Last year, Jon Hamm went Full Hamm and tried to take down Kim Kardashian single-handedly. Hamm referred to Kim as a “f—king idiot” and he shunned the culture of “celebrating incuriousness” like being dumb and ignorant was aspirational. Well, Hamm has a new interview with Shortlist Mag, and while he doesn’t go Full Hamm, he does try to explain how old he feels when he sees all of the young pop stars and such with their twerking shenanigans. Some highlights from the Shortlist piece:
Shortlist: How does it affect things when blogs are written about your beard length, or you have tabloid stories about you not wearing any pants? Do you laugh about it [with Jennifer Westfeldt] at home?
Hamm: We’ve developed a thick skin about it. The culture we live in is one that needs something to talk about all the time. Seriously, it’s the dumbest thing in the world. I got sh*t on for saying I don’t agree with the fact that the Kim Kardashians and Paris Hiltons of the world are worthy of attention, and people were saying, “How dare you!” I thought, “Wow, really? That’s a terrible thing to say?” It’s ridiculous. I’m getting older, I’m slowly morphing into that the guy who stands on his lawn and shakes his fist and shouts “Get off my lawn!” All I can say is that I don’t get Miley Cyrus, I don’t get Katy Perry, I don’t get One Direction. I don’t get why that’s a thing.Do you enjoy being something of an elder statesman and dishing out advice?
I was a teacher for a big portion of my life. And even though I’m not a father and I don’t have children of my own, I have nieces and nephews and friends have kids. A lot of my friends’ kids are getting into double digits and turning into little people, and it’s fascinating. You have a duty as an adult to impart to the next generation. I’m happy to do that.On the flip side, Don’s character in Mad Men is easily taken for his bad points. Have you ever had people confess that he inspired their affairs?
It surprisingly tends to be women who are fascinated with Don, and I always correct them. I say, “You know that he’s a bad person?” You really shouldn’t want to model yourself after this person. He’s not great. But, you know, there are people who want to be Walter White. The bad boy mentality of our culture is very pervasive. But it’s a quick ride to unhappiness, to get into that kind of world.
He does sound old, doesn’t he? But I do agree with him. This is my job and sometimes I do look at some of these celebrities and think, “Really? That’s a thing?” But is this fair? “All I can say is that I don’t get Miley Cyrus, I don’t get Katy Perry, I don’t get One Direction. I don’t get why that’s a thing.” Miley is one huge issue and yes, I don’t really get why everyone is making her into such a thing. Her fame is 90% hype and concern-trolling at this point. But Katy Perry and One Direction? I do sort of understand why they are “things”. I don’t know why anyone over the age of 13 would care about 1D, but Katy’s fanbase is teenage, right?
Also: can you imagine being a teenage girl and having Jon Hamm as your substitute teacher? That would make me feel all the teenage feels.
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet.
I don’t get any of those people either because I come from a world where talent counts. I do not understand the branding and packaging of talentless people who just look good in pictures.
I don’t get them. I am so tired of all the naked bodies.
@bowers: “I am so tired of all the naked bodies”- You win the internet today
I think he’s grouping them all together in that they make crappy music, at least to me anyway (I still don’t know that I have ever heard a One Direction song before)
I know way too much about Harry Styles, and I can’t tell you a single song he sings. Not a one. Music isn’t why they’re famous. They’re famous because they’re cute and British and in a band. Tweens are easy that way.
I don’t get his package displayed for all to see in his pants which I assume means he’s not wearing any underpants or if he is, they are the see through variety.
I know plenty of One Direction songs but only because my 8 year old is a huge fan. That is their fan base. 8 year olds.
@ Blue Marie “(I still don’t know that I have ever heard a One Direction song before) ”
and that’s what makes you beautiful. 🙂
Nice
I haven’t either but they’re not “for” us. My grandma doesn’t know a single character from the Lord of the Rings because that’s not their target.
I’m gonna totally poo-poo you and say that my grandma knows Lord of the Rings inside out, because she read the books when they came out. 😀
But aside from that – yes, these things are not for us! I can name all the Backstreet Boys though (they were my only boyband concession. I was never a Take That fan)
He’s not a teenager. He’s not supposed to get it.
Well, exactly. I’m not sure slightly grumpy middle-aged men is really their target demographic. Their wallets via their tweenage kids, on the other hand…
I don’t know how I would have felt about Miley as a teenager, but I would have loved Harry Stiles and probably thought Katy Perry was a cute dresser. Does that mean I’m still young at heart?
Yeah. It’s such a weird complaint. I know there’s a ubiquity to that stuff that is grating but it’s not like he’s forced to actually listen to any of their music. He doesn’t even have kids. Just use your iPod and don’t buy tabloids Jon!
I don’t think it’s a weird complaint. It’s legit. They suck and the point is that you no longer have to be special or good at something to be famous. The rich and famous show how we as a society are completely ass backwards with priorities. I’m 33 and I agree with home completely. Yes their demographic is young but geez, even when I was 8 I knew the difference between new kids on the block and the doors.
He is in this industry. I think he can have a legit complaint. Its sad that we have become so consumerist we now consume prepackaged people.
I’m on the fence about this. I used to have a tendency for saying oh that’s such a crappy song or they don’t make music like they used to. But if you think about it, they don’t make much of anything like they use to. They don’t make cars, movies, PC’s, cell phones, and the list goes on like they used to. Technology is changing so fast that most people can’t even keep up with it. The world is constantly evolving as we are getting older. Some things have definetely changed for the better but not always. Take cars, they look prettier now but they don’t withstand damage like some of the older models did. A car today can hit another car at 10 miles per hour and the damage that it causes would look as if the car was going 30 or 40 miles per hour. Look at cell phones a definite upgrade in modern technology but what has that done to us as a society. People are texting while they’re driving, texting while their walking and not paying attention to their surroundngs, and posting on FB or Insta Gram. I’m more concerned about people causing accidents than a packaged artist like Miiley shaking her rump on stage. Also with cell phones we have lost the ability to verbally communicate. Everyone is texting instead of calling each other. We have lost that interpersoanl relationship. Isn’t it fair to say we don’t communicate they way we used to either. Look at the internet, some people spend more time on this monster as oppose to going out doing somthing productive.
The talent agents, producers, directors, music execs are also changing. Some of the agents out there now grew up when we did or after, not the days of the Doors, The Beatles or Luther Vandross. They have evolved with the time. The music /movie industry is changing along with everything else. I listen to a little bit of everything from pop, rap, rock, R&B, indie, country, jazz, metal current and older. What may sound like crap to me is loved by others. I’m not here to put down other people’s taste in music. I will say I don’t care for that particular song or artist. I’m sure we all have songs and movies we love that others might say sounds like crap. There are younger people out there that listens to music from different era’s but they like the current music as well. I know our current industry evolves around the image of sex cell but just think about it years ago on television you were not allowed to show married couples sleeping in the same bed. (The Lucy Show). Years ago Hamm wouldn’t be able to walk around with the impression of his junk showing and he definetely wouldn’t be able to speak publicly about it. He is entitled to his opinions as we are but I’m sure that there are people that don’t get his show and might call it sexist. Actors from the shows in the 50’s and 60’s might call Mad Men a crappy show.
I do think it’s disappointing that artists such as Emeili Sande isn’t as mainstream as Katy or Miley but she has been marketed differently and relys on her talent, not her body. In their defense I think people in the industry today have to go that extra mile to stay popular or sale records. Record sales are down becauase of the ability to download music. I can drop and drag songs on my android for free. That’s taking money away from the artist. There are more people in the industry today than there was many years ago. It’s a competition, not always based on talent and it’s a tough business. Also let’s face it, record execs and what have you are in it for the money. So yes why he does have the right to air his opinions about not getting these people, he should understand there is a method to this madness. Also like someone else said, maybe he isn’t supposed to get it.
Its more like tween music. 1D is not cool enough for teenagers.
Agreed. I think it would be kind of odd if he was a fan of any of the people he named-he’s a 42 year old man. What’s the point of even mentioning of these people/acts? Bubble gum pop/music aimed at kids and teens has been around since the 1950’s-it’s nothing new.
Ugh. He sounds so cranky. I understand fame is a double edged sword and it must suck to lose your privacy but…I have a hard time mustering sympathy for celebs. Dude you only get paid the kind of money you get BECAUSE people recognize you and want to see more of your work. If being famous is such a burden, feel free to ditch Hollywood and your big paychecks and move to someplace like Boise or Omaha and do community theatre and work at WalMart or something. No one is forcig you to make millions of dollars acting on a hit television show and making movies during your hiatus.
I get what you’re saying but actors aren’t going to get the same experiences or projects or discover their potential doing community theatre in Omaha, which is why a lot of people who are true actors eventually end up in Hollywood or Broadway or bigger venues because that’s where they have the most opportunities and can work with the best directors, producers, etc.
And I don’t “get” the people Jon listed either. I don’t seem him as being cranky as much as I see him looking for something deeper and more meaningful. The people/acts he doesn’t get are basically fluff, over-hyped stars with little real talent. I don’t think he’s wrong for wanting more.
I didn’t get that he feels being famous is such a burden, just that he’s kinda baffled with the public’s fascination with celebs, including those with no discernible talent. He seems to care about the work, and knows that the “fame” part is a byproduct. Whereas many people seem to care only about the “fame” part of the equation and that’s what he seems to have a hard time with.
Thanks Esmom – You beautifully said what I was trying to say!
That’s a very good point, Esmom.
@emmie_a, Funny I was going to say the same thing to you — I like what you said about him wanting to find something deeper and more meaningful. That’s spot on, I think.
You said it esmom the great rock stars of the 60s/70s wanted to be famous, too, but they had the talent to back it up; he’s not being cranky, he’s being honest;Sadly jenn many of today’s millennial generation have no idea who the Doors are – they are too busy worshipping the iphones.
Natalie Morales of the Today Show recently said the Katy Perry is “amazing” – so we know what the media is shilling.
He managed to convinced me that he is actually old 🙂
I wonder if they get that you like to walk around flashing your dong without underwear.
OK.. on a serious note.. what is the trend that we are seeing where every celeb is dissing someone on what they are doing or saying. I mean nobody is perfect. I like some of their music and some not. I may not agree with their behavior but it seems their behavior is not affecting anyone but themselves. Their fanbase is still on board.
Jon is not in their age range. It makes him sound like an old man whining. Talk about your stuff. Stop name dropping to get attention
. Because really how is that any different than their antics.
I think One Direction is cute. If I was a teen I would be fangirling them too. But I have to admit I never fangirled any guy groups.
Instead what I don’t get is why celebs who express an opinion are being labeled like bully, or mean, or people who diss another celebrity.
Oh, Jon Hamm, have we hit a nerve that these people had instant success and have been famous in their youth and it took until you were at least 30 years old to get noticed? Maybe that’s it, Hamm Dong.
Why do you assume he is name dropping to get attention?
“I wonder if they get that you like to walk around flashing your dong without underwear.”
Ha! This made me laugh so hard my two lazy Frenchies actually woke up!
+1,000,000 Eleanor.
The guy is simply giving his opinion, not saying that everyone should agree with him. What’s the big effin deal?
The thing is, if he spent the whole interview kissing ass then everyone would complain about how fake he is. If he said nothing, everyone would say he’s a boring interview.
The dude keeps it real and I love him for that.
As far as his dong, whether the dude chooses to wear underwear or not really shouldn’t be a huge topic of discussion and I think that was his point. People focus on inane sh*t because it’s easier than talking about things that really matter. I get it. We’re all on a gossip blog for escapism. That being said, he’s expressing his frustration with Americans’ obsession with pop culture and I happen to agree with him.
First of all I didn’t call him a bully nor did I say he was mean.. yes he has a right to express his opinion and I’m expressing my opinion of his opinion.
my point was this is something he has done in the past and it seems to be his trend. Why does he even care what Miley is doing. Or for that matter why is she on his radar. if he is all about the work then talk about the work and let the Mileys and whoever display whatever they want. It has nothing to do with him. And I sand by my point. When you make a public statement about someone else you are seeking attention. you are putting it out there. letting your opinion be known.. good or bad. If you don’t care or want the attention that brings then you keep your private feelings private. He does this a lot so yes that is name dropping for attention. Because I’m sure there were other things that were said.. but because he talked about them he got attention..
now how was that not accurate.
“if he is all about the work then talk about the work and let the Mileys and whoever display whatever they want”
He didn’t talk about his work because they didn’t ASK him about acting. Really, the only interviewer who asks about acting work is James Lipton, because that’s the focus of his show. They asked Hamm how he feels about being a topic in gossip blogs and he said he didn’t “get it” and mentioned names in the context of not understanding what all the commotion’s about.
“When you make a public statement about someone else you are seeking attention.”
Sorry but I disagree. I don’t think Hamm is as attention-seeking as you want him to be, quite the contrary actually. I think he answered the question honestly and actually made a point that a LOT of us agree with-this country’s preoccupation with pop culture is pretty dismal.
Of course you’re allowed to disagree with him, just like I’m allowed to think he’s on point. Personally, I wish more actors gave honest interviews.
*shrugs*
Are we all old men whining then? He’s just expressing the same sentiments that we all express here daily about the same celebs.
@lisa2 – “I wonder if they get that you like to walk around flashing your dong without underwear.”
I’d imagine Miley gets it. >__>
@hakura
Well he displays it enough and the people here talk about it with drool coming down their lips; so I guess it is “gotten”
@original Kitten, I enjoy actors giving honest interviews about themselves. I don’t read interviews of the people I like to hear them talking about the next generation or other people. I want to know about them. Heck history shows that every generation has its thing. I don’t like Mile’s behavior or the things she is doing daily, but I’m not of her generation and while I don’t get it either Miley is not the topic of conversation I have with my friends.
and you are correct he was asked about them (and my point again proven) ; because he has a history of making statements about other celebrities. So yes they ask him because he like to talk about others. I will note they don’t ask those questions of celebs that don’t talk about others.
I don’t get Jon Hamm.
After Mad Men ends he’ll fade away into obscurity. Mad Men isn’t anywhere near as famous as Friends and we saw how so many of the cast faded away…same thing happened to Desperate Housewives cast members (a recent case).
I just don’t get why celebrities have to put people down to make themselves seem so awesome. Do I agree with his comments? Absolutely. But no need for him to say it, since this is turning into a recurring theme.
I agree about him fading away. If he doesn’t really shape up his film career, or doesn’t get on another tv show, he will fade as quickly as Matt LeBlanc from Friends. Enjoy the fame, Jon, soon it’ll really be you shaking your fist from your lawn
Matt LeBlanc has had a popular show on Showtime for years. His new sitcoms have outlasted any other Friend. Won a Golden Globe in 2012 and nominated for Emmy in 2013.
Or Matt LeBlanc from Episodes, for which he’s had 2 Emmy nominations and won a Golden Globe? 😉
I get what you’re saying though, but I’m not so sure he’ll fade away so fast. Mad Men really has brought him to a good place in his career, I think he will be able to do something with that, if he chooses his future projects wisely.
Matt LeBlanc is on Showtime with a show that has been critically acclaimed. He has won some awards for the show and had several nominations.
He wasn’t putting those people down to make himself “seem so awesome”. Yeah, maybe if he said he could do sexy better than Katy Perry (which is true) — but he didn’t say anything close to that.
Exactly. And sorry Gossy, but Hamm is likely here to stay.
With Jon Hamm, Mad Men is just one of many projects he’s been involved with. He’s hardly a one-hit wonder and shows a huge range in his abilities, as well as a healthy understanding of how the industry works.
If anything, I can see him getting more high profile after Mad Men since he won’t be pigeonholed by so many as Don Draper anymore.
I want him to do a comedy after Mad Men. He was so good on 30 Rock and he’s always funny when he shows up on SNL. I hope he isn’t only/always thought of as Don Draper because he really does have a good range of talent.
He was AMAZING on 30 Rock. I don’t know if I’ve ever laughed that hard. He was also great in Bridesmaids.
He has really great comedic timing.
He was also really good on SNL, he & Kristen Wiig have great chemistry, and in ‘Friends with Kids’. Which is streaming on Netflix right now.
ITA about 30 Rock and Bridesmaids. He’s not afraid to put it all out there, no matter what the role is. And back to Don Draper, he wasn’t afraid to portray someone utterly despicable under a veneer of cool. It shows how willing he is to take risks as an actor.
I agree emmie_a, I’d love to see him do more comedy. He was fantastic on 30 Rock, both in his recurring role as the incredibly stupid handsome man, and when he’d show up in their live specials. Apparently he’s always been a comedy guy, but oddly enough his big break came in the form of one of the most depressed and darker characters on TV.
All I want to say is, if I’d had a teacher who looked and sounded like Jon Hamm, I wouldn’t have skipped a single day of school. LOL I would have paid serious attention in class. Lord, can you imagine him reading some poetry out loud?
I don’t know if I’d say he sounds “old” though, perhaps I’d say he just sounds more mature. 😉
I’m right there with you, Evie. In my fantasy, he’s the sex ed teacher.
LOL. I don’t know if I would have been able to pay attention though, as my thoughts would have been on other things. 🙂
Realized yesterday after talking about geography with a neighbor how little I recall from high school – especially social studies history, geography – if Hamm had been my teacher instead of boring old Mr J, I would have attended much more often.
Sit down Grandpa.
He so miserable. Hahahahaha.
Well did he lie though? Lol, I like pop music but the people he mentioned are hardly a good representation of what music should really be about (imo). One Direction are a poor man’s backstreet boys, only two of them have solid vocals in live performances, they don’t dance or do anything spectacular on stage, all they do is act suggestive toward each other (search for the Larry tag on tumblr), they have a team of writers that just give them songs to sing, they’re great with their crazy ass fans but there are millions of other talented musicians that deserve the success they’re getting.
Katy Perry has a musical career built on her sex appeal, sings generic pop songs that pretty much any of the other pop girls could sing (Rihanna, Miley, Britney).
Miley’s recent success is all a part of a successful marketing strategy that’s been done time and time again.
When you look at all these people aside from their obvious manufacturing, it doesn’t actually make sense why they’re as successful as they are. I agree with him.
All it takes these days to be super successful is to have a good team behind you and you’re good to go.
He’s not exactly their target audience, so I wouldn’t expect him to get it. I think he’s also complaining about the crappy, generic nature of so much stuff that becomes popular, and I can get on board with that.
I do like his quote about us being a society that needs to talk about something. I think that’s true, and probably why stupid stuff like the Kardashians becomes a thing.
He’s cranky but kinda sexy.
Heh.
Yep 🙂 I just love him!
Right there with, Hamm. I’m a bit younger than you, but even a teen should be able to recognize the absence of talent. In the 1970’s, for example, a 14 year-old could discern the difference between Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods, and Led Zeppelin. Every era has had it’s throw-away pop music, but modern media, auto-tuning and American Idol make everyone think they can be a singer. It’s more pervasive now, and harder to ignore.
“modern media, auto-tuning and American Idol make everyone think they can be a singer.”
This. Paris Hilton has a new single coming out I think. And Kim Kardashian tried the music thing once (lol).
I thought about Hamm the other day, wondering why didn’t he become the new Clooney. Does it have something with his big mouth?
Because Clooney is actually a good actor whereas Hamm is nothing outside of Mad Men. And please no “Clooney is terrible have you seen him in *insert*” because even Meryl Streep has done a few crap movies.
Really? Every movie Clooney’s in he plays the same character. Oh, the names are different, the circumstances are different, but he looks the same, sounds the same, moves the same. George Clooney simply plays George Clooney in all his movies. Schmoozing liberal Hollywood bigwigs for 20+ years is the secret to his success, not talent.
Jon’s big mouth?? Have you read about Clooney lately? He has no problem throwing shade at his peers.
I think they both have big mouth.. George sounds all the time like he is the expert on Celebrity behavior and people eat it up with the you go George. He did the same thing Jon did and I find it crass of both of them.
but not until he has become a big star. That’s different.
Welcome to the club, Jon!
Honestly i don’t get that too. Katy Perry makes my ears bleed, 1D are far too cheesy and Miley is just a thing because she hangs around naked, wait and see when she’ll have to put some clothes on. Other things i don’t get are: why anna Wintour likes Kanye West? Why Goop is still relevant? Why the big deal about Jennifer Aniston’s hair? Why Courtney Stodden looks like a 80 year old woman? Why Hugh Jackman is not in my bed? See? The world is full of nonsense.
“… because she just hangs around naked”… lololol
I don’t understand how anyone thinks One Direction is cute. They might be nice people so maybe that makes up for it. I like Jon Hamm I was born old. I didn’t have a TV for much of my youth so I come tell missed third NKOTB, The Spice Girls and Insync or whatever that band is called where Timberdouche came from. As a parent now I won’t let kids purchase products by either Miley, Toddler Beiber and with the teenager we talk about how they are gross and she is smart. Also she listens to KPop so she could care less about these dumb performers.
Jon, Jon, Jon…. what’s not to get? It’s young people music, that’s all. It’s young people trying to get noticed with (in one case, not mentioning any names) bizarrely ridiculous overreactions to once being on the Disney Channel. That’s all. You’re not a female tween, why are you expecting to understand One Direction?
Take a chill pill dude and go back to doing whatever old commando-loving guys do with their time these days.
Me too Jon…me too.
I completely agree with the Kardashian and Hilton statement. At least the other people he mentioned have a product outside of just being themselves, whether you like that product or not. But I think he was poking fun at himself with the “Get off my lawn” schtick. It’s nice to see some self-deprecating humor and humility. He may be old, but at least he’s owning it, and not calling himself a genius, artist, the greatest actor in history, revolutionary feminist, (insert whatever hyperbole here).
As usual ITA, Kiddo
They are all bigger stars than you are dude
Yes and I think that was his point.
ROFL! He sounds and confused like me. I was gonna make a comment about ‘damn kids staying off his lawn’ but he already went there in the article.
I work with alot of young kids and I cant tell you the music selections just slowly drive me crazy…its all the same, all one note, I cant tell one band from another. Now it could be Im old but….I like to think I have an ear for music and if I genuinly heard a song that was worth a damn I like to think Id recognize it but all I hear is the same 10 chords over and over.
Dear god, one of the kids I work with was going on about how Blink 182 was ‘legit real punk’ music and I about lost my damn mind. I was like “dude, Avril Lavigne and Blink 182 and all those other bands were watered down versions of Green Day which was already a watered down version of punk music. Gaddamn”
But yeah Jon Hamm is absolutely right. And although Id log Katy Perry above Miley Cyrus, she for the most part just makes soulless popmusic, albeit with slightly more musicianship.
I dont know if anyone is paying attn to the Vulture series highlighting the pop culture explosion of 1998 but its definitely worth a look. There are 2 articles in that series that explain why for the most part, popular music has sucked azz since 1998 and why we continue to be dominated by teen pop and the death of the singer songwriter.
Its no coincidence that I havent watched MTV or VH1 since 1998.
http://www.vulture.com/2013/11/dave-holmes-mtv-1998-britney-spears-boy-bands-trl.html
http://www.vulture.com/2013/11/music-industry-1998-beginning-of-the-end.html
Meh at Katy Perry being better than Miley, people just dislike Miley more due to her antics. The exact same people produce and write for Katy as for Miley. None of them really write their songs maybe come up with some lyrical themes and the songwriters will tailor the lyrics to suit their “story “so they can talk how this song is about Russell Brand or that song is about Liam hemsworth. Katy perry is almost a decade older so perhaps at her age one should be able to expect a little bit more, so in that respect she the worst one.
Sounds like exactly like someone in my generation, Generation X.
And yes he doesn’t fall into their demographics but I don’t think people who grew up in the early to mid 90’s really get bubble gum music. It certainly did not dominate the MTV music awards.
But maybe its me because I wanted to do it with Gavin and Eddie when I was a teenager, not the Backstreet Boys…..or New Kids On The
Wow, he’s really turning into a curmudgeon! It’s kind of interesting that he brought up the fact that he doesn’t have kids. He’s brought this up before so I wonder if it’s a soft spot. Anyway, the point being that if he were a parent he’d probably get it. I remember being 8 years old, sharing a room with my big sister, and staying up well into the night so we could make our own dance routines to Madonna. I’m not suggesting that Miley or Katy or anyone is on par with Madonna. But I get that it’s a generational thing. Anyway, I don’t know why it bothers him so much. It’s the entertainment industry, I don’t think it’s meant to be taken that seriously.
Cosign, Hammdong. But I definitely get you.
He’s intelligent but comes off like an arrogant curmudgeon who has nothing inspirational to say. As an actor it’s his job to create empathy for the character, so it’s a shame that he goes around dissing ‘Don Draper.’ It’s unprofessional.
Well, he’s not alone…
The man was answering a question that someone asked him. He didn’t just randomly start spouting thing stuff for attention. Sheesh.
People saying that he will “fade away” after Mad Men are just plain wrong. Hamm has been a professional for YEARS & his career isn’t going anywhere. And he is about 1000x a better actor than everyone on Friends.
Also, I am 31 & think most pop music is total crap, especially shit like Katy & 1D (I think Miley has a great voice, but I’m over all her attention seeking crap). I revel in my “get off my lawn”-ness. There is is TON of good music out there, people don’t have to listen to this manufactured carp just because its in your face all the time.
Last thing… my cousin ended up marrying her long-term HS English substitute teacher. Year & year later, but it still makes me laugh every time I think about students crushing on teachers
ITA.
Yes! Yes! Yes! To your comment Jon Hamm is a great actor and has been acting for a while, fame doesn’t mean you’re a successful actor a successful is an actor who can live 100% off the acting without having to supplement their income with having a 9 to 5 job. Although some actors will take other jobs in the industry they enjoy. I am the same age as Miley Cyrus and I don’t get it I don’t really get Katy Perry too much either is disposible pop which sure when I am mopping in work its ok over the radio but utter crap else were. Is it wrong that I find his grumpyness a turn on?
I took his comment more as poking fun at himself for not getting these pop culture celebs and feeling old/disconnected from the younger generations for it–hence him referencing himself as the old man standing in his yard shaking his fist at kids. I don’t think he was suggesting that everyone has to agree with him. He’s just saying that he understands that his preferences are different.
I understand what he’s saying but I dont think 1D and the other music groups of today are any different than the Duran Duran/Beatles of yesterday. they just didnt have the social media back then to keep the attention on them more then we were able to in those years. Hormonal teens make up a huge percentage of the socials sites so its easier for these guys to seem bigger than what they should be just b/c the news about them seems to be everywhere. before you had to go to mag shops and music stores to get news and posters of your favorite artists now you have 100’s of headlines about them at your fingertips.
Now as far as the Kardashian types goes, thats a mystery to me as well jut b/c they bore me, I couldnt imagine going out of my way to watch ppl with no talent or anything to offer except the products they are shilling.
I actually dont find him attractive even tho he is good looking but I know my teenage self would have been crushing him big time if he was my teacher.
You don’t think one direction are different to the Beatles/Duran Duran? Really? 🙁
Im really not familiar with them to know how they are musically but Im not really talking about talent, just in a teen phenomena sense. Our parents didnt understand our fascination with DD and the Beatles, like us adults cant understand the thing with 1D, Beiber, etc.
I was a total duranie for many years and i still like them and the Beatles, I dont think they even compare in my opinion but the tweens would say the opposite.
@Macey I wasn’t around back then but my parents played their records like they were getting paid! lol, “Penny Lane” was apparently my favourite song as a toddler and I still can’t get enough even to this day and I’m 23.
I feel like the pop music today is pretty forgettable. I don’t see anyone listening to “Wrecking Ball” in twenty years and thinking, “man, I could listen to this forever”. It’s all very formulaic, and it gets old quick – God knows I can’t stand “Roar” anymore,.
I think anyone who compares One Direction to the Beatles really has no idea how revolutionary the Beatles were. Yes they had a fan base of screaming women, but that’s exactly where any similarity between the two bands begins and ends.
I don’t know if One D writes their own music but even if they do, can they possibly begin to compare to Lennon and McCartney? Practically no one can.
She said that she isn’t familiar with their music so I think that’s why, and lol, One D doesn’t even “co-write” (aka throw in a word or two).
I don’t get them either, Jon. I don’t get them either.
I don’t get him so I guess it all evens out in the spectator world. He’s nothing to write home about.
I love Jon Hamm even more. That is all.
“GET OFF MY LAWN KIDS !!”
I totally agree with him – I guess it’s because I’m an old fart but “in my day” (I must be old, I NEVER thought I’d say that line) we didn’t have auto-tuned, generic pop crap, we had real talent (with a few exceptions – The Monkees, The Partridge Family anyone?). We had Stevie Winwood and Traffic, The Yardbirds, Cream, The Byrds, Phoebe Snow, Rickie-Lee Jones, Little Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan, Yes, Supertramp, I could go on and on. They weren’t cookie-cutter bands with homogenous sounding music. Even today there are SO many great bands and musicians out there who don’t get one tenth the attention the manufactured pop tarts and boy bands do and it makes me crabby too Jon.
Marry me!
That’s a cool statement and I agree 100%. I don’t get why it’s a thing either.
Eh, they’re not aimed at his demo so I’m pretty sure he’s not supposed to “get it”. My brother loves Tyler the Creator. I do not “get” him and I don’t try to. Granted I like things out of my age demo (see: My Little Pony, GI Joe cartoons, Earth, Wind, and Fire) but I know they’re not aimed at me so I can’t complain when there’s a sing-a-long or they’re talking about 1970s.
I cant mention anything about the Beatles because I’m part of the .00005% of the population that does not like the Beatles at all. Can respect what they did and pop music historical impact but I’m changing the station to something else. And the bands “older” people talk about (just in this thread, The Doors, the Ramones, the Beatles, Duran Duran) people who were alive in *that* generation thought it was re-donk. “Where’s my big band? Now Miles Davis, now there was a *true* musician! Not wailing away on this electric guitar crap!” It’s all historical progression.
Then again, the only *truly* awful bands I’ve heard that are mainstream are Blood on the Dance Floor and Brokencyde. Everything else I can at least see how someone…somewhere…maybe…might like them.
Yeah – Katy Perry and One Direction are not necessary in his speech. We all hate Miley and Kardashians. But you can’t call Katy Perry and One Direction some freaks that you don’t understand. They are doing their job. Katy Perry is releasing songs that people like and play. One Direction is boy band for teenagers. Every teenager must have some idol in their life. Some had Beatles , some had NKOTB, some had BSB and NSYNC, then came DiCaprio, then Pattison, then One Direction and Bieber. After One Direstion and Bieber will fade away – new teen idol will rise. That’s how it works.
I can’t understand Duck Dynasty and Honey Poo Hoo (or something) obsession, I didn’t understand obsession over Hills fake reality show. I don’t understand why Kardashians are still popular and why media still write about that Courntney Stodden idiot. But I understand why Katy Perry and One Direction are popular.
And John Hamm should be careful in his comments. He was king of the world 2 years ago. But Mad Men is ending. And I don’t know if we will see John after that much. He can just vanish. He is not 30-35 anymore to conquer Hollywood. Those stupid Kardashians can outlive him for 10 years. Because TV actors are super popular when they are lucky to be in hit show. But when it ends – many just vanish. Just look at Lost people, at Hugh Laurie, Desperate Houswife actresses, actors who were killed on Game of Thrones and so on.
Awwww. Everybody off my lawn except Jon Hamm. John Hamm, please come inside and bitch about pop culture all you want, cause that’s my kinda complaining. Speaking the truth is rarely well- received. I think Hamm will have a better career after MM because people will stop the Don Draper comparisons. It was a great move to be on 30 Rock in a role like that and he was smart to do it. We will be hearing from Hamm, I think.
I don’t think he sounds old at all. I think he sounds like someone who is intelligent and knows what they are talking about.
I love Jon Hamm and can totally identify with his comments. I’m way younger than him, and I don’t “get it” either. I’m so happy Jon Hamm is from my hometown of St. Louis, he’s one of our jewels! 🙂
Ditto Jon Hamm
I don’t think of him as “old”, I think of him as “wise” “intelligent” & “sane”. He is absolutely correct in everything he is saying.
Hot for teacher! 🙂
I like Katy Perry’s fashion and she has two songs and music videos that I like, but other than that I don’t get why she’s been so popular for the past 3 or 4 years either. I feel like her image is a little young for her.
Young, attractive boy bands who do pop are almost guaranteed some popularity, so it’s not hard to see why 1D is popular with the tweens and teens.
Miley Cyrus doesn’t have much talent, but she’s interesting and she’s a great tool for talking about certain issues. I love it when a mainstream celebrity like that comes around. It doesn’t seem to happen often ( or at least not in my short life).
You know who I really don’t get? Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber. I want their careers to fail a little bit. I know that’s bitter, but it is what it is.
I just still trying to wrap my head around The Beatles/One Direction example. Feel like I am going to need a few drinks after this one!
I don’t get people going commando yet, here we are.
I don’t get why Angelina Jolie is suddenly showing nipples at work.
I wish he’d mentioned that one.
I agree with him and I’m 26. I try and admire people who are actually known for doing something, not just showing tits and arse.
Does he ever stop complaining?
Added Hamm, “And I wish they’d all stay the hell off my lawn!”
Eh. He’s not supposed to get it.
I’m a ’90s kid and I remember making those Artist of the Month dioramas and arts&craft projects for MTV Asia’s featured artist. If they selected your work, you won a prize. A lot of people took it seriously since the MTV studio was filled with the stuff. Many were really creative and beautifully done.
Nowadays I look back at it and think, “That was so stupid of me.” but when I was young I didn’t think that at all! I thought it was so cool to be putting so much effort into expressing my admiration and love for artists/bands/groups.
Yes, I fangirled over Backstreet Boys and The Spice Girls. My elementary school had Xmas parties and we danced to the Vengaboys, The Hansons, Steps, and Ricky Martin. These were the kinds of music that invaded my country during those years. Every kid I knew was caught up with BSB mania and if you weren’t, then you were the one out of place.
I’m older now and I look at the kids going crazy over Justin Beiber and Miley Cyrus and One Direction and yes, I also don’t get it sometimes. But then I think back not even 15 years ago, and I was in their place. My parents also didn’t get the love for the Spice Girls, BSB, and Britney Spears.
10 years from now some other singer will come out and all the future kids/tweens will still go crazy over him/her/them. That’s music. We think that today’s music is trash…I bet our parents thought the same thing when Britney Spears songs were all you heard on the radios. Kids will grow up and move on. That doesn’t mean we always have to ruin it for them by telling them the music they like is garbage and that the artists they follow are talentless hacks, always going on about “In my day, _____ was so much better.”
Video killed the radio star. I have to say, I’m.so lucky to be a 60s baby. The worst parenting era, and yes I have that special brand of crayzay. But my folks took me on a musical journey from the birth of r&r. I lived in socal and blazed through disco punk rock new wave and hip hop. I.got the best of it on in to grunge. I’m content. Now I can shake my fist and tell commercial pop to get the f!#$ off my lawn!!
And, now I love Jon Hamm. Why the F are they a thing? Because we are bored and over-sensitized, that’s why.
I do get what Jon Hamm is saying about Miley Cyrus, Kim Kardashian and the whole reality/hype celebrity culture, but it might do Jon some good to remember that at one time, “actors” were regarded to be on the same level as prostitutes. Our appreciation for “talent” among those who exist merely to entertain and distract us from the harsh reality and monotony of daily life should not be overstated either.
I don’t get Jon Hamm