I was one of the costume contest contestants and I was wondering if there will be any other photos uploaded from the event, and if so, where. Thank you!

I have been watching your television show Mad Men almost since its beginning. I was extremely disappointed when your show began delving into the "gay" scene. Can't Hollywood stop preaching its "gay rights agenda" so the public can enjoy the program without being sickened by the corruption in our society and the grotesqueness of two people of the same sex relating sexually?
A suggestion would have been bad enough without having to witness these disgusting acts.
I hope you will show nothing like this in future episodes.

I have been watching your television show Mad Men almost since its beginning. I was extremely disappointed when your show began delving into the "gay" scene. Can't Hollywood stop preaching its "gay rights agenda" so the public can enjoy the program without being sickened by the corruption in our society and the grotesqueness of two people of the same sex relating sexually?
A suggestion would have been bad enough without having to witness these disgusting acts.
I hope you will show nothing like this in future episodes.

Lighten up Donna. Gay people exist.

Donna--

People are born gay. It is not a choice, nor is it "disgusting" to be yourself and be happy with yourself.

Like zabadu said, Gay people exist and they sure as hell existed in the 1960s.

Wow Donna, you are a total a-hole.

I have been watching your television show Mad Men almost since its beginning. I was extremely disappointed when your show began being watched by homophobes. Can't viewers stop preaching an "anti-gay agenda" so the public can enjoy the program blog without being sickened by the bigotry in our society and the hypocrisy?
A suggestion would have been bad enough without having to witness these disgusting comments.
I hope you will show nothing like this in blogs.

get a LIFe donna. the rest of us have.

You're kidding, right? I though gay people were invented during the Reagan years, in celebration of the great Actor's finest performance: playing the President, and virtually cutting all funding for AIDS research, thus allowing millions to die. There were no gay people 50 years ago... were there? Oh, really?!
The funny thing is, some gays I know feel queasy when people of the opposite sex hit on them. I think G-d really hates Hollywood, and She will punish all these "creative types when they show up dead.
Does the gay rights "agenda" have an entry for "Old Business"? If it does, it would be the same tired old song of intolerance for people who are different than you.

signed: A Lesbian Trapped In A Man's Body LOL

I have been watching your television show Mad Men almost since its beginning. I was extremely disappointed when your show began being watched by homophobes. Can't viewers stop preaching an "anti-gay agenda" so the public can enjoy the program blog without being sickened by the bigotry in our society and the hypocrisy?
A suggestion would have been bad enough without having to witness these disgusting comments.
I hope you will show nothing like this in future blogs.

Donna, all I can say is WOW. I think it's sad that there are still people like you out there. I'm glad I live in a country where people like Sal can freely marry. As others have said, people are BORN GAY. They don't choose it. You can't make a gay person straight by therapy, either. All one becomes is more repressed, and that is NOT GOOD mentally.

I don't think it was a gay AGENDA, just a progression of the character's story. I hope they do continue to explore this story. Sal is a great character played by a wonderful actor. I really didn't want to go this route, but I can't help myself...
Shut your pie hole, Donna.

The event was incredible! We got a gallery of our MadMen outing here: http://adeatersnyc.com/index.php?page=12&idArticle=4

I don't think it was a gay AGENDA, just a progression of the character's story. I hope they do continue to explore this story. Sal is a great character played by a wonderful actor. I really didn't want to go this route, but I can't help myself...
Shut your pie hole, Donna.

Donna,

I'm wondering, dear Donna, if you consider that Hollywood, through Mad Men, is preaching an agenda of adultery? Of giving up one's unwanted, out-of-wedlock child? Of identity theft? Prostitution? It seems all those practices escape your wrath, but a man finding some comfort with another man, in private, cannot escape your prudish, antiquated scrutiny? You belong buried deep in the secretarial pool of another time. Go there.

The "gay agenda":

1. Go to work
2. Pick up milk and eggs
3. Feed the cat
4. Be accepted for who you are

If you did not know that Sal was gay or at least interested in men from Season 2 then you really did not "watch" the show from its beginning. If Sal's storyline offends anyone then they should not watch the show. Yet the scene with Sal kissing the bellman last night lasted what maybe 4 or 5 minutes. I really don't consider that preaching gay rights.

I don't think it was a gay AGENDA, just a progression of the character's story. I hope they do continue to explore this story. Sal is a great character played by a wonderful actor. I really didn't want to go this route, but I can't help myself...
Shut your pie hole, Donna.

It's hysterical that the gay scene got your riled up and the rampant infidelity, drunkenness and poor treatment of women don't seem to have struck a nerve. They're all real and I think this puts us at 5,000 straight sex scene to one near gay sex scene.

Homosexuality didn't exist
Infidelity didn't exist
Pregnancy out of wedlock didn't exist
Women weren't treated as second class citizens.

The entire show is just one big lie!

Seriously- there is no agenda, these are peoples lives and peoples stories. Just because it wasn't out in the open, doesn't mean it didn't exist.

In response to those disgusted by Sal's love scene: Are you all stuck in the 1960s as well? Be on the right side of history for once and accept others for who they are. There is no gay agenda, Hollywood is not trying to corrupt your children, and honestly, you need to join the rest of us in the real world.

In response to those disgusted by Sal's love scene: Are you all stuck in the 1960s as well? Be on the right side of history for once and accept others for who they are. There is no gay agenda, Hollywood is not trying to corrupt your children, and honestly, you need to join the rest of us in the real world.

Donna, clearly this show is not for you. I suggest you try something more intellectually stimulating, such as Fox News or The 700 Club. Maybe you can find a local Nazi rally to attend.

I think, Donna, what you have to realize there is no agenda. Hollywood isn't "preaching" it's portraying. It's the portrayal of a homosexual in the 60s'. Big deal. Leaving out the fear of being "discovered" during such a naive and misinformed world is part of history. And while it may not mean much to you, I'm sure it means a lot to many other people - gay or otherwise. You are not the only viewer out there. To not talk about it, is like pretending it didn't exist. Do you even realize how scary that must have been for them. Forget about the "agenda" of today and think about what those people went through. Ignoring it is like saying all of the housewives are happy being perfect housewives, or that many business men didn't cheat on their wives, or that they didn't drink alcohol like water or smoke like choo-choo trains. Just because there's a revolution on our hands for Gay rights today doesn't mean we shouldn't talk about how far we've come - nor is it a big hidden agenda for viewership. People are slowly become more comfortable with homosexuality and shows like this are not trying to make a point - they're making homosexuality a norm in our society. A lot of people thought the same way when they started casting shows with a biracial cast. It's history - it happened - and we're talking about it.

Donna, it must be awfully crowded in that narrow little mind of yours.

Donna is a little blog troll looking to stir things up & has apparently succeeded. Can we swing this back around to how awesome the show was last night and ignore those who don't get enough attention at home?

Please post more photos of the folks that dressed up for this event. Or tell us where we can see some?

Let's ignore Donna...she's almost extinct.

My questions to Donna are simply these: what did you think you were watching? Didn't it occur to you that (assuming you were paying attention) Sal's story arc might lead up to a scene where he would get intimate with another man? I mean, you were watching a show on AMC, not, I don't know, Nick At Night or HBO Family. If you are so "sickened by the corruption in our society and the grotesqueness of two people...relating sexually" then why would you watch "Mad Men" at all? Why would you even watch television, what with Hollywood and all its preaching? And finally, why do you think anyone would want to HEAR your narrow-minded moral stance on "Mad Men" or anything else?

Yes Donna, didn't you know that gay people were invented before the 80's?

People like you don't deserve to enjoy Mad Men.

Yes Donna, didn't you know that gay people were invented before the 80's?

People like you don't deserve to enjoy Mad Men.

We dressed in 60's attire, had food and drinks like on the show, and was so excited about season 3 beginning. It was no disappointment!!!!

Can't wait for Season Three to make it to Australia! Almost through season 2 on dvd, couldn't wait for that to reach tv. Loving every minute. And a huge HOORAH for the production design and wardrobe. Fabulous 60's at its best.

To Donna Stempfley - Why don't you move to Iraq or Iran, you will be happy in Muslim countries! I am a heterosexual man, married, a father and accept the gay is part our life and don't wanna change it! Love is Love is Love!!!

You've lost another faithful fan & in the world of advertising, have turned your back on your demo. Heterosexual women 25-54 don't wait all week to watch two men kiss. Goodbye.

bye bye lu lu...will miss you, NOT! I am a 34 heterosexual women and will continue to watch!

I don't think Sal's scene was a gay agenda just as Don's whoring around isn't trying to encourage men to be unfaithful. it's a story. they're characters with problems. many people highly disapprove of Don's behavior but don't lose sleep over it. anyway, if you can't stand the idea of gay people existing I highly recommend you stop watching the show as they will probably keep dealing with Sal's issues for the rest of the season.

Lu lu,

Did you watch Sex and the City? Because watching semi-nude women probably isn't something that most straight 25-54 women really want to watch either. Yet many of us LOVED the show.

Poor Donna!

It must be truly sad to now know that people who think, act, believe, and most importantly FEEL differently than you actually exist. They're all around you and as you can now tell they are writing your favorite CableTV programs!

It seems extremely hypocritical of you to call the gay aspects of this episode "disappointing." I suppose from your point of view the adultery, drug use, rape, lying, unwed mothers, divorce, sexual harassment, general misogyny, child abuse, alcoholism, and smoking depicted therein were merely "atmosphere". I hope for your sake and those around you that these things are also abhorrent to you.

It is hard to imagine that this episode alone set off your gaydar, Donna. Did you watch ANY other episode that featured a Sal plotline?

Mad Men is entertainment but it's entertainment with a historical edge and attention to detail. If youe left wondering why this happend in this episode you should know that there were gays even in the sixties, Donna.

For someone like you who is near perfect, it might be hard for you to imagine how life might be different if societal prevented you from expressing who you are.

Poor Donna!

It must be truly sad to now know that people who think, act, believe, and most importantly FEEL differently than you actually exist. They're all around you and as you can now tell they are writing your favorite CableTV programs!

It seems extremely hypocritical of you to call the gay aspects of this episode "disappointing." I suppose from your point of view the adultery, drug use, rape, lying, unwed mothers, divorce, sexual harassment, general misogyny, child abuse, alcoholism, and smoking depicted therein were merely "atmosphere". I hope for your sake and those around you that these things are also abhorrent to you.

It is hard to imagine that this episode alone set off your gaydar, Donna. Did you watch ANY other episode that featured a Sal plotline?

Mad Men is entertainment but it's entertainment with a historical edge and attention to detail. If youe left wondering why this happend in this episode you should know that there were gays even in the sixties, Donna.

For someone like you who is near perfect, it might be hard for you to imagine how life might be different if societal prevented you from expressing who you are.

I went to viewing party organized by a DJ here in Mpls at Jax Cafe and comparing to the pics above, ours was MUCH BETTER in terms of costumes that men and women wore. Oh it was simply lovely to be a part of the event.

SO WISH i could have been in Times Square for the MADness! Instead I enjoyed the show in my home with my hubs, meanwhile, watching Twitter light up with mentions of Mad Men and Madparties across the country. Way to go AMC, Matthew Weiner, Jon Hamm, January Jones, Elizabeth Moss, Christina Hendricks, John Slattery, Robert Morse, etc etc! Curious about what happened to Duck Phillips and enjoying the Brits in the merger mix. Much-anticipated season.... can't wait to see more!

P.S. AMC, why isn't your station available in High-Def (at least it's not in my area far from Madison Avenue)? I've been spoiled watching Mad Men on Blu-ray all summer.

Lulu, if you would now just turn your back on the rest of the planet and drop off the face of it, the rest of us can get along with our lives and by doing things that fulfill us without harming others. Good riddance. Shows like these aren't made for or BY people like they are. You are living in a dream world if you think they are. Why don't you wait until it's out on DVD and get some Christian film editor to take out all the parts that go against the Lord's teachings. You should be able to get through the season in the same amount of time it takes you to say your hypocritical nightly prayers.

Last night was so, so awesome, even though I am so mad at Don. I can't wait for it all to unfold AND I HOPE SAL GOES ALL THE WAY SOON!

I was happy to see Mad Men come back but have to tell you I was a little disappointed with last night's episode but I'm sure they will get better. Keep up the good work - don't smoke so much, lol.

Wow ~ I'm amazed that Donna could only find ONE form of unsavory behavior in Mad Men to point out ~ I suspect an appalling lack of imagination on her part!

Here's what I'm wondering after last night's episode ~
Are we supposed to begin to believe that Don (or whatever his real name is) has had multiple lives prior to becoming Mr Ad Man? Last year the California girl, now this tawdry little clip from some rural poor spot ~ ? Or are all these little sidebars ~ including the Korean War reveal about his taking another man's identity ~ going to end up being fantasies in his mind?
What do other viewers think?

Oh wow, I didn't think it was possible to love this show even more than I already did! Last night I dressed up in a flowered 60's dress and sipped whiskey with my friend, our tribute to the mad characters of the show.

I think we've all known Sal was gay for a long time and I'm glad that he was finally able express his sexuality, it must have been difficult to suppress it for so long. Lucky it was Don who caught him and not any of those other guys.. They can be jerks.

As for Don, shame on him. You'd think that after all he put Betty through he'd be able to keep it in his pants.. Obviously not.

Oh god.. And the Brits.. The one reminds me of Pete! I'm interested in how this character will progress.

I'm equally intrigued by the rivalry between Pete and Ken. And there wasn't enough of Peggy in this episode!

I love the transitions in this show and the characters never react like characters in a tv show but like real people..

The way Don's birth scene in the beginning was related back to at the end with a loving description of Sally's birth was just another example of how this show masterfully brings everything full circle. Also, the last scene in my mind, was useful at establishing Don's guilt for past actions.

Can't WAIT for the rest of the season!!

j-tho, DD's story is relatively simple. Grew up in extreme poverty, went to war, came back with another man's identity and started a new life. Have you seen Season 1? This is one of those shows that sort of rely on being seen in order, I think.

As for Donna, wow. Being gay is not a choice, but being a self-loathing closet case is. I felt joy for Sal, finally free to be himself, ostensibly for the first time in his life. I want to cry when I hear people like you who are so full of hate. What harm is it to YOU that a fictional man you have never met has finally found someone to be intimate with? And why aren't you bothered by, say, why constant unprotected sex or infidelity? Where were you when Joanie got raped? How do you feel about the misogyny and 24-hour drunkenness? Why is it that Sal is the only thing that pisses you off? Hate is like a cancer. Let it go, you don't need it. Frankly, neither does this message board.

I had some people over ahead of the show and encouraged period attire. Served alcohol and the homemade Chex mix popular at the time. I have been a recruiter for ad agencies for 23 years and relate to many agencies in the stories. I was also a child in the 60s and remember every lamp, thermos, attitude, typewriter, dress, etc. :} Your art direction detail is awesome! Thanks for this!

Donna, not only have there always been innate gay people but this show is about life in the 60s and depicts how they gays had to cloak their lives at the time. Celebrate life and its diversity!

Yeah Beth ~ I've watched it from Episode #1. I'm just not convinced it's that straightforward ~ I guess we'll all find out.

I'm disappointed w/ slow pace;disconnected plotline;predictable scenes;emphasis on personal issues at the expense of "adman" office action;Therefore , enough w/the soap opera-gauzy flashbacks--MORE MANMEN - less sociology!

Lu lu: Maybe it's because I'm not 25 yet (I'm 21), but I found the scene with Sal and the bellhop kissing HOT. Smoking hot. I had to pull at my collar and release a little steam after seeing that.

So just because homophobic douchebags like you can't handle a little kissing between two handsome men doesn't mean the rest of us ladies can't appreciate it. I, for one, absolutely loved it and want more. Aside, of course, from the fact that Mad Men is doing America a public service by addressing homosexuality honestly and powerfully.

What say you, ladies? Let's prove this closed-minded twat wrong.

All of you supporters should come into the actual talk forum. There are a whole bunch of upset people there.

I had no idea that homophobia was still this strong in 2009.

All of you supporters should come into the actual talk forum. There are a whole bunch of upset people there.

I had no idea that homophobia was still this strong in 2009.

Wow Donna, ethics aside, how dense are you not to have seen this coming? Plus the character is depicted as struggling & I'm sure the story will be developed with nuance. Would you have said the same thing to Herman Melville, that he should have taken the gay theme out of Billy Budd? If so you'd have ruined a classic work of literature all for satisfying your own moral agenda. At least one aspect of the show that is so compelling is how many of the characters struggle with how they present themselves versus their inner struggles. A timeless theme that happens to be set in the 1960s. Don deals with the same thing just via a different route. Save your moralistic positions for the 'news' and keep it out of the world of art. It adds nothing to the conversation or understanding of the show. And stay away from the Melville, that Ishmael is a real flamer.

Donna the Troll = WIN
Everyone who commented about Donna on this blog = FAIL

Poor Donna Stempfley, I am so sorry you felt offended and feel the way you do. Here are some things to give some thought to. The world would not be what it is without all of us in it. What I think would be a great idea is that if every person in the world woke up tomorrow and focused on their partner, wife, husband, significant other, lover, boyfriend, girlfriend..... whomever that special person is in their life. The type of partnership is not really that significant. What matters is the life they make together. Their sexuality is really none of our business, really it isn't. Just try that thinking for one day. Just because we are wired one way does not make it better or RIGHT, it just makes it different. One more thing I would like you to think of is if you had a child who was gay. Please tell me you would not want the same rights for your gay child as every American has. Now there's something to think about. I am a straight woman, I have a gay sibling, I have straight friends and gay friends, I give their sexuality very little thought. I enjoy them for who they are are, what they do, what they know, and how they bless my life. So please tomorrow think about your significant other and what you all are doing consensually and privately and forget about what everyone else is doing. You will be amazed at all the space it will free up in your head. I also might add, Hollywood is not pushing some gay agenda upon us, The most amazing thing about gay rights, meaning mostly gay marriage is it's being legalized here in New England, where you remember was the scene of the first real Patriots. So, let that compassion flow into your heart and stop watching Man Men if that's what you choose to do, but for me I can't wait for Sal to have a boyfriend. Lots of love, Karen

Hello everybody,
I just went through the entire second season of Mad Men. I had a ball watching each of the amazing characters and the stories that unraveled. I want to know if Pete the young account executive who was promoted last season, going to kill himself with the gun that he was seen holding in the season finale after Peggy told him about giving away his child?

I think we were meant to consider the possibility; but, also, that evening was the crest of the Cuban missile crisis and people weren't sure if a nuclear war was about to break out, if the communists were going to invade, if they'd even be there in the morning, etc. So it could be seen as Pete thinking he's defending the fort, so sto speak. He's armed and ready. And the gun is also a sort of comfort for Pete - remember the hunting fantasy he told Peggy about? Leave it to Matt to leave us wondering for 10 long months.

Oh, DONNA: Joan was essentially raped by her fiance in Draper's office last season. Did that not disturb you?? Do you suppose they have a rape agenda too? Or maybe you think it's okay for men to dominate their women that way.

And yes, Stefanie, I'm 50ish straight woman and also found the scene with Sal HOT, as I stated commenting on another blog here (Mad Men creator answers questions) where there were the same narrow-minded objections.

OK, I just watched the opener for season 3 again. It is well written and every unanswered question from last season, will be forth coming. As Don said on a clip, there is a lot that is going to happen, so don't be so quick to leave the show. Any loyal viewer will stay on board, as far as the gay thing, hey this is Life and it did exist even in the 50's and 60's, If you are that judgemental then you need to watch re-runs of Father knows Best,,, Yes I am over 60 and I LOVE this show !!

OK, I just watched the opener for season 3 again. It is well written and every unanswered question from last season, will be forth coming. As Don said on a clip, there is a lot that is going to happen, so don't be so quick to leave the show. Any loyal viewer will stay on board, as far as the gay thing, hey this is Life and it did exist even in the 50's and 60's, If you are that judgemental then you need to watch re-runs of Father knows Best,,, Yes I am over 60 and I LOVE this show !!

I have been watching and posting since the beginning. I absolutely love the show. I having been trying to post on the Talk but keep getting knocked out. So slow. Maybe I'll have to wait until everyone calms down. The acting is superb. Only wish they had a 2 hour premiere. Oh you lucky New Yorkers!!!

I wonder if the homophobes out there would be happy if Sal gets beaten to a pulp as they have done so many times unfortunately. I am as straight as they come and this scene, as helped me get over some of my nervousness with regard to 2 people of the same sex "going at it" Can't wait until Sunday!

I'd heard the crowd watching the premiere on Times Square cheered for Sal.

Shame on you all, you homophobes. If you don't like it, there's a thing called the CHANNEL SELECTOR.

It's got a little PLUSsy thing on the top and a little MINUSy thing on the bottom.

Use it...and no pun intended: go either way.

Don't watch the show iff you don't like it.

I wish I had been there! I so should have won!!! ;)

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