lol. That's about as deep and meaningful as this show ever gets to me.
Not sure how much I'll be able to participate in the live blogging tonight. I have to watch it downstairs and run upstairs to comment.
Now, if I had an elevator here and it went up and down, it might be a different story.
Have fun, guys! I fall into the Wolcott camp on this show. Don't really like it, but I'll be watching.
Sigh.
p.s. I had to register as "thebluegirl" cuz "bluegirl" was already taken. Waaaa?
chuck tryon
· 1 year ago
Yes, just dropping by to say that I won't be able to join in the fun this week. I'm writing the last few pages of my book tonight, so I can't afford to take a break. Hopefully I can join in the fun next time.
clairehelene7
· 1 year ago
I'm sure after the first couple I'll pass out from being hit over the head so hard.
MaPeel
· 1 year ago
NOOO--Pepsi is from 1903. I had no idea it was that old
Thirteen1031
· 1 year ago
Pepsi wasn't new, as you've learned, but (and perhaps you already know all this, but hey, indulge me!) this is one of those layers and nuisances that makes the show so glorious. First, remember that for someone like Dan Draper, a depression era kid, sodas were special. They may have only cost a penny, but a kid rarely had that penny and when they did, it was precious. If they had the money, parents bought much needed milk, not indulgent soda for their kids to drink. By the 50's however, that age of prosperity, the kids were taking sodas for granted; they had the money to buy one anytime they wanted one. These "kids" that they're taking about in the episode are the sort who were raised on soda, not milk, and pour it on their cereal. It implies that they take for granted what Draper sees as a special. Further, soda at that time was seen as a kid's drink and coffee an adult drink. When a kid was given coffee rather than milk or soda, he/she was an adult.. To pour soda on their cereal emphasizes that these "kids" refuse to grow up.
Also (and, once again, here's the wonder of this show, that this one line has so many layers), Pepsi had started a new campaign in the 60's making itself hip and, yes, youthful. In fact, it beat out Coke because of it. It was the drink of a "new generation." That was the ad slogan. And the ad campaign involved things like pop art to make it more hip. In fact, your googling didn't go far enough, because the title of this episode comes from, yes, Pespi. To quote:
"1961: Pepsi further refines its target audience, recognizing the increasing importance of the younger, post-war generation. "Now it's Pepsi, for those who think young" defines youth as a state of mind as much as a chronological age, maintaining the brand's appeal to all market segments.
1962 Pepsi receives its new logo, the sixth in Pepsi history. The "serrated" bottle cap logo debuts, accompanying the brand's groundbreaking "Pepsi Generation" ad campaign."
By 1963, Pepsi would be telling the baby-boomers that they were the "Pepsi Generation," connecting themselves with all things young, new, vibrant and hip. All of which is probably a lot more than you wanted to know--and maybe did know, but I do adore the incredible richness of this show. One line says it all.
MaPeel
· 1 year ago
Thanks Thirteen, I do find this interesting. I completely forget about the "Pepsi Generation," which was still around in the seventies, when I heard it. Of course I didn't realize the import of that slogan. Poor Don Draper--he is so not part of the drink of a "new generation."
jameswolcott
· 1 year ago
Sterling Cooper, still Madison Avenue's laziest ass ad agency. I'm still trying to determine the source of stress in Draper's worklife, considering the office's snail pace.
clairehelene7
· 1 year ago
Yes, he even doesn't have to cover for his poverty-stricken past anymore.
tomwatson
· 1 year ago
It's the ennui, man - the ennui!
MaPeel
· 1 year ago
I happen to know that not too long ago, Jackie's tour of the White House was one of the top programs requested at The Museum of Television & Radio--
Nice connecting conceit here, just like the Seinfeld episode when Will and Jack kiss on the Today Show
tomwatson
· 1 year ago
Hi all - how much obvious foreshadowing of later events in the series will tonight's premiere contain? The over/under is 46.
Certainly a body part will be copied in the near future at some office bash.
MaPeel
· 1 year ago
Was Pepsi new in the sixties? Must go Google
tomwatson
· 1 year ago
Forgetting a meeting! Draper's slipping to Watsonian levels of corporate competence.
MaPeel
· 1 year ago
"Air travel is too expensive to waste on your wife"---And we are back in top form, folks.
tomwatson
· 1 year ago
BTW, there was a big air crash in March, 1962 - chances we'll see that next week?
clairehelene7
· 1 year ago
Aren't the young guys young?
tomwatson
· 1 year ago
Yeah, doesn't SC already have a buncha young guys?
MaPeel
· 1 year ago
As though they are some "Fresh version of us"--that's a great line
tomwatson
· 1 year ago
The budget is obviously bigger this year. The backdrops outside the offices are photographic 3D, rather than cut off by closed blinds. Already, a location shooting with the horses.
Of course, some NY locations would really help.
clairehelene7
· 1 year ago
Definitely more money.
clairehelene7
· 1 year ago
Nice, icky parallels hitting us over the head.
MaPeel
· 1 year ago
Yike, Don is really coming apart at the seams---
tomwatson
· 1 year ago
Let's see if Jackie Kennedy works on ole Don....
jameswolcott
· 1 year ago
Everybody's line readings are strangely timbreless. Packed in cotton padding.
tomwatson
· 1 year ago
18 months later - what's changed? Can anyone tell me what's changed? Don's still "on the edge." His wife is still in the throes of "existential stupid." The firm's still lousy. Sexism reigns. What is new here?
MaPeel
· 1 year ago
Oh my gosh, one of the Clancy brothers is applying for copywriter
tomwatson
· 1 year ago
Hee hee. Good one.
jameswolcott
· 1 year ago
Shouldn't Peggy be less robotic by now?
tomwatson
· 1 year ago
She so wishes she had a single golden ounce of Shirley MacLaine.
clairehelene7
· 1 year ago
Didn't Don push for Duck to come to the firm in the first place? I guess that's the change in 18 months.
MaPeel
· 1 year ago
Stepford Cooper is very strange. Well, the original Invasion of the Body Snatchers in 1956---maybe it's really Pod Peggy, Pod Don
MaPeel
· 1 year ago
Okay, who did say "sex sells"?
jameswolcott
· 1 year ago
Gallantry isn't dead, at least in the elevator.
tomwatson
· 1 year ago
The Esso - nice reference.
MaPeel
· 1 year ago
Belle du Draper in her dreams?
clairehelene7
· 1 year ago
Betty annoys me to no end. Partially because I think the actress is just not very good.
jameswolcott
· 1 year ago
That overhead shot at the mailbox must mean something--but what?
MaPeel
· 1 year ago
The color of the hedges in that scene and the red of the mailbox were entering Pushing Daisies territory.
tomwatson
· 1 year ago
That was so clearly a soundstage.
clairehelene7
· 1 year ago
God, I think these explanations at the end to be so obnoxious. How many times do we need to be hit on the head with what happened?
tomwatson
· 1 year ago
Yeah, especially "things have changed."
Ridiculous!
clairehelene7
· 1 year ago
My favorite was, "It's been 14 months and Don is older and feeling it." It's been a year and now he's 36 instead of 35. He's aging quickly. Sheesh.
tomwatson
· 1 year ago
He's still haunted and searching at 36.
Most promising new character?
The mechanic, hands down. What's his home life like?
MaPeel
· 1 year ago
It seems like a crutch for Weiner. If he hasn't gotten his point across, he knows he can just tell us about them.
MaPeel
· 1 year ago
Oh, we forgot to speculate who Don is sending O'Hara to--
tomwatson
· 1 year ago
Well, I always enjoy the encore presentation - until the clever opening credits are over. Then it's good night!
James S.
· 1 year ago
Did anyone read the Sunday Times biz section today?
I think I found the year 2035 remake of "Mad Men"...
"In depositions and court filings in the second suit — ultimately settled under undisclosed terms — Ms. Epstein and other Endeavor employees described office escapades that included rampant pot-smoking, obscene hazing at corporate retreats, sexual frolics on desks, and one agent demanding that his assistants book prostitutes for him."
Those poor souls had no idea of the impending cultural tsunami that would totally change their world...
Right.
tomwatson
· 1 year ago
Hahaha - yes, I await that cultural tsunami with great interest indeed. I may have to put my narrow ties away.
All Comments
lol. That's about as deep and meaningful as this show ever gets to me.
Not sure how much I'll be able to participate in the live blogging tonight. I have to watch it downstairs and run upstairs to comment.
Now, if I had an elevator here and it went up and down, it might be a different story.
Have fun, guys! I fall into the Wolcott camp on this show. Don't really like it, but I'll be watching.
Sigh.
p.s. I had to register as "thebluegirl" cuz "bluegirl" was already taken. Waaaa?
Also (and, once again, here's the wonder of this show, that this one line has so many layers), Pepsi had started a new campaign in the 60's making itself hip and, yes, youthful. In fact, it beat out Coke because of it. It was the drink of a "new generation." That was the ad slogan. And the ad campaign involved things like pop art to make it more hip. In fact, your googling didn't go far enough, because the title of this episode comes from, yes, Pespi. To quote:
"1961: Pepsi further refines its target audience, recognizing the increasing importance of the younger, post-war generation. "Now it's Pepsi, for those who think young" defines youth as a state of mind as much as a chronological age, maintaining the brand's appeal to all market segments.
1962
Pepsi receives its new logo, the sixth in Pepsi history. The "serrated" bottle cap logo debuts, accompanying the brand's groundbreaking "Pepsi Generation" ad campaign."
By 1963, Pepsi would be telling the baby-boomers that they were the "Pepsi Generation," connecting themselves with all things young, new, vibrant and hip. All of which is probably a lot more than you wanted to know--and maybe did know, but I do adore the incredible richness of this show. One line says it all.
Nice connecting conceit here, just like the Seinfeld episode when Will and Jack kiss on the Today Show
The over/under is 46.
Heart attack
Barbiturate habit
Freak copy machine injury
...to name just a few
Draper's slipping to Watsonian levels of corporate competence.
Of course, some NY locations would really help.
Ridiculous!
Most promising new character?
The mechanic, hands down. What's his home life like?
I think I found the year 2035 remake of "Mad Men"...
"In depositions and court filings in the second suit — ultimately settled under undisclosed terms — Ms. Epstein and other Endeavor employees described office escapades that included rampant pot-smoking, obscene hazing at corporate retreats, sexual frolics on desks, and one agent demanding that his assistants book prostitutes for him."
Those poor souls had no idea of the impending cultural tsunami that would totally change their world...
Right.