I can't watch commercial television. I mean I can't watch shows that have commercials. I was excited to watch the NCAA tournament until I tried. I gave up. I've been spoiled by HBO, movies on demand, Netflix, et. al. I'd rather pay to watch the show than sit through a disjointed thing broken by commercials. I wonder how much of an effect that had on the first generation brought up on television, though television had fewer commercials and more programming then. There must have been a change in legislation.
So last night, I sat through the two hour premiere of "Mad Men: Season Five." I won't do that again. For $2.99, I can by the one hour and thirty two minute (that's right--twenty-eight minutes of bullshit advertising on AMC) today. I can buy the entire season for $34.99. I'd rather. Or I'll just DVR the shows and watch them on Mondays. But I can't do the other.
I don't know if last night's show was any good or not. I remember some Miller Beer commercial that ran five or six times and some Chrysler commercial that had multiple showings as well. And I remember the show in scenes. Of course, the one everybody is talking about is Donald Draper's wife, Megan, singing "Zou Bisou Bisou" to him at his surprise 40th birthday party (one which sounded, by the way, very much like Brazil 66). Or was it "Zoo Be Zoo Be Zoo"? That's what the New York Times declares. Gillian Hills or Sophia Loren? I'm going with the Gillian Hills version, no doubt. She's a dish as they used to say.
Last night I think I dreamed of Megan Draper cleaning house in her underwear. I'm pretty certain I did. If for no other reason, it was enough to justify watching the show.
I did notice that only Don and Roger Sterling smoked on the show last night, one of the subtleties that makes the show rich. And there was one exchange that stood out. Donald Draper is watching his young wife chatting with her younger, hipper friends at the party. They are laughing and having fun. You can see the shadow pass across Draper's face. Roger Sterling says, "I know what you're thinking. You're wondering what they are laughing at. Don't worry. It isn't about you."
Not yet.
O.K. That's enough of my silliness. This is just a confession of the emptiness of my current life. But it could be worse.
Couldn't it?
I too looked up the video for the song. I loved the episode. Everything is so nuanced. I thought the apartment party/set etc. was killer.
ReplyDeleteI love Downton Abby - an historical costume drama -- I think of Mad Men the same way. :)
I have been in love with Megan since the moment I laid eyes on her. The space between her front teeth -- delicious.
Is it horrid to love these shows?
It could ALWAYS be worse!
ReplyDeleteL, No, not at all. They have very, very small audiences for mass media. I haven't seen Downton Abby, but I know that "Mad Men" is way too smart.
ReplyDeleteR, Of course you are right. And it will be.