Q&A - John Slattery (Roger Sterling)
AMCtv.com speaks with John Slattery (Roger Sterling) about the British invasion of Sterling Cooper and Roger's blackface serenade of Jane Sterling.
Q: The season opens with Sterling Cooper's merger with British agency Puttnam, Powell & Lowe. What is it like working with the new cast members?
A: If they're people like Jared Harris and Ryan Cartwright, they can only make the show better. They're terrific actors. It's good to get new blood, actors of that caliber. It's funny, because really the show is about the American dream. If you're Don Draper it doesn't matter who you were born as -- you can make yourself anything you want. It's good to have that juxtaposition with the guys from across the pond.
Q: Roger seems secure in his position of authority. Is this a challenge, as an actor, to play top dog?
A: It is. That's not me at all, the person who's in control, the authority figure. But as you go along, you start to develop. The choices become more readily apparent. There isn't a lot of time in TV to rehearse. You just get used to who the character is.
Q: What was your reaction when you first heard Roger would be in blackface?
A: Matt [Weiner] told me. He'll often describe things he's just written, and I heard him say, "blackface" and "My Old Kentucky Home" and I'm nodding, "Uh huh, sounds great," just keeping up. And you leave and it sinks in: What the hell did he just say? Then you read the script. I texted Jon Hamm: "Would you do this?" It's horribly offensive, obviously, but this is the point. This is where we were. It was so commonplace. This is the message, and Roger's the messenger.
Q: What was it like shooting the scene?
A: You sign on at the beginning, you're not sure where the character goes, but you need to find a way to go at it 100 percent. If it's something that Roger finds funny -- and he does -- you need to get that in there. Also I listened to a lot of Al Jolson.
Q: Roger's character has found love with Jane. What's it like working with Peyton List?
A: It's fun. She's terrific. I guess we're lucky to have her. She's busy. She's in demand. Not too hard on the eyes and a lovely person.
Q: Roger is a vodka and scotch man. Do you have a cocktail of choice?
A: I like a martini. I don't really have a specific choice when it comes to alcohol. I'm not as discerning as Roger.
Q: Sesame Street is planning a Mad Men spoof. Can you see Roger as a muppet?
A: I think it's funny because it's so not a kid's show. I wonder what they'll be counting -- cocktails, cigarettes?
Be sure to also hear from Mrs. Roger Sterling, former and current:
• The Season 2 interview with Talia Balsam (Mona Sterling).
• The Season 2 interview with Peyton List (Jane Sterling, neé Siegel).
Thanks Heather for the post. I'm doing Roger Sterling for the video contest, so you gave me a little more insight on the character and John himself. Have a great Labor Day Weekend.
Mad Men Sesame Street spoof? Characters could be "Tickle me Secretary" or "Boozie Monster" or "Count Closet Gay".
As a black person I howled with laughter watching the black face scene. It was appropriate for the times and I applaud John Slattery for his brave performance. The only thing missing was reactions from black cooks and busboys.
-S7
As a mother of a toddler, I have to watch Sesame Street sometimes against my will. A Mad Men spoof would be a welcome addition. They can count pink elephants, wear cute little suits and play What's Really In Mommy's Water Bottle? ! Sounds like a ton of fun. If Dr. Feel can show up from Dr. Phil, then why not?
Roger is the MAN! I like the conflict that consumes Don, it makes the show a classic, but Roger is the MAN! No scruples. It appears as though Roger does as he pleases; we all want to be like Roger! Attention writer gang: Roger is like the olive in the martini, the one ice cube in the Dewars and water, I could go on but I sense you get my drift. Keep up the FANTASTIC work! You guys’ writing is OUTSTANDING. Allow me one final digression, Roger and the TV liaison dude are leaving Roger’s office……….Do you think Roger is going to open his own door? Hell no, they have people for that!
Is Matt Weiner aware that women in the sixties did not drink or smoke when they were pregnant? There may have been a few exceptions but living in that time period and being pregnant we became aware of the dangers of drinking and smoking during pregnancy. I personally know of no one who did indulge and had many friends who were pregnant during that period. It was instilled in us, written in all the health articles and pregnancy books and magazines.
This is a big glaring error and every woman living in that time can attest to this.
Someone goofed with this.
Okay. Now. I'm of the belief that women did drink and smoke while pregnant back then, not everyone, though. Having a lot of friends pregnant at the same time does help with not doing those things. And those things do make morning sickness a little more unbearable. I'm sure that it wasn't as much as a scary thing back then, as it is now. I've also known a lot of women who were pregnant and having kids in the 50's and 60's and they did at least smoke. I don't imagine they would admit to drinking, but the subject really never came up. It did happen as it does now. Red wine isn't as bad as they say it is as long as you don't go nuts and have 2 or 3 instead of 1. I will be conducting an informal survey about this, I'm sure.
My mother, a lifetime smoker, always refrained from smoking and drank sparingly during her pregnancies in the '40s & '50s. She knew that was the healthy thing to do. The reason for Betty's overindulgence may be her constant stress level: the unplanned pregnancy, doubts about her marriage, difficulty with her kids & dad.
Slattery is getting what he has long deserved, attention for being a great actor. It's great to see his comic chops. His timing is fantastic. And HE'S not to hard on the eyes.
Can someone please tell me if they saw John Hamm and January Jones on Oprah Winfrey's and if so comments please. I missed it.
I see that January is still drinking wine but in those days nursing wasn't popular.