I do not know how many
watch the AMC fabulous series “Mad Men” and love it as I do. Last evening Bravo broadcast an interview of
its main cast taken by James Lipton on Inside the Actors Studio. It was incredible. If you get Bravo I suggest you search for it
on your cable station and may be able to watch it or you can try to see if its
online simply by Googling Bravo and then looking for Inside the Actors Studio interview
of Mad Men. I posted the following
opinion of the Interview that may be of interest:
I am a faithful-without-fail viewer of "Mad Men" since
the beginning of the series. I have been watching television for a very long
time and remember the late 50’s and early 60’s well. I became immersed in the
subject matter of Mad Men because I lived it. The direction is brilliant, the story line is
brilliant, and the actors are brilliant so as you can see I have a bias. I never want the show to end and yet I know
it must.
It speaks to me on so many different levels. I could spend
months with each character discussing the essence of her/his role. This segment of Inside the Actors Studio with
James Lipton interviewing each main character of Mad Men was RIVETING. It was so riveting that I refuse to erase the
tape until I make sure ALL my relatives and friends who love this show see it.
What absolutely wonderful questions James Lipton posed to
all of them. Each one has his/her own
personal depth of story that brought them to such exquisite performances of
this show.
I cannot say whom I loved the best because they were ALL
unique, articulately fascinating, but, like so many others, I am immersed in Jon
Hamm's character, Don Draper. I think I
am immersed even more now since I saw this Inside the Actors Studio segment
because I identify with Jon Hamm's own personal history. I too had a very ill parent for decades and on
many levels I can identify with Jon. The family interaction was sometimes
difficult, sad, hurtful and very impacting so I understand those tragedies that
brought him to his role. I cannot say I
am glad he had to go through a difficult and often sad childhood but if it
helped him craft the Don Draper role then I can say thank you to him for
allowing that part to emerge within the character and for his revelations
during the interview which allowed me not to feel alone.
ALL others in the cast fall into the superb category. I love them all for what they bring to each
role. I love the story because I relate to
it and I love the characters because they bring a window into an era to which some
in this country would want unhappily to return but which closed most of its
windows so no one could see in. It also
makes me realize that some vestiges of that opaque era have not left us. We as a nation are split right down the
middle; one part yearning to return to those days and another grateful that the
social revolution of the late 60’s occurred.
I personally fall into that latter category.
Special kudos go to 11-year-old Kiernan Shipka who plays
Sally. She would make any parent feel
blessed that they produced such an intelligent, mature and significantly
creative person who lights up a room with her smile and enthusiasm. I hope we will see more roles she attempts
and often!
