AMC's Mad Men: Don Draper is coming to Baltimore
Now Here's some good TV news for local viewers: Baltimore is featured prominently in the premiere episode of Season 3 of AMC's Mad Men, last year's winner of the Emmy as the best drama on television. Mark your calendars for 10 p.m. Aug. 16.
In sending out the screener, the producers asked that plot points not be revealed. With the web being the web someone is sure to violate that request. But it won't be me. I love the series and like the writer-prooducers too much. This is one of the few dramatically rich viewing experiences left on TV, and I don't want to spoil one bit of viewer pleasure.
But I can talk a bit about the Baltimore stuff. At the heart of the season opener is a business trip Don Draper (Jon Hamm) and Salvatore Romano (Bryan Batt) take to Baltimore to do a little hand holding with one of their clients, the father and son running London Fog. The episode is titled "Out of Town," and it is written by series creator Matthew Weiner, who spent part of his childhood in Baltimore and attended Park School. (Robin Veith, an Emmy-nominated writer on the series, was promoted this season to executive story editor. She grew up in Baltimore.) Photo courtesy of AMC
As the title suggests, the trip to Baltimore dominates the episode with Draper and Romano eating dinner at Haussner's, spending a night at the Belvedere Hotel and the next day at the London Fog factory.
I will say nothing about what happens at any of their stops. But it is sexy, deep, complicated and fabulous. I loved this show from the first five minutes of the pilot, and I was infatuated all over again 30 seconds into the opener of Season 3.
While it is set on Madison Avenue in the 1960s and absolutely steeped in authentic period detail, Weiner and his staff of writers like Veith have managed to make Mad Men speak more eloquently than any other TV drama to America today.
Season 2 ended with the Sterling Cooper advertising agency being taken over by the British firm of Putnam, Powell and Lowe. And now the downsizing begins. The level or anxiety, fear and anger at Sterling Cooper will seem all too familiar to many viewers today.
Comments
Did they film in Baltimore for anything, or is it all soundstage recreations?
Hi, All soundstage in Los Angeles. But they did a pretty good job with the late and great Haussner's from my recollection of the times I ate there. No Baltimore filming, though. Thanks. Z
Posted by: JB | July 27, 2009 11:03 AM
I've never seen this show but I may watch just to see how they depict Haussner's. I used to go there with my family 2-3 times a year and it was such a vissually interesting resturant that I'd love to see how the set translates (unless they are filming in the cullinary school that's there now).
Posted by: Matt K | July 27, 2009 12:00 PM
Z, that is awesome! Thanks for the bit of scoop. Can't wait to hear the audio commentary from Weiner on this episode in the Season 3 DVD set! Did you happen to notice if Robin Veith had a writing credit for this episode? Those two are great together on audio commentaries. I'd love to hear them both talk about their hometown a little.
Can't wait until August 16th!
Hi Julie, The writing credit for this one is just Matt's. But I am big fan of both Matt and Robin, so I am hoping there will be more of them together this year -- or Robin alone. You do know that both again are nominated for top writing Emmys, right? I will keep you posted. I absolutely instantly fell back in love with this series. It is so rich and deep and on the money. As to the audio commentaries, I can't wait either. Z
Posted by: Julie | July 27, 2009 1:41 PM
Thanks for the first look @ the new season, the detail of the 60s reminds me of the superb job they did in "Catch me if you can" and this is a TV series. Weiner deserves the kudos he recieves!
Yes he does -- totally. he's brilliant. Thanks. Z
Posted by: madaboubtmadmen | July 27, 2009 3:06 PM
Thanks, Z. Yes, I did know about their Emmy nominations. I follow Robin's career somewhat, as I have sort of a "six degrees of separation" with her. (Baltimore is so small!) I'm very happy for her success, and doubly so because she happens to write for probably my favorite TV show of all time!
Hi, did you see the piece on this blog with her back in September right after Z on TV launched? She was great. I am hoping to talk to her again soon. Z
Posted by: Julie | July 27, 2009 3:31 PM
I did see that! I also read the related profile in the Sunday paper in September. I looked for it recently but it was archived.
Hi Julie, If you tell me which one you looked for recently, I'll find it and send it to you. Thanks. Z
Posted by: Julie | July 27, 2009 7:52 PM
All I can say is OMG!!!! Cannot wait until August 16th! Best show on television hands down.
Yes, yes, yes. Z
Posted by: strawberry | July 27, 2009 8:24 PM
I am writing this on my calendar, but I have never watched it. Sounds good. Would I be lost not having seen the first two seasons? Some things you can jump into and somethings you can't without background. I am still working on In Treatment and I am going to order the second season soon.
Wow it is hot!! No central air until Friday.
Posted by: Sherry T. | July 27, 2009 8:27 PM
Thanks for the offer! I actually found it on the main TV page.
Sherry -- YES, definitely watch the first two seasons. You have to know the background in order to understand these characters and their motivations. It's important to know how they've become who they are. You won't regret watching the first 26 episodes! Easily one of the best television shows of the past decade.
Posted by: Julie | July 27, 2009 11:05 PM
Your last paragraph seems to imply that the events of season 3 take place very shortly after the events of season 2 - is this true? I'd heard that the creators of the show were looking to advance the new season forward a bit in time ... which to me would be a disappointment, given last season's cliffhangers and my desire to resume immediately where things left off. Hope the impression I've gotten from your words is correct.
Posted by: James M. | July 27, 2009 11:28 PM
Julie,
Thank you so much for the insight into my question. I will order that next so that I can catch up. I'm sure I won't be disappointed.
Z, you really have to make this blog less captivating, I should be asleep right now. I love the comments on your blog.
Posted by: Sherry T. | July 28, 2009 1:21 AM
How about a spoiler note or something for the last paragraph in your entry? Some of us walked right into it.
Posted by: Trumbull | July 28, 2009 10:45 AM
There is no such thing as a "spoiler" with Mad Men, no matter how many times you watch it, you ALWAYS see something you missed the earlier times (I make it a habit to watch each episode 3x...at least).
This show is amazing.
Posted by: Glen | July 28, 2009 9:43 PM
Totally agree with Glen. I always notice something new every time I re-watch an episode.
Yes, I agree with you and Glen. Thanks. Z
Posted by: Julie | July 28, 2009 10:15 PM
I agree with everything you all have said. I love this show.Best one in a long time. The costume and set decoration are so spot on they are almost to distraction. NL
Posted by: Nora Linstrom | July 29, 2009 2:41 PM
The show was great. There is a lot of sexual innuendo, would be considered harrasment now days. It is really smartly written, sometimes bad, but hard to take your eyes off of. I do think that I will have to get seasons one and two. Like Julie said up above background to understand the characters and their motivations is key. I need to get busy and catch up on this intriguing series.
Posted by: Sherry T. | August 17, 2009 8:27 AM