Every year TV critics gather for the Television Critics Association (TCA) press tour in Pasadena for a peek at upcoming TV series presented by the networks. At this annual parade of programming, Mad Men was on the scene; it's up for four awards at TCA, including Program of the Year. Here's what critics were reporting back and the other Mad Men news that made the papers:

• The Denver Post rounds up what's going on at AMC, and mentions this about Mad Men's Season 3: "The drama should hook new viewers, as well as returning fans." We like!

• MSNBC's Morning Joe took a look at the press kit for Season 3.

• The Philadelphia Daily News has a chat with Jon Hamm who discusses his two-fisted Emmy noms. Also, gives this not terribly helpful clue about the new season: "Well, people change and people stay the same."

• The Philadelphia Inquirer checks in with other cast members including Bryan Batt and John Slattery at AMC's TCA cocktail party. (IF Magazine also talks to Slattery, mostly about his appearance in Iron Man 2.) 

• The San Francisco Chronicle gives details about the cocktail party and says this about Jon Hamm: "He's got a great sense of humor that was once the best kept secret in town, but not anymore."

• More party coverage in Fancast.com, including a quote from Vincent Kartheiser who reminds us: "Before every table read Matt (executive producer Matt Weiner) tells us thanks for everything and please, please, don't tell anyone anything."

• The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette just hammers that home with a story on the show and Matthew Weiner, who is described as someone who "plays it close to the vest."

• Critic (and fan!) Alan Sepinwall of The Star-Ledger was in Pasadena too.

• Variety and the Hollywood Reporter talk about the TCA Awards and how low key the ceremony is. AMC Charlie Collier explains why they're relevant:"... they are presented by an audience that understands the breadth of what television has to offer."

• Co-star Alison Brie is equally charmed by Hamm. She jokes to OK! Magazine: "I've been pushing an affair with Jon Hamm's character for years, but nobody listens to me." (No link.)

• Rich Sommer answers fans questions on The Washington Post's website and talks about some of his favorite scenes, which include Season 1's Carousel speech... and Season 2's hallway encounter between Bobbie and Don.

• O Magazine asks Jon Hamm to name his favorite books. You'll find fiction (The Wonder Boys), brainy reads (The Elegant Universe), and brainy fiction (Foucault's Pendulum).

• Elisabeth Moss is featured in BlackBook discussing the series and what Peggy of 2009 might wear.

• Newsweek spends some time behind the scenes of the show and talks about the rapport the actors share."We genuinely like to hang out with each other off the set," says Bryan Batt.

• Batt is in the NY Post's Pop Wrap blog talking his favorite Season 2 details, including the moment when Kurt came out to the office.

• New York Newsday talks about the Banana Republic Casting Call contest currently going on. "Style and fashion are at the core of 'Mad Men,' said Banana's president, Jack Calhoun. The contest also warrants a mention in the Dallas Morning News.

• Chicago magazine has a remembrance of real life ad man Draper Daniels.

• The Mad Men avatar maker got the thumbs up in Entertainment Weekly's Popwatch blog, along with the NY Post and New York magazine's Vulture blog. We especially like that NY Mag went with the underused verb: Mad Men-ize.