It's only been touched upon here (in this thread), but has anyone checked out the AMC television series Mad Men?  Friends and co-workers alike have recommended the show to me with the utmost zeal, so I figured I'd at least give Season One a try.  I was never one for the likes of The Sopranos, but Mad Men's lauded status for excellent character drama and its finely-detailed recreation of New York City in the 1960s (which is said to look all the more stunning in its high-def shot Blu-ray presentation) sounds like something I could get on board for.

Any fans of the show here?  Thoughts?

I watched the first two episodes of the third season with a friend and was bored to tears. It's basically a well-produced, beautifully photographed hour of really slimy people behaving really badly, coupled with snooze-worthy office politics. Not my thing.

Same as Wanderer. I prefer AMC's other hit series, Breaking Bad, myself.

I'm certainly enjoying the hell out of it.  The production values in all aspects (writing, cinematography, acting, wardrobe, etc.) is through the roof. 

Many real life situations are dealt with, as the writers and directors reveal during their commentaries that so many things are lifted right out of their own family experiences and memories of what their parents did growing up.

Although the characters often make mistakes and bad choices, it's certainly REAL that they do end up facing the consequences later.  Shit happens, and they tell it like it is.  It's the closest thing I've ever felt a TV show come to really exploring what life experiences and life choices are all about.

It's an unfolding LINEAR story, so you really do have to start with Season 1 to see the character's initial starting situations, and how they change/grow/degrade throughout the experiences that happen to them later.

I haven't watched it but I got the blu-ray set for the missus for her birthday. When we finish what we're currently on (Babylon 5 from start to finish), we'll get stuck into it. I've heard it's great so I'm looking forward to it.

Well I watched Mad Men from start to finish (well, end of season 3 which is where the show is at right now).

I loved it. The atmosphere that comes from the time and location is superb and I was totally sucked into that world. I found myself wanting to be a part of it. I don't drink all that much and don't smoke but I think I could learn if I put my mind to it.

The characters are great, especially some of the rarer secondary characters, and the storytelling (while it has a few odd quirks) has a really interesting pace. I did feel it dipped considerably in the second half of the third season but the ending was absolutely fantastic.

Overall, I haven't enjoyed a series this much in quite some time and would recommend it wholeheartedly.

*pours Jay a Scotch*

Definitely one of the best shows in recent years.
Attention to details, memorable characters, great soundtrack and that 60's vibe makes it unique in this day and age.