Smoke Gets in Your Ears: A Mad Men Podcast: Recent Episodes
Kenn Edwards
A Mad Men rewatch podcast, discussing every episode of Matthew Weiner's acclaimed drama as it comes to a close. Hosted by Arlo J. Wiley (Gobbledygeek), Kenn Edwards (So Let's Get to the Point & Project Batman), and Joseph Lewis (the short film Nowheresville).
It has been one year since Don Draper offered to buy the world a Coke, one year since the end of Mad Men, and most importantly, one year since the end of Smoke Gets in Your Ears: A Mad Men Podcast. What have Arlo (yeah, he goes by Arlo now), Kenn, and Joe been up to since last you heard from them? What do we think of Don's final epiphany, a year removed from the hype surrounding it? How do the first and last episodes of the show compare? Plus, don't miss a very special Hamm Watch!
Grab your most cherished JC Penney bag, down a case of cheap beer, and try to be open to the final episode of Smoke Gets in Your Ears. For the last time, AJ, Kenn, and Joe set their sights on our favorite Madison Avenue advertising executives and all their assorted hopes and dreams. In discussing the Mad Men series finale "Person to Person," the boys talk about everyone's attempts to break the cycle, the ever-present theme of renewal, and whether or not Dick Whitman's final epiphany is a cynical one. It's been a long ride; hopefully, we found our waitress. Thank you for listening. Plus, don't miss the series finale of Hamm Watch!
For the penultimate installment of Smoke Gets in Your Ears, AJ, Kenn, and Joe take "The Milk and Honey Route," on which our characters begin to find themselves. Pete takes a job interview and gets more than he expected. Betty goes to class and learns more than she bargained for. Don stops in Kansas and gets to teach a lesson. It's as if, with only one episode left, the confused and frustrated citizens of Mad Men are inching nearer and nearer to something like self-acceptance. It's about time. Plus, don't miss another exciting installment of Hamm Watch!
In the pre-penultimate (?) episode of Mad Men, "Lost Horizon," Don takes a ride, Peggy rollerskates to Roger's organ accompaniment, and Joan attempts to burn it all down. AJ, Kenn, and Joe discuss the SC&P gang's anonymity at McCann, whether or not we've seen certain of our characters take their curtain calls, and just where the hell Don thinks he's going. Plus, don't miss another exciting installment of Hamm Watch!
Like "Shut the Door. Have a Seat" and "For Immediate Release" before it, "Time & Life" signals a time of great change in the lives of the Sterling Cooper gang. Can Don and the others pull off yet another gambit to save the agency? Why does this feel so familiar and yet so different? AJ, Kenn, and Joe explore these questions and what they mean at this point in the show's life. Meanwhile, Peggy and Stan have a heart-to-heart, and Pete deals with a weird old money blood feud. Plus, don't miss another exciting installment of Hamm Watch!
What does the future hold? Where does Don Draper see himself going? Where does Mad Men see itself going? These questions and more are speculated upon in this week's Smoke Gets in Your Ears as AJ, Kenn, and Joe discuss "The Forecast." Glen stops by the Francis manse, Mathis is in dire need of a bar of soap, Don oozes, and the gang analyzes the average viewer's response to the season. One thing's for certain: this was a much, much better episode than last week's. Plus, don't miss another exciting installment of Hamm Watch!
It's finally happened. Matthew Weiner & Co. finally turned in an episode of Mad Men that AJ, Kenn, and Joe simply don't like. Well, not simply; this show never does anything simply. There are good things in "New Business," which is mostly about old business, including a parade of Don's past lovers and the return of Megan. It's the new business itself, Don's dalliance with waitress Diana, which proves more of a problem. The gang discusses whether this is the show just spinning its wheels, trying something new, or building to something greater. Plus, don't miss another exciting installment of Hamm Watch!
Mad Men is back on the air for its final seven episodes! AJ, Kenn, and Joe are here to guide you into the homestretch, finding yet new facets of Don's existential quandaries to plumb. On "Severance," the season 7B/season 8 premiere, Don is visited by a familiar face, Peggy loves veal, and Ken is gonna kill Pete. The gang also discusses viewers' (and our hosts') expectations for this final run of episodes, and whether or not Don's end will live up to them. Plus, don't miss another exciting installment of Hamm Watch!
Well, they've finally done it, those mad men. AJ, Kenn, and Joe are now all caught up with Mad Men. As they discuss the season 7A finale, "Waterloo," the gang discusses how much it feels like a series finale (except for a few major loose threads), the beautiful way Matthew Weiner & Co. say goodbye to a long-time character, and what that last scene means for the final seven episodes. Plus, don't miss another exciting installment of Hamm Watch!
This week on Smoke Gets in Your Ears, AJ, Kenn, and Joe do it their way while discussing the penultimate episode of Mad Men season 7A, "The Strategy." As the gang at Sterling Cooper & Partners dances their way to the end of the '60s, Don and Peggy finally have it out; Pete and Trudy's relationship (or lack thereof) comes to a head; and Bob gets closer than ever to Joan. So many subplots have a button put on them that this may as well have been a season finale...but no, there's still one more episode before Mad Men returns to the air. Plus, don't miss another exciting installment of Hamm Watch!
Now that they're in the home stretch, with Mad Men season 7B premiering on April 5, AJ, Kenn, and Joe have moved to discussing just one episode per podcast. This week, that episode is "The Runaways," in which everyone is trying (to various degrees of success) to run from authority. There's Don trying to rout his partners, Betty attempting to assert independence from Henry, and...Ginsberg v. computer? This episode goes to some dark, strange places, and your hosts are on hand to make sense of it all. Plus, don't miss another exciting installment of Hamm Watch!
For the final podcast discussing multiple episodes of the show, AJ, Kenn, and Joe continue their analysis of Mad Men season 7 by discussing whether or not Don, or anyone on the show, has any hope of attaining redemption. Once you've bottomed out, can you climb your way back up? The gang tries to find answers by taking a look at "Field Trip," wherein Betty drinks milk; and "The Monolith," in which the other couch is full of farts. Plus, don't miss another exciting installment of Hamm Watch!
At long last, AJ, Kenn, and Joe have reached the seventh (and current!) season of Mad Men. If the sixth season was about echoes of the firm's and the series' past reverberating in new circumstances, season 7 begins with the characters in the midst of great change. This week, the gang sets their sights on the first two episodes of the season: "Time Zones," in which Lou is immune to Peggy's charms; and "A Day's Work," wherein Bert is all for the national advancement of colored people. Plus, don't miss another exciting installment of Hamm Watch!
During season 6 of Mad Men, the gang at Sterling Cooper & Partners found themselves with much to lose. What, then, do they stand to gain? AJ, Kenn, and Joe are on hand to discuss just that as they take a look at the sixth season finale, "In Care Of." Pete's absurd new highs (or lows, depending on how you look at it) are detailed at length, Don's affection for Hershey bars is expounded upon, and the boys analyze the finale's great final scene. Plus, don't miss another exciting installment of Hamm Watch!
For the penultimate episode discussing Mad Men season 6 (and the final episode discussing three hours of the series), AJ, Kenn, and Joe get serious about Sunkist. Well, among other things. The episodes under discussion are "A Tale of Two Cities," in which Don takes a dive; "Favors," wherein Sally discovers model UN is just the worst; and "The Quality of Mercy," in which Ken Cosgrove becomes an Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. Plus, don't miss another exciting installment of Hamm Watch!
Things get startlingly revelatory on Smoke Gets in Your Ears this week, as AJ, Kenn, and Joe make a major discovery about a very important character. As they continue their way through season 6, they take a look at "Man with a Plan," in which Don and Ted are in for a bumpy ride; "The Crash," wherein the gang gets their shots; and "The Better Half," in which Peggy makes a kebab. Plus, don't miss another exciting installment of Hamm Watch!
Our white, monied gang gets prepared for some major status quo changes as AJ, Kenn, and Joe continue their discussion of Mad Men season 6. The three episodes under review are "To Have and to Hold," in which things swing; "The Flood," wherein Paul Newman's speech is rudely interrupted; and "For Immediate Release," in which a whole bunch of letters get thrown together. Plus, don't miss another exciting installment of Hamm Watch!
Mad Men season 6: the jumping-off point. AJ, Kenn, and Joe begin their discussion of the show's sixth season by discussing the two-part premiere "The Doorway," in which, yes, there is a metric shit-ton of doorway symbolism; and "Collaborators," wherein Beans and Ketchup are emphatically not two tastes that taste great together. There's much talk of Don's new fatalistic bent, the Dawn Summers-like introduction of Bob Benson, and the addition of Linda Cardellini as another (but quite different) Draper mistress. Plus, don't miss another exciting installment of Hamm Watch!
With "The Phantom," MadMen season 5 draws to a close in surprisingly bleak fashion for what at first seemed like an optimistic, enlightened year for the gang at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce. AJ, Kenn, and Joe discuss the bitterly ironic endings for each character, what doesn't exactly work about the finale, whether or not subtlety is overrated, and what the future may hold for our favorite ad men and women. Plus, don't miss another exciting installment of Hamm Watch!
AJ, Kenn, and Joe ring in the new year by chronicling the most devastating string of episodes season 5, and perhaps the entirety of Mad Men, has to offer. Those under discussion are "Christmas Waltz," in which the Negrons pick cotton for the Caucasons; "The Other Woman," wherein Joan rides a Jaguar; and "Commissions and Fees," in which the agency is forced to raise (then lower) its Pryces.
For their final episode of 2014, AJ, Kenn, and Joe continue their discussion of Mad Men season 5 with looks at "At the Codfish Ball," in which someone's cod is getting fished, if you know what I mean; "Lady Lazarus," wherein Don lets the needle drop; and "Dark Shadows," in which smog invades Thanksgiving. Plus, don't miss another exciting installment of Hamm Watch!
Things get a little tripy this week, as AJ, Joe, and Kenn continue their look at Mad Men season 5 with a discussion of "Mystery Date," in which Grandma Pauline gives Sally drugs; "Signal 30," wherein the Pryce is wrong for one Pete Campbell; and "Far Away Places," in which Roger discovers he just wasn't made for these times. Plus, don't miss another exciting installment of Hamm Watch!
Zou bisou bisou, here's to another season of Mad Men. Seasons 5 gets off to a start with awkward burlesques, hot cleaning action, a trademark Peach Pussy Power Play, and much more. The episodes under discussion are the two-part premiere "A Little Kiss," in which it's Don's party and he'll grump if he wants to; and "Tea Leaves," wherein Betty's, uh, put on a few pounds. Plus, don't miss another exciting installment of Hamm Watch!
Don makes another pilgrimage to California as Mad Men season 4 ends, while AJ, Kenn, and Joe engage in some exquisite girl talk about the man's complicated love life. What makes this trip different? What do Don's decisions say about him? Who is Don Draper? The boys try and get to the bottom of things. Plus, don't miss another exciting installment of Hamm Watch!
As Mad Men season 4 winds to a close, things seem to be falling apart for damn near everyone at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce. AJ, Kenn, and Joe chronicle the various disasters in "Hands and Knees," in which we discover Lane has a sweet tooth for chocolate; "Chinese Wall," wherein Megan goes above and beyond in her secretarial duties; and "Blowing Smoke," in which Don actually finds a use for The New York Times.
This week, AJ, Kenn, and Joe turn toward a very eventful run of Mad Menepisodes: "The Suitcase," one of the series' all-time high points; "The Summer Man," in which the new Don struts (and swims) his stuff; and "The Beautiful Girls," wherein Sally falls flat on her face. Plus, don't miss another exciting installment of Hamm Watch...which, in a bit of a departure, is a review of the Jon Hamm-starring baseball movie Million Dollar Arm.
Let's get liberated. AJ, Kenn, and Joe continue their discussion of Mad Men season 4 with a look at "The Rejected," featuring a Peach Pussy Power Play; "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword," wherein Roger makes a bunch of racist jokes (what else is new?); and "Waldorf Stories," in which that curse from Buffy that made Jonathan all cool and famous is apparently still strong enough that he got to be on Mad Men. Plus, don't miss another exciting installment of Hamm Watch!
Who is Don Draper? That's the question asked at the beginning of Mad Men season 4, one that will prove to be very important to the season that follows. AJ, Kenn, and Joe get in a celebratory mood circa 1964, starting with Sally's Thanksgiving regurgitation in "Public Relations"; before moving onto Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce's Roman orgy festivities in "Christmas Comes But Once a Year"; and ending with some bad news in "The Good News," just in time to ring in the new year. Plus, don't miss another exciting installment of Hamm Watch!
It's Christmastime in the city, which means 1963 is almost over. Other things at an end: the Draper marriage, Sterling Cooper, and Mad Men season 3. AJ, Kenn, and Joe discuss the finale, "Shut the Door. Have a Seat.," in which our cast of characters, who have so often been at odds with each other this year, are forced to band together to start a new chapter of their lives. It's a heist, Mad Men style; Don's Eleven, if you will. Plus, don't miss another exciting installment of Hamm Watch!
Where were you when JFK was shot? The characters on Mad Men find their everyday lives, their ad campaigns, and their affairs interrupted by those bullets in Dallas. AJ, Kenn, and Joe, who weren't around on 11/22/63, sift through Sterling Cooper's sense of loss and share reactions to their generation's closest reference point: 9/11. The episodes under the lens this week are "The Color Blue," wherein Betty consults an attorney; "The Gypsy and the Hobo," in which Ms. Farrell spends a lot of time in the car; and "The Grown-Ups," wherein Lee Harvey Oswald ruins Margaret's wedding. Plus, don't miss another exciting installment of Hamm Watch!
After taking a week off, AJ, Kenn, and Joe are back with more talk of Mad Men season 3. The episodes up for discussion this week are "Seven Twenty Three," in which time (and Don's face) is fractured; "Souvenir," wherein Pete does something very bad; and "Wee Small Hours," in which Lucky Strike doesn't get lucky. Also on this episode: the boys realize that three straight white guys analyzing Mad Men is sort of terrible and ironic. Plus, don't miss another exciting installment of Hamm Watch!
It's still 1963 for the gang at Sterling Cooper; acid wouldn't become the drug du jour for another few years, but that doesn't stop our very own Kenn Edwards from going on a far-out trip, man. As Kenn comes down from his psychedelic odyssey, he attempts to talk about Mad Men with a depressingly sober AJ and Joe. The episodes among discussion this week are "The Arrangements," in which Sally throws a tantrum (that will bring you to tears); "The Fog," wherein Betty takes revenge on caterpillars; and "Guy Walks Into an Advertising Agency," in which, well...yeah. Plus, don't miss another exciting installment of Hamm Watch!
A new season has begun, in more ways than one. As Don gets his Maypole on, AJ, Kenn, and Joe begin the third season of Mad Men. This week, they take a look at "Out of Town," which features a devious little bellhop; "Love Among the Ruins," wherein Ann-Margret is a sexy baby; and "My Old Kentucky Home," which is an extravaganza of blackface, pot-smoking, and accordion-playing. And don't forget those Brits. Plus, don't miss another exciting installment of Hamm Watch!
Reunions. Betrayals. Usurpations. (Is that a word?) Just another day at Sterling Cooper and also the second season finale of Mad Men, "Meditations in an Emergency." AJ, Kenn, and Joe discuss where Don and Betty's relationship is headed in light of how badly it's been damaged this season; the Cuban Missile Crisis hanging over every decision these characters make; and the conclusion of Duck's foolish gambit. There's also talk of Are You Here, Matthew Weiner's new film and feature directorial debut. Plus, don't miss another exciting installment of Hamm Watch!
In their penultimate week of discussing Mad Men season 2, AJ, Kenn, and Joe take a look at the "The Inheritance," in which the Drapers experience a stroke of bad luck; "The Jet Set," the charming tale of a young German man whose quest is to overcome adversity to see a Bob Dylan concert; and "The Mountain King," wherein Don meets an old friend out Californee way. Plus, Hamm Watch makes its triumphant return!
Continuing their discussion of Mad Men season 2, AJ, Kenn, and Joe take a look at "The Gold Violin," wherein the Drapers litter; "A Night to Remember," in which Father Gill makes his singer/songwriter debut; and "Six Month Leave," wherein Freddy Rumsen pisses himself. No Hamm Watch this month...but just you wait until next week!
This week, AJ, Kenn, and Joe are joined by The Debatable Podcast host Greg Sahadachny to continue their look at Mad Men season 2. The episodes under discussion are "Three Sundays," in which Peggy experiences Scorsese levels of Catholic guilt; "The New Girl," wherein Don has a bit too much to drink; and "Maidenform," which features a very sad puppy. Plus, don't miss another exciting installment of Hamm Watch!
After a short break, AJ, Kenn, and Joe have returned to talk more Mad Men. To help them discuss the first three episodes of season 2, the gang is joined by noted Billy Joel enthusiast/Radio Bastard co-host Jason Tabrys. Kenn and Joe aren't thrilled by these opening episodes, so AJ and Jason attempt to set them straight; much horse-related humor, discussion of Don's unglamorous aging, and alpha hipsters follows. Plus, don't miss another exciting installment of Hamm Watch!
AJ, Kenn, and Joe have reached the end of Mad Menseason 1, and in a way, the end of the first "season" of Smoke Gets in Your Ears. To round things out, the gang discusses the season finale "The Wheel," including Don's vulnerabilities and epiphanies, Peggy's ascension in the office (not to mention the shocking thing that happens to her after the fact), and how Betty is oh so very sad. Plus, don't miss a super-sized installment of Hamm Watch!
Men acting as if they are cowboys and riding women as if they are horses, rejuvenating undergarments, promiscuous household appliances...all this and more on the new episode of Smoke Gets in Your Ears: A Mad Men Podcast! AJ, Kenn, and Joe near the end of season 1, as they discuss "Long Weekend," wherein Roger has a semi-eclipse of the heart; "Indian Summer," in which Pete receives a package; and "Nixon vs. Kennedy," wherein the scumbag and the prettyboy (but which ones?) are after your vote. Plus, don't miss another exciting installment of Hamm Watch!
Don't you just love Pete Campbell, that petulant scamp? No but sort of also yes? Well, that's exactly the reaction AJ, Kenn, and Joe have on the new episode of Smoke Gets in Your Ears. In addition to admiring/despising Pete's many admirable/despicable actions (and giving him the best nickname he could ever be given), they discuss "Red in the Face," in which a slap is heard round the supermarket; "The Hobo Code," wherein little Dick Whitman learns an important lesson from a hobo; and "Shoot," in which it is decided that no pigeons are safe from Betty Draper's wrath. Plus, don't miss another exciting installment of Hamm Watch!
Dramatic revelations! Petty revenge fantasies! Talking bears! All this and more can be found on the new episode of Smoke Gets in Your Ears, as AJ, Kenn, and Joe discuss "New Amsterdam," wherein Pete wants an apartment; "5G," in which we learn all (?) about Don Draper's past; and "Babylon," which finds frightening new ways to look at the two-way mirror. Plus, don't miss another exciting installment of Hamm Watch!
The debut episode of SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EARS: A Mad Men Podcast, wherein AJ Wiley of Gobbledygeek, Kenn Edwards of So Let's Get to the Point and Project Batman, and Joseph Lewis of the short film Nowheresville discuss every episode of Mad Men from the very beginning. AJ and Kenn are long-time fans; this is Joe's first time through. Each podcast, they'll discuss three episodes of Matthew Weiner's acclaimed drama.
This time, they're analyzing the first three episodes of Mad Men: "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," which introduces us to the world of Don Draper and Madison Avenue circa 1960; "Ladies' Room," which shows how women are treated in this mad man's world; and "Marriage of Figaro," wherein Don is very late for a birthday party.
This should be fun. We hope you enjoy it.