Here's another tribute to one of our favorite shows. The finale is on AMC at 10 p.m. Sunday, May 17, 2015. We've traveled with these characters from 1960 to 1970. They cried when President Kennedy was assassinated, changed their clothes with the times, learned to smoke pot, and watched Americans land on the moon. Many of their stories have parallels to my childhood. Yes, it's true. I learned to roll a joint when I was nine.
I promise: No spoilers.
If you're a Mad Men watcher, then I'd like to know which character is your favorite. Please share with us in the comments.
As for me, the top of the pops is
Peggy Olson.
When we met Peggy, she was a secretary and a naive virgin with a terrible hair cut. Working as Don's secretary lasted longer than her virginity, but it wasn't too long before Peggy moved up in the advertising world.
I loved watching Peggy fight for her success. She's an emblem of the times, they are a-changin'.
Jon Hamm may be the star of Mad Men, but for me the show is really about the women--especially Elisabeth Moss as Peggy. Don Draper (Hamm) gave her a hand from time-to-time while she climbed the ladder, but it was Peggy who came up with a basket full of kisses. She was a natural all along.
Now, Peggy is an adult who shows great insight into some of the events in her life. The bangs, the pony tail, and the childish clothes are gone. I can't remember the last time Peggy visited her whiny mother.
Peggy became da boss of copy writing.
Brava, Peggy. I shan't forget you.
Infinities of love,
Janie Junebug
I am not sure I can say which character is my favourite since I have not watched too much of it even though I thought it was great. The big busty gal looks like one strong woman who became the men's equal in this man's world
ReplyDeleteThat's Joan. She's my second favorite--just a little below Peggy.
Delete-)Isn't it amazing how tv shows grow real to us, along with their characters? :)
ReplyDeleteI think this show is especially real to me because it portrays my childhood. The time line for the show began the year after I was born. I understand the kids because I was a kid then, and I understand the adults now because I think I am one--maybe.
DeleteAm I "the whore child" or "Rachel"? I've never seen Mad Men so I'm not sure why it was dedicated to me!
ReplyDeleteDick is the whore child. Rachel ran a department store and fell in love with Don. Stop putting on airs, young lady. The show is not about you. If it makes you happy, though, I can call you Whore Child. Yeah. That's catchy.
DeleteI genuflect to the Queen of my Heart, Joan Holloway / Christina Hendricks.
ReplyDeleteI'm very fond of Joan. Last night I saw the episode about Joan and her doctor husband entertaining a couple of other doctors and their wives. Joan's husband couldn't deal with the way the guests admired Joan, so he brought out her accordion in an attempt to embarrass her. I could see in Joan's eyes (which Christina Hendricks always used so well) that she was pissed, but she played, sang in French, and came out looking like the red rose that she is.
DeleteI didn't watch Man Man and since I was in advertising for a short time before I changed direction, I should have. I watched several friends in advertising, being chewed up and spit out
ReplyDeleteBut I followed it on Tom+Lorenzo blog. They reviewed each episode and especially how the clothes and colors affect each character.
From not watching the show I like and will miss Peggy the most.
cheers, parsnip
I want to imagine that Peggy will go on to have a happy and fulfilling life.
DeleteI don't have a favorite. I used to read all the books.
ReplyDeleteWhat books are those? It certainly has similarities to books such as Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates.
DeleteHi, Janie Junebug! Typically my favorite characters are the ones that are most flawed. To me the most interesting character on Mad Men was the complex, steely, icy, pouty, chain smoking "mommie dearest," Betty played by Jan Jones.
ReplyDeleteHave a safe and happy weekend, dear Janie!
January Jones is an excellent actress. I was disappointed by her diminished role in the show after she and Don split.
DeleteNo doubt Peggy is the hero of the show. She's the best! I love the actress too, Elisabeth Moss. She is fantastic in the movie, The One I Love, and in a show with impenetrable accents, "Top of the Lake." If you haven't seen those, I definitely recommend them (both on Netflix, not an ad for Netflix, I assure you).
ReplyDeleteThough I do love-to-hate Harry Crane and Pete. And I like eyepatch dude who I always forget about until he shows up all cycloptic.
I have Top of the Lake in my Netflix list--if it's still on streaming. I'm not familiar with The One I Love. I'll look for that. She's great in Get Him To The Greek, especially when they have a three way with Aldous Snow. Eyepatch Dude is Ken Cosgrove.
DeletePeggy is a great character for sure and pivotal in this show describing the struggle women had (still do) at this time.
ReplyDeleteBut, my favourite character is Joan Holloway. She was bright from the gitgo and knew how to get what she she wanted and 'play the game' for her own survival. Nobody messed with Joan.
It was a great show for sure, Janie.
I love Joan's way of taking command. She's rarely flustered.
DeleteI liked Roger Sterling the best.
ReplyDeleteI saw him on Inside The Actors Studio with some other cast members. He seems personable in real life and as Roger. I don't think Roger wants to be a dick. He just is sometimes.
DeleteI never thought about which character is my favorite. I enjoy that show so much. Has sometimes felt like stepping right back in time. I've always loved Peggy...she's gone through so much and I hope she finds happiness. But I feel the same way about Joan...who soldiers on, keeps so much to herself, and has been through so much, too. Hard to pick a favorite. Don't tell what happens! I have to wait about a forever for it to come out on Netflix! :)
ReplyDeleteI promise: There will be no revelations. I didn't have AMC for a couple of years and had to wait for Netflix. Then Willy Dunne Wooters rode up on his white steed and rescued me with the DVDs of the entire series.
DeleteGuess I can't comment, because I didn't watch Mad Men. She sounds like an interesting character, though.
ReplyDeletePeggy has changed so much. She's taken advantage of opportunities to learn new skills. She's a good role model--not that I'd let a little girl watch the show.
DeleteNever got into this one. Maybe I'll watch it when it comes to Netflix.
ReplyDeleteIt's on Netflix, Stephen. Get with the program. (tee hee--that's a pun)
DeleteI, unfortunately, haven't seen 'Mad Men.' I think I'd like it, though. From what I can tell, it's a lot of smoking, cocktails, and sex.
ReplyDeleteLots of secrets, too.
DeleteWahhhhh....I didn't watch this series and now I can't comment intelligently. Dern.
ReplyDeleteYou can watch the show on DVDs or Netflix streaming and then write a whole post of your own about it. That's what Peggy Olson would do. She would ask for a raise, too.
DeleteI love Roger. I know he can be a dick, but he means well. And he's so witty. And I really like Don... his depth, anyway. I know he's not a model citizen, but I do like that they portray this character who's in his 40s, has his dream job, has more money than he knows what to do with, and still has no idea what the hell he's doing with his life.
ReplyDeleteRoger is a rogue, but he's shown great kindness many times. He's funny--and John Slattery, who plays him, has a good sense of humor. He's married to the actress who plays his first wife, Mona: Talia Balsam, who was the first Mrs. Clooney before she was Mrs. Slattery. Don is kind of an Every Man, except for the wealthy part. He grabbed what many people want: a different identity. Sometimes I would like to run away and be someone else, but I would never leave Franklin. I also don't have enough money. And I like my house.
DeleteOf course you already knew about John and Talia! Feel free to delete/ignore my comment on one of your other Mad Men posts.
DeleteJulie
It's okay. You can never tell people certain things enough times. I've told Willy Dunne Wooters about ninety times that "Mona" was the first Mrs. Clooney, and he always says, REALLY?
DeletePeggy is a great role model. Very admirable. But I always liked January Jones' character. She was so fun to watch, especially in the first couple of seasons. There was something kind of interesting about her looking like this perfect wife and mother but being such a total screwup at it.
ReplyDeleteShe wasn't always a screwup, though. I think she became harsher and colder when Don didn't return her love. I remember a scene in an early episode when she plays with Sally and puts make-up on her. Betty tried.
DeleteYou said no spoilers right after you revealed that President Kennedy was shot. I don't know what to believe any more.
ReplyDeleteI'm so ashamed. Please be sure to criticize me as often as possible so I don't get too big for my britches. I don't want to gain weight.
DeleteI need to catch up, and real quick before I'm getting old.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I'm older than you are. I try to accept the fact that I will never read every book on the shelf, find the answer to every question, and watch every movie in my Netflix queue.
DeleteThank goodness you didn't leave out the woman who Megan shared Don with in California, and the lawn mower secretary! Wouldn't Glen fit right in with the Addams Family? Now I want to go back and watch some of these early episodes again. You have the best taste in TV shows, Janie!
ReplyDeleteJulie
Thank you. I don't watch many series. I don't have time, so a show has to be really good for me to make a commitment to it. Glen was a creepy little kid, wasn't he? I kind of enjoyed it when Betty slapped his mom in the grocery store. She deserved it for producing Glen. I tried to include everyone important in my salutation. I'm sure I forgot someone.
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