Mad About These Men

Considering the recent cover story in EW, I'm still surprised when I run into someone who hasn't heard of AMC's Mad Men. As an avid fan of the show from the first episode last summer, I still can't quite fathom why America hasn't fallen in love right along with me. And maybe it has to do with AMC, specifically the fact that it doesn't have the advertising of the major broadcasting companies. Had it not been for TV Guide, I would never have tuned into the highly-stylized show.
But with season 2 premiering July 27th, I've begun a word of mouth campaign, hoping to pull as many of my friends to appreciate one of the best shows on TV. The look and tone of the show, with clothing and props from the 50s and 60s giving it an authentic feel, should be enough. But the show is so much more than just advertising men womanizing their co-workers. Its so much more than booze and cigarettes. The characters, from the deceptive and dark Don Draper to the ignorantly ambitious Peggy Olson, are never purely good or bad, just interesting and complex. And the story has never come off as cheap, but rather completely realistic and true to the times. The rise of female empowerment has begun to develop, as Peggy becomes a junior copywriter and Don's neighbors deal with the single mother who recently moved in.
And did I mention the show is so damn pretty?

Just Can't Quit You Yet

I'll admit, TV and I haven't been getting along too well lately. Not since the writers' strike went and completely through my viewing schedule off. Not since I realized there was life outside of that glass screen. And not since I remembered my love for Buffy and Gilmore Girls thanks to my box sets. Usually at this time of year, I'm constantly updating EW and TV Guide's websites, waiting for confirmation of my shows' renewals. A year ago, I was cursing the CW for ending my beloved Veronica Mars. This year, I could care less what shows made it. Hell, I could care less what happened on any show, what character suddenly got the axe.
That is, until I watched House.
The two-part finale was everything I love and missed about television. The storyline, the twists and turns, and the incredibly painful ending. This may have been the only show that benefitted from the Writers' Strike. Regardless of how uneven the season was as a whole, what with the cast shakeups and drawn out team selection, the acting in those two hours may have been the best on television all year. Hugh Laurie, Robert Sean Leonard and Anne Dudek were simply incredible and hopefully at least one of their names will appear on an Emmy ballot.
Here's hoping next season picks up right where this one brilliantly left off. And more importantly, here's to my renewed love for TV.