All right folks, here is my take on the very popular TV show "Mad Men." However, before I start be warned that I will probably say some "cringe worthy" things about this show so if you are one of those who is easily offended by my remarks, no need to read further. I make this statement because I have lost friendships (shallow to be sure) and readers of this blog because they did approve of what I had to say. Again, a helpful reminder - this is my blog and all the views expressed herein are mine and I take full responsibility for them and I am not fazed in the least by anyone who is so easily offended that they feel the need to leave a nasty comment or end a friendship because of words that I write in this blog that hurts their sensitive feelings. It is ironic but I am posting my review of the TV show "Mad Men" but to me the real "Mad Men" are those who think they can rule my life. To those folks, really.....get over yourselves. If you don't like what I write, then don't read this blog. I have no ads on this blog and I don't ask for money so I have nothing to lose by your departure. I don't need you.
Now, for my take on "Mad Men." I don't watch commercial TV because I can't get past all the ads. When I want to see a TV show I wait until that show comes out on DVD so I can rent them through my account at NetFlix. I've heard a lot about "Mad Men" and what a wonderful show it is. Time from Ron to rent the DVD's and check this show out myself. That I did and this weekend I watched the first six episodes.
Here is my take:
All the hype about Jon Hamm is true. This man is one hunk and a half. He is exactly the type of man a gay man like me is attracted to. He is good-looking, masculine, and self-assured. Jon Hamm is very watchable. My only complaint is that some of the lines he is fed by the writers are worthy of a man like Jon with his gravitas. I just don't believe some of the stuff that comes out of his mouth.
Overall I like "Mad Men" but here are my main complaints (you knew I would have them).
There are too many of the long soap opera pauses. You know what I mean by that. Long looks that kill time. Probably works for the TV show for commercials but not when one is watching this drama on DVD like a movie.
Another complaint I have is all the smoking. Man oh man. Wow. Hey, I started my adult work years in the early Sixties. Yes, there was a lot of smoking, including me. However, looking back on that time now with the hindsight of the dangers and nastiness of smoking, it saddens me to think we all took this "lifestyle" for granted. For the record I stopped smoking my flip top box Marlboro's July 15, 1967. I smoked for seven years a pack a day. That was enough. But watching this time recreated with the constant lighting up of cigarets in every environment, including mothers, saddens me.
I have more. Another thing that saddens me (I can't really call it a complaint because it is true) is the misogyny displayed during that era (the Sixties). Yes, it is true. I remember when I first started to work for Girard Bank in Philadelphia in the trust department, only men had the responsible jobs. Women were either file clerks or secretaries. Thank God that has changes. Still, it saddens me greatly to relive that misogynist time of our past when this kind of behavior was taken for granted.
And even more. Do you see how minorities are portrayed in this series? Yes, again all true. That doesn't make it any easier to witness though a black man with a beanie on his head operating an elevator in the big downtown office building for the all white ad men. To think we as a society took this for granted is very depressing.
Here is my number one complaint. Too many sex scenes. Too much sex. To much chewing each other's faces. Too long, too much. Who enjoys watching those face sucking scenes? Maybe it's me with my age related low testosterone levels but I find it boring. Sure, I like seeing Jon Hamm with his shirt off but I would rather watch a good story.
Talking about a story, what is the story line anyway? Is Don Draper (Jon Hamm's character?) questioning the value of what he is doing? Is he questioning his marriage. And what was the deal with his long lost brother showing up and Don Draper gave him $5,000 to go away? What was THAT all about? Sounds to me like poor script writing.
You know what the most interesting part of this show is for me? It is the woman who plays Jon Hamm's secretary. She is also working her way up. At first I couldn't figure her out but now I think I have. Actually, I sort of identify with her. Not the female part but the part of starting at the bottom in an office environment and witnessing the foibles of my so-call "betters" and realizing that I am just as good as they are probably better.
What I find most interesting in a book, TV show or movie is a story about human needs and how they face their obstacles and come to terms with their lot in life. That to me is always the best story. Of course it always helps if there is a pretty face (and body) like Jon Hamm around to satisfy my more base needs.
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| Jon Hamm - Oh Yes! |
