"I think Joan's a little bit scared the fairy tale's not there," said Hendricks, who has appeared in numerous television shows ("ER," "The Court"). "When you never finish a project, you can't be disappointed in it." But at 31 in 1962, Joan knows she's quickly passing her prime.
Time to let loose a little
The ACTRESSES sat together outside the makeup trailers at the Los Angeles Center Studios in downtown where the "Mad Men" sets are meticulously furnished with period detail, from plaid wallpaper to Langendorf bread. Moss, who had changed from her vintage dress and heels into a robe, was able to lean forward and relax. But Hendricks and Jones, still in their form-fitting costumes, eyeliner and Breck Girl hair, sat with the perfect posture forced on them by the clothes.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Thursday, July 24, 2008 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 28 words Type of Material: Correction
'Mad Men': The caption with a photograph in Sunday's Calendar section of cast members of the TV show "Mad Men" incorrectly identified actor Mark Kelly as Rich Sommer.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Thursday, July 22, 2008 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 23 words Type of Material: Correction
"Mad Men": An article about the series "Mad Men" in Sunday's Calendar section said that cast member January Jones would appear this summer on NBC's series "Fear Itself." It will be fellow cast member Elizabeth Moss on that show. Also, the article said that "Mad Men" creator Matt Weiner wrote that series' pilot while he was a writer on "The Sopranos." He wrote the pilot before he worked on "The Sopranos."
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Wednesday, July 23, 2008 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 23 words Type of Material: Correction
"Mad Men": A correction that appeared Tuesday about the TV series "Mad Men" misspelled the first name of actress Elisabeth Moss as Elizabeth.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Sunday, July 27, 2008 Home Edition Sunday Calendar Part E Page 2 Calendar Desk 2 inches; 86 words Type of Material: Correction
"Mad Men": Last Sunday's article about the series "Mad Men" said that cast member January Jones would appear this summer on NBC's series "Fear Itself." Cast member Elisabeth Moss will be on that show. Also, the article said that "Mad Men" creator Matt Weiner wrote the series' pilot while he was a writer on "The Sopranos." He wrote the pilot before he worked on "The Sopranos." Finally, the caption with a photograph showing cast members of the show incorrectly identified actor Mark Kelly as Rich Sommer.
"I just tip over in some dresses," Hendricks said.
"We have a very high standard now for material," Jones said. "They're spoiling us. I haven't been reading anything even near to the quality of this show," Hendricks said. Where colleagues on other TV shows need to find creative fulfillment in theater or film during hiatus, Hendricks said, "we get that every day."
The short 13-episode season also makes for an ideal situation, if they want to try other jobs in the off-season, they said. Jones, for instance, will star in a film in production titled "The Boat That Rocked," a comedy by Richard Curtis. She'll also appear this summer on the NBC horror anthology "Fear Itself." Hendricks will appear in the film "Driving Lessons" with Hope Davis and Dermot Mulroney.
In TV circa 1960, women's roles were one-dimensional and relatively similar, with no insights at all into their inner lives. In Season 2, 1962, Jackie Kennedy is shown on one episode, leading a tour of the White House in a suit and hat. Thompson said the top shows of that year were "Gunsmoke," a macho program whose one female character, Miss Kitty, runs the saloon; "Bonanza," about a man and his three sons from different mothers who were gone; "Hazel," a woman who worked as a maid; "My Three Sons," another widower with children; and "Lassie." "The women were either maids or collies," he said.
The signature utopian family shows of the era were "Leave It to Beaver," "The Donna Reed Show" and "Father Knows Best," the title of this last one providing "the pithiest summary of the politics of the era," Thompson said.
