.....Here they are again, in clickable form.....

http://robertlongo.com/work/gallery/1118

http://glark.org/truthful-tv-title-cards/

http://themoment.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/29/look-the-part-getting-mad-men-hair/

Love those links, Dry....

The TV Title card for MM was exactly right...except it left out maybe: ".....Lie"

That guy should have known that "a little dab'll do ya", right? (Mad Men hair link)

.....During Season 1, I was curious about the the promotional poster, and so did a little surfing.

One of the images I found had this caption, which I've never seen before or since:

“Imagine committing all seven deadly sins in one client meeting…”

How great is that!

When you look at that picture of Jon Hamm in his Don Draper hairdo, it looks like he has a bald spot under all that slick combover. Surely not. I do know I would not want to run my fingers through that hair......

I noticed that, too, z...I like his hair best when it's loose and soft like on 30Rock...but, the "look" of it (slicked back) on MM is very sexy.

Let's hope JH is not thinning--- and will soon look like Lex Luthor for real!

The hair is the transformation of JH to Don. Jon's publicity photos are Jon. He isn't Don without his hair cocktail.
SCfan, I heard John Travolta was really bald, and I think Nick Cage is getting there. If JH were, which I doubt, we'd never know.
I think there is a rule in Hollywood that even if there is a fire or natural disaster you can't go out the door paparatzi ready. I think I heard that from Dolly Parton or something, not sure, hmmm....

You ladies are all too young. But I wonder what some of the mature ladies on this blog
did when it came to running their hands through their man's hair back in the 50's and 60's. Did they just not ..... hhmmm. Of course I thing the ladies had very stiff sprayed hair..... did they keep a towel handy to wipe off the grease?

A little dab 'll do you.

.....Chelsea....Sounds like a pact: "Don't touch the hair!"

This reminds me of the Farrelly Brothers movie, O' Brother, Where Art Thou," based on (believe it or not) Homer's Odyssey.....

As you may recall, the lead character, Everett McGill, was transfixed unto his "Dapper Dan" hair treatment.

If Jon Hamm wanted to fall in line behind George Clooney in any way whatsoever, this would be the role. JMHO. I think he would be bloody brilliant in a Farrelly Brothers comedy.

To change tack, I was surfing for news broadcasts with sleepy eyes this morning, and happened upon a lovely vision of the extremely tall Anne Dudek, with long, cascading blonde hair, similar to how she wore it in Six Feet Under.

I paused, waiting for the busily burbling coffee-maker to produce the goods, and realized it was the fantasy show "Charmed," which is about the power of magic, and the sundry consequential complexities thereof.

Huh! Okay....as I sat there just one minute more, up popped a vision of Jon Hamm ("the Hammster")!

Jon was sporting a long, silky 70s-inspired "do," complete with the Mutton Chops of Power!

Rock on, baby!

.....DavidM.....You sound like my ma!

Yes, hairpieces have come a long way since the days when Burt Reynolds wore one---when still relatively young---didn't seem to hurt his appeal to women somehow. Of course, this was before he went and got himself stretched so tight that if his face ever springs loose there will be severe injuries to all within 10 feet.

Or maybe they all get transplants now....?

Having a thick head of hair seems to be more important to men than to the women in their lives. JMHO, but, it wouldn't bother me if my husband lost his hair...he has a "recede" as he calls it, but he looks fine to me.
Of course, it depends on the man...big difference in Yul Brynner and Fred Mertz!

lol

Just some thoughts on this:

All the actors, esp. Jon Ham, January Jones and the guy who plays Ken Cosgrove look better on the show than in "real life". Google image their names and I think you will agree....except Peggy.

Mens Hair: If you start the left sided comb-over at about 12 yrs old-by 35 it does it by itself...you can come right from the shower and...BOING! over it goes.

I myself am a big fan of the Brylcreem and Tareyton's.

.Have we yet figured out what Don smokes? I'd say Benson and Hedges (very Madison Ave, but probably former Old Gold fan)- Betty would be a Parliment girl

Dry Manhattan (which is my fav drink-but after a few I am your least fav guest)

Anne Dudek is amazing and can play just about anything: hard to believe she is one of the twins in "White Chicks".

A few year ago, she starred in a program "The Book Group" for Channel 4. Fantastic! and filmed in my hometown. Hard to find-but I have a copy, often bits are on Youtube. I don't know how to access it for all-but you should be able to see a clip! Enjoy!

On further reflection:

Bobbie Barrett smokes Parliments, Betty is a Salem or Belair girl!
As soon as introduced, she will be switching to True Blue 100's.(after joining the Conscious Group and trying Transendental Meditation Season 8)

Hey Dry! You been using my hair treatment?

I'm assuming that everyone at Sterling Cooper smokes Lucky Strikes.

.....SCfan.....Hilarious! Poor man is starting to resemble Charlie McCarthy..... (Yul? or Wm. Frawley? ..... hmmmmm........)

Gavin....how nice. My avatar says "Cheers!"

You are so right about Anne Dudek - she gets a LOT of work, and can drop into any role, chameleon-like. I never know when she's going to pop up.

liquor....."Mah hayer....."

Gavin and Double.....DD smokes Lucky Strikes. No idea what everyone else smokes.

Has anyone ever seen Joan smoking....really? I can't recall more than one or two occasions where she wasn't smoking.

.....Oops....make that ".....where she was smoking....."

Yes, Gavin, for the most part, the actors do get help from the makeup, lighting, camera angles, etc. designed to show them at their best on MM, but...anybody wanting to see how well JH, at least, holds up outside of MM, go to gettyimages.com and click on the entertainment filter and type in his name...some fine looking "real life" pics pop up.

Wow....

.....Sorry, Gavin.....Meant to tell you how funny your comb-over story is.....

Personally, I'm of the "scalp rights" contingent.

"Banish the comb-over!! Flaunt that pate!!"

Uhh...the ones of him at the poker invitational don't count...lol

Yeah, Dry...look at Matt Weiner...he looks just great with his head a'shinin'...I like that look, myself...shows the man isn't vain and he has his mind on important matters.

Look at Robert Duvall...he looks just fine with his pate a'shinin', too!

.....I realize I'm hijacking this thread, but I don't want to start a whole new one......

A couple of tidbits regarding AMC's programming changes.....

http://www.smartbrief.com/news/aaf/storyDetails.jsp?issueid=32C1FFDC-CDD5-4035-B1A9-75CE81110A08©id=28C0247C-260C-4091-9B57-D2124F0D6476

AMC to offer "branded storytelling"
AAF SmartBrief | 03/31/2009

During its upfront presentations, cable network AMC will advance a concept called "branded storytelling," in which advertisers work with the network to create ads that are customized specifically for AMC's shows and movies, according to this report.

The network behind "Mad Men" and "Breaking Bad" also is expected to begin a themed movie night in May. Wall Street Journal, The (03/31)

And, another one.....

http://www.c21media.net/news/detail.asp?area=1&article=48711

AMC reskews True West

US cablenet AMC, home to original scripted productions such as Mad Men and Breaking Bad, is heading into the primetime unscripted arena with new ob-doc series, True West.

According to the channel, the move is part of a brand sharpening that involves a re-jig of its weeknight schedule.

Created by producer Brett Morgan, part of the team behind AMC's successful 2006 miniseries Broken Trail, True West centres on a multigenerational group of modern cowboys pursuing a way of life that is heading for extinction.

Although commissioned, True West is in the early development stages, with casting and location yet to be finalised.

A series that, while unscripted, plays out like a drama rather than a competition or reality show, True West fits into AMC's new brand identity, which the Cablevision-owned network is preparing for presentation at its Upfront.

Lead by the slogan 'Story matters here,' AMC is looking to position itself as a narrative-driven channel with broad audience appeal.

The channel will sharpen the skew of its nightly primetime blocks later this year as part of that drive. Mondays will be female-skewing with a focus on feature films; Tuesday nights will house Cinemania, a hosted interactive short form block; Wednesdays will be dedicated to action films; Thursday nights will be red carpet night; Fridays and Saturdays will share special event programming; and Sundays will remain the block reserved for original series.

And this one…..

http://news-briefs.ew.com/2009/04/go-west-amc-go.html

Go 'West,' AMC. Go 'West'
Apr 1, 2009, 08:30 AM | by Jeff Labrecque

AMC, the cable network behind award-winning shows like Mad Men and Breaking Bad, will develop True West, its first nonscripted primetime series.

According to Variety, producer Brett Morgen (The Kid Stays in the Picture) will oversee the contemporary drama, about a real family of cowboys whose way of life is quickly vanishing.

AMC, which reaches about 95 million homes, has enjoyed a boost from its Sunday night programming—ratings overall are up 12% since 2006.

But both Mad Men and Breaking Bad cost about $2 million per episode, and an unscripted series promises to deliver more bang for the buck.

Is it possible that Mad Men has been banished to sit in The Corner for Bad Kids?

It will be interesting to see how the Season 5 negotiations turn out.

Damn...

MM, which should be treated as the shining crown jewel (matter of opinion) being treated like that!
Same old story...money money money...no one respects artistry...but, then, AMC is first and foremost a business, I guess. I, for one, have had overdose (only watch one, well 2, I guess...American Idol and Dancing with the Stars--yes I admit it! ha) "reality shows" don't need another one, even if they are calling it "unscripted".

Now I'm mad.....

.....SCfan.....Okay, remember the other day we were talking about entertainment distribution changing radically (demise of the DVD, etc)? Apparently, this guy has a slightly different skew on the whole thing.

Check out this article from NBC.com, which also addresses your, and several other, comments here:

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/around_town/the_scene/ER-Ending-and-Rumors-of-Televisions-Demise.html

"ER" Ending, and Rumors of Television's Demise

"ER" goes, but television flickers on...

Way back, before there were internets -- there were hair nets and fishing nets, mind you -- television came along and some people predicted the newfangled box would be the death of movies.

Didn't happen. And one day, thousands of years in the future, when the brand-new entertainment-system 4S-Zyzminl 4000 is introduced, some people will worry that it will mean the end of the glowing hats every human wears so that entertainment product can be delivered directly into the body via glow pulses.

Stars Shine on "ER"

Since it began in 1994, ER has admitted a veritable who's who of acting talent to its waiting room. Now, as the show gets ready to end its unprecedented...

Basically what we're saying is things in showbiz are forever evolving, and when one fairly major thing changes, we don't get too ruffled. Like "ER" ending on Thursday, April 2. It's been on since George Clooney was 12, practically, and we can see that the television landscape has changed. People do watch stuff online now, that's true. But "Mad Men" and "Big Love" and "Lost" and "Breaking Bad" are still triumphing on the small square-y thing in the den.

We won't quibble about ratings and shares and DVD sales and algorithms and charts and that a certain island-bound show has fought to keep its impressive audience in the past few years. What we're talking is watercooler razzmatazz. Facebook fan groups. The need to still be entertained by a quality program after a long, sometimes tedious day away from the couch and the remote.

Farewell "ER" and thanks.

Your departure doesn't signal an end, just a small change in a business built on the stuff. And how we're getting our entertainment in a few years may be really different, or only a smidge different. But bet we'll be watching. Television viewership -- not hurting all that much.

We're off to the fridge for more snacks.

Copyright NBC Local Media

At least they said they are keeping Sunday night for their original series...which I take as a sign they will not banish MM to the outhouse, at least.

Thank God for small favors, I suppose....

Great/interesting links, Dry.

I fondly remember ER in it's first years...great show...right up there in quality with MM....then anyway.....

I'll never forget that episode with Dr. Doug Ross (GC) saving that kid behind the grate (with the water rising) in the water main...classic "must see" TV., for lack of a better phrase...

I haven't watched it in years, but I will tune in Thursday night just to say goodbye to an old friend I lost touch with.

I think it's classy that Julianna Margulies and GC returned for the last few episodes. He surely must realize the show made it possible for him to jump to movies and succeed as well as he has.

I hope it's memorable...but, I'll watch it (just for old times' sake)....whether it is or not.

.....Actually, and I don't know whether to be embarrassed or not, but I don't think I've ever seen an entire episode of ER. I've never been a big fan of network television, which is weird, I'm sure.

I meant to tell you that AMC is now streaming each week's episodes of Breaking Bad (only one at a time, I believe).

Wondering if they will also do that for Mad Men Season 3?

.....I apologize for going even more off-topic (it's my party and I'll cry if I want to) but tomorrow at 8pm on AMC is the funniest movie.... It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.....

.....for those of you who haven't already seen it.

It's a large ensemble cast with many comedic greats, and is very funny.

(Thanks. We now return blah blah.....)

That one is great, Dry....so many hilariious parts.

One that comes to mind is when poor Spencer has his wife (Selma Diamond's voice!) and his daughter on two different phones and holds the phone receivers across from each other for them to talk to each other...(caught in the crossfire)....also, Dick Shawn in the car "I'm coming to save you, Mama..."

Keep your eyes peeled at the first after Jimmy Durante "kicks the bucket" for the family driving slowly along the highway and they get run off the road by the treasure hunters' cars...funny is not the word...

Who gives a flying rat's behind about a group of cowboys? Where do they come up with this crap??????????????????? I'm going to live in the woods and read books (a la "Farhenheit 451").

.....Cheap talent.

Very interesting as always, Dry M, but I have to confess I went back and read your post twice. When I first started reading I was in kind of a drowsy daze and misread "AMC is heading into the primetime unscripted arena with new ob-doc series, True West". In my sleepy state I understood you to mean a show about obstetricians.....as I read further I was truly puzzled how the obstetricians were going to mesh with the cowboys and the old West. All is clear to me now, and again I thank you for the information.

one more opinion, for what it is worth:

The first few seasons of ER were great. What killed this show was when it stopped being about patients and became a soap opera about the lives and loves of the staff...how many disasters and addictions can one show take?

Yeah, Gavin...right on.

That's what's happened to Grey's Anatomy as well.

Shame.....

.....z.....You really have something there. We must get you an agent.

Well, them there frontier ob-gyns could herd cats, I guess!!!!

Pregnant cats. . .

I have seen every episode of ER, a lot of them were re-runs which thankfully are on every day. The show STARTED with eps about the love lives of the doctors and nurses. Clooney and Marguiles were the first supercouple. It also has always been about medicine, patient care and the administration of the ER. The staff changed a lot, and so did the coupling. ALL TV medical dramas have that in common. But ER is one of the most intelligent and realistic med. shows, like the old Ben Casey and Dr.Kildare.

And "True West" sounds fascinating.

My husband has worked in an operating room setting for almost 30 years, and the only hospital drama he could stomach was "St. Elsewhere"; in fact he loves it and says it's as close to real of any of the medical dramas. I agree. We have rented all the episodes on dvd. We tried to watch ER, but couldn't.

I should say we rented as many episodes of St. Elsewhere as possible; I think only the first and possibly second seasons are on dvd.

I agree, Mambo...St. Elsewhere was wonderful.

Wish TVLand would air the episodes...fat chance...they seem to be stuck in the '90's (Home Improvement, Cosby, etc.)....hell, that ain't classic TV to us Boomers....bring on Father Knows Best, Make Room for Daddy, Donna Reed, the old classic westerns, the aforementioned SE, Dr. Kildare, Ben Casey...all the old '50's and '60's shows....Nick at Nite used to air some of those....waaaaay back there, anyway.

Dream on, I know......

I know St. Elsewhere aired a lot later than the '50's and 60's....but, I still consider it a classic show.

I agree, it's a classic. And yes, Nick at Nite used to run all those great shows you mentioned, plus Route 66, Bewitched and The Fugitive. I guess that means our demographic is no longer in demand with advertisers. I guess we should just be glad they don't put us out in the corn field.

Ain't it the truth...

also, I liked Howie Mandel a lot better as Dr. Wayne Fiscus, didn't you?

But, other than DOND, he's usually very funny in his comedian mode (rubber glove blown up on his head, aside...but that's kinda funny too, still, I have to say) The remark he made on DOND (don't watch anymore...it went crazy early on) about how he'd been the model for the bobble head of himself (bobbed his head around!) was hilarious.

You had to be there.....

Vis-a-vis the opening sequence... I don't see Robert Longo as much as I see Saul Bass's animated opening for Alfred Hitchcock's VERTIGO...

Just a thought.