What you are, what you want, what you love doesn't matter. It's all about how you sell it. From AMC and the Emmy® Award-winning executive producer and writer of "The Sopranos" Matthew Weiner, comes Mad Men, a provocative new primetime drama about how to sell the truth. Set in 1960 New York, the daring new series is about the lives of the ruthlessly competitive men and women of Madison Avenue advertising, an ego-driven world where key players make an art of the sell while their private world gets sold.
The Setting: In 1960, advertising agencies were an all-powerful influence on the masses. Personal and professional manipulation and sexual exploits defined the workplace and closed the deals. The high profile Sterling Cooper Advertising Agency created advertising campaigns – from cigarettes to political candidates -- better than anyone. It was a time of great ferment. Women had barely begun to come into their own. Librium and birth control were on the move. Ethics in the workplace, smoke-free environments, sexual harassment and ethnic diversity were workshops of the future.
The Premise: The series depicts the sexual exploits and social mores of this most innovative yet ruthless profession, while taking an unflinching look at the ad-men who shaped the hopes and dreams of Americans on a daily basis.
The Players: The series revolves around the conflicted world of Don Draper (Hamm), the biggest ad man (and ladies man) in the business, and his colleagues at the Sterling Cooper Advertising Agency. As Don makes the plays in the boardroom and the bedroom, he struggles to stay a step ahead of the rapidly changing times and the young executives nipping at his heels. The series also depicts authentically the roles of men and women in this era while exploring the true human nature beneath the guise of 1960 traditional family values.
Some examples of scenes that made me laugh and fume....
i.e.
Gynecologist smoking during an exam and speaking inappropriately to a patient. "Just because you're on the pill, don't become the town hump." And she appreciated his advice! OMG!
Housewives more worried about their dry-cleaning than the fact their child is playing with the plastic over her head. (apparently no children had suffocated yet)
The steno pool (secretaries)... who experience, and seemingly accept, severe sexual harrassment daily from nearly all the male executives of the agency.
Women doing the work of men without getting any credit with clients or from the firm. Do it on your own time and you don't get any compensation for it... and she was happy about it.
After watching this I realize how fortunate I was to have been born post 60's. While we women still have some obstacles to overcome, they are nothing like the women before us. Thanks ladies!
If you want to know what it was like for your parents or grandparents, check it out. It will be an incredible eye-opener to how far we have come. I was talking to my mother and she said it's pretty spot on.
Thursdays at 10PM Eastern on AMC
Go to AMCtv.com to learn more and see sneak peeks.