The TV Addict 

Following last weekend’s SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE parody and Sunday’s upcoming TREEHOUSE OF HORRORS XIX on THE SIMPSONS, I think we can all agree that MAD MEN has officially found its place in the American Pop Culture Zeitgeist.

Thanks to TVTattle for the Tip!

With Halloween mere days away, this TV Addict thought now would be the perfect opportunity to talk about what scares us in the world of television. So without further ado, we present our Halloween Scare #3: A Matthew Weiner Free MAD MEN.

With Matthew Weiner’s CAA representatives and Lionsgate, the studio behind AMC’s MAD MEN at a negotiation standstill (over suprise, surprise, money!), Deadline Hollywood Daily is reporting that there is now a genuine possibility that the Emmy-Awarding winning series could part ways with its visionary creator as the critically acclaimed drama heads into its third season. Which following Sunday’s brilliant season finale, would drive this TV Addict well, more than a little mad.

More Halloween Scares:
Tuesday’s: NBC President Ben Silverman
Monday’s: An Amy Poehler Free SNL

Good News: AMC has green-lit a third season of its critically acclaimed original series MAD MEN. Bad News: MAD MEN mastermind Matthew Weiner still hasn’t signed onto the dotted line. No doubt hoping for a [much-deserved] mad raise. [Source]

Good News: The Sci Fi Network has officially confirmed that BATTLESTAR GALACTICA will commence its final season swan song on January 16, 2009 at 10PM. Bad News: What aren’t you getting? BATTLESTAR GALACTICA is finally coming to an end. Frak No! [Source]

Good News: ABC cancelled OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS. Bad News: Only to replace it with yet another hour of DANCING WITH THE STARS. I mean you’d think ABC learned nothing from the time they ran WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE into the ground. [Source]

By: Amrie Cunninghame [My Take on TV]

I don’t think I’m overstating anything when I say that this summer has given us some of the best TV I’ve seen in a long time. I’m still not caught up on the few weeks I missed due to our trip to San Diego, but I still feel like I’ve seen some quality TV that I’m glad we have in the summer so these shows don’t have to compete with my regular fall viewing. Here are my favorite shows from the summer (if not listed, it’s because I’m just not caught up and I can’t say it’s my favorite if I haven’t seen it…I’m talking to you, THE CLOSER).

My five favorite summer shows this year:

BURN NOTICE – Ever since my visit to the set, I feel connected to this show. I’ve had the chance to spend time with the people that make the show possible, so to me, that makes season 2 even more spectacular than season 1. Michael Westen (Jeffrey Donovan) is a great character – he’s sarcastic, which is perfect for me – I sometimes feel like sarcasm should be my middle name. I love Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar, who I can’t say enough good things about) and I think she’s even better this season than last. No one compares to Sam (Bruce Campbell) and, say what you will about Madeline (Sharon Gless), I think she’s a fantastic character. I have enjoyed every episode of Season 2 so far. It’s funny, whip smart, and just an easy way to pass the time. I understand the plight of viewers who think the Carla thing has dragged on a bit too far, but I personally am on the edge of my seat, waiting to see how the mid season “finale” goes (since we’ll get more BURN NOTICE in January this year) and what more we find out about the mysterious Carla (Tricia Helfer).

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1. NEW PROMO PHOTOS: While some may argue that this TV Addict needs to get outside more, I’m just going to go ahead and say it. New promo photos make me giddy! Not only do they signify that the Fall TV Season is just around the corner. But Hello!?!? Surely I’m not the only one who’s beginning to think that the fine looking doctors of Princenton-Plainsboro are starting to give the dysfunctional gang from Seattle Grace a run for their money.

2. AN EVERWOOD REUNION: Now admittedly, Michael Ausiello totally deserves to be tied to a chair and force fed season after season of ACCORDING TO JIM for his incredibly misleading title that immeditatly got me thinking, “Gregory Smith on BROTHERS & SISTERS!” But nonetheless, in accordance with my [FOR] EVERWOOD obsession, this TV Addict is stoked that showrunner Rina Mimoun has tapped the adorable Sarah Drew [Hannah] for what will hopefully turn into a recurring guest stint on the CW’s PRIVILEGED. And while on the subject of the CW’s other new drama. You know, the one that doesn’t feature that famous zip code. You heard it here first. PRIVILEGED is going to be the CW hit that nobody saw coming.

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Is anyone else a big enough TV Addict to admit that they too totally missed EVERWOOD alum Sarah Drew’s guest spot as Art Director Sal Romano’s beard wife on Sunday’s second season premiere of MAD MEN?

Thanks to The Watcher for the Tip!

If a picture is worth a thousand words and no detail is too small for MAD MEN mastermind Matthew Weiner, then what pray-tell is this latest promotional photo [see above] for MAD MEN’s second season trying to tell us?

Well, this TV Addict has come up with a few possible theories. Not quite 1000 words mind you, but feel free to help ‘up’ the word count by adding your own thoughts in the comments below.

1. Notice anything eerily familiar with how Pete Campbell’s hands are positioned? The way they’re clenched in that classic sinister manner. You know, kinda reminiscent of this guy. Probably not a good sign for anyone standing in Mr. Campbell’s way as he endeavors to climb the Sterling/Cooper corporate ladder.

2. As the saying goes, behind every great man is a powerful woman pulling the strings. Which is why we’re willing to bet that Joan Holloway [Christina Hendricks[ standing on equal footing with Roger Sterling [John Slattery] is no coincidence.

3. Which brings us to the man on fifty-percent of the masthead. Roger Sterling is standing front and center, which is a good indication that he’ll be playing a far more prominent role at the office this season. Well, that and the fact that Slattery’s DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES character is no longer with us [moment of silence].

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By: Kevin Kelly, Special TCA Correspondent

Men dressed to the nines, mid-day drinks at the office, not to mention flirty secretaries like Joan Holloway. Oh how we’ve missed the wood-paneled, smoke filled halls of Sterling Cooper Advertising.

Which is why we are so thankful to take part in yesterday’s Television Critics Association (TCA) Press tour. Where MAD MEN mastermind Matthew Weiner along with cast members Jon Hamm, John Slattery, January Jones, Elisabeth Moss and Christina Hendricks were more than happy to get us ready for the upcoming second season premiere of the show, airing on AMC on July 27.

So fair warning readers. Unless you wish to know some of the upcoming second season plot twists, you’d better avert your eyes, do not pass go, do not collect two hundred dollars and head directly to iTunes, Netflix or Amazon to check out the phenomenal first season for yourself. Rest assured, you won’t be disappointed.

[TV Addict Note: Canadian subscribers to Rogers Digital Cable can watch the entire season On Demand, and in HD on Rogers Channel 300]

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… At the 2008 Television Critics Association. Yup, much to Ray Richmond’s dismay, theTVaddict.com’s very own TCA correspondent Kevin Kelly will be providing readers with up-to-the-minute coverage, news and interviews over the course of the next two weeks. So be sure to check back regularly for all the news that fits to print. And perhaps even a few things that aren’t! Like this…

Spotted: What’s the first clue that MAD MEN actresses January Jones and Elisabeth Moss might be taking their roles on the critically acclaimed show a tiny bit too seriously? Because the moment yesterday’s MAD MEN panel ended, both Jones and Moss were seen darting off to the Beverly Hilton Courtyard for a quick smoke.

Which naturally begs this question. Would ex-First Lady and retired Doctor Abbey Bartlet be more upset to discover that her daughter Zoey was caught smoking? Or knocked up by a scum-bag like Pete Campbell?

[Kevin Kelly note: Thankfully, Christina Hendricks, who will always be Saffron from FIREFLY, didn’t join them!]

If you have yet to check out AMC’s new original drama MAD MEN you’re missing out on one of the summer’s best new shows. Click the video above for a sneak peak of tonight’s episode. We have a sneaking suspicion Roger and Don’s relationship is in for a bumpy ride.