I don't get "Mad Men"

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: Mo0o

Originally posted by: swbsam
I feel so dumb, my wife watches Mad Men all the time, and the critics adore the show. But I just don't get it - the writing and direction are great and all high class all around, but I find it boring.. Like a period soap opera..

I had 2 theories, chime in because I'm stumped:

1. I'm a heterosexual male, the show wasn't meant for me
2. My parents were not born here, so I don't have passed down nostalgia for the 50s/60s

It's odd that an acclaimed show does absolutely nothing for me, how about you?

It's a show for white americans that look back at those times w/ lots of fond memories

beat me to it! its good for a film...pleasantville was already done. but to keep the same tone over a tv show season, it just drones on beating a dead horse. its interesting to look at i guess, but all the characters are distant and unrelatable.

 

[EGGO]

Originally posted by: dbk
You don't get it because you don't want to get it.
The bigotry is strong in this one...

Case in point:
1. I'm a heterosexual male, the show wasn't meant for me
2. My parents were not born here, so I don't have passed down nostalgia for the 50s/60s"

"Everyone I know who watches the show is white/female/and or gay... "

I feel sorry for you.

Gotta agree.

My parents weren't born here.
I'm a heterosexual male.
I'm neither white, female AND gay.

You know how Don Draper would get the OP to see his point of view? He'd pull the OP to another room, threaten, then fingerblast.

 

[swbsam]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo

Originally posted by: Mo0o

Originally posted by: swbsam
I feel so dumb, my wife watches Mad Men all the time, and the critics adore the show. But I just don't get it - the writing and direction are great and all high class all around, but I find it boring.. Like a period soap opera..

I had 2 theories, chime in because I'm stumped:

1. I'm a heterosexual male, the show wasn't meant for me
2. My parents were not born here, so I don't have passed down nostalgia for the 50s/60s

It's odd that an acclaimed show does absolutely nothing for me, how about you?

It's a show for white americans that look back at those times w/ lots of fond memories

beat me to it! its good for a film...pleasantville was already done. but to keep the same tone over a tv show season, it just drones on beating a dead horse. its interesting to look at i guess, but all the characters are distant and unrelatable.

Ha, I actually liked Pleasantville, because it juxtaposed modern values with those of the past to show the flaws of the past. I mean, I get the archetypes all all that, the ultra conservatism giving way to the sexual revolution and civil rights movement. Pleasantville wasn't about the details, I think the charm of Mad Men (and the reason it's lost on me) is those details. The episode that I watched to day featured Anne Margaret, Pepsi "Patio," and quite a few other references that I had to wiki, because I was kinda lost. But Anne Margaret's cute! I just thought she was the chick from Barbarella, but that turned out to be Jane Fonda

 

[TehMac]

Originally posted by: EGGO
You know how Don Draper would get the OP to see his point of view? He'd pull the OP to another room, threaten, then fingerblast.

:laugh:


I dont think he would though, the OP doesn't have a vagina...or does he?:Q

 

[swbsam]

Originally posted by: EGGO

Originally posted by: dbk
You don't get it because you don't want to get it.
The bigotry is strong in this one...

Case in point:
1. I'm a heterosexual male, the show wasn't meant for me
2. My parents were not born here, so I don't have passed down nostalgia for the 50s/60s"

"Everyone I know who watches the show is white/female/and or gay... "

I feel sorry for you.

Gotta agree.

My parents weren't born here.
I'm a heterosexual male.
I'm neither white, female AND gay.

You know how Don Draper would get the OP to see his point of view? He'd pull the OP to another room, threaten, then fingerblast.

Why do you guys take it so personally? I never said that the show was bad. In fact, I'll go as far as saying that it's the best written and acted show on non-pay tv. I just don't personally understand the appeal, and suggest that it's about ones frame of reference. Personally, I mentioned gender/sexual preference because the show reminds me of a greatly produced soap opera, and guessed that may appeal more to someone other than myself

 

[Gothgar]

I dont really care for it

 

[TehMac]

Because you're being a stubborn retard.


Here's the correct response: "Yes guys, I haven't been watching the show enough to make an educated opinion. I'm sorry for trying to compare gay men with heterosexuals, and I promise not to make inane comments about a show I think is "the best written and acted show on non-pay tv."

If you don't get the appeal you're either a fucking retard or you're trying not to. That simple.

 

[nageov3t]

Originally posted by: Mo0o

Originally posted by: swbsam
I feel so dumb, my wife watches Mad Men all the time, and the critics adore the show. But I just don't get it - the writing and direction are great and all high class all around, but I find it boring.. Like a period soap opera..

I had 2 theories, chime in because I'm stumped:

1. I'm a heterosexual male, the show wasn't meant for me
2. My parents were not born here, so I don't have passed down nostalgia for the 50s/60s

It's odd that an acclaimed show does absolutely nothing for me, how about you?

It's a show for white americans that look back at those times w/ lots of fond memories

not really... have you like watched an episode?

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: swbsam

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo

Originally posted by: Mo0o

Originally posted by: swbsam
I feel so dumb, my wife watches Mad Men all the time, and the critics adore the show. But I just don't get it - the writing and direction are great and all high class all around, but I find it boring.. Like a period soap opera..

I had 2 theories, chime in because I'm stumped:

1. I'm a heterosexual male, the show wasn't meant for me
2. My parents were not born here, so I don't have passed down nostalgia for the 50s/60s

It's odd that an acclaimed show does absolutely nothing for me, how about you?

It's a show for white americans that look back at those times w/ lots of fond memories

beat me to it! its good for a film...pleasantville was already done. but to keep the same tone over a tv show season, it just drones on beating a dead horse. its interesting to look at i guess, but all the characters are distant and unrelatable.

Ha, I actually liked Pleasantville, because it juxtaposed modern values with those of the past to show the flaws of the past. I mean, I get the archetypes all all that, the ultra conservatism giving way to the sexual revolution and civil rights movement. Pleasantville wasn't about the details, I think the charm of Mad Men (and the reason it's lost on me) is those details. The episode that I watched to day featured Anne Margaret, Pepsi "Patio," and quite a few other references that I had to wiki, because I was kinda lost. But Anne Margaret's cute! I just thought she was the chick from Barbarella, but that turned out to be Jane Fonda

i did too. it was a perfect dose. mad men is just too much.

the other show i find too precious is 30 rock...so much hype.

 

[Perknose]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo

Originally posted by: Mo0o

Originally posted by: swbsam
I feel so dumb, my wife watches Mad Men all the time, and the critics adore the show. But I just don't get it - the writing and direction are great and all high class all around, but I find it boring.. Like a period soap opera..

I had 2 theories, chime in because I'm stumped:

1. I'm a heterosexual male, the show wasn't meant for me
2. My parents were not born here, so I don't have passed down nostalgia for the 50s/60s

It's odd that an acclaimed show does absolutely nothing for me, how about you?

It's a show for white americans that look back at those times w/ lots of fond memories

beat me to it! its good for a film...pleasantville was already done. but to keep the same tone over a tv show season, it just drones on beating a dead horse. its interesting to look at i guess, but all the characters are distant and unrelatable.

OP, I understand you and your particular position, you're coming from a different place.

But OrooOroo really is one huge and clueless doorstop, at least here.

Apparently, he lives in a cultural trailer park of the mind. As an analogy, he's so used to his diet of American cheese and Wonder Bread that the other many fine cheeses and lovely loaves, even just in this country, seem icky and foreign to him.

Also apparently, anything outside of his own ahistorical and acultural mindset is something he just can't "get."

Pity him. He has cultural aspergers.

Don't laugh. In less than a decade, his sad condition will have made it into the DSM and Big Pharm will be hawking several high priced miracle pills on TV aimed just at people like him. It will the eclipse the current erectile dysfunction tsunami.

EFS, Esthetic Feebleness Syndrome. You heard it here first.

Won't you help? :brokenheart:

Edit: ^^^^ Hyperbole? Why, yes . . . yes it is. After all, we are merely discussing a TV show here.

 

[Kirby]

mad men is my favorite tv show on right.

damn, betty and joan are fucking banging hot.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: dbk
You don't get it because you don't want to get it.
The bigotry is strong in this one...

Case in point:
1. I'm a heterosexual male, the show wasn't meant for me
2. My parents were not born here, so I don't have passed down nostalgia for the 50s/60s"

"Everyone I know who watches the show is white/female/and or gay... "

I feel sorry for you.

Well most successful shows now-a-days are more female oriented. Network TV is full of female oriented shows. I know this isn't network tv and in the 60's and I've never seen this show and never will but I'm just saying that he's possibly right.

 

[n7]

Love the show, & i can't even really tell you why.

It's just so well done in every way.

And i'm a 26 yr old with zero similaraties in life to this show.

It's just really good.

 

[spikespiegal]

I like the show, and can't frikken figure out why. However, I have some ideas on why it crosses over so many demographics.

Basically the show is a soap opera, but the differences are obvious from standard daytime fare. Because of the cultural time frame it took place in the show's subtle (and not so subtle) sexism is tolerated, if not the main source of conflict in the show. This is one perfect example of why the show wouldn't work in a current time frame.

So, guys dig it because the male characters are able to get away with so much. Women like it because the chicks on the show not only get to portray suzy housewife, they also get to be sneaky bitches that often have to be much smarter than the guys to survive. So, both male and female viewers get what they want.

 

[abaez]

Love the show too. The examination of the period is the most obvious, but there are also many things to like about the characters.

I don't like the direction Don is going (what's with the flashbacks?), but Peggy's rise in the company (which was basically non-existant back then) and her telling Peter about their ordeal was interesting. The differences between Peter and Ken's reaction to the promotion last week. The office politics with Joan (and will she or won't she stay with her fiance.. what would you do?) One of my favorite scenes in the show was when Betty was preparing for the dinner party last season and one of the chairs was creaking, so she kept banging it to fix until eventually she just got frustrated and broke it. That perfectly summed up her character and existance (and probably many other housewives during that time) in one 15 second clip.

I can see how many people wouldn't like it though. Especially if you're not a fan of period TV/Movies.

 

[TehMac]

Yea, Ken and Pete are in a "Japanese style competition," lol I love Bert Cooper. He and Roger Sterling make that show.

 

[n yusef]

"Mad Men" stands out with the depth and strength of its female characters. This is in contrast to the vast majority of TV and film, where women are written with little of the aforementioned qualities. This is no coincidence; 7 of 9 "Mad Men" writers are women. The OP's sentiment that "Mad Men" is not made for straight men is likely related to the strength of its women, particularly to the fact that Peggy is the most sympathetic character; the OP may have trouble identifying with her.

BTW, Mad Men shouldn't make one reminisce the early 60s. I'm a fan of the show, but "Mad Men-themed" parties and other such glamorization scare me. Do people really not notice all of the sexism, racism, homophobia, alcoholism, depression, etc.?

 

[n yusef]

Originally posted by: spikespiegal
I like the show, and can't frikken figure out why. However, I have some ideas on why it crosses over so many demographics.

Basically the show is a soap opera, but the differences are obvious from standard daytime fare. Because of the cultural time frame it took place in the show's subtle (and not so subtle) sexism is tolerated, if not the main source of conflict in the show. This is one perfect example of why the show wouldn't work in a current time frame.

So, guys dig it because the male characters are able to get away with so much. Women like it because the chicks on the show not only get to portray suzy housewife, they also get to be sneaky bitches that often have to be much smarter than the guys to survive. So, both male and female viewers get what they want.

I don't think that men are supposed to like the sexism (any more than women). That's sort of like conservatives enjoying Steven Colbert. . . .

 

[jonks]

Originally posted by: Mo0o

Originally posted by: swbsam
I feel so dumb, my wife watches Mad Men all the time, and the critics adore the show. But I just don't get it - the writing and direction are great and all high class all around, but I find it boring.. Like a period soap opera..

I had 2 theories, chime in because I'm stumped:

1. I'm a heterosexual male, the show wasn't meant for me
2. My parents were not born here, so I don't have passed down nostalgia for the 50s/60s

It's odd that an acclaimed show does absolutely nothing for me, how about you?

It's a show for white americans that look back at those times w/ lots of fond memories

Rome sucked also, it was just made for the Italians to look back and enjoy a time when they ruled the known world.

 

[swbsam]

Originally posted by: jonks

Originally posted by: Mo0o

Originally posted by: swbsam
I feel so dumb, my wife watches Mad Men all the time, and the critics adore the show. But I just don't get it - the writing and direction are great and all high class all around, but I find it boring.. Like a period soap opera..

I had 2 theories, chime in because I'm stumped:

1. I'm a heterosexual male, the show wasn't meant for me
2. My parents were not born here, so I don't have passed down nostalgia for the 50s/60s

It's odd that an acclaimed show does absolutely nothing for me, how about you?

It's a show for white americans that look back at those times w/ lots of fond memories

Rome sucked also, it was just made for the Italians to look back and enjoy a time when they ruled the known world.

I never said that period pieces can't transcend time and space, just that Mad Men does not. For example, my favorite director (Guillermo Del Toro) basis most of his movies around the Spanish Civil war. I'm not spanish and, hell, I know very little about the Spanish Civil war. But his movies are immensely powerful to me because the war just provides the backdroup, the movies are about the universally understandable notion of violence/war/fear corrupting the innocence of childhood, and the transformational power of the human imagination. There are no pop culture references, no inside jokes to the era - understanding the history is not necessary to understanding the story.

Mad Men doesn't do that for me, it throws around so many references to the era (and the impending rebellion of the 60s) that I'm lost without wiki.

 

[Balt]

I'll be honest, the show doesn't do anything for me either. I'm an American and I usually love shows set in the 20's-60's, but other than the stylistic elements of the show I'm pretty underwhelmed.

Other than the main character (Draper), I find myself not being even slightly interested in any members of the cast. They all seem like slight variations of a copy/paste. I could easily see many of the characters' lines or parts being swapped for one episode with no one noticing at all.

I'm a big fan of AMC's other original series, Breaking Bad, though.

 

[olds]

While not as eloquent as Perknose, I will say this - Dick/Don's wife is hot as fuck.

 

[nageov3t]

I've got such a crush on Joan... what's not to get?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QN4NyD6l8A

 

[abaez]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
While not as eloquent as Perknose, I will say this - Dick/Don's wife is hot as fuck.

Yup. Even pregnant in that dress she looked stunning. Peggy has also really turned around too and I'd totally smoke a doobie with her.

Originally posted by: loki8481
I've got such a crush on Joan... what's not to get?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QN4NyD6l8A

The scene was killed for me with the horrible dubbing (it does sound like she sang it so why dub it?) But it's scenes like this is what makes the show so great. Here you thought Joan was asserting herself earlier with the "Then stop talking." line to her husband, but you can totally see her being reminded of a woman's place in the era in this scene and she's helpless to do anything about it. This is right after the discussion about her husband messing up that surgery and that he is not going to make much money for a long time. She seems to realize that that her husband might not give her the life she thinks she'll get. She's not stupid though, so I wonder if she'll stay with him or not.

AND best line ever "I'm Peggy Olson and I wanna smoke some marijuana."

 

[Legendary]

The show excels in writing, cinematography, and art direction. It's just a beautiful thing to watch and listen to. The acting suffers at times but never for too long.
It does drag sometimes but if more often than not if you invest in a storyline it rewards you beautifully. At this point it's hard to ask for more from a TV show.
And even when it fails a little bit, it's still just a masterful thing to watch.

HD does wonders for this show in particular.