First, a proviso about what extras the show might have if on HBO/Showtime. Joan’s boobs (and boobs in general) undoubtedly. Male butts maybe–but I doubt Don’s. Too much exposure would undermine Don’s mystique. Though his butt is doubtless fine no actual butt is ever as fine as a butt left to the imagination. My sense is that the producers of this show like a nicely clad Don who occasionally strips down to his t-shirt and boxers.
And this leads me to the non-proviso reply. I don’t think it would necessarily detract but I don’t crave more sexual explicitness from this show. IMO its plenty sexy without extra nudity; and while the sex is never graphic it’s usually kinda interesting.
OTOH, the Extenze commercials especially are a major turn off and IMO that would be a crucial benefit of HBO or Showtime.
Nah, I think you’re right. I hadn’t thought of Don seeking comfort in times of stress, but I guess he does. I think his age has something to do with it too. He’s not simply horny like the younger guys might be. He’s not looking for new experiences – he’s looking to lose himself, for an emotional as well as physical outlet.
Sampiro, I think nudity would detract from the 60’s feel, but I wouldn’t mind some raunchier language, just to get Weiner’s take on how those guys would have talked in 1963. Would they have said “fuck”, do you think? I know I was surprised to hear the word from the lawyers I worked for in the late 70’s. Nice young Jewish boys saying “motherfucker”? Shocking!
Your right, actual nudity really wouldn’t add much. Sure we could get some more explicit sex scences and shots of the male leads buck naked at private health clubs.
Granted, it was on AMC but when Sal gets fired and Sal & Harry are in Don’s office, Harry opened with “I fff— screwed up.” Of course, professionally it was to someone who (I think?) out ranked him.
Nudity and more explicit everything would (IMO) detract from the tone the show sets in presenting it’s set pieces. Regardless of people did behind closed doors it was a less overt time, especially in that social set . It’s not the 70’s yet.
Apropos of nothing, I thought I heard that Matthew Weiner first offered the show to HBO, but they turned him down, which is probably something that they regret.
No, not that – what I meant was movies and TV (definitely TV) from the sixties didn’t have much nudity. I’m okay with nudity in 1870’s Deadwood (it was supposed to be uncivilized) but nudity in Mad Men would be jarring.
I’m guessing that a major plot point of the coming year will be Betty missing Don as a lover. He’s a lousy husband but by all accounts he’s great in bed, while Harry will probably be exactly the opposite: devoted husband, just okay in the sack. She’ll probably fantasize about Don when they have sex.
So you think Betty and Harry are gonna have an affair next? Yowch. I definitely don’t see him being all that good in bed. The guy can’t even find his way to the right room in the Pierre!
