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The darkly intimate 1960s-era drama Mad Men has marketed its reputation as one of the best shows on the box by scooping the Emmy for best TV drama series for the third year running.
Set on New York’s Madison Avenue, the hit show focuses around the golden age of advertising and skillfully reflects the political and social history of sixties America.
The show’s creator, Matthew Weiner, and his writing partner, Erin Levy, focus around the momentous historical events such as the Kennedy assassination, the Korean and Vietnam wars.
As well this the show tackles the deeper human dramas of life, delving into contentious issues synonymous with the period such as abortion, homosexuality and divorce.
But it is not all doom and gloom. The tragedy of some of the stories mixed together with its kitsch look gives a black comedy affect and makes for a compelling watch. The aesthetic and authenticity of the show has also been key to its critical acclaim.
John Hamm, one of the show’s stars, said: “It was completely unexpected. The quality of the nominees this year was phenomenal.”
Having won the BAFTA for best international show for the past two years, the 60s period drama has gained commendation on this side of the Atlantic and is gearing up for its fourth series starting next week on BBC 4.
Part of the shows appeal, apart from the voluptuous red-headed bombshell Joan Harris played by Christina Hendricks, is the shows intelligent writing and the creators obsession for nostalgia.
The characters lead lives of an enviable decadence. The men wear slim-cut suits and have neat haircuts; whilst the women wear fashions that show off their figures.
Smoke filled rooms, sexual banter verging on harassment, and healthy measures of a fine Scotch whisky are high on the agenda and all help to give the show a unique visual style.
The shows femme fatale, Miss Hendricks who was recently named best-looking woman in America by readers of Esquire magazine, appeared at the awards show and although she lost out for the prize for best supporting actress to Archie Panjabi, Hendricks certainly looked well supported in her plunging lavender gown and is sure to have many viewers salivating in the latest series.