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) " »

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)" »

With Season 3 now drawing to a close, we're guessing you've got a question or two for the man behind Don Draper -- Jon Hamm. Have something you'd like to ask? Let us know in the comments section below and we'll pass them on to the actor. (We'll do our best to select questions with the broadest appeal.) The interview will be posted the night of the Season Finale, Sun., Nov. 8 at 10PM | 9C.

NOTE: The deadline for posting questions has now passed. Thank you for your submissions.

AMCtv.com chats with Abigail Spencer (Suzanne Farrell) about joining the cast for Season 3, and playing Don Draper's latest "other woman" who just might be Mad Men's first flower child.

Q: When did you first find out about getting the part ?

A: It was a very fast process. People had been telling me I should be on the show, that I have that feel, that look. I had my manager talk to casting. And they had something! A few weeks passed, then I had an audition. My son was seven months old, so I was just happy to get out of the house!

Q: What was the audition like?

Continue reading "Q&A - Abigail Spencer (Suzanne Farrell)" »

Want to know what's behind Mad Men's unmistakable look? We asked Chris Manley, Director of Photography (and recent American Cinematography cover boy) to describe his process, his influences, and his favorite scenes from Season 3.

Q: Like its characters, the look of the show has evolved. Are there any changes in lighting and/or camera-work you've introduced in Season 3?

A: The camera is primarily the same style. But we have changed up the lighting. The stories are going to much darker places this year so Matt [Weiner] wanted a feeling of darkness creeping in and isolation.

Q: There are some increasingly surreal moments this season: flashbacks, fantasy sequences, etc. How does your process differ when shooting these scenes?

Continue reading "Q&A - Chris Manley (Director of Photography)" »

Industry veteran Robert Morse talks about playing Sterling Cooper's senior partner, why he prefers the Japanese print to the Rothko, and how he became a big Twitter user.

Q: At Sterling Cooper, Bert plays a father figure of sorts. Is your dynamic with the cast similar?

A: Everybody treats me with such respect. They call me sir, and I say, "Oh please don't do that, call me 'Bobby.'" It's a well mannered bunch of people, but I don't think it's carried much further than that. We're all pretty equal, I don't think there's great deference. And if I end up being a father figure, it just means I move a little slower than rest!

Q: Bert is famously eccentric. Are any of his quirks at all like your own?

Continue reading "Q&A - Robert Morse (Bert Cooper)" »

Sterling Cooper's dynamic duo of Kurt and Smitty are the new kids on the block. Edin Gali (Kurt) and Patrick Cavanaugh (Smitty) talk about their real-life friendship, whether they've ever been dressed down by other bosses, and strutting around the set in costume.

Q: Your characters are generally featured together... Did you audition together?

PC: We did not audition together. I think originally the plan was that these two guys were going to pop up in that episode of Season 2. It was just a one day, guest star kind of thing. And we met at the table read, and hit it off right away. We became buddies and enjoy each other's jokes and company. So it worked out.

EG: Like he said, the first time we met at a table to read. It was just one thing, and ended up being what it is today. They kept bringing us back. All my friends are always like, "Dude, I can't imagine Kurt without Smitty, or Smitty without Kurt. You guys are like partners in crime."

Q: Do you spend time together off-screen?

Continue reading "Q&A- Edin Gali (Kurt) and Patrick Cavanaugh (Smitty)" »

Lucia Mace and Lana Horochowski are the two you should thank respectively for the hair and makeup on Mad Men. And now, these crew members are sharing how they styled Betty's Roman look and how you can model your own look on the show.

Q: How did you first meet? Was it like a professional blind date?

LH: We both worked on the first season of Mad Men, even though we were department heads. We met on-set.

LM: But then we fell in love!

LH: It's actually true. Now I can't stand it if I'm working without her. We did become best friends.

Q: Does that make it easier or harder to work together?

Continue reading "The Mad Men Fashion File - Lucia Mace and Lana Horochowski (Hair and Makeup) " »

The actor who plays Sterling Cooper's Co-Head of Accounts talks about keeping expectations in check and issues a warning to his future tailor.

Q: Pete's complexity never ceases to amaze. Are you still discovering new things about him?

A: Lots of the stuff about Pete Campbell comes to me from Matthew [Weiner]. He told me at the beginning of the season some of the transitions the character would be going through. I try not have expectations for the character, or assume to know what's going to happen, or how he's going to react. It's hard to be surprised because I'm not expecting anything.

Q: Pete is a guy some people love to hate.

Continue reading "Q&A - Vincent Kartheiser (Pete Campbell)" »