Mad Men starts tonight

The billboards around town were controversial, but the show is well worth your Sunday night viewing. The first thirteen-episode season won the Golden Globe for Best TV Drama and the Writers Guild of America Award for Best New Series.

Set in New York city in the 1960s, the show focuses on an advertising agency and the people working there. Not only is it a fascinating insight into the history of advertising and how it has evolved but the show depicts the era’s social norms which make for uncomfortable watching in today’s society. The characters quickly draw you into their world.

Whether it’s drinking and smoking behaviour, gender inequality or sexual harassment (although it wasn’t seen that way), racism (the first episode includes a number of comments made about Jews) or their general worldview, the show points out how much society has changed in some ways and yet not in others.

Watch the first episode of Mad Men, tonight on PRIME at 8:40pm.

About the author

Co-founder of Throng. Favourite TV shows recently: Homeland and The Newsroom.
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  • MrCynical

    I couldnt watch the whole thing, the bigotry was just horrifying. It is amazing to see how far we have come in just a couple of generations

  • Rachel

    I’ve watched the review copy from PRIME a couple of times now, “enjoyed” it more the second time. The bigotry was pretty full on but the characters were really intriguing – like Peggy, the new secretary – I think she’ll develop a lot through the series.

  • ell

    looking forward to it – though its on at the same time as The Tudors and NCIS :(

  • openmedia

    Just watched it. Very fine show, shame it isn’t available digitally through freeview.

    Love the look of the show. Almost seems to go out of its way to offend, but with tongue firmly in cheek most of the time.

  • jester

    looking forward to it, btw there is also an agency in wellington, MAD, named after marketing and design, nice site and work section http://www.madworkshop.com