Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Mad Men Creator Likens Show to Current Social Times

Matthew Weiner is nothing if not creative – and coy – at least when it comes to his hit show "Mad Men." Weiner, the creator of the show that has taken the country by storm, is happy to be back to work after his show was delayed after a showdown occurred over compensation. The 46-year-old often alludes obliquely to the show when asked what is coming up in the newest season, and this year is no exception. Weiner talks about the show only in the most basic terms, but manages to tell us plenty in the process anyway.

Asked about the upcoming, delayed, season, Weiner offers this nugget – "There’s a line in Episode 3, where somebody goes, ‘When is everything going to get back to normal?’ And who hasn’t felt that right at this minute?" Indeed, Weiner refers to the economic turmoil that has caught millions of American off guard. What he doesn’t allude to is the dark reality that the new "normal" may be something that we recognize only from the past several struggle-filled years.

Still, Weiner’s comment indicates that the only constant in the show will, in fact, be change. Says Weiner, "It’s always about change, and I’m starting to realize that that’s all I’m writing about. And I think it’s because we are living in a time of tremendous change, and you can’t pretend anymore." Asked about the showdown with the powers that be, Jon Hamm, who plays main character Don Draper on the show, said, "My advice to him was, ‘It’s your creation, so it’s yours to deal with however you want. Put down your phone and don’t answer it for a few days and see what happens." Weiner noted that he did just that, "And then they compromised, and I compromised. A little."

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