Madmen – probably the best television show in the world

The 4th series of madmen has started and, as usual I am already hooked.

This blog is a blatant plug for what is, in my opinion, one of the best television series ever made. How lucky am I? Not only is it the best show ever (have I said that enough yet?) but it is also about the industry I love so much.

For the uninitiated (and not to watch it means you are either mad, man, without a TV or have a social life to rival Paris Hilton thus are not in on a Wednesday night.), Madmen follows the lives and loves of the men and women of Madison Avenue ad land in the 1960’s. The characterisation is beyond perfect, the script from heaven and the attention to detail unparalleled. For example, if they are shooting a scene on a particular day, thanksgiving for example, they look back at historical weather data and dress the characters accordingly. They even make sure they have the right sort of ice cubes for the whiskey that is seemingly drunk from morning to night along with the cigarettes that punctuate every waking moment of their lives (aah for the return of guilt free smoking). It deals with all the major issues of its day – politics, racism, homophobia, sexism at work, unwanted pregnancy, all with such aplomb it makes me go quite giddy just reflecting on it now. It's even had the power to reignite the 'size 0' debate.

It has the ability to make you laugh (for fans – remember when the account exec ran over the client’s foot with a John Deer tractor at the office party?) and cry (See Don’s beautiful ‘carousel’ pitch?). I implore you to see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suRDUFpsHus

Despite having moved on somewhat in agency lala land since then (although I have definitely indulged in some all night parting which included passing out in the agency at some point in my sometimes not so distinguished career, although stopping short of severing the limbs’ of clients!), the day to day highs and lows, the tensions between suits and creatives, the clients you adore, and those you don’t, the agency personnel’s love of a drink remain constant.

Finally, I love it because it reminds me of why I love my industry so much and how lucky I was to have stumbled upon it in the first place. I am inspired nearly every day by what we do. How lucky I am to have a job that I actually love to do.

oooh, PS, I have just found joy of joys a Mad Men blog. Check out http://www.lippsisters.com/