In one of the least expected openings in "Mad Men" history, "Time Zones" begins with Freddy Rumsen addressing us directly. Of all the gin joints in all the towns! Yes, that Freddie Rumsen, the former copywriter/ drunk who peed his pants before a client meeting and was put on "leave" from Sterling Cooper; the guy who gave Peggy her first break. "Are you ready?" Freddy asks. "This is the beginning of everything."» 37 Comments
Pardonnez-moi, mes cheries. I come not to pile on GM at this painful moment of possible million-car recall -- but rather, to praise "Poolside." Created by Rogue as a "brand provocation" for the Cadillac ELS, it's an unforgettable spot, starring actor Neal McDonough as a brash, flame-haired man without pity.» 19 Comments
The April, 2014 issue of "Vogue" hit newsstands yesterday, proving that the Kim/Kanye cover portrait, so instantly ridiculed on social media last week, was not some fake meme, but rather, for realz. Of course, reality -- along with such terms as "celebrity," "success" and "fashion" -- are slippery concepts, especially with this crowd.» 22 Comments
"I'll take potent potables 'n strange celebrity brews for $200, Alex." Answer: "The Ukraine, 'That '70s Show,' and Jim Beam Whiskey." The Question: "Who is Mila Kunis?"» 10 Comments
It's deliciously fitting that Matthew Weiner, the exacting creator of "Mad Men," chose designer Milton Glaser to create the promotional poster for the AMC series' seventh season, beginning April 13. As the designer of the original 1967 Bob Dylan's "Greatest Hits" poster, Glaser's work became the defining image of the time. That poster, in turn, greatly influenced the graphic design and ad worlds of the late 1960s, the time Weiner has so convincingly recreated with the show.» 13 Comments
Still on a post-Oscars, Samsung-mega-selfie/poignant-botched-surgery/did-that-thing-on-Travolta's-head-perhaps-invade-his-brain bender? Then take a look at this new milk commercial. With its "Milk Life" tagline, and corny vignettes involving perversely spurting bodily fluids, it is so head-scratchingly bad, it'll sober you right up.» 18 Comments
If you still think Alec Baldwin is a talented actor, and lest you retain some of the glow from the memory of his enjoyable role as Jack Donaghy on "30 Rock," let him disabuse you of that feeling. Yup, in this week's "as told to" cover story in the new biweekly New York magazine, the Angry One feels compelled to offer 5,000 words of sadly delusional self 'splainin.» 16 Comments
Appointment binge-watching? That would seem to be a contradiction in terms, but it absolutely describes what happened last weekend, when Netflix unleashed all 13 episodes of Season Two of "House of Cards." The scheduling of the Valentine's release, on the Friday evening leading into President's Weekend, was diabolically clever, almost like something from the fevered brain of Frank Underwood himself.» 13 Comments
For Valentine's Day, I'm fantasizing about receiving a huge, closet-sized, stuffed bear getting dragged into my apartment by my love interest as he makes lewd jokes about his penis size and winks to an unseen bro about "getting lucky." Boy, will my friends be jealous!» 14 Comments
