Mad Men

:

Season 1
  • Network: AMC
  • Series Premiere Date: Jul 19, 2007
Season #: 7.5, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 650 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 592 out of 650
  2. Mixed: 33 out of 650
  3. Negative: 25 out of 650
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  1. DebbieE.
    Aug 17, 2007
    8
    I can't wait to watch this show very week. At the end of each episode, I want more. I applaud the set deisgners for the detail. It's amazing to see items that remind you of your own home while growing up.
  2. BF.
    Aug 16, 2007
    10
    Wonderful program, writing, acting, props,sets and drama. We loose sight of how the world was in the early 60's but this brings it back. The male supremacy, occasional independent woman and separation of male/female roles is hard to watch because it is so close to the truth.
  3. JimK.
    Aug 15, 2007
    10
    Wow! I'm stunned at the failure to get this show by a great critic like Tom Schales, but man Mad Men is just terrific! It's portrayal of the era is spot on--my dad was Don Drapers' age in 1960 at McCann-Ericsson and we grew up in a neighborhood of "Mad Men" who took the train every day to agencies like DDB, Ted Bates and others. But Weiner isn't doing a documentary, Wow! I'm stunned at the failure to get this show by a great critic like Tom Schales, but man Mad Men is just terrific! It's portrayal of the era is spot on--my dad was Don Drapers' age in 1960 at McCann-Ericsson and we grew up in a neighborhood of "Mad Men" who took the train every day to agencies like DDB, Ted Bates and others. But Weiner isn't doing a documentary, instead he uses the era to tell us about the characters in it and in a way comment on our current society. Any young woman who disses feminism should check out this show. From the closeted gay art director, to Draper's agony at finding himself actually in love but locked into marriage to sorority girl who herself, knows something wrong with their "perfect" life, to Draper's boss, played by John Slattery, who is trapped in his own way as the son of the nutty dictator who founded the agency to Pete Campbell the entitled but still anguished junior account exec, and finally the new girl in the secretarial pool, who, after seeing a weeping co-worker and getting the skinny on the business from a cynical copywriter, might be on her way to something more perhaps (?), Mad Men delivers character after character worth caring about. Having seen the first four episodes, I can only say it's the best viewing experience I've had since season one of the Sopranos--like that show it took something I thought I knew about, and created a unique, and facinating world that seems very real. Don't miss it!… Expand
  4. MarkS.
    Aug 14, 2007
    0
    I gave this an unbaised shot at first, the show proved slow, akward, boring, and seemingly uncomfortable with itself, thus I wrote it off without a negative word to be said or written. However, I get innundated with nonstop self-aggrandizing commercials, "making-of" mini-movies, and bold quotes from professional critics whom I now USED to have respect for singing the praises of this I gave this an unbaised shot at first, the show proved slow, akward, boring, and seemingly uncomfortable with itself, thus I wrote it off without a negative word to be said or written. However, I get innundated with nonstop self-aggrandizing commercials, "making-of" mini-movies, and bold quotes from professional critics whom I now USED to have respect for singing the praises of this ridicilious piece of trash, so I feel compelled to dissertate in order to create, if even in only some marginally fractional inconsequential way, some balance to this very unwarranted hype. First off all the depictions of female stupidity, weakness and superficiality, of chauvinism, bigotry, racism and antisemitism, of simplistic "bad-habits", of manipulation and philandering in business and life, of unprepared, unmotivated, simple-minded advertising agency employees and typical office-politics are regressive and totally uninteresting to begin with, let alone when they are executed with bland, amateurish acting, bad timing, bad, nonsensical, inaccurate and even utterly incorrect writing when it tags itself as so totally realistic. And secondly, since when is it such an accomplishment to dress a period-piece accurately, especially with such simple props, locations and attire? Has this not been done in TENS OF THOUSANDS of television & film productions in the "pre mad-men" era, even "gasp" going back to the 1940's and "OMG" even prior to then! WOW! I find it amazing that some big critics are wiling to put their professional reputations on the line by assigning "perfect 10's", in other words "the absolute epitome of media production", to such a totally ineffectual, inconsequential waste of time.… Expand
  5. GinnyW
    Aug 10, 2007
    10
    Love this show. Love the subtle, restrained, conflicted characterization & the generational and gender juxtapositioning. Kudos to the writers & actors - Intelligent, artful drama on TV - What a concept!!
  6. SteveA.
    Aug 9, 2007
    9
    Doctors have ER. Lifeguards have Baywatch. Now Salesman/women now have Mad Men. Suite up, Smile, Shake hands and SELL IT! Close the big deal, tell the spouse you will be late and in your spare time watch Mad Men becuase it will bring sanity to your Sales career.
  7. RobL.
    Aug 9, 2007
    10
    This is one of thebest written shows I've ever seen. Great acting, great art direction. I was just a little kid in the late 50's and early 60's but more correctly than any film or TV show I have ever seen, "Mad Men" captures the look, the feel, the mores and the manners of that time period.
  8. otherK.
    Aug 7, 2007
    9
    Set designs alone make this a must-watch. Was looking for a new drama and this (along with Weeds) is it!
  9. ChrisC
    Aug 6, 2007
    5
    Out of all the differences between current culture and 1960's culture, Mad Men puts a hard focus on the aspects that are now considered the most politically incorrect, and it's obvious they're doing it just for shock value and to be 'HBO-like'. It's obvious a lot of effort and care was put into the theme and atmosphere, but unfortunately, the script is Out of all the differences between current culture and 1960's culture, Mad Men puts a hard focus on the aspects that are now considered the most politically incorrect, and it's obvious they're doing it just for shock value and to be 'HBO-like'. It's obvious a lot of effort and care was put into the theme and atmosphere, but unfortunately, the script is dreadfully boring.… Expand
  10. MikeB.
    Aug 1, 2007
    4
    A silly story wrapped in a gimmick. Actually, there hardly is a story -- mostly just the gimmick of the period costumes and the sexist, racist dialog. Well worth a miss.
  11. MikeN.
    Jul 28, 2007
    6
    If you are going to make a character driven series, Step 1 is to make the characters interesting. And, unfortunately, there just are not any interesting characters here. Don Draper, the central figure, is so underplayed that he might as well be a prop. He sits, he muses, he smokes, he looks off into space. Occasionally, very occasionally, he will say something. Something supposed to be If you are going to make a character driven series, Step 1 is to make the characters interesting. And, unfortunately, there just are not any interesting characters here. Don Draper, the central figure, is so underplayed that he might as well be a prop. He sits, he muses, he smokes, he looks off into space. Occasionally, very occasionally, he will say something. Something supposed to be witty, or cutting or profound, but which is usually none of those things. The rest of the cast plays an assortment of characters based on 50's stereotypes. Which shows up the show's basically flawed premise: it is stupid to try to seriously explore the prejudices and follies of the early 1960s advertising men. I mean, who cares what their stupid opinions were? Does anybody really look back at the Rat Pack era as some sort of Golden Age? The ironic take used simply has no worthwhile target. It is like watching a guy beat up a drunk in an alleyway.… Expand
  12. Brian
    Jul 27, 2007
    5
    Meh. It was interesting at first, but I got bored early into episode 2.
  13. IndiaS
    Jul 27, 2007
    10
    Great Show the best I have seem in a long time.
  14. susans
    Jul 26, 2007
    10
    Love it, it is spot on. I've lived this!!!! Great well written and acted show. Please give it a chance and keep it on the air!!!!
  15. lindab
    Jul 25, 2007
    0
    The in-your-face-over-exaggeration of sexually overcharged or weak females in the workplace as meat for carnivores in power is insulting. Gynecologists "smoking" during a naive woman's pelvic exam, then more or less saying that her wanting birth control meds makes her "easy" and if he sees she's abusing them, she'll be limited in their use??? Ridiculous...all of it. I was The in-your-face-over-exaggeration of sexually overcharged or weak females in the workplace as meat for carnivores in power is insulting. Gynecologists "smoking" during a naive woman's pelvic exam, then more or less saying that her wanting birth control meds makes her "easy" and if he sees she's abusing them, she'll be limited in their use??? Ridiculous...all of it. I was in the legal field, had few friends or co-workers who smoked and if someone of power made a suggestive remark, they were told it wasn't appreciated...and it never happened again. The sexual remarks, smoking and naivety is so exaggerated in this series it's laughable. I was very attractive, with a great body and on BC meds. So I was shocked when I saw this portrayal. As with today, you either can or can't control a situation. The one thing that's different is that in the 60's we didn't hide behind the fear of "sexual harrassment" charges to those in higher power. We simply took care of any problem ourselves...and were much stronger women for it. Feminism has not helped the female gender...and it has helped to emasculate the male. Sad.… Expand
  16. LynnR
    Jul 25, 2007
    9
    This show is a winner! I've worked with these guys before or at least the clones these guys represent.
  17. WilliamM
    Jul 24, 2007
    10
    The writing is superb in this drama. It captures the underside of this period exceptionally well. It reminds us how much things have actually change - for the better, for once.
  18. PeterC
    Jul 23, 2007
    10
    How refreshing to have a meaningful, well-written show to watch, with interesting characters, settings, and storylines. I am really excitied about seeing where the series leads. Beautifully shot, costumed, and acted.
  19. JohnJ
    Jul 23, 2007
    5
    Puzzling, with so much hype and potential, but . . . mostly unlikable characters, from Don Draper (either an adulterous war hero or a tender, loving father), to manipulative underlings and a strangely misscast Elizabeth Moss, who is either frumpy and frigid or accessible and promiscuous but can hardly be both at once. The writing is curate's-eggish--good in parts, but uneven. The Puzzling, with so much hype and potential, but . . . mostly unlikable characters, from Don Draper (either an adulterous war hero or a tender, loving father), to manipulative underlings and a strangely misscast Elizabeth Moss, who is either frumpy and frigid or accessible and promiscuous but can hardly be both at once. The writing is curate's-eggish--good in parts, but uneven. The agency scenes don't ring true--too pat, too shallow. On the bright side, production values are excellent , the settings and costumes authentic and the videography above reproach. The above is based on one episode (maybe it will improve). If it fails to get better, we have many other choices.… Expand
  20. DerekT
    Jul 21, 2007
    10
    Mad Men is compelling. I had taped it, watched it last night, and then watched the entire episode again this morning - and found entirely new things in it. The attention to period detail is incredible, and the show is very well acted. Like Six Feet Under, this is a show that will have me hooked until it ends.
  21. Sonia/F
    Jul 21, 2007
    10
    EXQUISITE CINEMATOGRAPHY AND NUANCED DIALOGUE, EASILY WOULD BE THE BEST OF CURRENT SERIES (APART FROM ENTOURAGE) WERE IT ON HBO.
  22. JustinM
    Jul 21, 2007
    7
    Some "too snappy by half" lines and expository dialogue early on, as well as a character or two that are a little over the top make you conscious early on that you are watching a premiere episode with some setting up to do. Also, the writers lean on the setting too much at first. However, by the third act, the show develops some intriguing elements and the characters come to life a Some "too snappy by half" lines and expository dialogue early on, as well as a character or two that are a little over the top make you conscious early on that you are watching a premiere episode with some setting up to do. Also, the writers lean on the setting too much at first. However, by the third act, the show develops some intriguing elements and the characters come to life a little. There is also a compelling twist at the end that is sure to have people tuning in next week. The show has a lot of potential.… Expand
  23. DaveB
    Jul 20, 2007
    5
    Makes the mistake of thinking the era will be interesting enough on it's own. Also, the lead isn't great... and his character is written in a muddled fashion. Would be much better to see him ruthless and conflicted... maybe that's where he's headed but right now he's too nice of a guy to be interesting.
  24. tomw
    Jul 20, 2007
    3
    what it lacks: a gritty directorial and production style, to service a gritty, shark's den of a subject. what it has: the potential to be all it claimed it was and possibly all it could be.
  25. JoyceC
    Jul 18, 2007
    6
    Drama shows I adore, but it's hard to follow a series that has no pulse.
  26. GaryC
    Jul 18, 2007
    8
    It's actually a pretty good show.
  27. JaredC
    Jul 18, 2007
    5
    Really, I think they have enough TV shows out there already. They keep on adding new shows for entertainment and sometimes it's not just getting watched enough so every time there's a commercial, you see this advertisement and man alive it's annoying. It's not the best show on TV but still, I think they have enough drama shows out there that you can watch. Don't Really, I think they have enough TV shows out there already. They keep on adding new shows for entertainment and sometimes it's not just getting watched enough so every time there's a commercial, you see this advertisement and man alive it's annoying. It's not the best show on TV but still, I think they have enough drama shows out there that you can watch. Don't start ignoring CSI or The Sopranos and start watching this show, don't give up on those shows. Some of the acting is pretty good but overall it was an average TV show. I don't mind it, but sometimes it gets a little too dramatic. Just to warn you.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

16
#16 Best TV Season of 2007
9
#9 Most Discussed TV Season of 2007
2
#2 Most Shared TV Season of 2007

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. Sioux City Journal
    Reviewed by: Bruce Miller
    May 29, 2013
    80
    Interestingly, a lot of nothing adds up to a big something.
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  2. Christian Science Monitor
    Reviewed by: Gloria Goodale
    83
    It's very filmic both in execution and ambition as it explores life before Betty Friedan and the Surgeon General's warnings on cigarette packs.
    Read full review
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Ken Tucker
    83
    What gives Mad Men its zing is that play is part of work, sexual banter isn't yet harassment, and America is free of self-doubt, guilt, and countercultural confusion.
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