Wonderful, Susan. You make me want to revisit MAD MEN. “Over the top” in its portrayal of sexism? Hardly. I’ve just finished THE GIRLS IN THE BALCONY, Nan Robertson’s grippingly reported history of sexism at the New York Times. Well into the 70s, the most eye-rollingly awful things were said, in public, about women reporters at the country’s pre-eminent newspaper. If you weren’t a working woman in those days, you didn’t know. And if, like me, you worked at a women’s magazine, you probably didn’t know either.
As a fashion historian, I used to be asked (a lot!) if I ever watched Mad Men. (Always by younger women who loved the costuming.) My stock answer was “I don’t have to; I lived it”. We moved from western Nebraska to Bergen County, New Jersey in 1957. We lived there for four awful years, while Dad enjoyed martini lunches in The City and had an affair with his secretary. My brother was bullied, I tried to learned the new rules of suburban puberty, and my mother had the first of several nervous breakdowns. I know I missed some amazing performances by never watching, so perhaps eventually I will take a peek.
You definitely should!! I lived it too. (Don’t know if I mentioned in the piece, but I was born in 1947, grew up in Newark, NJ—not that Newark is relevant, except you mentioned Bergen county.) And, as you can undoubtedly tell from my stack, I loved the show. If you do watch it, let me know what you think!
As I write about John Cheever every week (more or less) one of the things I try to avoid is comparing the story I'm writing about to Mad Men. I only try not to because if I gave into my desire, my Substack might as well be called John Cheever Should Have Written About Mad Men
The women well Dons wife and friends also had full time maids and nannys, honestly Beaty was bored and mean. No one hit their children except her. She was not depressed just had nothing to do but gossip.
But what about Dick Whitman - Don Drapers childhood traumas and his military trauma and his genuine kindness that his cruel wife Beaty never appreciates. Yes he has sex with other women. But growing up an orphan in a whorehouse in the 30s well what else was he supposed to think sex was. He had no parenting. He just survived the Korean War and reinvented his l8fe as Don Draper. He really is the pull yourself up and self made artistic talent. The sorority women and Beaty his wife who smacks her children across face. L9cks them in the closet etc. Well she is not depressed she is bored. I have little understanding of the first season, however as Don's characters back story is revealed it is quite a brilliant portrayal of men gone to war as children and home expected to provide for wives etc. When Beaty kicks him out because she wants to, his paychecks still go to her and she uses the money. All of it. When I think of Mad Men I actually pitty the men, they have to live up to the same fantasy as the wives yet also the fantasy of bringing in a huge salary and working with men who expect them to drink all day. It was a very enlightenment for me as I imagined my parents were getting married a bit after the show in 65. Really is an excellent show when the characters are fully developed.
Great article on Mad Men. I din't know that the great Sopranos episode "College" was an inspiration.
One thing about Don Draper's worklife that stood out to me was how little he actually worked. My memory of the show was that in between the alcohol binges and the affairs and recovering on his couch, he'd come to a meeting for a few minutes, have a good idea, and win over the client.
Wonderful, Susan. You make me want to revisit MAD MEN. “Over the top” in its portrayal of sexism? Hardly. I’ve just finished THE GIRLS IN THE BALCONY, Nan Robertson’s grippingly reported history of sexism at the New York Times. Well into the 70s, the most eye-rollingly awful things were said, in public, about women reporters at the country’s pre-eminent newspaper. If you weren’t a working woman in those days, you didn’t know. And if, like me, you worked at a women’s magazine, you probably didn’t know either.
Now I really want to read THE GIRLS IN THE BALCONY!!
It’s so good. A classic, and wonderfully written. You’ll have a lot to say about this book.
Ordering right now!
As a fashion historian, I used to be asked (a lot!) if I ever watched Mad Men. (Always by younger women who loved the costuming.) My stock answer was “I don’t have to; I lived it”. We moved from western Nebraska to Bergen County, New Jersey in 1957. We lived there for four awful years, while Dad enjoyed martini lunches in The City and had an affair with his secretary. My brother was bullied, I tried to learned the new rules of suburban puberty, and my mother had the first of several nervous breakdowns. I know I missed some amazing performances by never watching, so perhaps eventually I will take a peek.
You definitely should!! I lived it too. (Don’t know if I mentioned in the piece, but I was born in 1947, grew up in Newark, NJ—not that Newark is relevant, except you mentioned Bergen county.) And, as you can undoubtedly tell from my stack, I loved the show. If you do watch it, let me know what you think!
By the way, from Nebraska to Bergen County!!! Wow, culture shock!!
Indeed it was.
As I write about John Cheever every week (more or less) one of the things I try to avoid is comparing the story I'm writing about to Mad Men. I only try not to because if I gave into my desire, my Substack might as well be called John Cheever Should Have Written About Mad Men
I'm glad we are living as equals now or at least as we wish. And taking a pass on sorority culture
The women well Dons wife and friends also had full time maids and nannys, honestly Beaty was bored and mean. No one hit their children except her. She was not depressed just had nothing to do but gossip.
But what about Dick Whitman - Don Drapers childhood traumas and his military trauma and his genuine kindness that his cruel wife Beaty never appreciates. Yes he has sex with other women. But growing up an orphan in a whorehouse in the 30s well what else was he supposed to think sex was. He had no parenting. He just survived the Korean War and reinvented his l8fe as Don Draper. He really is the pull yourself up and self made artistic talent. The sorority women and Beaty his wife who smacks her children across face. L9cks them in the closet etc. Well she is not depressed she is bored. I have little understanding of the first season, however as Don's characters back story is revealed it is quite a brilliant portrayal of men gone to war as children and home expected to provide for wives etc. When Beaty kicks him out because she wants to, his paychecks still go to her and she uses the money. All of it. When I think of Mad Men I actually pitty the men, they have to live up to the same fantasy as the wives yet also the fantasy of bringing in a huge salary and working with men who expect them to drink all day. It was a very enlightenment for me as I imagined my parents were getting married a bit after the show in 65. Really is an excellent show when the characters are fully developed.
Great article on Mad Men. I din't know that the great Sopranos episode "College" was an inspiration.
One thing about Don Draper's worklife that stood out to me was how little he actually worked. My memory of the show was that in between the alcohol binges and the affairs and recovering on his couch, he'd come to a meeting for a few minutes, have a good idea, and win over the client.
That's modern corporate life, too. Except with the good ideas.