'Mad Men': Who's your favorite actor?

Yep. This week was a rerun.

Zzzzz…

But wait!

In the next few weeks, I’ll be featuring interviews with important members of the show. I know I already want to interview production designer Dan Bishop. Why? Well, I really have a sweet spot for '60s modern, for one thing, and I figure he'll know where to get the best boomerang coffee table in L.A.

But after him, who else should I interview? I’m thinking at least one, possibly two cast members, and the creator Matthew Weiner. But I’m really torn about which cast members, and I'd like your help. So, if you would be so kind, please leave a comment telling me which cast members you’d like to hear from and I, as your humble “Mad Men” blogging friend, will try my best to fulfill your wishes:

1. Don Draper (Jon Hamm)

2. Peggy (Elisabeth Moss)

3. Pete Campbell (Vincent Kartheiser)

4. Roger Sterling (John Slattery)

5. Betty Draper (January Jones)

6. Joan (Christina Hendricks)

OK, we’ve got that out of the way, but I leave you with a few treats, some provocative writing about “Mad Men” I've found on the interwebs:

1. New Republic, “Inner Tube: Mad TV” by Sacha Zimmerman

I was interested in reading a contrary view on “Mad Men,” but quite honestly, Zimmerman doesn’t win me over with his critiques. He seems to be upset that the show looks pretty. I don’t get it.

2. Hollywood Reporter, “Bottom Line: All pitch and windup with a soft delivery” by Randee Dawn

Dawn takes the show to task for “selling nothing.” But perhaps all shows sell nothing and “Mad Men” is simply the most upfront about it. My favorite quote from the article: “Yet if the pieces are in place for "Mad Men" to break big, why does its center feel so hollow?” She’s got a point.

3. Slate, “ 'Mad Men' and made men” by Adam Hanft

A review from an advertising CEO. He starts by pointing out the show’s errors in terms of the business because, you know, a show such as “ER” is practically a PBS documentary. Getting peeved with a TV show for a little dramatic inaccuracy is a little like getting annoyed with an actor for “lying,” but Hanft raises some good points, mainly that “Mad Men” isn’t taking full advantage of its historical setting.

And finally, I’d like to congratulate my old friend Kate Norby, who will appear as a guest star next week. Ms. Norby and I lived four houses away from each other in high school. We did terrible things, like take my mom’s car out in the middle of the night. Before we had our licenses. She already showed up for a minute as Joan’s thermos-packing friend in Episode 7 and hopefully she’ll enjoy more screen time next week. Way to go, Kate!

-- Margaret Wappler

(Photo courtesy AMC)

 

Comments

[kentb b]

Interview Jon Hamm.I think hes arche typal in his performance as the 60s advertising powerhouse.. I'm not sure if this is great acting or just his style

[m.hansen]

John Hamm aka Don Draper amazing actor, he pulls off the 60's executive, tortured soul so well and January Jones aka his wife Betty. I also like the Salvatore actor, Rich Sommer, plays each beat so perfectly.. Elizabeth Moss, the mousy but smart secretary, still waters run deep. Vincent Kartheiser HE'S a insecure but intelligent snot nose, he summed up the Kennedy-Elvis-Nixon situation well. One of the best lines in the show. Kennedy is ELVIS!
Did I name everyone yet?

[marie]

you've got to interview vincent kartheiser!!! the character he portrays may be flawed, but his great acting skills actually makes you feel sympathetic towards pete campbell. i want him to win an emmy.

[Mary]

Kartheiser. Pete Campbell is such a fun character and I really like Kartheiser in the role

[vamp19762000]

Please, please interview Vincent Kartheiser. He's the only reason I watch the show.

[Gunnar]

I love Sterling, Don, Sal, Peggy and Pete. Interview all of them!

[Violet]

Oh, Christina Hendricks, please! Her character is so fascinating and well-acted, and there are hardly any interviews with her. Ditto for Vincent Kartheiser, but he has a sufficient amount of loyal support here, so just add mine to the chorus.

[Mars]

Definitely Vincent Kartheiser! I could never get enough of him.