Language and Mad Men

highnote — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 16:24:55 +0000

No, this post is not about what psychotic people say. This is about the TV show Mad Men. The premise is a society of New Yorkers working in the advertising industry. The show focuses on the lives and interactions of the colorful characters. One of the things notable about the show many fans say is that it tries to portray the time period, the 60s, very accurately. For example, see the CNBC article here. The CNBC article talks in particular about the language used on the show. I’m not sure how one goes about reconstructing accurate language from that period, but it must involve combing through written and recorded sources of that period, for example novels, magazines, show scripts etc.

Mad Men is one of AMC’s big hits – garnering several awards of its technical and dramatic brilliance. Even Barack Obama has proclaimed that he is a fan. Maybe it’s AMC’s only hit? I don’t think I’ve watched any big AMC shows other than this one.

I like the New York Times description of Mad Men: “Heard of this television series, “Mad Men”? A few guys and a few gals work in an agency, sell a couple ads, have a couple laughs?”
Very droll way of putting it.

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Language and Mad Men