Aaaaaargh - time to "work the steps" - felt the monkey on my back Sunday night and it was not a happy feeling.  Can't go cold turkey! What to do during the hiatus?

1) Admit we are powerless over "Mad Men".  Get a hold of a copy of Season 1 and watch it all again, including the bonus features.  See if you can tell if Matt Weiner is operating under a grand vision or if he's making it all up as he goes along.  (I'd say about 80/20).

2) Conduct a fearless search for movies made "back in the day" like "The Sweet Smell of Success".  OK -a little too early for strict constructionists, but close enough.  And it sure has some of the vibe.

3) Or substitute a "period" piece like "Far from Heaven".  I have not seen it through in one sitting, insomniac channel surfer that I sometimes am, but the movie wonderfully reproduces a by-gone era.  Julianne Moore is somewhat reminiscent of a Season 1 Betty Draper, Dennis Quaid is suitably but convincingly awkward as her (SPOILER ALERT!) closeted husband and Dennis Haysbert proves he's a way better actor than he let on in "24".

4) Read "Meditations in an Emergency".  Or "Desolation Angels" (OK I'm a little more than a year early, but who's counting?).  Or even "The Sound and the Fury".

5) Re-acquaint yourself with the early Beatles - 1964 is coming (and with it, the British)!

6) Speculate endlessly on Season 3. 

7) Offer a sacrifice to the gods of commerce and the Muses that we may be blessed with many more seasons of such a wonderful show.

jkerouac59 - yes, all of the above.  sigh.... although I have a close friend who just started watching for the last 3 episodes and she asked me if I could kind of fill her in - uh, no, just try to do that with all the character nuances...so we're going to get season 1 and marathon it one weekend when it's cold outside and we can lose the husbands for a few hours...(like girls-night-in back at the old Tri Delt house!) I can't wait - you know, Christmas through the eyes of a child and all that?  Mad Men as though it's the very first time, watching it through the magic-filled eyes of a newbie!  Yippeee!

There are few illicit thrills greater than introducing a vice to a friend and vicariously living the rush all over again...

A very mini Mad Men moment.

I bought the first season of the Sarah Silverman Show on DVD.  On one episode it had Jon Hamm as a TV repair man fixing her set.  He had three lines, almost kissed her and was on for 90 seconds.

Interesting how in a matter of a few years he will go from a bit part actor to possibly being the next George Clooney movie star.  For our sakes I’m glad that MM has him in a real life 6 year contract unlike his TV bosses.

Jkerouac  -  "There are few illicit thrills greater than introducing a vice to a friend and vicariously living the rush all over again..."  oh my gosh, you are SO in my head!!!!  Love it.

I was watching an old movie "The Loved One" (1965) starring Robert Morse, Rod Stieger among others.  OMG-- a young Bert Cooper!! He was an excellent actor in 1965. Like a fine wine, he got better as he aged!  It's weird how you occassionally come accross Mad Men actors in various roles and shows.

taylor092,
Check out "A Guide For The Married Man" (1967). Morse has a very prominent role as a premier philanderer who is coaching Walter Matthau on how to cheat without getting caught. The movie itself is pretty bad, but it's funny to witness the mid-60's sensibilities, where the swingers all seem to be in their 40's & 50's.

I've recently bought "The Apartment" which Joan mentions to Roger in season 1. As I recall, she wanted Roger to take her to see it, and he later takes Mona and their daughter instead.
I'll pop it in when the jonesin' starts getting bad.

Hey, long time no see! I'm jonesing, too, and missing frequent chats here.

So on to the reasons (films) for my "off-season" visit:

A reminder for Jon Hamm fans that we can see him in the remake of "The Day The Earth Stood Still" which opens this Friday, Dec 12.

"Revolutionary Road" opens day after Christmas. I recently read the Richard Yates novel and was blown away by it--a much darker vision of Don & Betty's suburban angst.

I'm hoping Santa brings me a copy of "Meditations in an Emergency." Hoping each of you has a happy holiday season. See you back here for Season 3, if not before--I'm thinking of starting a new "RR" thread after I see the movie.

I have a copy of "Meditations" on the "to-read" pile.  Right now, I'm working my way through "Layer Cake", the novel that served as the basis for the movie that starred Daniel Craig (before he was Bond).  I recommend the book to fans of the movie or to anyone who enjoys of crime/mystery thrillers.  It's a bit "chewie" because the narrator uses a fair bit of Cockney rhyming slang, forcing those of us not born to the dialect to sometimes slow down and try and decipher his intent.

There was an interesting snippet on the CNN website this morning about "how Hamm hates his hair" (the alliteration is all theirs).

I'm definitely going to re-watch Season 1 and 2 over the winter, so that may spark some new posts.  And if you do start an "RR" thread, Peggy, I'll offer my $.02.

Happy Holidays to all!