Sterling Cooper David Steve

We're now taking on 'The Rockford Files' which is a favourite of both of ours, from our childhoods.  That's with good reason by the way, this is one of the most important action/PI shows in the history of TV.We're dropping this episode into your Mad Men feed to give you a taste.  This will be the last time!  Promise.Today begin this, well, multi year, journey with Jimbo, Angel, Rocky, Beth, a ton of high profile guest stars, oh and me and Steve.  We're starting with the pilot of the series, which is often split into two on DVD sets and syndication.The podcast will grow and change and morph as things go on.  There will be some constants.  James Garner's humanity, cool driving, the 1970s and Angel.We're also going to give you a little bit of historical context about the time.  For example, when the pilot aired it was days after the end of the OPEC oil embargo.mp3 download

Every year in the Canadian amateur podcasting realm (not sure it that's the right word and unlike Steve, I don't have a PhD in English...) has a thing called 'Canadian National Day of Podcasting' wherein podcasters put out a show on Dec 1, new or old or anything else.So Steve and I decided to do a CNDOP episode.We talk history.What did Mad Men do well?What did it do poorly?What did they miss?Oh and we have a cool announcement about our next project.mp3 download

It's here.I'm writing this before tonight's recording.  I've read Steve's comments on the finale in our Google doc.  I know how this will go.  I'm still oddly nervous and sad.  (Steve and I have another project coming, stay tuned to this space).Don teaches the world to sing.Stephanie and Dick go to Big Sur.  Damn some of the therapy in there was bad bad bad therapy.  Realistic though.The Blue Flame gets mentioned, though not by name.(Oh I should have mentioned, Cliff Dunn from Mad Men, Out to Lunch with Roger Sterling dropped by).  I should also mention that Cliff's phone was messed up and he couldn't join us.  He'll come for Episode 100, series wrap up).Sally has grown up.Peggy and Stan!Three phone calls to the women in his life, not one of the is Megan, though she probably would not have accepted the charges.I want to take this opportunity to very publicly thank Steve.  I have always wanted to do something like this, and I know I wanted to do something with Steve.  This has been very special to me.  Thanks buddy!mp3 download

Welcome to our discussion of the penultimate episode of the series!Though we will do two more on the podcast to hit 100.  Once we hit 100 that sweet syndication money starts to roll in!MAX GAIL!We both love the old Coke machine.We're not fond of Pete's brother, or that guy from Lear Jet.Duck is back!  Duck's better drunk, oddly enough.Is Pete sincere?  I think he is, but Steve doesn't give them much time.This one is a little longer, near the end and all.Join us next week when Cliff Dunn joins us once again for the finale of what at least Cliff and I consider the best TV show ever made.  Dunno what Steve thinks, probably that Columbo is better...mp3 download

That is, undoubtedly, the worst title I have come up with.Is there anything better than Peggy walking into McCann with a butt and her box of stuff?Rattling window!Jet plane!Don leaves!ROBERT MORSE!  We would both watch a show where Don Draper and the ghost of Bert Cooper travel around the midwest solving crimes.  We could call it 'Highway to Objectivism' (Credit to Neil Brauer for that one).Oh Don, don't chase Diana.Peggy on roller skates is one of my favourite moments in the show.mp3 download

Not a great title, clever title wise, but not bad.We're getting near the end, the music is getting melancholy too.Irksome is the word of the day.There are a few emotionally manipulating scenes in the episode, I don't mind being manipulated when it is done well.Stan is great in this one.Don goes searching for Diana, but finds two guys in her old place.Lou gets a happy ending.  I hate Lou.Have I mentioned that I hate Lou?THE KING ORDERED IT!mp3 download

As I keep noting, we're getting near the end.There's a melancholy property to the music.(Speaking of music 'The First Time Ever I saw Your Face' is a pretty great song).The show knows it's almost over too, and sort of keeps reminding us, or at least commenting on it.No Diana happily...Hey, it's Captain Pike!  No not that Captain Pike, the other one.Don is selling the apartment, which makes sense, but it's, again, the end of an era.Sally is excellent in this one, almost as excellent as Kiernan Shipka.Roger has actual work to do, which he pawns off on Don.  Of course at first he tried pawning it off on Ted.Peggy wants a real performance review.Don is having discussions, but those discussions are not on the topics that people think they are on.mp3 download

Getting close to the end.It's the last we'll see of Diana, and while I don't hate the arc, it is worn.I make what I think is an extremely clever analysis of the Calvet family.Harry is horrible.Megan is now a millionaire.I think Don is sorry.Is Marie leaving Emile for Roger?Is Meredith the best thing ever?mp3 download

I mean look, it has to happen, there are only seven episodes left.This one is really a season starter, so we know that it will be a bit weak, and it was.Don has a blue shirt, he's practically Jerry Rubin at this point.This one has a lot going on, historically speaking, but those things seem to happen around the characters.What's with the moustaches?Men are pigs.It's Ferg!  Steve will hate Ferg.Is Kenny telling us the story of Mad Men?  I like to think so. He always seems like a bit of an outsider, but enough on the inside that he knows the stories etc.mp3 download

I wonder, should that be Steve's and Dave's, or, does the possessive on 'Dave' include Steve?  I mean it seems like it should, it feels right etc.You know what else feels right? THIS EPISODE.This is a good one, it is one of my favourites.  It actually started me on a From the Earth to the Moon rewatch.I'm probably just at the cusp of the age where kids loved astronauts.Oh Bert, you right wing, reactionary maniac, you were a hell of a dancer/singer.'That's one small step for man' was a flubbed line, but it still works.Neil Armstrong was an honest to goodness hero.Peggy's pitch is pitch perfect.Harry gets screwed again, ha ha.'It's a lot of money' and 'over Dresden, I wanted to live Ted!' are Jim's two best lines of the series.mp3 download

As is often the case, the show seems to get better as seasons go on.Burger Chef probably is run by morons.Jim Hobart!Bonnie is boring.Pete is acting like a complete ass.Lou is covering his ass, but, I hate Lou.Have I mentioned how much I hate Lou?The closing scene is probably the best shot thing in season 7A.mp3 Download

This title pretty much wrote itself.This one is, to me, odd.  I like it, but it feels odd somehow.  Sometimes like a bunch of vaguely related scenes.  I still like  it, and it has some great stuff, it just strikes me odd.Megan is a bit of a twit here.I hate Lou.Stephanie shows up with Megan.  Oddly, my sister Stephanie might have been a Megan.Lou is horrible.Have I mentioned how much I dislike Lou?Steve and I are not big on parties like that one at Megan's place.Harry is sleazy.I think the great Megan and Don experiment might be done.mp3 download

There has to be a 2001 reference here I can make in the title, but I'm at a loss.Don's back!Don's not back.Don's being a jerk.Don is actually back, and he's on a carousel.Margaret is Marigold.Electricity isn't the problem there hippies.MEET THE METS!  The 1969 Mets were a very good baseball team.The 1969 Expos, that's another story.I still hate Lou.mp3 download

Everything is upside down!Don is coming back to work.Might have been fun had he gone to a fictionalized Wells Rich Greene.Don called their bluff.Megan called Don's bluff.We hate Lou.  Of course we are supposed to.Don't yell out dumb sexist garbage when we record live. (Apparently some people have completely missed the point of the show).Time for Megan to fire her agent.Steve and I would like to meet Rod Serling.mp3 download

Each year a bunch of podcasters get together and hang out, talk about our weird hobby, and generally cause trouble.The event is known as the 'Marshall McLuhan Podcaster Roundtables'.We also take an afternoon to record in front of an audience.There is drinking.There is carousing.There is merriment.So we sat down for about 20 minutes and took audience questions.I thought we hadn't used the song we used, but I was wrong. See you next week with a regular episode.mp3 download

OK, maybe a couple of hours.Shipka is great in this one.Rahm is great in this one.Much of this one is about the subtle and not so subtle racism people faced at the time and still do face.If you still thought you liked Bert Cooper, maybe watch this one again...Sally meets Lou.We hate Lou.Dine and Dash!The Don and Sally relationship may be one of the best on the show.mp3 download

SEASON 7!Still not sure how we'll treat season 7.  Will we do it as two separate seasons or as one big one?Either way we're done soon.Wait, Freddy?Boy can Don Draper make an entrance.So can Megan!Megan seems to live in Laurel Canyon, you gotta talk about the sound.Lou is a placeholder.mp3 download

OH MY GOD, WE'RE GOING INTO SEASON 7.But first, let's talk season 6.As is our custom, we have invited Cliff Dunn from Mad Men, Out to Lunch With Roger Sterling on the podcast.  We had a couple of other lurkers too!How did Steve's predictions go?What are his predictions for season 7?1968, what a crazy year, lots of great historical stuff.Somewhere in there you'll hear RFK's speech the day MLK was murdered.  Powerful stuff.mp3 download

Wow, we've done six seasons!So much to unpack here.This could have been a series finale.Don does almost everything right, built it's still wrong.Ted is a creep.Stan is a pawn.Peggy is I dunno....Sally is annoying.Both Sides Now is the perfect pop song.mp3 download

OK, so this was one of those 'I have no idea how to come up with a title' ones.Ted and Peggy don't seem to be hiding their feelings any more.Don is passive aggressive here, but he's right actually.Don as a baby, lots.  Symbolic rebirth incoming?Nice cultural references in this one, Rosemary's Baby is terrifying.Porpoise Song!Could Betty's car be any bigger?Sally is off to Miss Porter'smp3 download

Yup, I'm using Canadian spelling of 'favour' even though the episode is entitled 'Favours'.  You got a problem with that?  Fine, complain to the management.This one is full of uncomfortable scenes.Don and Arnie in the bar is a good scene.  I like these guys.Mitchell is a dumb kid, though you have to admire his idealism.Don't do this Don.Sally is off for a big trip!  According to Betty it's just an excuse to make out.Ted asks Don to end the war.Sylvia probably shouldn't have 'thanked' Don.mp3 download

See now THAT'S a clever title!  We start with Steve giving us a little lesson on the titular book.  I love a California episode.I hate seeing people think a kid will help their relationship (even in a hash inspired dream sequence).Damn the music is good in this one.Avon, groovy.Ted is a decent guy who is not only obsessed with Peggy, he's got a thing for process and forms.'It's a dry heave'.Roger is hilarious and horrible.Danny!Ginzo is coming unglued.mp3 download

 Had to really work for the title this time around.Bobby goes to camp!It's Bobby 5!Father Abraham!Women and men differ in how they take and give directions.SCDP CGC are the 27 Yankees.Harry feels strongly both ways.Don and Betty hook up, it's a one nighter.Abe dumps Peggy in an ambulance.mp3 Download

This episode is such a nice palette cleaner after the uneven start to season 6.The show often does something experimental and special in the middle (the Suitcase, A Night to Remember, etc.) and this is no exception.There's still some Sylvia, but I find her less annoying.  I think Steve agrees, but I'm writing this an hour before we record, so who knows?'It's proprietary!'Misspelling Chevy is pretty impressive.'My God you're as good as they say!'Some really solid music this week.Stan getting William Telled (Told?) is great.'Are we Negroes?' is one of the dumbest things Bobby has ever said, and remember, this is a kid who runs around with a pot on his head.mp3 download

OK, enough with the Sylvia stuff.  I guess if the hotel scenes were actually interesting maybe I'd have less problem with them.Of course the gang getting back together is good.The music this season has been excellent.(I think this is the last dud of the season, so we should be good going forward).Don drinks Ted under the table.Ted flies Don to meet the Mohawk Airlines guys.Peggy seems to think the reason they merged was to get her.Burt Peterson, we hardly knew ye.mp3 download

This one is uneven, like a lot of the early season 6 episodes, but it has its moments for sure.Moments like Pete falling down the stairs.Moments like Kenny talking about someone 'using a slide rule'.Moments like the creation of SCDP/CHC.Moments like Abe fixing a wall outlet by putting. a screw driver in it.Moments like Roger doing his thing.Moments like Marie speaking French poorly.Moments like Ted and Don getting Chevy.Oh and other stuff.Plus, we talk about obscurer Canadian bands.mp3 download

This is the first excellent episode of the season I think.  Steve Agrees.This show does a really nice job when the integrate historical stuff, in this case MLK's assassination, into the plot.Planet of the Apes is a great movie.Bobby is actually pretty sympathetic here.  He seems to have grown some, finally.Ginzo's Dad sets him up on a date!The gang being at the Ad Club of New York's awards dinner is a nice touch.  Paul Newman did host that night, and he did make the statement you see in the episode.Mayor Lindsay was a pretty decent guy.Henry's taking a right shift.Randall Walsh is classic.Peggy is an ally of sorts.  Joan, well, I'm not as sure, I think she means well.mp3 download

 We start out by discussing the amazing Robert Morse.  RIP.Much stronger episode this week.Megan has more screen time!TWO SCENES WITH ONLY AFRICAN AMERICANS!!!Harry is an ass.Don is gross, as is Sylvia.Dawn on the other hand is pretty great.Steve is warming to Stan.Ginzo is funny.Ted McGinley shows up.Ted orders a drink from 30 Rock.mp3 download

Steve is not a fan of this one.Frankly, he's right, this one is pretty stagnant, though I like seeing Arnie on screen.This episode is framed by the USS Pueblo incident and the Test Offensive.Megan has some news.Sylvia has some Catholic guilt.There are flashbacks.There is paying for it.There is sledgehammer symbolism.This one has Don putting Herb in his place a bit, so there's that.mp3 download

 On to season premiere part 2.Don pukes at Roger's Mom's funeral.If Roger's life had any meaning, it doesn't any more.Megan is going weekly on her soap.I want to go to a New Year Party at the Drapers'.I feel really bad for Arnie.So Don''s doing this again is he?One thing Don might try, and I know this is a crazy idea, is not having affairs with everyone he meets.mp3 download

On to season 6!That opening, scared the heck out of me.Hey, we're in Hawaii!Don is reading Danté.Megan has a steady acting gig!PFC Dinkins is here.  He left his lighter with Don.  Don did a nice thing!'Hey Lieutenant, wanna get in some trouble?'Jonesy the doorman was great in the Sopranos.Wait, Don has a friend?mp3 download

As is our custom when we finish up a season, Steve and I invited friend of the podcast Cliff Dunn from 'Mad Men Out To Lunch With Roger Sterling' on to discuss the last 13 episodes.What a season it was too.Politics.The War.The generation gap.Music.Don and Megan's marriage.Oh and we checked in on Steve's predictions for season 6 and his ones for season 5, I wonder how he did.We also of course talked about what episodes we think Steve will like in season 6.mp3 download

It's the season 5 finale!Programming note, we're taking a little break.Don's got a tooth ache.It's not just his tooth that's bad.Adam keeps showing up.Megan wants a gig, Don seems to ha ve one.Some really pretty shots this episode.Poor Beth.Pete gets hit again.Howard is garbage.My friend down there, she was wondering, are you alone?mp3 download

 Well, it was building to this.  I did my best to hide it from Steve.This is yet another sad episode.Poor Lane.Poor Rebecca.Poor Nigel, nobody ever thinks about Nigel.The smell, nobody tells you about the smell.Incoming calls!Sally becomes a woman.Glenn is back for a bit.Lane's job is done, it's just so damned sad.mp3 download

This one makes me angry.This one makes me sad.It does that to Steve too.It's really horrible that this is how Joan gets ahead.Peggy is leaving!Ted is smarmy.Men are horrible.Steve has some Pete thoughts.mp3 download