by his not trying to make it home drunk as he was?