Season 3 ended weeks ago yet the show continues to get attention in the papers, including a best of the decade list, some creative fan fiction, and a shoutout from none other than Hillary Clinton. Check it out...

• The New York Times mentions that real-life agency McCann is having fun with its Mad Men notoriety. The agency bought space in trade publications like Adweek and Brandweek declaring "Welcome, Sterling Cooper," and created a website with video clips of their mentions on Mad Men.

• ABC News talks to Matthew Weiner in Sydney about the renaissance of quality TV; in the piece, Mad Men's creator references everything from The Sopranos to Miami Vice.

Continue reading "Hillary Clinton Watches Mad Men; Movieline Assesses a Non-Existent Episode 14" »

If you stayed up late to watch  Saturday Night Live this weekend, you got to see January Jones channeling a flatulent Grace Kelly, a heroic Dairy Queen employee and a '50s housewife/hostess among other characters.

Of most interest to Maddicts probably was the opening monologue in which Jones bantered with devoted Mad Men fans -- referred to as "Mad Mennies." One nice touch: The Mad Mennies declared Betty to be their favorite character -- with a dissenting Fred Armisen tossing in, "I like Peggy." (He should. He's married to her!) And who knew the show's theme song had lyrics?

Didn't get a chance to watch? You can watch the entire episode online on Hulu.

The Season 3 Finale catalyzed all sorts of analysis. But before we get to all the breakdowns, be sure to check out the link to a video of January Jones on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, an article on Jon Hamm's cultural significance and a hilarious comparison of the show's characters to the X-Men:

•  This list in the NY Daily News is about Jon Hamm's cultural impact. The evidence? He competes with Cupid (setting up Elisabeth Moss and Fred Armisen), and revived interest in Ann-Margret.

• Before you watch January Jones on Saturday Night Live tomorrow night, you can watch her play beer pong with Jimmy Fallon.

Continue reading "Matthew Weiner Talks to the Daily Beast; Mad Men Gets an X-Men Mashup" »

This week, the papers suggest how to achieve the Mad Men look in your wardrobe, in your home and on your menu, while Vincent Kartheiser confesses to crying at the weddings of fellow cast members.

• The Wall Street Journal answers a reader question about achieving the "Mad Men look" without seeming costume-y. One suggestion: Easy on the Brylcreem.

• Vincent Karthesier 'fesses to having cried at both Christina Hendricks and Elisabeth Moss' recent nuptials. Aw.

• The Courier-Journal has a think piece about men suffering from "arrested development" in real life and on TV. Don Draper gets a shoutout.

Continue reading "The Wall Street Journal Gives Tips on Achieving the "Mad Men Look"; Vincent Kartheiser Cries at Weddings " »

Elisabeth Moss' wedding to Saturday Night Live's Fred Armisen, a chat with Abigail Spencer (who plays Suzanne Farrell) and fresh fall fashion advice from Matt Weiner's son Arlo are among the talking points in the papers this week. Where to begin?

• Let's start with Moss' wedding to SNL's Armisen which was mentioned on MSNBC.com, the Daily News, E Online, Us Weekly and People, among other sites.

• On the same note, the Nov. 8 issue of TV Guide (no link) has a profile of Moss. In it, Jon Hamm is quoted as saying: "I was along for Fred and Lizzie's first date, and I felt very 'big brother' that night. Still do."

• The same issue of TV Guide mentions Betty's confrontation with Don in its Watercooler section.

Continue reading "Elisabeth Moss, Abigail Spencer and Matt Weiner's Son Grab Attention in the Papers This Week" »

Sure you're obsessed with the music on the series this Season. But ever wondered what sort of songs the characters of Mad Men would tune into on the AM dial? Starting this week, the iTunes store is featuring individual playlists for seven of the show's main players: Betty Draper, Don Draper, Salvatore Romano, Roger Sterling, Joan Harris, Peggy Olson and Pete Campbell. You can also listen to samples of these music tracks on each of the relevant character profile pages.

Since these lists were compiled by creator Matthew Weiner, producer Scott Hornbacher, composer David Carbonara and music supervisor Alexandra Patsavas among others, they actually provide you with fresh insight and a knowing nod: Patsy Cline's "Too Many Secrets" is on Betty's list; "I'll Be Seeing You," by Liberace is on Sal's. Other stars of a bygone era include Dean Martin, Ella Fitzgerald and The Platters.

The playlists (which each contain five songs) are now available on iTunes. The Season 3 DVD set will also include a special insert with tracks and downloads.

This week, the cultural impact of the show hits a high with four references in the New York Times on everything from advertising to automobiles. Also, reviews of Episode 10, "The Color Blue" and Betty's big discovery.

• The New York Times ran an op-ed piece this weekend about the show's appeal during tough economic times. "To a generation beaten down by skyrocketing unemployment, plunging retirement savings and mounting home foreclosures, 'Mad Men' offers the schadenfreude-filled message that their predecessors were equally unhappy..."

The Times also covered last weekend's New Yorker Festival advertising panel which featured Matt Weiner on the bill. A quote from the series creator, "'I'm a hard-core materialist," Mr. Weiner said, "yet I resent someone trying to whip me into a frenzy to buy something I don't need.'"

• Still more from the Gray Lady, an advertising story about the release of Windows 7 referenced Mad Men and the Lucky Strike "It's toasted" slogan, while a story in a special Automobiles section featured a large photo of Don Draper next to a Zipcar.

Continue reading "The NY Times Mentions Series Four Times This Week; Matt Weiner Talks Ad Business" »

Photos of January Jones in GQ, coverage of Christina Hendricks's wedding, and info about Janie Bryant's collaboration with Brooks Brothers were all big in the papers this week... Not to mention this week's recaps of Episode 309. Read on to hear more about a cover girl and a blushing bride. But first: Two items of note for Maddicts in NYC:

• This weekend marks the New Yorker Festival, and on the docket, a discussion about advertising. Mad Men series creator Matt Weiner is on the bill, although, alas, the event is already sold out.

• Even if you can't make it to the panel, New York-based fans can head over to Gallery 225 and check out their show "Where Have All the Mad Men Gone." The exhibit features proofs of ads from the '60s along with current art.

Continue reading "GQ Gives November to January Jones; Tabs Cover Christina Hendricks's Wedding" »

Anxious to look more like the guys of Sterling Cooper? Brooks Brothers and Janie Bryant are making that possible. From Mon., Oct. 19 through Sun., Nov. 8 (the night of the finale), you'll be able to stop into select Brooks Brothers locations for a Bryant-designed limited edition, 1960s-era suit.

Inspired by the suits of Don and Roger, this gray two-button number is made from gray sharkskin fabric, and hand-finished. It features narrow lapels, diagonal pockets and side vents -- About the only thing missing is the drinking glass. The suit, priced at $998, will be available at the following Brooks Brothers locations:

Continue reading "Get Your Own Limited-Edition Mad Men Suit at Brooks Brothers" »

Don Draper edging out the President in an AskMen.com poll and analyses of Episode 8, "Souvenir" were among this week's talking points in the papers. 

• News that Don Draper topped this year's AskMen.com poll of the most influential men hit a number of outlets including NY Daily News, The Washington Times, Reuters, St. Louis Dispatch, Canada's The Globe and Mail and BuzzSugar.com. Television outlets were equally enamored: Access Hollywood had series creator Matthew Weiner's comment, "It's interesting how drinking, smoking and carousing wins the race today, no offense to President Obama and Mr. Bolt."

• ABC News took a look at the show, noting that not only does it get details from the 1960s right, its appeal extends across age groups.

• The usual suspects broke down Episode 8's Roman holiday including The New York Times, EW.com, The Onion's AV Club, the Chicago Tribune and TV Guide. Buzzsugar counted down their five maddest moments, which included Trudy's "willful wifely ignorance."

Continue reading "Don Draper's Influence and the Show's Success Sans Nudity Impress the Papers This Week" »