On The Record

  • Tune of the Week - “A Beautiful Mine”

    November 20, 2008 @ 9:49 am | by Jim Carroll

    Yep, I have the Mad Men bug too.

    Mad Men is an extraordinary TV show in so many ways. It’s not just about the sharp suits, the smoke that gets absolutely everywhere and the swagger which every character has to some extent or another. It’s more than just the cracking cast - especially Jon Hamm as the suave Don Draper, Vincent Kartheiser as over-ambitious little gobshite Pete Campbell or Elisabeth Moss as Peggy the innocent, naive secretary. And it goes beyond how show creator Matthew Weiner has moulded this world of Madison Avenue advertising execs who think they’re the masters of the universes as the Sixties kick in and post-war American culture begins to unwind.

    More than all that, Mad Men shows that some TV makers know where the cultural mojo is right now. You watch Mad Men and you’re willing to forgive and forget the hours of dross on every other channel. You lap it up on DVD because it’s quality, one episode after the next. Hollywood doesn’t provide stimulation like this any more.

    The show’s theme tune is also superb. Think of the great TV shows from the past couple of years and the theme tune always works. Just as the various versions of “Down In The Hole” were perfect for The Wire, this awesome piece of music from RJD2 is heaven-sent for Mad Men. It’s the very last tune on his “Magnificent City Instrumentals” album and music supervisor Alexandra Patsavas earned her chops yet again by unearthing it (she talks about finding the music for Mad Men here). Enjoy

    • 48 Comments »

    1.
    November 20, 2008
    10:01 am

    Quality indeed. Makes me want to slick my hair to the side and start on the Cognac at 10am. Actually…

    Comment by adam
    2.
    November 20, 2008
    10:13 am

    I just started watching series one on DVD the other day - looking forward to getting stuck into it!

    Comment by Lauren
    3.
    November 20, 2008
    10:16 am

    That reminds me….

    A lot of you have already watched Season 1 and some of you are already thru Season 2. If people are going to discuss the plot here, can they please prefix the comment with SPOILER ALERT as a courtesy to people who are only starting to get into the show? Thanking y’all

    Comment by Jim Carroll
    4.
    November 20, 2008
    10:29 am

    Joan Holloway is a mighty fine lady.

    Comment by Pandemic
    5.
    November 20, 2008
    11:09 am

    Yeah its a great show, and season 2 is even better than the first. Although I’ve heard that Weiner is at loggerheads with the network over him getting total creative control ( a la Simon and Chase), and I assume more cash also. Mad Men has being getting decent but unspectacular ratings. Its funny if they just keep going with it, then eventually it’ll be huge. Just like the wire really. I do hope it gets sorted though, this show is the only light in a very dark tv tunnel….

    Comment by enda
    6.
    November 20, 2008
    11:12 am

    enda - Read alright that he was looking for more control before he goes ahead with Season 3. The weird thing is that the TV network the show goes out on in the States, AMC, is not exactly known for making awesome TV shows.

    this show is the only light in a very dark tv tunnel….

    I’m hearing good things about Burn Notice at the moment. Anyone any other shows to add to the list?

    Comment by Jim Carroll
    7.
    November 20, 2008
    11:31 am

    great great show, gonna start season 2 soon but….
    the title sequence has never sat right with me, the music, the visuals, they just seem out of step with the setting of the show.

    Comment by ruan // nick thinks...
    8.
    November 20, 2008
    11:39 am

    Dexter is as always excellent fare. Really subverts the good serial killer/anti-hero thang. Season three features actors’ actor Jimmy Smits in a well creepy role. Watching a serial killer trying to go about his business while getting home for the roast in the evening can be quite fun.

    Other US shows that have been enjoyed in the household include Chuck & The Mentalist. They might be a little low brow for The Wire brigade but cheeky fun all the same.

    Chuck is a mix of James Bond spy business with some subtle nerdy references thrown in. Good ensemble cast that shouldn’t tax the grey matter too much.

    The Mentalist is another mash up show which could be prob best described as a hybrid of CSI, House and Dexter. The pitch: smug FBI consultant with acute observation skills who assists in murder cases with an overall purpose to catch the serial killer who killed his family. Quite well written with some familiar faces in the cast.

    The BBC has a promising six-parter on thursday nights called Apparitions - 2nd part on tonight. It stars Martin (The Professionals) Shaw as an exorcist. Some very wiggy moments in the first part including a bloke being skinned. The Beeb continues a solid run on the drama front…

    Comment by James D
    9.
    November 20, 2008
    11:58 am

    The very last episode of the shield is on next week. This show got better and better i thought, very good at the mo….

    Comment by Enda
    10.
    November 20, 2008
    12:05 pm

    Ruan - I know what you mean, they dont seem to suit the era the show is supposed to represent. Must dig out some interviews with the show’s graphic designers about that

    James D - cheers for that list. I saw a few episodes of Dexter a while ago and meant to pick up the DVD

    Enda - I always saw the Shield as the no-brainer Wire. Vic Mackey is such a fantastic character

    Comment by Jim Carroll
    11.
    November 20, 2008
    12:32 pm

    this world of Madison Avenue advertising execs who think they’re the masters of the universes

    And to think, they managed it without shovelling mountains of coke up their noses. Kids today.

    Mad Men is very good. No one else has mentioned her but January Jones as Don’s wife, particularly in the second season is brilliant. I’m not sure how much I enjoy the smug post-modernist bits that they drop in from time to time when they talk about stuff that’s now second nature to us but they miss the point of. “Disposable nappies, they’ll never catch on, ” that sort of thing. That being said I like Sal Romano’s obviously deeply closeted character. Blindingly obvious to people today but his colleagues don’t have a clue.

    Re: Other shows mentioned …

    I’ve seen a couple of episodes of Burn Notice and it looks ok but it’s broadcast at a bad time for me here so I’ve been meaning to start downloading it.

    Chuck - yeah good fun. Nothing too clever. The Baldwins seem to be settling into a nice spot as TV actors (Adam in this, Steven in Dirty Sexy Money and Alec in 30 Rock, which I’ll get to in a minute). I forgot that it was probably back on so thanks for the reminder James.

    Dexter - Really interesting premise but after a few episodes of season one I became bored with it as it got so silly. Season 2 however I really enjoyed and Season 3 has been going really well too. Michael C. Hall is perfect in the lead role and it’s nice to see that he found something after six feet under. Julie Benz has really grown into her role as time has gone by as well and she’s doing the best work of her career in this. Which, seeing as her other most notable thing was the flat Darla in Angel and Buffy isn’t saying much … but she is good in this.

    None of these (not even mad men) are truly exceptional TV but they’re all worth cathching.

    Sit-coms.

    The American version of the office is great and I think 30-Rock is well worth catching.

    I went back to my West Wing box sets this week.

    Comment by Ian
    12.
    November 20, 2008
    12:46 pm

    caught the first two episodes a while back and found those a little bit slow,

    is it worth picking up the box set for season 1 and givin it another go?

    Comment by derek
    13.
    November 20, 2008
    12:54 pm

    i got a present of a box set of flight of the conchords recently.

    just started watching it having never seen it. its really funny.

    i had never heard of it before so im not sure if its screened over here presume it is.

    but i would recommend it

    Comment by derek
    14.
    November 20, 2008
    1:11 pm

    I agree with James D & Ian, Dexter is brilliant.
    The acting, at times, can be shoddy as hell. But that’s only because the script can be absolutely rubbish every now & then (dialogue wise).

    Actually, my mate and I were discussing this and using Dexter as an example.
    When we saw the very first episode of Dexter, we though it was entertaining due to Michael C. Hall’s ability to act but the script was dire.
    We both think that our standards for a TV Show have been set so ridiculously high now because of David Simon & Ed Burns.

    Has this happened to anyone else?

    Comment by Pedro
    15.
    November 20, 2008
    1:17 pm

    I have recently finished watching Burn Notice (season 1) and am loth to recommend it. It’s not that it’s bad, just that it’s not a stand-out show.
    Currently watching Sons of Anarchy - really good and a second season has been ordered. Breaking Bad has also been great.

    Comment by Feargal FitzPatrick
    16.
    November 20, 2008
    1:20 pm

    “The Baldwins seem to be settling into a nice spot as TV actors (Adam in this, Steven in Dirty Sexy Money and Alec in 30 Rock”

    Adam is not a brother of the other two. and in ealrier post, I forgot to recommend Battlestar Galactica.

    Comment by Feargal FitzPatrick
    17.
    November 20, 2008
    1:25 pm

    we’re 3 ep into s01 on dvd

    loving it.
    I think it has the makings of a real classic.

    my gf is finding it slow and hates that there is no depth in the women’s characters so far.

    love the smoking and drink driving.
    pregnant women drinking & smoking, and the doctor smoking in his surgery. class.

    brings back good memories !

    Comment by neil c
    18.
    November 20, 2008
    1:52 pm

    Derek - yes, it took me a few episodes to get into it but once i got into the hang of it, i just loved it from there on in. It was actually a bit like the wire in the sense that it took a little investment

    Feargal - I know what u mean by that. There are loads of shows (just like there are loads of albums) which are only OK but you put up with them because the alternatives are not so good. It’s like what Pedro says @ 14 above - top-class TV does rise your standards.

    neil c - all that smoking reminds me of the classic footage of the newscaster, complete with cigarette in hand, announcing that JFK was killed in Dallas.

    Comment by Jim Carroll
    19.
    November 20, 2008
    1:54 pm

    May I be a geek for a second and add that I have recently gone back to the X-Files DVD collection and have discovered Series 3 to be another great achievement to television.

    Comment by Pedro
    20.
    November 20, 2008
    2:07 pm

    I forgot to recommend Battlestar Galactica.

    YES YES YES. The bravest thing on US TV right now. No other show would have the balls to portray suicide bombers in a heroic light.

    Comment by Ian
    21.
    November 20, 2008
    2:08 pm

    I second that Breaking Bad tip up there - excellent stuff. Nice and dark with a decent chunk of the absurd. Second season in the pipeline.
    I’ve always guiltily enjoyed Californication too but season 1 was better than season 2.

    Comment by adam
    22.
    November 20, 2008
    2:09 pm

    The weird thing is that the TV network the show goes out on in the States, AMC, is not exactly known for making awesome TV shows

    AMC is also responsible for the very most certainly awesome “Breaking Bad”, very dark, and yet bleakly funny. Highly recommended.

    Comment by Ivor
    23.
    November 20, 2008
    2:16 pm

    ‘Deadwood’ is boxsettastic too !

    Comment by Cacamilis
    24.
    November 20, 2008
    2:22 pm

    I think the oldies are better than the newer shows:

    The Wire
    Arrested Development
    Jonathan Creek
    The X Files
    PEEP SHOW!!!!
    Generation Kill
    Brass Eye/The Day Today
    I’m Alan Partridge
    Black Books
    The IT Crowd

    :)

    Comment by Pedro
    25.
    November 20, 2008
    2:35 pm

    I recommend that new series Fringe, I caught the first episode a while ago there but am waiting for my wife to watch it so i can catch up on the rest of them.

    It starts out suspiciously like the X Files and you’re thinking “it’s already been done, hasn’t it?” but then you get into the story and it’s actually quite good. the first episode is very fast moving too, but then all pilots tend to do this i suppose to pique exec’s interest from the get-go.

    I recommend giving it a try though.

    Also, i agree with Battlestar Galactica. it’s very enjoyable and has a bit more of a topical bite to it than a lot of so-so Sci-Fi these days

    Comment by garethh
    26.
    November 20, 2008
    2:36 pm

    Glad to see some of ye indulging your inner-nerd re X-Files & Battlestar Gallactica.

    I recently bought the X-Files box set on the basis of nostalgic memories of watching them the first time round. They are dated but there is still something special there. Mental chewing gum. Gillian Anderson panting and looking startled. I don’t know.

    BSG has to have been my biggest revelation in the last few years. For what could have been a really flat remake of what was a really flat original, they’ve crafted something completely fresh and quite topical.

    Avoiding the bravado filled sci-fi cliches, it alludes to a lot of the more sombre aspects of war (concentration camps, etc) and the question of just how human(e) we really are in these circumstances.

    There is a pile of dysfunctional relations, piles of eyecandy intertwined personal stories and a bit of an overall issue about who are the real enemies in our midst (the 12). In the new year, it’s taking the honourable route and finishing after it’s 4th season before the quality control goes.

    If you’re interested, the mini-series at about 2 hours long will give you a good feel (and could be picked for next to €0).

    Comment by James D
    27.
    November 20, 2008
    3:04 pm

    HMV have (or had) the entire West Wing DVD boxset for €80, so that’s next on my ‘to watch’ list. They had all three seasons of Arrested Development for next-to-nothing recently, too.

    Studio 60 On the Sunset Strip was really good, Californication was absolutely shite. I should pick up Six Feet Under soon, too.

    Comment by Lauren
    28.
    November 20, 2008
    3:23 pm

    Only SIX YEARS after I first tried to bring The West Wing to your attention, Lauren. You were still an EastEnders fan back then…

    For me, very little current TV drama beats Spooks. Partly because it portrays Americans properly - annoying, meddling, war-mongering bastards. ;)

    Comment by Johnnie
    29.
    November 20, 2008
    3:24 pm

    As much as I enjoyed Studio 60 and was annoyed when it didn’t get a second series, I reckon Sorkin’s fatal flaw, that led to the show getting cancelled, was that he couldn’t get away from the politics. It took the show too long to get out of the whole red state V blue state / conservative values V liberal media theme. Address it certainly, but sadly Studio 60 went a bit too OTT with it and it cost the show viewers.

    Comment by Joe
    30.
    November 20, 2008
    3:31 pm

    Shhh! A good deal gets better! HMV have obviously not done their maths as you can buy The West Wing for €65 (!!!) if you get it online as opposed to wander in their front door. They had my copy with me in about 5 days.

    It’s only €15 of a saving but that’s a Flight Of The Conchords or Woody Allen box set in my book (if bought online too!).

    Comment by James D
    31.
    November 20, 2008
    3:32 pm

    I loved The West Wing but hated Studio 60 with a passion.

    Comment by Conor Furlong
    32.
    November 20, 2008
    3:33 pm

    I am looking forward to getting into Oz. Used to watch it as much as I could on TG4 (think it was on that) and it always grabbed my attention. Crazy storylines but interesting.

    Comment by Fasty
    33.
    November 20, 2008
    3:34 pm

    [i]It was actually a bit like the wire in the sense that it took a little investment[/]

    30 Rock is like that for me. A particular style of humour that pays off after you have watched the first few. Likewise for Curb Your Enthusiasm. I struggled to watch the first one I saw, but then it clicked in my head and I’ve been OCD about it since.

    Comment by Feargal FitzPatrick
    34.
    November 20, 2008
    3:39 pm

    “Arrested Development” is fantastic box-set fodder ‘cos there are so many running gags and in-jokes you have to watch it in huge chunks to keep up.

    Comment by Ivor
    35.
    November 20, 2008
    4:05 pm

    Sci Fi in the states will air the final ten episodes of BSG commencing Friday Jan 16. Sky should start the following Tuesday. Everytime I think about it I spontaneously combust. I just know I’ll need to be medicated for the finale. I just know it.
    My gods , it runs pretty damn close with The Wire as the best TV of the decade.

    Comment by Q
    36.
    November 20, 2008
    4:27 pm

    Pedro.

    Get your hands on The Thick of It if you can.
    Armando Iannucci on top form again.

    Comment by Void
    37.
    November 20, 2008
    5:07 pm

    Only SIX YEARS after I first tried to bring The West Wing to your attention, Lauren. You were still an EastEnders fan back then

    ZING! Now that has to be the best putdown I’ve read here in ages. Can’t wait to read the retort ;-)

    Johnnie - saw an episode of Spooks the other night which was not half bad at all.

    And fans of West Wing/Studio 60 should also check out SPORTS NIGHT where Sorkin perfected the whole talking-fast-while-walking-really-fast schtick of his

    Comment by Jim Carroll
    38.
    November 20, 2008
    5:34 pm

    RJD2: haven’t heard that name in a while

    Comment by unarocks
    39.
    November 20, 2008
    6:22 pm

    that Mad Men theme is really good, and the visuals too. plus one of the season finales closed with an excellently chosen Bob Dylan song.

    from the perspective of music I’m really enjoying the Texan football show Friday Night Lights - Explosions in the Sky worked on the film score, and the professional score-writer used pretty similar styles, so I’m not exactly sure who does the music on the TV show, but it’s beautiful ‘instrumental post-rock’ put to a rather clever small-town drama.

    Comment by gabbagabbahey
    40.
    November 20, 2008
    7:07 pm

    well i did mention i was watching this in your first “the wire” thread(i rule). i loved it, brilliant characters and wonderful script. i think bbc 3 have the second series soon

    Comment by petee
    41.
    November 20, 2008
    8:55 pm

    Johnnie - stop trying to ruin my cred or I’ll tell everyone about your collection of Dalek money boxes ;)

    Comment by Lauren
    42.
    November 21, 2008
    12:43 am

    ah, mad men..absolutely flew through the first season, on about episode five of the second..still pretty good quality control..

    spooks is a little gem of a show that keeps getting bumped all over the place from what i can see..

    state of play (which *sob* they’re after remaking into a film with russell crowe) was aunty beeb at her best,great wrtiting,directing and an interesting political story..wherefore art thou rte?!

    have both the thick of it and brass eye waiting to be watched..so many dvd’s so little time..

    oh,and my addendum to geekdom above..the new doctor who anyone?!

    Comment by ciaran
    43.
    November 21, 2008
    9:11 am

    Johnnie - stop trying to ruin my cred or I’ll tell everyone about your collection of Dalek money boxes

    Dalek money boxes! Eastenders! It’s all coming out in the wash this week. Must check with our mutual pal Damien for some more Johnnie stories ;-)

    state of play (which *sob* they’re after remaking into a film with russell crowe) was aunty beeb at her best,great wrtiting,directing and an interesting political story..wherefore art thou rte?!

    Ciaran - you get a medal for that. State of Play was a brilliant series which really left you wanting more. And then Paul Abbott went off and created Shameless.

    Comment by Jim Carroll
    44.
    November 21, 2008
    9:32 am

    I’m very proud of my Doctor Who toy collection, Lauren was being exceptionally generous by only bringing that up…

    And Jim, Damien has WAY too many dancing skeletons in his closet to start blabbing about anyone else ;)

    Comment by Johnnie
    45.
    November 21, 2008
    9:34 am

    Johnnie - He’s very proud of those skeletons, it must be said

    Comment by Jim Carroll
    46.
    November 21, 2008
    9:54 am

    Jaysus, you fellas watch a lot of tv!

    Comment by Neill
    47.
    November 21, 2008
    3:46 pm

    Thanks for the post - love it. When I first started watching Mad Men, my friend prefaced the show by mentioning January Jones’ character Betsy - “She like Princess Grace with a crack in her skull.” I think she hit the nail on the head.

    Comment by christi
    48.
    November 24, 2008
    12:24 am

    s02 ep 5.. a stormer!

    Comment by ciaran

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