Here are some new photos of newly-furry Jon Hamm and his girlfriend/partner Jennifer Westfeldt at last night’s Food Bank For New York City 2012 Can-Do Awards Gala. They look super-cute together, and apparently they’ve become New Yorkers now – for most of their relationship, they’ve lived in LA, but when Jennifer was filming Friends With Kids, she and Jon moved to NYC for the shoot and pretty much stayed. Do you like your Jon Hamm with a beard? I don’t hate it. I like him a bit scruffy – it makes his beautiful eyes stand out. Sigh… I love him.
We’ve gotten some requests for more coverage of the new season of Mad Men. For the most part, we like to cover the premieres and the season finales of our favorite shows, and not do episode recaps, even when something awesome happens. But since we have these pretty new Hamm photos, let’s talk about some Mad Men! THERE BE SPOILERS BELOW!!! ARRRRR!
*How great have the last two episodes been? The episode with Joan and her husband – what a great payoff for that storyline, right? I was SO hoping they would kill off Dr. Rapist, but it’s much better this way – with Joanie standing up for herself, at long last, acknowledging that he raped her before they were married, and that he’s a really pathetic man in general. I loved that whole scene of Joan calmly and efficiently telling him off. It was perfect.
*I love some Ken Cosgrove! It’s good that Ken got his own storyline this week, right? I’ve always liked him – he’s different than the other ad men. Maybe because he’s from Vermont? I adored his voiceover-storytelling at the end.
*Megan Draper needs to be given more credit in general. Yes, she’s young. Yes, she’s kind of flaky, sort of. But she understands Don Draper in a way that few women do, and she knows how to push his buttons. I also think that Megan isn’t interested in having Don’s babies. Probably because she knows he’s a big baby himself. Still, I loved when Don said he wanted a baby. Drunk ass seducer.
*The whole fever-dream woman-killer thing was wack. I knew it was all a fever dream as I was watching it, but I understand a lot of people were freaked out. Personally, I was more freaked out by all of the references to the nurse-killer.
*Lane Pryce and Joan are my new favorite office-friends. They are so gentle and tender and sweet to each other. It’s lovely.
*I know everyone loves to hate Pete Campbell, for good reason (he’s a “pimp” in Lane’s words). But I just want to point out that Vincent Kartheiser is a REALLY good actor. He does an amazing job playing such a gross bastard.
*I want more scenes with Roger and Peggy playing off of each other. The scene where she blackmails him for all of the money he was carrying? Priceless. I could watch that over and over. Roger is kind of a cartoon character at this point, but John Slattery still grounds his performance so brilliantly that everyone just loves Roger, even when he’s being a d-bag.
I have a million more thoughts, but that’s enough for now. I’m really enjoying this season – they’re doing some interesting things with the characters, and I’m really excited about all of the future potential directions and plotlines. YAY!
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Ohhh Jon! You sexy beast!
that chick he’s with has a crazy stalker look in her eye like she wants to eat him alive. she has the cray cray for this dude.
Oh, my.
Love the Hamm, love the show Mad Men and I love the fashion of the 60’s. Best dressed era ever!
^^^^OVER-RATED^^^^
So it totally makes sense to comment on an article that doesn’t interest you at all!
I loved the office fight. I’m happy it wasn’t Don or Roger who got into it with Pete. It was perfect that it was Lane, the calm and cool one. It highlighted the fact that even Lane is tired of his BS. Pete’s gotten particularly mean this season and I think it was the obvious direction for his character. For a season or two it seemed like they were trying to make Pete a nice guy who is just misunderstood, and that just didn’t fit with the character we were introduced to in the first episode.
This season has been awesome. I love Vincent K’s acting he’s so despicable as Pete. Joan kicked ass last week I am so glad she finally told him off. I still hope Dr Rapist dies in Vietnam though.
If he comes back home maimed, he will want Joan to take care of him. She needs to get those divorced papers signed ASAP so she can get rid of him for good. I don’t think this is the last we will see of him. Especially with a child involved. He will want to see his son as long as he believes it is his. Would love to see Dr. Rapist’s face if he finds out the baby isn’t his.
Some MM posters have affectionately nicknamed him:
“McRapey”
He is truly a nothing of a man. He didn’t even look back at his son when he was leaving. Joan had him pegged that he always needs to be made to feel like a big man.
That’sgottobeaplayoffbeard!Ireadsomewherehe’saSt.LouisBluesfan,andthey’repredictedtogofar.
Yayforplayoffhockey!
what did the space bar ever do to you?
Nothing against the spacebar; however, I do have issues with Blackberry not recognising the spacebar.
LMAO!!!!
God and I am so attracted to dark haired men but this guy doesn’t do a thing for me…am I seeing behind the looks at something missing? Mad Men yes…John Hamm…I’m just not mad for that man.
OMG!!! I didn’t think he could look any hotter….I do like me a fine lookin’ fella with a well-groomed beard….
I really like her outfit here, but her cheeks are crazy.
I’m not a big beard person, I think they are scratchy…but I would let that beard scratch me if it meant…well, you know.
Love the Hamm.
They had this photo on GMA this morning, like it was breaking news. An actor grew a beard again – OMG!!!
The Peggy/Roger negotiation was awesome, as was Joanie finally ditching her lousy husband, but nothing will ever top Lane punching the smirk off Pete’s face in front of everyone!
It’s weird that he’s not working more in films! I thought Mad Men would lead to far more opportunities for him in features.
Love Jon Hamm to a million pieces, maybe a BILLION, but the beard does nothing for me. Makes his face look like a muppet.
There’s too much of it. Hate to see him cover up that FACE!
I love Joan – she’s my favorite character on the show. With poise, grace and dignity she handles everything life throws at her. I also am enjoying watching the ice queen Betty getting fat. I know she was a product of her times but women that act helpless really irritate me.
There’s a great article up over at E!Online (rare! I know!) that draws a parallel between the old Don Draper (married to Betty, kids, living in the suburbs, miserable, cheating) to Pete’s new life in Cos Cob. Interesting stuff! I like Don and Megan and I especially like Don’s efforts to be a better husband. I also like that everyone likes Trudy better than her louse of a husband – she is the anti-Betty. I’d like to see HER working at SCDP instead of Pete.
I’m also really glad the Joan/gross doctor husband storyline has been resolved. Now, if the bombshell of Peggy/Pete’s baby can just explode, I’ll be in absolute heaven.
I can see Pete signing up at the men’s club in Stepford, while Trudy goes all 70s.
Happy Hump Day CB Mad Men fans! A few great ROGER lines from this season:
ROGER (re: Lane and Pete’s office fight): “I know cooler heads should prevail, but am I the only one who wants to see this?”
ROGER (to the prostitute): “Look honey, I’m not going to bore you with complements.”
ROGER (to Don): “The only thing worse than not getting what you want is someone else getting it.”
ROGER (to Joan showing up at the office with THEIR baby): “Well, well, well, there’s my baby. Now move that brat out of the way so I can see her.”
And – one “fun fact”:
The guy who killed all those people at the University of Texas is Charles WHITMAN . . . the same last name as Don’s REAL last name. Coincidence?
Also, the murderer in the previous episode was named Richard Speck. Richard. Dick. Dick Speck and Charles Whitman. I loved the scene where Don corrected someone who said the last name wrong.
Did Weiner plan this all along? If so, what dark future does he have for Don?
I love these two people together. All these years together and they still look like they are in love. I guess it’s true that marriage is a sex killer.
The writers seem to be anti-suburbia for good reason. Americans are only recently beginning to see the many downsides to living in the suburbs, but back in the 50s and 60s, moving to a cookie cutter suburban home was all the rage. Moving back to the suburbs would be a regression for Don’s character. His character is a total Manhattanite. He seemed so out of place in a big house in the suburbs cut off from the excitement and sophistication of the city.
Pete was always a dirtbag but I felt like Trudy had a greater control on his movements when they lived in Manhattan. Now, Pete will end up like the typical cheating spouse who comes home super late or doesn’t come home at all some nights.
I really like Ken’s character. He appears to be one of the decent guys in the office who has found a way to connect with his thoughts and emotions through his writing. Ken appears to be the opposite of Pete and Don who found it difficult to sit down and write more than a few hundred words. In contrast, Ken is able to open up to his wife and to himself on the page.
Megan is much smarter than she was given credit for at the end of last season. She is young but she knows how to keep Don satisfied while keeping him on a leash without him even knowing it. She knows his inner workings more than Betty ever did. I don’t know if she can keep Don from cheating once the Honeymoon is over, but she’s doing a really good job so far.
I also really like Lane. He is one of the most complex characters on the show to me. He lacks physical attraction but he proved in this week’s episode that he is much more of a man than Pete in both physical ability as well as basic manners. Lane is charming in a polite British gentleman way and I think that is why Joan respects him. That doesn’t mean Lane is immune from cheating, he just isn’t the type to bring a client to a whore house.
Loving this season too! The feaver dream did freak me out…the fist fight beetween Lane and Pete was epic!!!
He’s got a playoff beard! He’s from St. Louis, as am I, and our team, the St. Louis Blues is in the playoffs right now. It is tradition for NHL players (and some fans) to grow their facial hair out in the playoffs until their team gets eliminated.
I was at both Game 1 and 2 in St. Louis, and Jon Hamm was there and I saw him!! I love the fact that he is a die-hard Blues fan just like me!
GO BLUES!
I seriously want weekly Mad Men recap! I love reading your opinions on the show Kaiser! BTW – did anyone get all the crazy death references on the last show? Don’s doodling a noose, someone named Whitman killed a lot of people, Pete’s talking about his rifle. Not to mention Pete’s watching Signal 30 (the drivers ed video) which basically filmed a lot of deaths/terrible accidents. The episode was called “Signal 30” as well, which is police code for a death. Oh AND the fact that when Sally was with her Grandma and all freaked out about the nurse murdering and Sally asked why he would do it, Grandma says “Well he must hate his mother.” We all know Don hates his mother. Is this all foreshadowing????
Also, loved the Cosgrove writing subplot, I think we’ll see more of it. And also glad Pete got a smack to the face I’ve been waiting for that since Season 1. Glad it was Lane too!
Also note: I love love love that John Hamm and John Slattery directed the last two episodes! So cool!
P.S sorry for all the edits, I just keep thinking of things that I want to talk about.
Thank you for the Mad Men post!
None of my friends watch it and I have no one at all to talk to about it 🙂
I am missing Betty this season. Seeing her on one episode and briefly one is not enough. She is so miserable, I like it.
I really like Don & Megan. I can’t stand to look at her face as I don’t like her mouth at all but I like her character. I am just wondering what will happen to throw this off the rails. It can’t continue to be so lovey love, love. Something is going to have to change. I just can’t see Don living the rest of his life with this young woman being faithful to her. Maybe he’ll spend this season fighting the man he once was.
I love Joan. I was so glad she sent Dr. Rapist packing.
Roger is great and he gets great lines but I feel like his character is only their now to add a laugh or two.
Peter Campbell is insufferable! He is such an arrogant little prick. I laughed my ass off the last scene of the last eppy where he was in the elevator crying to Don.
I’ve always liked Ken Cosgrove and am glad they brought back the subject of his writing.
And now for Jon Hamm, the man with the beard!!! Furry bushman please don’t abduct me and take me to your cabin in the woods – – actually please do!! God, he is smokin’ even with the beard.
Am considering jumping on the St. Louis Blues bandwagon now 😉 I’m wondering though how long it took him to grow that? A week? I read once that he grew hair so fast that he had to shave twice a day on the set.
I wish they would stop beating up on Betty. She was troubled but interesting the first seasons — when she realized her psychiatrist was breaking her trust, shooting the neighbour’s birds, flirting up a storm at the riding club.
Not that any of the characters are angels or presented as such, but the fewest allowances are made for Betty, when women in her position were very boxed in, in terms of their life choices. I wish they would write her character with more interesting development and less haphazardly.
As someone who loves Mad Men and browbeats people (the few who need it) into watching it and getting it, I still appreciated this critique of the show:
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2011/feb/24/mad-men-account/
The most interesting point is that the show’s perspective on the characters isn’t that of an adult (my peeve), but that of a kid in the 60s, like Sally, watching Mom and Dad get ready for a night on the town, with the glamour of that combined with everyday family unhappiness, all equally opaque and mysterious to a child.
This last episode was really beautiful, but it makes me really worried for Pete. Weiner has a habit of breaking characters right when they’ve reached their goals (remember Sal and also that poor British dude with the lawnmower) and Pete’s depression wont just trail off. Everything has a meaning on this show. When Ken’s wife describes the science fiction story of the robot who removed the bolt and killed everyone on the bridge, Don asked why he did it. Ken said, because that was what he was told to do. Pete has the life that everyone told him to have, and I feel like that story is foreshadowing to whatever Pete’s terrible resolutions will be. Also, this episode, which can probably be claimed as Pete’s episode is named “Signal 30” which is the police code for fatality.
There are theories going around that Pete will turn out to be the opening credits man to jump out of the window. I think that could be true, and the man on the couch is Don, watching him.
Ooooohhhhhhh, Sarah. That’s some dark symbolism. I love it.
Something is definitely BREWING (“Tea Leaves,” perhaps . . . LOL). I saw your comments above regarding the correlation between the killers and Don’s real name. Weiner is THAT clever, don’t you agree? The show is currently solid to run through Season Seven, if I’m not mistaken. I don’t see them killing off Pete at this point . . . but, he is ripe to “snap” down the road.
Once again, there’s something infinitely dark brewing behind the scenes. Sundays are just the best these days!
Pete’s former gun was mentioned in the last episode. Including several references to death. Sorry to be graphic, but Don saying he rather blow his brains out than to spend Friday night in the suburbs. Also Don drawing the noose and many other references to death or suicide this season. Something is going to happen death wise, but at this point it could be anyone. Pete is at the top of the list I think.
I’m with you Vincent Kartheiser is doing a great job…everybody hates Pete Campbell! During the first seasons I could stand him, because he was a sort of victim of the social pressure (getting the job, getting married to the right woman, having a child), but now… he is turning in a poor version of Don. That’s why I think it will be interesting to see how Trudy will handle the situation, her character reminds me a lot of Betty, but i have the feeling Trudy is much smarter. I’d like to see more Trudy. And Pryce, I love that English man!
I agree with whom said Dr. Rapist will be back, soon or later.
I love Trudy!!! And not just because Alison Brie plays her! I loved the phone call she made to Don about the party and how she handled that whole situation. I kind of feel like she’s the anti-Betty. Trudy is a woman that knew that she wanted to be a mother and to have a husband to dote upon. She’s smart and funny and knows how to keep control of things. I love the way they subtletly show the women planning things and running everything. I feel bad for her because she picked a louse of a man who doesn’t realize the prize he has waiting for him at home. My favorite Trudy moment was when she was like 9 months pregnant with a big belly and wearing a tiny little nightie at home. So cute!
I loved that phone call too!When Don said something like “I shoud hire you”. LOL
I liked Pete until he coerced the neighbour’s young babysitter into sleeping with him. Not cute. Not forgivable.
I am so glad that Joan stood up for herself! It’s awesome she brought up the rape but I also love how she flat out told him that she wasnt going to put up with him making all their decisions while giving no though to what she wants. Joan is such a strong woman and really knows how to get her point across in very subtle ways.
The fever dream killing worked because it was Dons way of coming to terms with who he his. They juxtaposed it with the nurse killing so nicely. Don seems to understand that while he is trying to live a better life and be a good husband and father that he ALWAYS has the potential to F everything up. That was the genius of that scene because everyone I know that watches the show weren’t sure whether it was happening or not! It is something that seems almost plausible with Don’s past and dark secrets. He is acutely aware that he needs to be on his guard all the time or his demons might take over and ruin his life.
I kind of love Megan now! When she realized Ken’s wifes name and screamed out “Cynthia!” I was cracking up. Ken’s always been a favorite of mine and did anyone else notice that his wife is Alex Mack!!
One other thing about Don’s fever dream of murder… The only nurse who survived was wearing a yellow dress, and the woman he choked was in that bright yellow dress. I love how this show ties in a million tiny details. Like having that horrible step grandmother drug Sally to find her rolled under the settee was pretty horrifying too. Of course the names as well, loads to think about. What makes this show brilliant is the layers and tie ins that run through the series, if you want to notice all the details, it’s pretty fun to start putting them all together.
A few things:
– Jon Hamm’s eyes look so green here.
– Did anyone else notice that Megan said “impossible” when Don suggested they have a baby? I think she’s sterile.
– I feel like Pete is on his way to doing something really, really terrible.
– LOVED the Peggy/Roger scene. More between these two would be awesome.
I love his fur.
Is it bad that I’ve been brushing up on the ‘happenings’ in 1966 to see what they will highlight on the show?? Its sad.
Next season should be pivotal, with Apollo 1, Expo ’67 and the beginning of the summer of love in San Francisco. And Superbowl I! On a related note, I am surprised they haven’t addressed the cold war/nuclear testing across the world. Also “Hey Joe” comes out at the end of 1966. I wonder if that’ll be the end credits song for the season finale? With Pete walking with his rifle. 😛
I like that this season went forward a little bit so the show will be pretty much over the span of an entire decade. I’m re-watching from the beginning right now and I love it!
I want to know what effect that Seconal had on little Sally. Was she passed out under that settee?
Doesn’t Pete know not to mess with Moriarty. Young people.
Jon Hamm for Sexiest Man Alive !!!
WOOF WOOF WOOD!
Holy hell, Jon Hamm is the only celeb who gives me the tingles. Lucky lucky g/f…Love to hate PeteWee Herman, too!
I love me some Hamm, but I’m hating the beard. It makes him look old and reminds too much of the phase Joaquin Phoenix went through.
The beard….I like it, but its a bit Daniel Day Lewis in Gangs of New York meets Snidely Whiplash. That said, he can tie me to the train tracks any time…
I work with someone who knows the writer & while visiting got to visit the set and meet Jon & he (my co worker said there a lot of something something happening & omg he swore me to secrecy on someone he met on set who is top secret I have to shut up now. I think I stayed true to my promise not to spill & m waiting in anticipation for this person. I went on IMDB to see if I could fond out anything to confirm who he said I couldn’t so m guessing he is messing with me but I think he’s telling the truth because I had to practically beg himto tell me who and he finally gave up the initials I have to sush it now
omg really ? secrets happening you can’t tell?
who knew.
I know secrets too, my friend is an assistant who works with brad and angie, but I can’t tell anything either .. but I also don’t write about it on here, then say I can’t say anything .. kinda stupid and pointless right ?
geez…
That beard is wonderful
Hamm is HOT… the beard is NOT. Egads, bring back the smooth-faced Don Draper wearing scotch aftershave!