Good TV
Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at 9:14PM 
John Hamm on "Mad Men"Every time I consider reducing my television options to save money on the cable bill, some fantastic new show inevitably pulls me into its clutches of fandom. These days, I have three stand-outs that completely obsess me...
Mad Men, AMC Thursdays at 10 PM
My friend Jeff prodded me to write something about this show a few weeks ago, saying "it's right in your gear house!" (And how often does a guy tell you that? What is a "gear house" anyways?) I assured him that I too was completely infatuated with the show and that its time on P&C would assuredly come.
Yes, the stories are compelling, entertaining and even a little voyeyristic, but then there's the whole production aspect that's a complete work of art. This show is designed like nothing else on television - the costumes, the sets, the wigs, the tie clips, - even the glassware and desk accessories are perfectly calibrated for the early 1960s. But, along with all of this fabulous mid-century modern comes the quaint, boorish and sometimes difficult to watch machinations of sexual politics and positioning in the workplace during the same era. While I'm charmed by the look and atmosphere, I'm praising the heavens in thanksgiving that I don't work in the offices of Sterling-Cooper in 1960.
Representing the executives, John Hamm as Donald Draper in the lead is the quintessence of "tall, dark & handsome" and everyone loves him...even though he's juggling his free hours between a Greenwich Villiage mistress and a naive wife in Connecticut. But he's brilliant in the boardroom. From the typing pool, my favorite character is played by the tall and buxom Christina Hendricks as Joan, the office manager with enough dirt to bury the whole joint. Joan is brassy, curvaceous, saucy with the men and comandeering of the ladies. Let's just say she has a certain knowingness in the eyes. At least she knows what anyone who's worked in an office knows: take care of your receptionists. The switchboard operators at Sterling-Cooper are plied with flowers, treats and what-not just to make sure calls consistently come through. Extortion on the phones - why haven't I thought of that?
Overall, this show is a transporting bit of Americana, feminism, style and corporate politics...oh, and booze and cigarettes on the job. Well worth staying up late! Here's a glimpse of the startlingly beautiful opening credits - a little bit modern, a little retro, a little bit Saul Bass meets Bernard Hermann...love it!
Feasting on Asphalt 2 - Food Network
Where most of the Food Network is mired down by contests, cook-offs and otherwise boring shows aimed at the housewife contingent (hey, I watch 'em too) the "Feasting on Asphalt" series is incredible. I love Alton Brown! Yes, his "Good Eats" show is always consistently interesting, but sometimes all of that fact and science-based cooking makes one wonder if Alton actually enjoys his fixings. Luckily, there's "Feasting on Asphalt" - with the second season just wrapping up on the Food Network. (I'm sure it's going to be on re-run before we even have time to say "donut" so don't worry...)
With "Feasting on Asphalt", Alton Brown is almost single-handedly driving the resurgence of down-home, mom and pop roadside eateries - and he's doing it with subjective gusto. The series follows Brown and a film crew on a motorcylce journey around the United States, strictly adhering to side roads and old-timey diners, cafes and local food joints. The first season took the group cross-country, while this season the gang of dirty, dusty dudes on motorcycles (sigh!) take the River Road from New Orleans, LA up to Minnesota. Along the way, homemade, regional foodstuffs are celebrated, explained and enjoyed with the fervor of the travel-weary. I almost wish there was a counter on the screen that indicated how many donuts Alton Brown ate along the route, because I swear he must eat at least three in every episode!
If you have any interest in American food, where it comes from and how its made, this is a show for you. Or, maybe you just like motorcycles, road houses, and things cooked on a flat-top...either way, you should watch this one. If you want to hear Alton explain why himself, click here.
I first saw the "Cash Cab" during a recent cross-country airplane ride and was completely entertained. It's like your local pub's trivia night with a much better cash prize and a car trip to-boot. Imagine that you hop into a cab in New York City, on your way to brunch, and forty blocks later you've won enough money to buy brunch for the next month! Too much fun. I had to include a clip so you can see for yourself what it's all about...
Reader Comments (1)
For further clarification, I give you the Urban Dictionary def of wheelhouse (usage examples are most definitely not mine):
In baseball this is the part of an individual's swinging range in which as a hitter they can make the best contact with the ball. If a pitch is right in your wheelhouse it is right where you want it, in the spot where you have the best chance of hitting it well.
The term is also often used to explain something that falls into a person's area of expertise.
ESPN: "Konerko can hit the ball 500 ft. if it's pitched right in his wheelhouse."
Child 1: "How can we get this hot girl to take her clothes off?"
Child 2: "Ask Hugh Hefner, that's right in his wheelhouse."